Pumpkins

It's confession time. I have been totally unmotivated this last week. Let me clarify; unmotivated in some areas of life. I did accomplish some important tasks like grocery shopping for the week, fixing dinners, and even went to story time at the Library. However, I have been not been motivated to get pumpkins for the kids. Thankfully, we had some pumpkins delivered to us! They were a bit to small to carve and I was too unmotivated to let the kids paint them. So I had no other choice but to give them permanent markers. Thankfully, there were no clothing casualties. Had Philip been home more than just one night this week, I might have actually purchased a big pumpkin for us to carve. But that was definitely not something I was interested in doing solo! I will miss the roasted pumpkin seeds this year.

However, I think I may have gotten one of my best compliments ever this morning. Last night when I was at Walmart, I picked up a container of Perler beads. Two friends of mine told me about them yesterday and I thought the kids would really like them. Emma found them on the counter first this morning. She said to me, "Mommy you acted like Gram and Granny. You bought us something that you thought we would like.". OK- so I could be easily offended by this but I'm choosing to be complimented. She speaks volumes in that and I'm OK with it! She's true; I don't often buy them the extras that they would love to have. Oh, I highly recommend the Perler beads! I will be buying more and suggesting to the grandmas that they buy them too!!!

Here they are....

I'm sure you have all been as eager as I have been to see what pictures Kate took!
Here's a slide show she put together. We are so thrilled with what she got. It's so hard to pick my favorites so PLEASE leave a comment on which are yours!.

http://katepope.zenfolio.com/p1055932523

What is to come

So "I reconnected with a friend of mine from high school on facebook". How many times have I said that lately! Anyway, Kate and I went to youth group together. Both of our families moved away from Raleigh so I haven't seen her since I graduated. Although, she's and I are now back in the Triangle. She was gracious enough to photograph our family on Sunday. We met her on the grounds outside of Duke Chapel for our session. I have been hemming and hawing over clothes for the kids for about 2 weeks. I didn't want to spend a fortune but I wanted us to look coordinated. I will do things a lot differently next year. Let's just say, I'm thinking that Land's End may be my friend for coordinating infant through boys sizes along with a matching dress.

I digress, she posted two "teasers" on my facebook page. They are amazing. I can't wait to see the rest this week. I'll be sure to share when I get the album. I'm thinking that Christmas shopping is all wrapped up!

Family Fun day

Today's family day was spent at the Fair!!! This year we brought along reinforcements. I was so thankful that my Aunt Carolyn was able to join us. She was Nathan's personal assistant. He hardly knew what to do with himself having an adult all to himself. We like getting there early so we don't have to fight the crowds and can enjoy the exhibits without having to wade through gobs of onlookers.
One of Philip's favorite fair foods is a hand dipped corn dog. The day has to begin with one.
This year we bought advanced ride tickets. The kids had the chance to ride lots of rides, well at least lots from my perspective!
Nathan got to enjoy his first Fair with a free diaper from Huggies! We entered the drawing to win 6 months of free diapers. I think he liked it.

Here's pictures from Fair 2008 and 2007

Day 9

It's been 9 days since the first of 4 fevers came upon our home. Thankfully, we did get a few outings in between occurrences. Mostly, though we have been staying around here. Today, Philip offered to bring Peter to school with him. They will have a great time together staying late in the night. Philip wanted to stay for a lecture from one of his favorite professors. So, we've done a lot of...coloring, blowing noses, washing hands, coughing, eating whatever I could come up with, watching cartoons and reading a few books. We are heading to the fair tomorrow. It may not be the best idea but it's the fair. How could you miss it?

the crud

Well, I'm here writing in the midst of the crud! I'm so ever thankful that it's not the flu. We seem to be on wave #2 of the crud (with a low fever). Peter started us out last week just in time for Philip to head out of town on his Walk to Emmaus retreat! So not only was I going solo for about 4 days, I had one sick. In retrospect...having Peter on the couch for 2 days wasn't all that bad. Am I horrible for just saying that?
About two weeks ago, Nathan starting rolling over! I often forget to just let him lie on the floor so he doesn't get much practice. I'm kinda afraid he might get run over if I'm not sitting with him. I need to post a guard!
The morning that Philip was leaving for school and then Emmaus, he lovingly got the exercise saucer out of the attic. I am so glad he did because Nathan really likes it!
Nathan had the fever for about 12 hours but that's it! He still has a runny nose but who knows; it could be teeth!??
Emma and Ryan are now down on the couch. I'm hoping they recover as quickly as Peter did. We have plans to go to the Fair on Friday!

4 months

Where has the time gone?
Nathan is still such a delight. He has just recently figured out how to roll over both directions. He's figured out how to grasp things and reach for things like his pacifer. Nathan is one loved little brother. It is a constant discussion concerning who is going to talk to him, push him in the stroller, play with him, feed him an occasional bottle and the list goes on.

Good bye fall break

After 8 days of being with either my parents or Philip's parents, I can honestly say that I will truly miss them! It is such a joy and a blessing when we are able to go to their homes or when they come here. It's the simple things that are such a blessing to me: an extra body to hold Nathan, somebody else who washes dishes, another person to play chess with, somebody to take the kids out for some one on one time, a trip to Peebles with no little ones, another person to cut up dinner.
I admit; I'm envious of those who live in the same town as their family. The boys were hoping that they could stow away to Charlotte.

Fall break fun!

We started our fall break with my parents at the beach. The weather was rainy, overcast and pleasant. My favorite day was Tuesday when we headed to Wilmington.After lunch, Philip took the oldest kids to Fort Fisher to take the Ferry to Southport. This was one of favorite things to do when we lived in Wilmington but none of the kids remembered it. Philip went on to take them to the Fort Caswell lighthouse, Brunswick town and I'm not really sure what else! When they arrived back to my parent's house around 7pm that night, Emma said, "Daddy forgot to feed us dinner. I'm so hungry!".While they were out and about, my mom, sister, Nathan and I did some shopping in Wilmington.

Ryan's songs

Well, Ryan has picked up on his father's or maybe his brother's love for music, singing and dancing. His latest favorite song is "Days of Elijah". We are blessed to have a talented band who leads our early morning service. They are the ones who taught him this great song.

I'm afraid he doesn't quite do justice to the band. He's cute though!