Some Fall Fun

Charlie and Hank stay really busy! On Monday, they were enjoying the beautiful fall weather. They rode their bikes and played outside all afternoon. While riding their bikes, they collected leaves. They had a great collection, and they were so proud. Charlie wanted to do art with the leaves, and Hank counted them. As soon as Marshall got home, Charlie took him to see all of his leaf rubbings that he proudly hung in his bedroom.

Charlie's 5th Birthday Party at Moore Acres

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Spiders

We made some Halloween fun. We took an idea from Family Fun magazine and had a great time. Our spiders wouldn't stick to the window, but we still had fun.

Here are some pictures of our spiders.

Is it Halloween yet?

Charlie and Hank have been so excited about Halloween. They have been asking for their costumes since this summer. Charlie is going to be Batman, and Hank is going to be Spiderman. Hank puts his costume on periodically and says, "I go trick or treat. You say trick or treat and get chocolate." We keep telling him it is not time yet. Charlie is learning about the changing seasons and months at school. He knows it is fall and that October is a couple of days away. He couldn't quite understand that Halloween was the last day of October, so we made paper chains. Marshall and Hank used the paper cutter and cut strips of paper. Charlie numbered each strip and stapled them together. Now, they are just waiting for Saturday, so they can start taking down a link a day.

Here are some pictures of their handy work.

What's an Oreo?

I love to make and eat cookies and brownies. We rarely buy cookies from the store, and if we do, we buy Milano's (my favorite.) I went to the store last week and saw that Oreos were on sale. I guess since I'm seven months pregnant that looked pretty good to me. I got a pack of double stuffed Oreos.

Last night I told Charlie I wanted some junk food.

Charlie: Want to make brownies?

Me: No, what about an Oreo?

Charlie: What's an Oreo?

I couldn't believe that Charlie, four years old, did not know what an Oreo was. He does know where to find the best chocolate chip cookies :)

Charlie's "B" Bag

Last week Charlie was telling us about the letter bag that they have at school. He told us that he would get a turn to bring the bag home and fill it with things that started with the letter of the week. Of course, the first letter was "A." Charlie didn't bring home the letter bag, but he talked about all of the things that he would put in the bag if it was his turn.

This week, the letter is "B." I don't know whose turn it is to take the letter bag home, but Charlie took it upon himself to make his own letter bag. He walked all over the kitchen and playroom sounding out objects to see what could go in his bag. He looked at the tomatoes and sounded out the t sound, so he moved on to bananas. He was so excited every time he found a "B" word. He took a bag, bow, bubbles, banana, batman, boat, and ball. He had so much fun.

This morning he took his bag to school. Marshall said that he got out of the car, and his teacher, Ms. Angie, asked Charlie what was in his bag. He said, "I'll show you when we get to the classroom." It is so much fun watching Charlie and Hank learn new things and to be intrinsically motivated to learn. They just have this excitement to learn, discover, and explore. I hope that it will last a lifetime.

First Day of School

Charlie and Hank started school this past Monday. Hank is in 3 year old pre-K, and Charlie is in 4 year old pre-k. They were both so excited to start school. Hank a little less excited than Charlie. Hank didn't want to get out of bed. He said he was too tired to go to school. Hank is usually up and out of bed every morning no later than 7:15. On Monday morning, he was wearing Superman pajamas. He told me that Superman would brush his teeth in bed, and Superman would eat breakfast in his pajamas. Charlie was up and dressed in no time. He was so excited that he couldn't eat breakfast.

Fishing

Charlie has been asking to go fishing on a boat for a long time. This summer he got to go. He had so much fun! He talks about his trip and what all he did on the boat all of the time. He tells us about catching a shark, sea bass, and silver snapper. He says that he wants to go again next year, but he wants daddy to put the bait on the hook. He doesn't want to smell too fishy.





This is Charlie and Mr. David. He became Charlie's special friend. Charlie got up early to go on the four hour fishing trip, but the boat was overbooked even though Marshall made the reservation two days in advance and used his credit card to hold the reservation. Charlie, daddy, and Pappy watched the boat pull away without them.

