It's finally here!!!!

The bestest time of year is FINALLY here. Fall is my favorite season hands down, and in my opinion months September through December are the BEST.

Friday was the first official day of Fall, and Pierce's school had a big ol' fall festival. Maybe not my idea of a fun fall festival, but it was for the kids.

As soon as Hope laid eyes on this, she knew this was the best.festival.ever.

A new interesting thing happened that night. Pierce spent most of his time, looking for his friends. Mom, Dad and Hope weren't quite enough, he wanted to walk around "and see my friends." It was quite weird. Funny thing though, he would see someone he knew, run up to them, tap them on the shoulder and then they would just look at each other and say hi. I guess first graders aren't quite sure what to do after that. However, as I looked around I saw groups of fourth graders huddled together, and thought, it wont be too many more years, and instead of just wanting to find his friends, he'll want to hang with his friends. That's just ludicrous.

Between saying "hi" to his peeps, he managed to have some fun with his old mom and dad.

How many toss games can a festival have?
Lots apparently.


What else made this festival great? Pony rides!! Technically Hope landed a mule, but I wasn't going to dash her dreams, and say it's a mule. She loved the idea of riding a pony!!
And without a doubt, nail painting made this festival RAWK.
Before the night was over, the kids consumed 89762 pounds of sugar, and then we had to have popcorn to top it off. Seriously, this picture makes me laugh.
After we got home from the festival and put the kids to bed, Paul decided we would have a 'date.' Look at our ghetto spread here. Wheat Thins, shrimp cocktail, beef jerky, and diet coke.
We watched some yawntastic show, so I was busy annoying Paul by taking an insane amount of pictures. He even made me put down my phone. He's a meanie. Good thing I wuvs him.
Saturday I had the idea of taking the kids to the park for a cookout. Have I told you all that we are camping in October? This was sorta like a warm up for me.
Kids loved to run free...

And I was a real pioneer woman. I sliced a tomato and put lettuce on a plate. It was brutal.
Paul grilled up some yummy burgers and dogs for us. :)
Oh, and then he thought it would be a good idea to show Pierce how to use a knife on a stick.
Sounds like a recipe for a disaster to me, but he did great.
I asked Paul to take a picture of us before we ate. I thought it turned out good, but he said, he had to take it from the other direction. What for?
So you could see the Barren River Fire Dept patch on my jacket. Silly man!
After we ate lunch we took the kids to play some more.

Have I mentioned how cute I think she is? Oh, I have? Gretchen, majoring in obnoxious since 2004.
Even cute when she pouts because the boys are playing football.
Fall and football just go together!

Like Paul and the Patriots, or me and hoop earrings. And that's what we are doing today, playing more football outside and trying to catch most of the games.

Happy Fall Ya'll!!!

School Updates.

First up is Pierce.

He is doing GREAT in school, and lately he has taken off. For instance when he gets home from school, literally the minute he walks through the door, he asks to do his math homework, "mom, I love math!!" Considering how much I hate math, and no joke have been stumped a couple times on his math (yes I am that bad at math) this makes me very happy. :) His reading is improving by leaps and bounds as well.

He comes home weekly with prizes for his good behavior. Those pens around his neck are all things he's picked out, this doesn't include the pencils, and candy. Can anyone see my chest puffed up?

Hope.

Today, she had show and tell at school. This is the book that went along with the one item she wanted to bring.
She's obsessed with this little monkey here, and just HAD to show the class. :)
Hope is doing well with her letters and numbers, and always remains in the "green zone" at school for her good behavior. She LOVES school, and I pray that she always feels so passionate about it!

Here's a little thing I struggle with though. You know I am proud as a peacock over my children, and I want them to know that, but sometimes I worry that they will think I love them based on their performance. I don't want them to feel that way. I always want them to know I love them just for being them. What's the balance?

Muffins for Moms.

Muffins for Moms.

Donuts for Dads.

Cute little ideas that the school does in accordance with book fair. They get us in there, get us drunk on sugar, and make sure our cute kids are there asking us to buy them 234 books. It's genius!!

This time it was a spaced themed book fair. Pretty cute.

