Packed full

I have a very busy week ahead of me so not much time to post. Between two school Halloween parties, Halloween, the kids and I all having dentist appointments, two soccer practices, and two parent/teacher conferences...I think we're quite booked!! I will of course leave you with a few pictures!

Oh' I love this sassy little face!

The new neighborhood mascot escaped again!

A cute and cuddly brother-sister moment that I was able to catch for a picture!Iain right before his game last weekend

Busy Times

I'm not sure where the time has gone! Here we are at the end of October, the end of soccer season too. Sean's last game is this Saturday. Iain's team made playoffs so they will go on for another month or so.

This week, I've been busy planning the boy's Halloween parties at school. Both are next Friday, both early afternoon. Not quite sure how to be in two classes at once, so we'll see how that works.

Look what we got in the mail today! (Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!!) Yes, you say, "what a nice apple", but let me clarify a bit. It's big, very big!

Here it is with a 'normal' apple that I bought at the store today.

Who knew that they were even grown this big! Can't wait to try it!

Speaking of apples, Sean poured himself some applesauce the other day! Guess it comes out fast!

TRUE STORY HERE!

I found this in my living room the other day. After I jumped a few feet in the air, I called (read:screamed) for my knight in shining armor to remove the real, alive, breathing, slowly crawling reptile from our house! Apparently he lives a few doors down and escaped! Yikes!

As promised, a new picture of Iain. He is such a fashion guy! He's a crack up!

Here's to 10 and many more

10 years ago today I married my best friend.

We use to talk about 'way down the road' on our 10 year anniversary. We had plans to renew our vows on a tropical beach somewhere with our future kids with us. Now as I look back, it doesn't seem that long ago. I feel like our vows are still so new, we don't need to renew them.

Can you believe this was us in 1998? We look so different, dare I say young??

Happy Anniversary Iain!

(I apologize for the quality, or lack there of, of these pictures. I couldn't scan them so I just took pictures of the pictures, which never allows for clearness. The flash was all over the place! The first picture has a 1950's look to it.)

Kind gestures

Last night Sara and I were talking in her room and she announced she wanted a pet mouse for Christmas. I was of course quite taken back so I questioned her request a bit more. She would like a purple mouse. He will sleep in her hand while she sleeps at night and he will pee on the potty. He will have pink eyes. I asked what she would name him...she replied "Iain"! What a gal!

I told Iain about the conversation. After a few laughs, he ran off and made this...Her very own purple mouse. (It is two sided and stuffed!!) :-)

Here she is this morning, holding her new "Iain". Like the hat that Sean made her?

Good Day

This morning as I dropped Sean off at school, a friend walked up to me out of the blue and handed me a coffee (yummy Starbucks iced Mocha)! She said she was thinking of me this morning and wanted to get me a little something! Anyone who knows me well, knows a coffee will make me smile. Thanks Amy!

As we were chatting, another friend walked up and offered to take Sara for the morning! She has a 3 year old little girl and they wanted to have Sara over for a playdate! Thanks Kristin!

I, then solo, used the time to my advantage. I went to Costco and did big shopping. Do you know how hard it is to stick to a list when Christmas songs are playing in the background? I found myself singing along to Jingle Bells, very tempted to put decorations and toys in my cart! I did refrain, but just barely!

The kids are all in good moods! The boys both had great days at school.

Just an all around good day!

Cuddling early in the morning!

Fort built by Sara

He loves posing for the camera!

Think she was tired? Her mouth is even hanging open!

Hamming it up more

(Iain hasn't let me take any pictures lately. I'll keep trying and post some as soon I can sneak one!)

If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies

I like butterflies... _________________________________________________
Last night Sara was given a piece of candy by a neighbor. I told her she had to wait until the morning to eat it. After a surprisingly small protest, she agreed. I told her to put it somewhere safe. Look where I found it! :-)

3rd grade has proven to be much more difficult and labor intensive than 2nd grade. Iain's teacher announced at Back-to-School night that this year was the beginning of preparation for middle school. (Did I miss something, he's 8!!) Anyway, Iain has really been feeling the differences in this school year. One of the biggest stressors on the kids is that 3rd grade starts actual grades. Another difference from last year, they have 6 tests each week...spelling, vocabulary, grammar, math, reading comprehension and social studies. Yikes! The kids were all very nervous about the first set of tests. Look what Iain brought home from his first 3 tests...(click to see larger)

Park fun! We've been changing it up around here and visiting the park in the mornings before school. Sean doesn't start until 10:00am since he's in the later session. It's a perfect way to enjoy the morning and each other.

Sean dried a slide with his bottom! I asked if he wanted to go home and change his shorts. He decided to sit "the way he does in class" to see if the wetness bothered him! He makes me laugh! Turns out a little water doesn't hinder sitting! :-)

He loves the swings! He has finally realized that pumping legs can make a huge difference!

Finding "her" S.