First Annual Shopping Birthday

Yesterday was my birthday. Some of you may recall that last year on my birthday, I told Jeff that this year I wanted to start a tradition of getting all the Christmas shopping done on my birthday. Some how after we got married, I got the job of shopping for all gifts for everyone in our lives. I end up stressing out trying to get it all done. Since I know he hates shopping, the only way I could get him to agree is to link it to my birthday.

Yesterday, Carson had his Halloween party at school and Macie was not in school. We decided Jeff would take today off to go shopping. (I actually ended up taking Macie to the doctor yesterday too. She has croup and a sinus infection.) We had to cut our trip a little short because Connor is sick. Mitzi was keeping the kids after school and we did not want them around Connor. But, we were able to get almost all of Jeff's family gifts ready. I can now wrap them and be ready to take them with us at Thanksgiving. We also got all the birthday gifts for my family that fall between now and Christmas. I still have to get the rest of my family and the kids and Jeff. But, we made a giant dent in it. (And Jeff has now been napping for about an hour!)Hopefully, I can enjoy looking for the rest of the things. And, hopefully Carson will have a list before the stores gets too crazy.

My birthday was nice. The day started with Cole and Connor singing Happy Birthday before school.

After dinner we had a cookie cake. This was my request, but it is the first year Jeff did not actually make me a cake.

Of course the kids enjoyed the cookie too.

I don't know what Macie is thinking here, but it is a look we see more often than we would like!

I need to post party pictures, but Macie is now awake!

My computer has been taken hostage

..by my 4 year old. Last week, I let Carson play a couple games on the Mickey Mouse and Super Why sites. Then this weekend, I FINALLY set up the Easy Link system he got for Christmas. I know it has been 10 months since Christmas, but we were a little busy at the beginning of the year. And, my computer died and we got a lap top. It is done now and the child is obsessed. He wants to play on the computer all day. Thankfully, I set a time limit when I set up the easy link. Maybe one day I will get my computer back and have time for a real update. We have a good bit going on the rest of the week so I should have something to share.

Strike 2

So much for the cute pumpkin patch pictures. Macie went to school looking very adorable, but she refused to pose for a picture. Her teachers and the director said they tried everything, but she just kept crying. Only one of the four kinds in her class getting pictures today would do it. But, Carson told me this morning that he was wearing his jacket in his picture. Maybe his will turn out anyway.

Fall fun and the loosing costume

We had a ton going on this past Saturday. On our way to the first of two parties, we stopped by the pumpkin patch at the kids school. We did not have a lot of time, but we got a pumpkin and a couple cute pictures. The kids school is taking fall portraits out there so maybe I will get some good ones after all!One of Carson's favorite thing about the Fall is jumping in leaves. Luckily for him, our backyard has enough leaves for he entire neighborhood to jump in. But, we have very few leaves in the front yard. Monday we were out playing and enjoying the nice weather. I decided that I could rake the leaves and let them play. I quickly learned that this is a job I could pass on to the kids!
First Carson was doing the work... Then he decided he would rather be the supervisor.Then they stopped to pose for picture.

Then Macie convinced Carson to take her for a ride in the mini wagon. It was a fun afternoon. We ended up having lots of friends come over to play too.

Later that evening, we pulled out Carson's costume from his 2nd Halloween. It was on the list of possible costumes for Macie, but I think it should be worn by a boy. That did not stop me from making her try it on. She looks very cute, but she will be wearing her cousins' old costume instead. Maybe next year she will finally get a costume of her own. (I wanted to get her a Minnie Mouse costume this year, but I decided to save my money for when she has more of an opinion)

Isn't she a cute Dumbo!

Carson's farm

This is the picture that came home from school today. I love it-especially the comments on the farmer and cow. It is so much fun to see how his little mind works!