I asked Pierce, "who is this?" and he had no clue. He also doesn't know what a cassette tape is, or a VCR, or who Bon Jovi is. It's time he has some very important 80's lessons from his mother.
BUT, Star Wars was way before his time, and he already knows more about it than I do!
Star Wars is a very big topic at our house, and even more right now, since Halloween is right around the corner. Big debates between mom/dad/and Pierce, almost nightly.
Cuteness I say!!!

And this my friends is what momma bought. Like I said, drunk on sugary muffins, why else would I buy my son a Navy Seal book? I tried to talk him into a book on origami or something, but tough dudes always win out. And thankfully I still win out too.

Weekend.

On Friday, Paul left for some man time, at the Red River Gorge. He takes these backpacking trips about 3 times per year, and he LOVES it. This is what I would consider legit roughing it. Heck, my idea of roughing it, is if the ice machine is out of ice at the hotel, so maybe it's more like my idea of hades. Have I ever mentioned we are complete opposites? I digress. You want to know what I did Friday night? I put the kids to bed, and got wrapped up in a murder/mystery show. Why? Why do I do dumb things like that, when my husband leaves? I spend half the night, thinking someone was using a high tech glass cuter, to secretly get in my room. Ugh.

Paul told me I had to blog about his trip. Not exactly sure how I will manage to blog about this when I wasn't there.

Here's my best shot honey.

Two of Paul's bestest friends, Josh and Matt. Or should I use their trail names? Josh=black widow. Matt=Boone. Paul=Blade.

Have I ever mentioned we are complete opposites? Oh, I have?
Forging ahead, the manly man that he is.
I have to admit this is very pretty! He said this was at sunrise.
Blade being all Daniel Boonish.
I do love my man, and all his oppositness. I know that's not a real word, but you know what I mean.
On Saturday while my man was being a pioneer. I took the kids to two birthday parties. Kids had fun, and I ate lots of cake. That's a win, win!!

I did not know that birthday party #1 would have a pool, therefore I brought no swim gear. Hope had to put on BOY clothes. She was pretty embarrassed about that, but it was worth it to swim for all of TEN minutes. Geesh.
I've got to say, I am blessed that my children are so well behaved. Sure, they have their moments, but after party #2, I need to say I am blessed. I'll leave it at that. :)
Blade returned Saturday night and there was much rejoicing. Kids are always excited to see their daddy, and I didn't have to worry about rouge glass cutting evil people all night.

Check this out. During church Paul noticed this. 10 years ago today, Paul gave me this Bible! We had been dating for one month, and I'm guessing that he thought I needed to read up. ;)
We've spent a lot of time skyping with our family today. Skype is the best when you live away!! We were able to wish Sarah a happy birthday face to face, and see all the new cats!! :)
Kids have been playing in a 'tent' most of the day.
And I'm praying that New England wins so 'blade' ends the weekend in a good mood.
Happy Weekend!!

My absolute favorite.

Last night, not sure when, maybe 3 a.m., I heard a little voice, "momma, can I sleep wif you, I had a bad Star Wars dream." It was my little Hopie.

On average, I would say Pierce comes into our room 5 nights a week. Oh yeah, 5 nights a week. I know, I know, that's just bad parenting. He was my first, and I broke all the sleeping rules with him, and almost 7 years later, I still pay for it. He always gets sent back, unless he's sick, or if daddy just happens to be out of town, then I let him come on in.

Then I had Hope. I went hardcore with her. She was sleeping in her bed, by golly. I was determined not to go down that road again! It worked too! She's been a much better sleeper than her brother. Almost always stays in her bed, sleeps in later, all those things a momma dreams of!

Since last night was a rare treat, I decided to document the heck out of it. For a few reasons. 1) Who can resist a sleeping child? 2) I am obnoxious, and take pride in that. 3) My absolute favorite time with my kids, is when they first wake up.

Seriously, it was killing me to wake her up. She was out cold. So, why not wake her up, with a flash to the eyes? That wouldn't be annoying or anything.
The incessant flash was making her stir.
Can you imagine if I did this when she's say, 14?? I'm sure my camera would be flung across the room.
But she's not 14, she's 4, and just sweet as punch when she wakes up.
Messy hair, sleepy eyes, and eager to be held.
I treasure these moments.