Almost Halloween

Our weekend was busy and fun, all wrapped up into one.  After reading and soccer on Saturday, we drove to CS to hang out with Grandma & PawPaw.  While there, the kids talked PawPaw into lighting up the fire pit for a yummy spread of hot dogs & s'mores. At dusk, we ventured out to check out the spooky Halloween decor.

sisters...

little bear...

Paw Paw & P...

the fire starter...

creepy skeleton yard...

bonding with the skeletons...

crazy girl...

Storybook Parade

On Friday, I was able to take off half of the day to see my two sweeties in their school's character parade.  In Kindergarten, each class chooses one book to read and the entire class dresses alike.  R's class choice was The Lorax.

dressed as one of the brown bears...

The Lorax & all the bears...

 In 1st grade and above, each student chooses their own book to portray in the character parade.  Q chose Pirates go to School and dressed in his best pirate garb.

Pumpkin Patch

While visiting Grandma & Paw Paw this weekend, we stopped by our favorite pumpkin patch for a few photos.

Mama & her girls...

ride 'em cowboy...

smoking a cigar???

pumpkin model...

more cigars...

our family...

where's q-man???

 my little jack-o-lantern...

little busy bee...

Rub a Dub Dub, Two Sisters in a Tub

The Schmidty's are now too big to all bathe in their tub at the same time.  Q usually takes a shower, while I give the girls a bath.  Last night, big sis wanted to teach Sweet P how to blow bubbles in the water.  She was doing pretty well with putting her mouth in the water, but usually came back up coughing & spitting water back out.  I should have taken a video of them.  They were both squealing and cracking up.  Ri is such a great teacher and sister.   Such lucky girls to have one another!

New Found Freedom

The overgrown median directly across from our home has become the new secret fortress, the "forest", the secret hideout, the best place on earth.  It is a wonderful space on so many levels.  The kids are outside with neighborhood friends for hours; exploring, playing games, & climbing trees.  The way childhood should be.

All the kids get along nicely.  There are a lot of siblings and a descent balance of boys & girls.  It is a new freedom for Q&R to be able to play without the constant supervision of Mama & Daddy.  Not to mention, it's nice to have a little time to clean up messes inside while periodically checking through the window on my little munchkins.

At the end of the day, everyone has a new scratch or bug bite from Mother Nature, and desperately need a bath.  The tub may have a disgusting dirt ring around it when they're finished bathing, but the stories they share and the laughter that comes with it makes it all worth it.

Addison's contribution to the "forest"...

Caden & Cullen's contribution...

she knows where to find "Bubba" & "Sister"...

jackpot...

showing off her "cheese" and cute chubby thighs...

For the Love of P I N K

My girls & I enjoyed our Saturday afternoon at a Sweet & Sassy birthday, while the boys went to a separate party at Incredible Pizza. I didn't get any pictures of the boys, but I have plenty to share of my sassy girls.

lining up for the limo ride...

diva in training...

showing how low she can go...

pretty in pink...

little sis getting in on the action...

October, Already?!

Here we are. October. A beautiful October morning it was. Cool enough to wear long sleeves. Cool enough for a pumpkin spice latte. Cool enough for my Sweet P not to feel good. I don't know if its the weather change or a simple cold, but my girl wasn't herself today (although she looks 100% in this pic). The pediatrician says there is no sign of infection, but to keep an eye on her and to come back if she worsens.

my cheesy girl...

my beautiful boy...