Dairy

I went with Carson's class to Cagle's Dairy on a field trip yesterday. It was so much fun. The kids really seemed to like it a lot and the weather was great. This is the group at the start of the day. Notice there are 10 boys and only 4 girls. There are actually 11 boys, but one was missing. Ms. Susan rode in our car and she said she was surprised at how much they are enjoying all those boys! We went on a hay ride. At one point they have a dog heard the pregnant cows in the field right up to the tractor. All of the cows in the field are within 3 months of having a calf. The others are busy giving milk! This one cam right up to Carson to get some hay from the hay ride.This is one of the babies. We learned that she is a Jersey cow because she is brown. Carson actually warmed up to this one and touched her. If you look at her ear ring, you can see she was born on 9/26. The youngest ones were born on 10/6.
Carson and our car buddy Nicholas showing their pumpkins. They had to pick between a pumpkin and chocolate milk. I tried the milk and it was very good.
The class at the end of the day.

A couple more cow pictures. If you are ever get a chance, I would suggest you checking it out.

Carter's birthday party

After soccer on Saturday, we had Carter's birthday party. He had it outside of his grandparents house. They live on a great cul-de-sac. The kids brought bikes and trikes and scooters to ride. (The girls had thier strollers and babies to push. ) The boys all had cars to decorate before the party and they had races down the drive way. It was a beautiful afternoon and even the parents had fun hanging out.

Carson and Carter

Carson on his bike and Macie pushing her doll.

All the boys:Cole, Carter, Ryan, Connor, Carson, and Eli.

Mr Brad getting the ready for the race

Macie trying to prove she is a big girl

Riding the scooter

and Carter's bike.

Carson and Carter a little unsure about the sparkler candle!

But we sure liked the cupcakes!

This video is of Carson riding the bigwheel down the driveway. It really shows how much braver he has gotten! I don't think the video completely shows how fast he is going!

Soccer

We had a busy day. It started with soccer pictures and a game. We were at the field for over 2 hours! Thankfully, it was a beautiful morning. Carson had a great start. He was right in the mix and kicked the ball several time. It might not sound like much, but it was great for him. But, he got pushed down and hurt his foot. He was limping along behind the rest of the kids. Finally he talk Jeff his foot hurt. He was out for the rest of the game. We think he actually hurt his ankle last week and when he fell he hurt it again. Next week I think he is going to just wear his tennis shoes and see if he can keep from turning it. He was fine after a little while so its not bad.

The team lined up for pictures.

Addison visiting with SueSue with Macie looking on while Connor tries to push her. The joy of watching your big brother play soccer.
Carson and Jeff during practice.
Jeff brainwashing his players! He would ask "What is rule # 1" and they all chanted "Have Fun". Then he asked "What do you do if you get knocked down" and they all replied "Get back up." It was funny to listen to all of it!
Macie sitting with the players who were waiting to play.

We have 3 more weeks. I am hoping Carson will make it through the whole game next week. He is getting so much better when he isn't hurting. I think he could ever score a goal. He doesn't talk about it much, but he knows he has not scored one during a game.

Water Fun

After the big rain this week, our water table on our deck was very full. This is what happens when you let the kids outside to play!

Weekend Part 2

Sunday our church had the annual church picnic. This year, they even had inflatables for the kids to enjoy. We got there really early so Carson got to enjoy them without the crowd. I was a little freaked out because there were some much older kids (teenagers) who were not thinking about the fact that he was much smaller than them.

Carson on the giant slide-notice his hair.

At the bottom of the slide.
Macie watching Carson.
Macie loved jumping with Megan until the big kids got took over. We did not think it was safe for a 1 year old to jump with wild 10 year olds!

After some bouncy fun, the kids found their favorite baby Caroline.

Little Coulter and Eli also joined in on the fun.

We really had a great time. The weather was perfect and we had Grandma there to help. Let me tell you it makes life easier when you have 3 adults with 2 kids! We have been going to the picnic for several years. I remember 4 years ago when Carson was about the only kids in our group. Vanessa had just had Eli a few days earlier, but she did not bring her 1 week old to the picnic! Now, there are just about as many kids as adults. There are still a few of us without kids. But, we are praying God is working on that! We are very fortunate to have such wonderful friends!

Clean cuties.

I love these post bath pictures of the kids from Friday night.