Luckily, they got on the next trip that left at noon and returned at eight. We thought it would be too long for Charlie, but he took a nap while the boat headed out to sea. The crew saw what happened earlier in the morning. They felt terrible, and made a special effort to make sure Charlie had a great time. Mr. David brought Charlie special bait to catch big fish with, and Charlie got to help drive the boat back at the end of the day with the captain. All in all everything worked out great! He even got to touch the shark he caught before they threw it back.

Skateboarding

Hank has really been awestruck by Uncle Brayden and his skateboarding skills. He loves to go to Laurel and Brayden's house to play on the ramp. I've never seen a three year old as excited about shoes as Hank was when Laurel and Brayden gave him skateboarder shoes for his birthday. When Hank saw Uncle Brayden with his skateboard, he came running in the house searching for the skateboard and helmet. I put his helmet on him, and he said, "Thank you, mommy!" and ran out the door.

Wipe out! But no tears. He got right back up to do it again.

Uncle Brayden was a very patient teacher.

Science Camp

A couple of weeks ago, Charlie and Kensington went to science camp. They had so much fun. Every day was a new adventure. Charlie was most excited about taking his lunch. The name of their camp was Junior Chemists. They made goo, crystals, elephant toothpaste, chewing gum, and so much more. Hank wanted to go to school too. He didn't understand why Charlie and Kensington got to go but not him.



By the end of the week, we were all exhausted. The camp day was much longer than their normal school day. We were all ready for bed time every night, except Hank :)

Garden City Beach, South Carolina

Spending a week at the beach is always a wonderful part of summer. It is truly a luxury. Playing in the sand and waves, picnics on the beach, nap time, put put, and so much more are all things Charlie and Hank love about the beach. Hank's favorite was playing in the sand. Although he loved playing in the sand, he didn't like for his toys to get too dirty. He was constantly up and down the beach washing his toys off in the surf. Charlie truly enjoyed the waves this year. He enjoyed riding the waves in a little blow up boat and flipping out. Pappy had to buy goggles because he was worried about Charlie's eyes. Charlie would dive into the waves with or without a boogie board. Kensington loved the sand and water. She didn't like the waves flipping her out of the boat, but she did enjoy being made into a beautiful sand mermaid.

Summer Days

This morning after breakfast, I threw on my clothes. Marshall asked me if I had a shower because I normally cannot function without a shower. I told him that I didn't because we were going to play outside today. It is so HOT outside! What's the point of a shower before hand? Marshall has set up a fan by the table and chairs to keep me cool while Charlie and Hank play on the water slide.

But, before we could go outside today, I had to make good on a promise to make chocolate chip cookies. When I make cookies by myself, the worst part is cleaning up. When Charlie and Hank help me, I never know what to expect. Today, it went pretty smoothly with one exception. Hank wanted to do his favorite part - the eggs! He lightly cracked his egg on the bowl and then POP! Hank's egg EXPLODED! Hank and I had egg all over us. It was down my shirt, my arm, and in my hair. We finally got the cookies in the oven, and Charlie spilled an entire container of goldfish. I guess today I'll keep the Clorox wipes and vacuum handy.

I might be needing a shower sooner than I thought :)

Hank sneaking into the cookie dough batter while Charlie and I clean up goldfish.

Charlie enjoying his warm cookie.

Hank's 3rd Birthday Party at Moore Acres

Hank's 3rd birthday was celebrated at Moor Acres in Washington, Georgia. Although the summer heatwave started early, it did not stop us all from having a great time. We enjoyed the wonderful shade trees to keep us cool and an occasional breeze. The kids ran and played like the heat was no problem. The kids (and some adults) enjoyed the zip line, animal train, petting zoo, horseback rides, petal tractors, a hay ride, and so much more.

Big brother CHARLIE helps welcome guests and organize the party.

THE ZIP LINE

HANK WITH BILLY BOY THE GOAT

GAVIN

JOSEY

ALEXIS

Hank loved the bunny. When it was time to go, the farm was empty, and my sister Brittany said, "Where's Hank?" Turns out he was back in the bunny hutch. The granddads were teasing that he needed a bunny. Sorry y'all, NO ROOM IN THE INN FOR A BUNNY!

KENSINGTON

ANIMAL TRAIN
"ALL ABOARD!"

EMILY

HAY RIDE

GRANNY AND AUNT FLORENCE enjoying the cool shelter of the shade!