One morning, the kids brought out their pillows and blankets and snuggled up on the couches. So sweet.
I need to be okay with more of these kinds of days and try to reduce the number of ones that pass me by at a hectic, breakneck speed. I get so bogged down in running around to get everyone where they need to be on time and do all the stuff on my never-ending to do list, that I too frequently miss these sweet, fleeting moments.
I didn’t take a single photo over the Thanksgiving holiday this year.
We spent the weekend with my mom and dad and helped them get settled into their new home. It was busy and Jonathan and I both had colds, but we still had a great time together as family.
Over the weekend we:
Hung 10 sets of curtains and curtain rods
Painted 2 nightstands
Reupholstered a headboard
Steam cleaned two area rugs
Hung pictures and mirrors
Painted a china shelf
Our November field trip was to the Jacksonville Zoo. It was the one cold day all week, but despite the chillier temperature, we still had a wonderful time and spent the entire day there. We pulled into the driveway just a few minutes before Jonathan got home.
Charlotte enjoyed herself so much that day, especially the train. Whenever she heard its whistle she would say, “Choo choo!”
Rosemary and her friend, Lucy
I thought Ben might want to hang out more with me and Charlotte, but I was wrong. He wanted to be in the thick of it with the big kids.
Thankfully, none of the children fell in.
We checked out the goats.
Later in the day we fed the giraffes.
They’ve got some long tongues.
Ben and the giraffes
Charlotte was not going to look at the camera when she could check out a giraffe.
An ostrich fluffing its feathers
Zebra
Elephant
Before Thanksgiving, the girls and I attended Ben’s Thanksgiving program with his class.
All lined up and ready to sing.
Ben was thankful for “no dinosaurs.” Me, too, Ben. Me, too.
Singing, “I am an Indian chief!” He looks so serious.
He really participated and sang. I was so proud of him and he was so cute!
After the program he happily served us pumpkin pie and water.
Ben and his teacher, Mrs. Hoffstedter.
We decorated our tree in mid-November. Although that seems early, it was the only weekend that we were going to have free for awhile so we went ahead and got it up so we could enjoy it.
Hanging up the bride and groom
Yacht club
Minnie Mouse ears
The Jacksonville Zoo
Charlotte hung up a few this year, as well.
All done!
We don’t really take part in Halloween activities, but the past few years we have let the kids dress up for the preschool parade. It’s really all that they do for the holiday (yet they still acquire ridiculous amounts of candy) and both Ben and Rosemary look forward to it every year.
Early on, Ben had said he wanted to be Woody again this year. I’d given him the option of being Mater, Lightning McQueen’s driver, or Woody (all costumes we already had on hand) and he’d finally chosen Woody. But a few days before the parade, Rosemary and Ben were playing Magic Tree House and he changed his mind and wanted to be Jack. Since Jack’s costume is quite possibly the easiest boys costume to do ever, we went ahead and let him switch.
Ben as Jack from the Magic Tree House books
Jack wears glasses, has dark hair (Ben’s was sprayed black)…
Always has his backpack with him…
And he carries his journal, reference book, pencil, and Magic Librarian card. All of which were tucked safely inside Ben’s bag.
Rosemary dressed as Queen Lucy from the Chronicles of Narnia.
Attached to her belt she carried her dagger and cordial vial.
She wanted to wear a crown. I offered to let her wear my tiara from our wedding and she jumped at the chance. I think the necklace she’s wearing was from my senior prom.
Striking a regal pose
All three little ones. Since it was so cold, we just kept Charlotte in her regular clothes and didn’t dress up.
Ready to load up and head to the parade.
Once we dropped Ben off, we made our way over to get our spots along the parade route.
He had the most adorable little face as he walked. He kept his nose scrunched up, I think in an effort to keep his glasses on, but it was too cute.
His dark hair kept throwing me off!
One of the best parts of Ben’s costume was that he was nice and warm. It was 50 degrees when we left the house that morning so it was chilly for a parade.
Hi, Jack!
A picture of Ben’s class
From there, we headed home to do some school.
Rosemary did her work in her costume.
And a perfect score on her fact sheet for the day! It was a super big deal and she was VERY excited!
So that was it as far as dressing up for Halloween for our kids. And it cost a whopping $7.50 (for the hairspray and glasses). Everything else we already had. They still thought it was great.
