Boo!

Someone at the girls gymnastics was giving out goody bags last night, so they all got these Vampire teeth.

Kate requested meatloaf tombstones (they say RIP) and ghostly mashed potatoes.

Here they are ready to Trick-or-Treat.

The Queen of Hearts, Spider-Man's Daughter, and the Fire Chief enjoyed their trip out and gathered plenty of goodies in the chilly night air.

October Quilt Update

I had taken a bit of a break from my quilt during the summer months, but my fingers have been busy again.

Well, I've got all the basic arcs made,

A whole slew of them!

Up next, I have to put end pieces on half of them, so they can form these 'melon' shapes.

Maybe Kate won't need to finish it, after all.

Pumpkin Time

We took the littles to a Pumpkin Farm this weekend.

We rode a hay wagon across the farm,

and each of the littles got to pick out a pumpkin.  

They got to see pigs, sheep, and a mama cow with her young calf.

 We didn't see any pumpkin fields though (lots of hay bales painted to look like pumpkins), which I thought was a little odd, but they enjoyed the trip.

 Farmer Kate and Pumpkin Gabby approved.

 On Sunday it was quite a bit warmer for pumpkin gutting and carving.

 Nate asked his Daddy to make a scary pumpkin.

 Gabby was a little hesitant about getting pumpkin goo on her hands, but she did clean out her own pumpkin this year.

All lit up!  In case you are wondering, Gabby's pumpkin has 4 eyes and Kate's is the snaggle tooth--quite fitting as one of her top teeth is hanging on by a thread.

Gabriella is Five

Five years ago the nurses told me that we mis-named our baby girl, because she wasn't 'gabby' at all

My little Gabriella is FIVE today!

Miss Gabby, 

you are cute,

sweet,

and funny.  You've learned the fine art of using humor to get out of little scrapes.

If I had to choose one way to describe you though, I would have to say you are motherly.  You adore taking care of your dolls.  While you and your sister both like helping Nate, I think Kate likes to be in charge of him, but you want to take care of him.

You don't mind getting your hands a little dirty,

especially if it is ice cream!

You are learning to overcome your fears--like jumping over the sprinkler and talking to people you don't know well.

And you give wonderful hugs!

We love you Gabby Girl.  You are fire, ice, and sweetness all wrapped up in a cute little package.  We pray for you to use that energy and tenacity for great things.  We love you!

Love always,

Mama

Tired

Dear girls,

I know it was storming last night.  I understood that it woke you up.  I don't understand why for an hour you took turns running back and forth to the bathroom, leaving the light on, slamming doors, and talking loudly.  And Miss Gabby, I don't understand why, when I came to walk you back to your room the second time, you walked right into the wall when there is a night light in your room.  Can we please take a nap today?

Love,
One Tired Mama

Birthdays, My Turn

I remember that when I was a little girl I would ask my Daddy how old he was and he couldn't tell me without subtracting.  I thought he was pulling my leg, but now I get it.  I have no idea my exact age when I'm asked.  It is unimportant to me.  My girls think I'm teasing when I don't remember my age and have to figure it up.  Regardless of the number, I'm another year older now.

Since it is my birthday, Justin took the girls shopping over the weekend.  Evidently, as the girls were picking out a card, Gabby settled on one and dug her heels in.  As they looked at it, Justin and Kate noticed it was the same one that they bought last year.  That alone is funny, but not quite as funny until you know that I now have FOUR copies of the same anniversary card.  The second one was not on purpose, but now that it's a joke he looks for it every year, though he didn't find it our first year in TN.  Gabby evidently said, "Well, I liked it," under her breath.  Maybe when she's grown up she'll find that perfect card to give over and over again too!

Friday Funnies

Nate, picking up coasters after our birthday bash, "These for those people."

Me: "Weren't they nice?"

N: "I didn't like all those people in my house"

Me: "Why not?"

N: "They nice people in my house!"

I hope this isn't an indication of the types of parties Nate wishes to throw!

*     *     *     *     *

Overheard as the littles were playing in the play kitchen:

Gabby handed Kate a whisk, "Here's a whisk for making whiskeys."

It looks like his sisters are ready to help provide the 'spirits.'  If only they knew what they were saying!

Birthday Bash

Kate's birthday was last week.  We celebrated her birthday 'day' with cake and an odd dinner of her choosing which she helped me make.

We made 'wiener dogs' of hot dogs, crescent rolls, pickles, olives, and bell peppers.  They looked like little dachshunds.  Well, little dachshunds that kept falling over!  She also requested orange carrot soup.  That was not such a hit.  As in, I'm the only one who ate it and I didn't enjoy it.

She requested a crown cake in chocolate.

She talked to Justin's parents as she opened their gifts.

Saturday was the big day though.

My parents and sister came to visit bearing gifts.  This particular gift is an alarm clock that recites bedtime stories at a set time, has multicolored lights, and plays music while Cinderella and Prince Charming dance.

Then we had a party for both girls (since their birthdays are about 3 weeks apart) with some of their friends--seven little girls and Nate.

We made sequined crowns, beaded bracelets,

opened a cupcake pinata,

and ate rainbow colored food: fruit, veggies, suckers,

and even cake.