Trick or Treat

Our kids are getting so big. The past years on Halloween we would go you our community 'Haloweenie' event and enjoy hot dogs and beams with our neighbors and on the way home, hit up the 3 favorite neighbor houses for trick or treating fun. This year, after our hot dog dinner, my babies made it through HALF of our neighborhood!! We had so much fun watching them go door to door and peoples reactions to their cute costumes. We have the best neighborhood and there was so much to see and do. One neighbor set up a 'circus' in her driveway compete with clowns and a mime. Katie had to hula- hoop for her treat there and was amazing!! Another house had a bonfire and let the kids make s'mores- yummy!! It was a great family fun night!!!

Celebrations of a 5 Year Old

We have been celebrating Kaitlyn's birthday all month (hmmm...spoiled a little?). Here is a glimpse of some of the fun:

We're excited to watch this five year old grow and have a fantastic year!! 

The Big 5

So today's a day I've been exited about and dreading at the same time. Our Katie Bug turns 5. She's officially a big girl and mama misses her baby but I love the sweet girl she is becoming. 

Kaitlyn's favorite colors are.... Pink and purple (anyone surprised?). She loves rainbows and unicorns. She is an amazing artist and loves to do her school work. She can write her first and last name by herself and is beginning to read sight words. 

Kaitlyn is full of personality and likes to be a 'mommy' to her dolls and to her brother! She's pretty dramatic (both good and bad!). She's starting to get really good at gymnastics too- she just did her first walk-over!! Of course, she's still an amazing swimmer. She's so close to level 5 and I know she'll pass soon (we're working on that breaststroke). 

She loves her daddy with all of her heart- I love watching the relationship between the two of them. She is the sweetest girl when he's around. She is also an amazing big sister. The two of them sleep together almost every night and share stories and secrets as they cuddle under the covers. I never tire of watching and listening to them on the baby monitor! 

I'm so excited to see what 5 brings us with our princess. Even though I'm sad she's not a baby- I know she'll always be MY baby and the one that made me a mother for the first time. I love her with all of my heart. Happy birthday sweet Katie Bug. 

Pumkin Patch Train Ride

So we just had the best morning and afternoon- we took a trip to the South Carolina Train Museum and took a train ride to the pumpkin patch. Nana Pat and Papa Joe came with us (daddy had to work). It's about an hour drive south to the museum and Mikey was so excited, especially when we pulled up and he saw the big trains. We got our first class tickets and got to sit in the dining car. We took about a 30 minute ride to the pumpkin patch where we got our pumpkins and then we able to decorate them right there with stickers and markers, get our faces painted, enjoy a story being read and watch a miniature train go around a track (Mikey really likes this as it was a Thomas train!!!). 

I was really surprised about all of the activities as I wasn't expecting too much, but the kids (and adults) had a great time. On our way back, we were able to enjoy fresh cookies and water or juice. So nice! 

We will definitely be back for more fun!! 

Barnyard Trip

Teacher workday means fun play dates with mom!! Today we took a trip with friends to the local Greenway and barn to visit the horses and other animals. We were able to bring apples and carrots and fed the hungry horses. We had a fun picnic lunch and were even able to make a great craft and create a 'pig cookie'!! I'm so grateful for these opportunities and the fact that my new job allows me to spend precious moments and time with my babies (one of which is turning five....in....3....DAYS!!?!!?!!).