Pumpkins and Scaredy Cats

We're enjoying the fall festivities even if it is still 90 degrees outside! Friday, Scarlett's class had an impromptu field trip to a nearby pumpkin patch. I was happy to go as a chaperone and see the fun things the kids got to do. There was a story reading:

face painting

a maze

(this was by far the favorite thing!)

cute little cut outs

even Briggs got in on the fun :)

Saturday, we met the Bailey's at a local nursery for the annual "pictures in the pumpkins". We love going somewhere big like the apple orchard or corn maize, but with Brody still kind of hurt we just didn't have the time to go too far this year. This little nursery has a great set up and even a bounce house...plus, it's free! The only bad thing this year was that it was kind of drippy outside, so the bounce house was wet. So, my kids didn't want to jump. We may try to go back, or more than likely, we'll just wait until Trunk of Treats at church and bounce there :)

This picture cracks me up. The witch in the background was scaring Scarlett.

It's been a fun month, and we're looking forward to Scarlett's costume parade, Trunk of Treats, and Halloween!

It's time for the tooth fairy!

**ps~ Thanks to all who were/are praying for Brody. He got word from the Dr. that it will not require surgery and he should heal just fine. He is getting some shots and they have given him a lot of relief...so thank you!!

My guys

If you get a second today, I would really appreciate a quick prayer. Sweet Brody hurt his back...we think it's a herniated disc. About 4 years ago it felt the same way and that's what it was. He was out of work for 6 weeks getting physical therapy and epidural shots and did eventually get better without needing surgery. I am praying that will be the case again this time...but Brody is really hoping it won't take as long. He can drive and walk this time (last time he couldn't really stand up without feeling like he was going to die). Right now he can do a few things, but pretty much has to lay around on the floor all day. He feels helpless and frustrated that he can't work. Thankfully we do have insurance so it's not a matter of being able to pay the bills, but I'm sure as the sole provider for our family he is feeling some stress about that, too. He loves his job, loves the guys he works with, and misses being productive every day. He does so much for us...SO much. I'm realizing that now as I'm picking up his slack...good gravy he's a great husband!! OK...enough mushy stuff. We are meeting with the neurologist this afternoon and will find out what the next steps are for Brody's recovery. Please pray that things go well and that Brody is able to go back to work and feeling good soon. Thanks so much!!

Darling Duo

Obviously I haven't had too much to say lately. I need to download pictures from my camera to see what's actually been going on around here because my memory fails me these days. haha

Anyway, Jaime made this darling dress for Scarlett as a birthday gift and then made sweet Jemma a matching dress. Scarlett thinks they're twins...it's so cute. Thanks Jaime!!

Let's just hope they don't get matching lazy boy's

Before I start my post I just have to say, y'all, that my kids are both in school on Tuesday and Thursday and yesterday was the first day I was ALONE in my house all day in six years. HOLLA!!!

OK, now on to the real reason for this post. My dad worked HARD for the same company for 38 years. He finally sold his business and things were final September 1st. So, to celebrate he took us all out to dinner :) (seems a little backward, but none of us are opposed to a free meal-without kids. ha!) ((and I know this sounds like I don't like being around my kids...I do. I love them dearly. But a grown up dinner is a luxury!!!)

Can you see the excitement on their faces?!

They don't look old enough to be retired to me!

This is blurry...sorry guys.

The food was delicious. I wanted to take pictures of all the goodness, but before I got a chance Brody's plate looked like this:

Cheers! Poor Jaime came down with strep the next morning. At least we got our night out before she felt like death. haha

We got Dad a gift basket...some funny things and some real gifts to celebrate.

I'd blame the wine for his expression, but I think he only had one glass and that's really just the way he is...now you know where Clark gets his funny faces for the camera. :)

It really was a wonderful night out and we are so happy that he and Mom can enjoy some traveling and time off.

Big Boy

Yesterday was a big day for my little guy. Preschool!!! Actually, it's just Mother's Day Out and he still has two more years until he's in the Pre-K class, but he calls it Preschool. Clark is a bit of a mama's boy and sometimes still cries when I drop him off at Bible Class so I was a little nervous about how he would do.

But because my kids like proving me wrong all the time, he was SO excited to go. He had been asking every day when it was his turn to go to preschool and when it was open. He woke up knowing today was the day!

It wasn't really the best day to get out and about because tropical storm Hermine happened to blow in right about the time we were heading out the door, but Clark didn't seem to mind. He did keep telling me to drive faster and hurry to preschool. haha

When we got there, one little boy was really missing his mommy and screaming at the top of his lungs. I thought for sure it would make Clark cry too, but all it seemed to do was cause him to stare open mouthed at the crying kid. After one more goodbye kiss we were off. I made Brody stand by the door and spy for a while, and when we were certain there would be no tears we left. I was FREE!! Ha! I cry for kinder, but Mother's Day Out is a treat and something I really feel like Clark needs so I didn't get weepy at all...I'm sure it helped that I knew he was fine.

As I got to the school to pick him up, I heard a weird siren going off. I was afraid there was a tornado around or something so I ran in the building, but apparently the power kept going off which set off their fire alarms. Lots of poor babies were beside themselves in the dark screaming for their mama's, but my guy was sound asleep. We had a trial run one time at home with him sleeping on his nap mat and it didn't go so well, but shock of all shocks...he took a nap at school AND slept through power outages and sirens. I guess he already feels right at home there :)

Puzzlemania

I've never really been into puzzles. My dad loves them, and it seems like almost every time I went to my grandparents house there would be a puzzle on their card table...but it just never really was my thing. However- Scarlett got a 300 piece puzzle for her birthday and really wanted to put it together. As much as I like to foster self confidence and independence by having the kids do things for themselves, I was pretty sure this would have the total opposite effect. SO, I told her that I would help her and every night after Clark went to bed we worked a little bit on the puzzle. I have to say that it was so much fun! Maybe I just liked the time alone with her since she's gone all day, maybe it was because it seemed relaxing, I have no idea. But we had a great time, and after about 2 weeks we finally finished!!

I think this may become a new nightly activity. :)