Field trip!

Madeline had her very first field trip this week. She had an awesome time rubbing it in Ella's face how she would have to go to school that day while we had fun at a local pumpkin patch. Those two. Always trying to make each other jealous. I hope it's some sort of sisterly bonding thing. However, I foresee a lot of competition in their future.

The pumpkin patch was cute. A hayride, obviously a pumpkin patch, a little town to play in, and a picnic lunch! Sam was typical Sam. Tried to jump off the hayride into the pumpkins. I didn't let him. But I thought about it.

He ran around like crazy and Madeline and I chased after him. I think he knows I need to exercise. He. Never. Stops. Moving.

Madeline's teachers told me she is the "quiet one" in the class. Imagine my surprised face! She is such a talker at home that I thought for sure she would be my extrovert at school. She seems to be making friends, and truly loves her teachers and being at school. She has told me many a times "mama I love school more than being at home. But I still miss you when I'm there." Thank goodness for that, huh?

 The only pic I could get on the hay ride because I was holding Sam down with the other arm.

 Sweet girl was so tired after her big day that she passed out on the couch twirling her hair of course.

October Days

I always feel this way about my life. If anyone has had the "privilege" of talking to me on the phone, it's always a little chaotic in the background. Sam is typically climbing on a table. Madeline is usually spinning around, dancing in the living room. Ella is always yelling for everyone to be quiet so she can do her homework or watch Austin and Ally on the tv. Or they're all just beating each other up, screaming like maniacs, doing gymnastics in the hallway, and running recklessly through the house. But I haven't lost complete control of them yet. YET. I swear. I promise. 

I will always prefer a house full of noise and love and yells and giggles and cries rather than an empty, quiet one. It makes my heart full. It might make my head hurt a little bit, too;)

But every now and then when we all just need to get out(or even stay in) and enjoy life more...it looks something like this:

 I had a whole day with just my girls. Ballet, lunch, shopping and decorating the house. 

  Little man Sam needed another haircut!

 Seriously? He looks like such a big boy walking away from me.

 Every. Single. Day.

 He loves dogs more than he loves me. I know it.

 Lesson Learned: If you give Madeline a phone, she will fill it with selfies. Or creepy shots of her doll.

 He could eat play doh all day.

 Practicing acro!

 Walking on my back...it's how we spend our mornings;)

If you can't see the controlled chaos and love in those photos...go back and look again:)

October!

October is my favorite month of the year. The leaves change color. The weather starts to cool down. My birthday, our anniversary, my MIL's birthday, and Ella's birthday fill the month along with Halloween of course. So many reasons to celebrate and be grateful.

My birthday was a relaxing day. Tom spoiled me with a new purse and my sweet kids had presents waiting for me by my bedside to wake up to. I love getting gifts, but really, the older I get, the less I want. My heart is full with my beautiful family.  My whole life I have wanted to be a wife and mother. I hit the jackpot with both. No amount of presents would be better than what we have. (this is not a disclaimer to Tom to stop spoiling me though...that better continue for life;))

I graciously accept 34 with a smile. Another year older, but looking forward to what this year has to offer.

Looks like a flaming ball of fire! Tom thought he was funny to put 34 candles on that cake!

September Catch-Up!

Our September was part crazy, part lonely, a whole lot of fun, and as always busy. We made new friends in the neighborhood, started a new soccer program, started ballet and tap for Madeline, Tom took a trip to the desert for awhile, and mama took a trip to FL for a bachelorette party. FIRST time I have ever been away from the kids where Tom had to watch them overnight by himself. Ever. I am pretty sure they had an absolute blast with him though as he filled their days with Chuck E Cheeses, shopping, ice cream, tv dinners and corn dogs. I told him if I had been away any longer our children would end up with heart disease.  He really is an awesome dad;)

Picture day. Look at her hair. One day she will want to know she had hair like that!

 Let the soccer season begin! 

They look cute, but neither loved playing this year!

We spent the majority of the two hours chasing Sam.

 This kid loves ballet. Just wish she would pay better attention during class.

 Love our quiet mornings just playing!

She has to match her doll!

My pretty roses:)

 He may be crazy, but he is sweet!

 Ella drew a picture and described herself. I love that she dislikes spiders and their webs. And "dert". Also, she's a "deva". 

 And Madeline quickly erased Ella's board and drew one of her own.

Sam admiring his daddy's photo from afar! He missed him tons when he went away. 

 

Pretty much my view every day that Tom was away. These kids took over our bed. Probably why we switched to a king this year. Love it.

 She had to get her daddy circus peanuts for his big return! haha It took all of our willpower NOT to eat them before he got home.

While daddy was away our little hood within the hood had an end of summer hoedown! The kids panned for gold, played horseshoe tic tac toe, lassoed a cow...and the moms all drank a lot:) SO happy to have made new friends here! 

 Don't mind my sweaty kids. It was seriously hot that day!

One morning before school...I love when I have time to braid her hair. 

 Ice cream before waiting in car line.

 Car line naps are awesome for ME. Peace and quiet y'all! 

Funny story behind this picture: Ella wanted to sleep in on a school morning so to save time she slept with her clothes under her pajamas. She was even accessorized with a headband AND had her sneakers on. Don't worry, I took her shoes off at least after the pic, but I certainly laughed at her "brilliant" idea! 

 Sometimes before school I can't help but squeeze this girl. Her cuteness just exudes throughout the house and I can't get enough.

 Twinsies. Pigtails.

 Bachelorette party fun! 

 While mommy had fun at the beach with her best friends, daddy took great care of our babies.

 They shopped.

 Had milkshakes. For breakfast.

 Pizza for lunch.

 A nice Italian meal for dinner.

I think they missed me. And I certainly missed them!