Addison's Christmas program // Carter's Christmas party

Addison's Christmas program at school was pretty precious. The classes each go on stage and do a little song or performance. Unfortunately, this year, they told us we could not take photos during the program because of the risk of putting other people's kids' photos on social media. Bummer. I did manage to get a picture of her walking in and two after. It was a cookie and milk theme, so naturally she was chowing down until we got to Santa. HA! 

I am also the room mom for Carter's class, so I help plan the parties. We kept the snacks pretty simple--popcorn, cheese sticks and a cookie decorating station (which they, of course, loved)! Carter is always so smitten when I am in his classroom and he always wants me to take his picture, sit with him, hold hands, etc. It is downright precious (and also a prime reason why I am the room mom when I probably shouldn't be because of the time commitment). :) 

I'm so thankful I work at a place that is flexible, family friendly, and so close to daycare and school because it allows me to be present for every program, party and field trip!! 

Letters to Santa

I always love little things like this -- such keepsakes for their boxes! I printed out these cute letters to Santa and let them go to town on what they wanted to say on their own. I obviously wrote Addison's but Carter did his entirely on his own! :) 

(Sidenote: aside from the "cookies" on Carter's list, Santa did PRETTY well anticipating these suggestions. The cups through me for a loop that they'd even say that, but mama knows best and already had them!)

Inaugural Friendsgiving!

We are thankful for a lot of things this year (as always), but one of the new things we are thankful for is our small group. We met these other three couples and their kids back in February when our church had a small group creation event. It was nerve-racking and scary but we did it and it has been a HUGE blessing to our family. These people are literally some of our best friends in just a few short months. We decided to have our inaugural friendsgiving this year and it was a blast! Seth and I hosted. We put the grown ups (our small group + a neighbor of one of the couples!) inside and the kids in the garage with an indoor/outdoor rug and some heaters. It worked like a charm and we couldn't believe it. The kids were able to be loud, they were warm (actually, it was warmer out there than in our house), and we could eat in peace! :) 

We deep fried the turkey (YUM) and while we did so, we had apps and snuggled the babies! After dinner, the kids watched a movie in the basement and we watched National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (of course!!!). 

We had turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, stuffing, baked corn, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce and rolls. Oh--and lots of desserts (with many, MANY leftovers).

It was such a blast and we can't wait to make this a yearly tradition with these amazing friends!

Thanksgiving weekend with Oma and Opa

Oma and Opa came Thanksgiving night to stay for the long weekend. We did lots of fun things like visiting Santa at Bass Pro, baking cookies and going to Candylane! Addison even willingly went to Santa this year -- SCORE!! 

Candylane was so warm the night we went -- almost 70 degrees. The kids and I never even put coats on the entire night! 

 The kissing tower, of course! One of their favorite rides! 

Thanksgiving by Carter

In case you can't read it, this says "I am thankful for famle (family), fiod (food), God, toyz (toys) and haws (house)." So precious. 

Fall Fun!

Well--I didn't anticipate to not write for several weeks, but we've had a fun (and FULL) fall. We've been playing outside as much as we can, going on field trips, exploring the orchard and more! 

For Halloween this year, Carter chose Batman and Addison chose a bride. More photos to come after we trick-or-treat! 

Cuddling with the kittens at Maw-Maw and Papa Ray's! 

On October 12, Carter had an in-service day, so both kids went to my mom's/Michelle's on Sunday the 11th for a sleepover. On Monday, they went to Lake Tobias. They had great weather and were pretty tuckered out at the end of the day! I thought this was a pretty cute picture of the boy cousins! 

I chaperoned Carter's field trip to the apple orchard. He was SO PROUD I was there, which melted my heart. He kept telling everyone "This is my mommy!" and he begged me to sit with him on the bus. He reached over and held my hand the whole way there. Despite the terrible picture, there's no way I was going to miss capturing that! :) Goodness, I love that sweet boy!

Just this past weekend, I attended the women's retreat at church and it was a great time. It was GLAMPing (glamorous camping), but it was really cold, so I decided to stay inside the church rather than sleep in the camper (which was my original plan). We did a "paint and create" activity where I made this painting, now in my office at work.

After the retreat, Seth was going to hang out with some friends so the kids and I went to the orchard to the playland. It was chilly and both kids were a bit "off" so we were only there for about an hour. 

I feel like before we know it, we'll be getting snow and celebrating Christmas! Here's to eeking everything we can out of fall! :)

Hersheypark with Oma and Opa: Take 2

A couple weeks ago, we attempted a Hersheypark trip to celebrate Oma and Opa's 60th birthdays. That one got rained out in a big way. But the last weekend of August, we were able to try again and this time...SUCCESS! Ben, Salli and the kids were not able to come this time but Oma and Opa and Matt, Erin and the kids were able to be there! The weather was amazing!! Because most PA schools were back in session, the park was actually pretty empty. We decided to switch things up and go to the waterpark first thing in the morning to avoid the lines. That worked super well and we were able to ride water slides fairly quickly all morning! (No photos of that part -- there's no possibility of staying dry anywhere in Hersheypark's waterpark!) :)

After lunch, it was time for rides! We actually got a lot of rides in because by the time we were doing non-water rides, everyone else was heading to the waterpark. 

 

We stayed at the park for way longer than I thought we'd make it with 5 kids -- after 7 p.m. (from opening)! We went for dinner and all of the kids did so amazing at the restaurant (maybe because Oma told them she would get them rainbow bread from Isaac's?!?) :) We had such a great day and were so glad we got to celebrate Oma and Opa's birthdays!

First day of Kindergarten!!

I'm a little behind since the first day of Kindergarten was all the way back on August 25! Let me tell you--this was one excited little boy to be going to Kindergarten! His teacher's name is Miss Quirion.

 Breakfast on the first day -- eggs, fruit and juice! He could hardly eat he was so excited!In fact, we were probably ready for the bus a good 25 minutes before we had to leave. We got some photos, watched a short show and we were STILL to the bus 10 minutes early! :)

 I'm loving the backpack that makes him look so tiny.

 ...and the moment I almost lost it. Even just seeing the bus come up the street brought a lump to my throat. It made me feel so much happier to see him so, so excited and not really having a fear in the world. He kissed me goodbye and was off--like such a big boy! He did look out the window and give me a big wave and smile. It took everything in me to not start sobbing when the bus pulled away! They have my baby boy--how could I not be scared/worried/nervous?!?!(As a sidenote now here 1 month into school: he just loves it. He has so much fun, has made so many friends, loves his new after-school program and is having a blast!)