Football with Daddy!

Full of mischief . . .

I love this picture of Macie with her huge "Cars" slippers on.  She had taken a 4 hour nap yesterday, and was still going strong at 10:30 when this picture was taken.  She's so fun!  She likes to pretend her big slippers are roller skates and skate around the house . . . as for the car she's holding -it's her current favorite and must sleep with her each night :)

When I got home from work today I saw a note from my mom that said,
Grandma: "Macie, you look so pretty today!"
Macie:  "Yeah, I am actually!"
Good to know she's got good self-esteem . . . hopefully that will stay with her!

I was gone at a conference this weekend where I got to see Dr. Tony Attwood, who is an expert in Asperger's syndrome.  He has written many books on the topic and speaks internationally.  It was awesome for mom and I to go together.  While I was away I called and talked to Ethan.  He was really missing me.  He said, "I'm going to get on my scooter and ride to Milwaukee to see you!"  He also said, "Mama, I love you very, very much."  That's pretty amazing for him - usually I have to bribe him to get him to say, "I love you."

I have made the realization that I have a terrible memory, and also realize that I really want to remember all the stuff the kids do on a daily basis.  So . . . I've decided to try to use my blog for more just daily thoughts and recording the cute/naughty/funny things they do from day to day.  I realize this may be boring for my readers, but I'm doing it with the thought of printing the blog someday so the kids and I have a record of their childhood.

So this morning, they woke up at 5:30 which has been very typical lately.  Ethan gathered all of his stuffed animals and brought them into our bed, and, along with Macie, we had a "tea party."  I stayed laying down as much as possible, and kept trying to convince them that we should play sleepover instead of tea party.  Macie loves to sing, so she entertained us with the entire "Bob the Builder" theme song, word for word and with lots of expression :)

Yesterday I got home for work and the kids had been at home with grandma all day.  Macie complained of a stomach ache, but wanted to go on the swing, so I pushed her for a long time.   We knew that Dar was coming to cut Ethan's hair so we all went out in front to wait for her.  As soon as we saw Dar pull up, Macie threw up all over the front sidewalk and herself.  Poor Dar had to navigate her way around the vomit to come in to cut Ethan's hair.  I put Macie in the tub and she ended up being fine.  Meanwhile, daddy stayed with Ethan during his haircut and he did amazingly well!  Especially considering that the last time Dar came to cut his hair he screamed and went under the table, where Dar had to join him to finish the haircut!  After the haircut was finished, Daddy and Ethan went out to mow the lawn, which Ethan absolutely loves.  Whew!

We Love Orchards!

 We've enjoyed all the area apple orchards in the past few weeks!  We went to Ferguson's with our buddy Evan.

 We went back to Hillview with them too.  We love the wagon ride with the horses.

 Here we are at Connell's with Grandma.  Auntie Michelle and Victor were there too!  It was a beautiful day.

Fall Family Fun

 We had a fun day at the apple orchard today!  First, we checked out the pumpkins and hay bales . . .

 Then we took a horse and wagon ride out to the orchard and picked some great apples!

 After the orchard we decided to head downtown to the International Fall Festival.  The kids loved feeding the animals.  Macie said, "Oh hi, goats!  What are you doing here?"

 The kids got to ride ponies and jump in the bouncy house too!

It was such a fun and relaxing day!  Michelle, Victor, and Grandma Mary joined us too :)

Macie Sings the Veggie Tales Theme Song

Here is Macie singing the theme song to Veggie Tales.  My favorite part is "Have we got a show for you!" 

The top "take" shows her performing the first part.  Then, after a costume change she finishes below :)

Here are the real lyrics if you're interested:

Bob: If you like to talk to tomatoes
If a squash can make you smile
If you like to waltz with potatoes
Up and down the produce aisle...
Have we got a show for you!
All: VeggieTales, VeggieTales, VeggieTales, VeggieTales,
VeggieTales, VeggieTales, VeggieTales, VeggieTales!
Bob: Broccoli! Celery! Gotta be
All: VeggieTales!
Junior: Lima beans! Collard greens! Peachy keen!
All: VeggieTales!
Larry: Cauliflower! Sweet and sour! Half and hour!
All: VeggieTales!
All: There's never-ever-ever-ever-ever been a show like VeggieTales!
There's never-ever-ever-ever-ever been a show like VeggieTales!
It's time for VeggieTales! 

PS - we're not huge Veggie Tales fanatics or anything . . . we rented a Silly Songs video from the library this week, and it has quickly tied with Bob the Builder as Macie's favorite!

Macie's First Day of Preschool!

 Macie, mommy, and daddy went to "come and see" day at her preschool today.  It was super fun!  She had to bring Bob the Builder with her . . .

 She had fun exploring all the toys . . .

 and Jasper the bunny.

 Her teacher is so nice!

 Her school is so close, we can walk there!  On the way home we had to stop and smell the flowers :)

Labor Day Weekend At Holcombe

 A highlight of going to Holcombe is riding the golf cart!

 Victor and Aunt Michelle were with us!  We had so much fun!

 It was  a cold, rainy day - so Grandma Mary led us in a fun activity - making masks out of paper plates :)

 We also love climbing the big tree and going for boat rides.  What a fun day at the lake!

First Day of School

 Ethan started 4K at Eleva-Strum today!  He was so excited the whole way to school.  Every time I peeked in on him throughout the morning he had a huge smile on his face.  I was so proud of him!

 Macie was excited to get back into her routine of going to daycare at Candace's house!  These are two happy kiddos - especially since these pictures were taken at 7:00 AM!

 Once we got to school, Ethan got right to work reading a book.  Here he is with his teacher, Mr. Aaron.  I LOVE the expression on his face in this picture - like - "I'm not too sure about this." But like I said, he had a fantastic first day!