Emma's Last Ballet Class

Emma has really loved her ballet class this month, and although it has been fun to watch her I'm not sure it has really been worth the money. She wants to continue, but I don't really think she's actually learned anything so I think we're going to try something else for awhile. As I see it she can try ballet again in a couple years and probably be at the same level as if she kept dancing for the next 2 years. We're going to be looking into gymnastics for both her and Mason, so we'll see what we do next. 

Anyhow, for their last class today the parents got to sit in and watch all that they've been doing, which was fun. 

Emma the Diva

Emma was cracking me up when she came out in this outfit today. She sure has quite the personality and sass in her lately. She was so excited about these rain boots that I just happened to stumble upon browsing through the Facebook classifieds and picked up for her. Only problem is that she wants to wear them everywhere now! Gotta love this crazy girl!

Mason's First Grade Picture

I finally got Mason's school picture back and although I don't love that he did a closed smile, I think he still looks pretty handsome! He's looking so grown up! 

Cookies, Windsor Lake, and Family

What a great day today has been. I got up early with the kiddos and let Steven sleep in. Landon helped me make German pancakes and sausage links for breakfast which the kids gobbled up. Once Steven was up we were all getting ready for the day and I got ready to head out to the store. We not only needed groceries, but other miscellaneous items as well so I was making a trip to Wal-Mart which is about 15 minutes away. In the meantime Steven was going to walk to the library with the kids. I was looking forward to a shopping trip without the kids, but Landon started having a meltdown when Steven tried to take him with him, so I ended up taking him with me. Having just him wasn't to bad and he was a champ for what ended up being a 2 hour shopping trip! He fell asleep almost right away when we headed home and went straight down for his afternoon nap once we got home. The other kids and Steven were eating lunch when we got home and then Mason wanted to try out the new Wii game that they'd rented. While he played the Wii Emma and I made some yummy pumpkin and cinnamon chip cookies! Now that the weather has cooled off and the leaves have changed colors and fallen off the trees it is officially fall and for me that means it's time to start making all things pumpkin! I love the fall and I love to bake with pumpkin, except oddly I've never really been a fan of pumpkin pie! Normally Landon is the one who insists on helping me in the kitchen, but since he was napping Emma was happy to help and enjoyed not having to fight for a turn! 

While I was finishing up the cookies Steven took the older two outside in the front yard to play and fix Mason's bike tire again. Soon after Landon woke up and I had the idea that it was such perfect weather outside we should go walk around Windsor lake and let Mason ride his bike there. Minutes later we were loading up into the van and headed to the lake. It was a gorgeous day and just the right temperature for a nice walk around the lake.

 Landon ran some and rode in the stroller, Emma mostly hitched a ride and Mason was happy to ride his bike, although we'd forgotten his helmet!

The walking path that goes all around the lake is 2.25 miles, so we took a few breaks along the way to break it up. We stopped to through rocks in and then stopped again at the playground and let the kids play for awhile. 

The lake was so gorgeous and the weather was just perfect!

By the time we made it back to the van it was already 5, and we hadn't really planned anything for dinner. Landon had a poopy diaper though so we had to go home to change that since I hadn't brought the diaper bag or anything. We decided just to change him quick and then went to eat at Guadalajara, a Mexican restaurant. Dinner was good, although it was a fight to get the kids to eat their food instead of just inhaling their chocolate milk! We were done a little after 6 and then decided to go drive around a few neighborhoods on the north side of town where we found a lot of newer neighborhoods and then one older neighborhood with mature trees and a quaint feeling about it that we both liked. There are a lot of nice neighborhoods and areas around Windsor, the trick is going to be finding a house that has what we want with a price tag in our budget! Once we were done neighborhood shopping we headed back home where the kids took quick baths before heading off to bed and Steven and I enjoyed some TV for the end of our date night. It really was the perfect family day together and I feel so content. Life is good. 

Letter Practice

This afternoon Emma and Landon were practicing their letters together. My goal was to do preschool with Emma at home, but since starting my new job that hasn't been going so well. Some days we do better than others. Hopefully I can at least help her know her letters and numbers well by the time she goes to Kindergarten next year. 

Emma's Ballet Class

Emma has been loving her ballet class this month and gets so excited to go every week. I can't say I've been super impressed with the class itself, but she's having fun and that's all that matters. 

Landon wanted a picture with the pretty ballerina

Greek Bunko Night

This months bunko was at Ashley Eldridge's home and was a Greek theme so we all used our bed sheets to dress up in Toga's. We ate yummy Greek food and had another great ladies night playing bunko. 

Playing at Main Park

I'm not used to the weather being so beautiful this late in September, but we took advantage of it and stopped at Main park to play after picking Mason up from school. 

There is a double swing at the park that I thought I'd try out with Landon since he's never been a huge fan of swings, and I thought he was going to do okay, but then he totally started to panic and freak out. Our trial on the swings was over pretty quickly. 

We had to stop for a minute so I could help Mason tie his shoes. He's still learning how, and it's definitely proving harder to teach him then I thought. 

Back to playing. 

It was a great day at the park and a great way for the kids to burn off some energy before heading back home. 

Drivers License & Doughnuts

Over a month ago I made an appointment to get my driver's license changed and today was the day of my appointment. My appointment was at 9, but while I was at the kiosk trying to check in it wouldn't take my number, there was also another lady behind me who wasn't able to check in either so I thought something with the machine must not be working. I finally asked for some help and found out I was at the wrong place! She quickly gave me the address for the driver's license division and I rushed the kids back to the car and hurried over there before I missed my appointment. We got there right at 9 and I was able to check in without a problem. We only waited a couple minutes before they called me back and the whole process took only about 20 minutes which I was so thankful for! The kids were real troopers getting hauled all over the place and waiting patiently for me to get my license so when I saw a Dunkin Donuts near by I thought I'd treat them to a special treat for being so good. Let me just tell you how glad I am to have all this license business behind me! I have the worst luck with DMVs! 

Crepes and Pancakes

Steven made yummy ice cream crepes last night for dessert and the kids loved them! They were licking their plates it was so good. 

Then this morning I let Steven sleep in while I got up and made breakfast. Landon was helping me make the pancakes, but once we got the batter mixed up he was refusing to give me the bowl back so I could cook the pancakes! He was giving me quite the glare and right after this threw a big fit when I had to to take the bowl away from him! I love that he likes to help me cook, but when he does this he's such a little stinker!

Landon's Happenings

All these pictures/events have happened in the last week or so and are just a compilation of the many things are little boy has been up to. 

Trying to get Rosco to play with the monkey. 

He's been helping himself a lot to food in the fridge lately. One morning I got up to find he'd gotten an orange out and was already peeling it! He was rather proud of himself.

One day he was throwing a fit because he was insisting on wearing his Superman pajamas, even though it was the middle of the day. He actually went down to his room and dug them out of the drawer to bring to me. 

I often find gems like these on my phone after he's found it and taken a million selfies!

He looks like and thinks he's such a big boy driving Mason's remote control car around. 

One day there was a music playing on the show Emma was watching and he stripped off his pants and started dancing in this awesome outfit! 

He sure has been a very busy boy lately, but I wouldn't have it any other way! 

Love you Landon.