Pumpkins and Apples

Since today was such a beautiful fall day (80+ degrees = not fall like AT ALL) we decided to head out to the pumpkin patch and apple orchard. The kids had a great time deciding on pumpkins (Simon prefers rocks) and picking, okay, actually mostly EATING apples.

Simon was very curious about this little guy - he wondered why he didn't talk back to him :-)

Aren't they cute?

Getting in Touch with our Hippie Side

We've been collecting supplies for this little project for a few months now. We finally had everything we needed and it was a beatuiful day outside (except for the killer mosquitos), so, we decided that today was THE day. Anna is actually making the shirts for Christmas presents for family, so SHHHH, don't tell :-)

The artist at work

In processing :-)

Daddy even got in on the action :-)
Our master pieces! We were pretty excited with how they turned out. The later ones were better as we got our technique down. And, yes, that is underwear...we were having so much fun that we were scrounging in our drawers and closets for white stuff to tie-dye :-)

Anna's 6th Birthday

Anna turned 6 today - I'm still not sure where 6 years went!!! We actually celebrated this weekend with Grandma and Grandpa and Uncle Ryan, Auntie Karen and Olivia. It was a fairy themed party - yes, I know, but she LOVES them.

One of her FAV gifts - an umbrella - who can guess what they're gonna latch on to

Mom and Dad with the birthday girl Family pic
Grandpa's birthday is very close to Anna's so they celebrate together. And he would ONLY wear the thing on his head for one of his grandchildren :-)

We all, actually, have "things" on our heads - just hard to see in this pic

Crazy Hair Day

Well, today was Crazy Hair Day at Anna's school. She begged me to give her "crazy" hair. This is what we came up with :-) One little boy told her that she looked like his grandma and another told her she looked like an alien - I guess that qualifies as crazy!

Soccer

Anna is playing soccer again this year. This year is different because they play actual games against other teams as opposed to just scrimmaging each other. They play 6 on 6 including the goalie and have one practice and one game each week. She seems to really like it again this year, although, once again, the dandelions/birds/butterflies are much more interesting than the soccer ball :-)

Playing goalie in one of their games Yup, the tongue still hangs out :-)

Carnival Time!

This weekend, Anna and I went to visit Auntie Karen, Uncle Ryan and Baby Olivia. Olivia's baby dedication service was on Sunday, but we went on Saturday so we could have a little fun. A little town near them was having their summer carnival, so we went to check it out. This was Anna's first time on those little carnival rides and to say she loved it would be an understatement!

Waiting in line for her first carnival ride

The swings - a carnival classic
Her first roller coaster ride

Yes, that's us...in the back car. I laughed the ENTIRE time because she was screaming the entire time :-)

The giant slide she talked Auntie Karen into going on with her
GREAT photo!
Then, she convinced me to go on it. Yes, it looks like a tame little slide, but let me tell you that the speed you get up to is VERY surprising!
Enjoying some cotton candy

It's all about the SHOES!

Simon has a slight obsession with shoes. He LOVES to try on everyone's shoes - he won't keep his own on for more than 30 seconds, but there is just SOMETHING about someone else's shoes, I guess. He will disappear for a minute (being WAY too quiet), then we will hear the unmistakable sound of him clomping around in shoes way too big for his little feet. And, he doesn't put them back where he found them - it takes us a little longer to get ready to go anywhere as we usually have to go hunting for a shoe or two before we head out the door.

First day of First Grade

Well, the much anticipated day is here. Anna started first grade this morning. She is excited to eat lunch at school and have recess like the big kids :-) Yes, we all know THOSE are the most important things about school.

All ready for her first day

Walking to school

Social butterfly This was Anna giving me attitude for taking MORE pictures of her - there was even sighing and eye-rolling involved. Yup, she is for sure almost 6 going on 16!
There goes my baby! Yes, I held the tears back until she was safely inside the doors :-)
After school - I'd like to say that she is running to see ME, but she was yelling "Hi Simon" the whole way.