Six

Today Andrew turns six. My youngest child is SIX. It hit me last night how big all of the kids are getting. I was thinking about how when Adam sits on my lap now his legs seem almost as long as mine. Before long, it will be like that with Andrew too. So, I scooped him up and held him last night. {sigh]

We had a little family birthday party for him while my parents were in town. There was cake of course.



There was also a whirlwind of present unwrapping.



This morning before school Adam, Abby and I gave him his presents from us.

Adam and Abby gave him Exago.



I gave him his photo book for the 2007-2008 year. It was a big hit. He'd asked about it for quite some time because obviously I was behind. He'd given up asking the last couple of months so he was pretty surprised this morning. I love this series of photos despite the fact that they are kind of hazy.



Before the kids had looked all the way through Andrew's book, Adam and Abby had gone to get theirs.



For dinner tonight, he's gone back and forth between wanting pizza and going to Quaker Steak & Lube where he's gone for the past 5 birthday dinners. We'll see what wins out...

Halloween Recap

The past week feels as though it has been a constant blur. My parents were in town. Yeah!! The kids had a half day of school on Thursday, and they didn't go back to school until today. What a nice break for them! My parents actually arrived a day early. I didn't tell the kids about the change in plans, and they were so surprised. The boys were outside playing, and they came flying into the house yelling, "GRANDMA AND GRANDPA ARE HERE!!!!" Abby was squealing, jumping up and down and turning in circles. They really enjoyed spending time with grandma and grandpa. My dad had a lot of practice being a horse.



He also spent some time getting his hair "fixed."


On Thursday evening we thought we'd carve pumpkins. My friend Dawn and her two kids came over to join in the fun.


Notice the plastic bag taped to Adam' hand. He and Abby also tried wearing rubber gloves in order to avoid the feeling of pumpkin slime.



We took pumpkin mess...



and turned it into this salty, yummy goodness.



We also ate pumpkin cream cupcakes and pumpkin pie. Thanks to mom for baking those!

The kids did dress up for Halloween. Abby wore her Christmas dress from last year and became a princess. The boys were both Duke from G.I. Joe. I had never heard of Duke before...not being a G.I. Joe fan myself. And despite the looks on the boys' faces, they were happy and having a good time. I'm not sure why it's not reflected in this picture.



The boys also posed with this monster thing at the end of our street.





Abby wanted no part of that. She was more content swinging her candy bag.



It rained Halloween night...just as the kids were getting ready to head out the drizzle began. By the time we reached the end of our street, it was pouring. They still had a good time despite being quite wet.

I did carve pumpkins, but haven't captured a good picture of those yet. I'll have to try again.

A Getaway

This past weekend while the kids were visiting their dad, I was able to get away with a friend. We stayed at a cabin at Lake Lure and went to Chimney Rock. Aside from the torrential downpour while driving up the mountain in total darkness Friday night, the weather was gorgeous.


In front of the cabin Saturday morning.

The view from the top of Chimney Rock. We climbed our way up. After reaching the three-quarter mark, there was a small part of me that thought the elevator may have been a better choice.






Lake Lure

I also have good news to report. Abby told me that she saw Julia at school yesterday. Thanks to all who prayed!

Lapse in Judgment

Last week I had a momentary lapse in judgment and let the kids play with their food. Surprising to me was the fact that this was started by Abby and not one of the boys--although suffice it to say that Andrew has always been more about eating his food and not playing with it. He did take one little piece of tortilla and shape it into an eyebrow which he stuck to his head. I wasn't quick enough to capture that. These pictures still make me laugh. The kids had a blast and were a little shocked that I let this game continue.

Is Your Mama A Llama

Is your Mama a Llama?

Why yes, yes she is!

Yesterday I had the privilege of being a chaperone on Andrew's field trip to The Lazy 5 Ranch. LOVE that place! This little llama was three days old. We also saw baby peacocks, a baby giraffe and a baby zebra.



I am happy to report that this year, I was not sneezed on by one of these. That happened to me in a past year. And unfortunately for me, the thing had a mouthful of feed. Gross! I was a little fearful at times yesterday. The rule at the ranch is that if an animal has 4 legs, you feed it from your hand (or run the risk of having it snatch your bucket). If an animal has 2 legs, you feed it from the bucket (lest you be pecked by a sharp beak). If the animal is a zebra, you don't feed it at all. They bite. However, please feel free to pet the zebras. Huh? We did. Not a one of us were bitten. With the buffalo you can just drop--or dump--the feed into their mouths. Some of the kids had a difficult time telling the difference between a mouth and a nostril. I was sure a sneeze was inevitable. Thankfully, we were spared from the spraying of wet, slobbery feed.


I must confess that I have a fascintation with the backside of zebras. They are incredibly symmetrical.


I love this picture of Andrew and one of his classmates. They also went to daycare together. I like the way she is looking at her mom and Andrew is looking at me.


It was another beautiful fall day here. Lots of warm sunshine and Carolina blue skies.

Pumpkin Patch

Last night we went to the Pumpkin Patch with some very good friends. The weather has been beautiful here for the past couple of days and yesterday afternoon was no exception. This particular pumpkin patch is run by my friend's church. We stayed there for over an hour picking out pumpkins and letting the kids run and have a great time.
















At the pumpkin patch, Abby learned that one of her classmates from last year is in the hospital in ICU and on a venilator. This girl has H1N1 and from what I understand the doctors are uncertain what else is going on with her. Would you please pray for Julia?

The Vine

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:4-5