State Fair Field Trip

Conall's class went to the Arkansas State Fair on Monday, despite the rain, to see the animals. The school district has a rule that the kids can't ride the rides while there on field trips, so things weren't quite as chaotic as they could have been. Still, it was wet and icky on top of the normal icky fair smells and animal poo. Despite all that, the kids had fun and saw a lot of different animals.

Baby birds going down a "slide" into the water and swimming -- the kids loved this

If you ask Conall, his favorite part was seeing the bunnies. They had every possible color combination of bunnies that you could dream of. He got to milk a "cow", saw chicks hatching out of eggs, planted sunflower seeds, and saw all kinds of farm animals.

Milking a "cow"

Waving bye to one of the animals

Posing with calves

Planting sunflowers

Soccer, Coffee, and Pumpkin Patch

Conall stayed the night with Na Na and Po Po last night and then they brought him home this morning for his soccer game.

Po Po reading Harry Potter to Conall

We all went to the wet, cold, muddy soccer game and then headed back here for the guys to watch the Razorbacks. The girls headed out for coffee.

Caitlin at the soccer game

Conall with his team on the field

After the Razorbacks won their game, the guys wanted to watch more football. So, Na Na, Conall, Caitlin, and I headed to the pumpkin patch. Boy, was it wet and muddy! The bridge taking you to the property was covered in shallow water. It was an adventure getting over that and to the muddy parking lot. Na Na and I felt for the farmers -- a good portion of the pumpkin patch was in standing water.

You can see the standing water in the back of the field

It was cold, wet, and muddy, but we all had fun. We skipped the hayride because of the wet weather, but the kids enjoyed seeing the goats, donkey, and pigs. Conall even got to pet the donkey.

Caitlin sent me into the middle of a muddy patch to get the pumpkin she wanted -- a cute, little one.

Caitlin's little pumpkin

Conall finally decided on his pumpkin after dragging Na Na through the muddy fields. His was a big pumpkin -- it weighed 16 lbs.!

All in all, it was a wonderful Fall day! I am so glad that Fall is here.

Squeakers Is Now a Moth

Squeakers, the tomato hornworm (Conall's caterpillar), emerged from his cocoon yesterday. He is now a very large moth! I think he ate very well while in our care. Conall was super excited and got to show him off to Na Na, Po Po and his friend Anthony before we let Squeakers go.

Couch Potato?

Caitlin climbed up onto the back of the couch today and snuggled in. I went to take her picture and she just grinned at me. She actually looked pretty comfortable up there!

Inkspot the Spoiled Rotten Cat

Inkspot is definitely the family cat -- the kids even fight over which family member he belongs to. As if Inkspot could "belong" to anyone. Conall drew a picture of Inkspot on his dry erase board the other day and it shows quite the resemblance to our spoiled kitty.

Fun Weekend

We had a very busy and fun weekend. The kids got to see Na Na and Po Po every day this weekend -- I'm just not sure who enjoyed it more -- Na Na and Po Po or the kids.

Friday was Conall's class "apple day." The kids made "applesauce" at school and got to have a special snack time with apple treats -- apple fritters, apple muffins, apple pie, ice cream, apple juice and their applesauce.

Caitlin and I got to go help out. Conall liked having us there and Caitlin enjoyed all of the attention of his classmates -- one of the little girls at Conall's table cut Caitlin's apple fritter into small pieces for her, put a piece on her spoon, waited until she finished it, then put another piece on her spoon and on and on ...

Then, Conall stayed the night with Na Na and Po Po Friday night. Mommy got to go to a "Stamp Camp" and make cards and hang out with good friends.

Saturday morning was Conall's soccer game. Both Conall and Caitlin really enjoyed the dragonflies and butterflies in the soccer field. Unfortunately, Conall stopped to chase them during the game.

After the soccer game, we went to the Rivermarket with Na Na and Po Po. Conall and Caitlin loved the Farmer's Market and Caitlin got a fresh watermelon quarter to take home. Na Na bought Conall and Caitlin each a cookie. Daddy got a Gyros and mommy got some hummus.

Sunday was a busy day for mommy and the kids. We drove to Conway with Aunt Amy so that mommy and Aunt Amy could go to Jana's birthday/jewelry/Mary Kay party. The kids hung out at Na Na and Po Po's and got to play with Kate until it was time to come home and go to bed! Daddy got the afternoon to himself and some much-needed quiet.

Making Apple Pie

Conall's class is having a special "Fun Friday" tomorrow when they'll learn about apples and make applesauce. His teacher sent out an email earlier this week asking the parents to send something from the list.
I waited and ended up signing up to bring one of three apple pies. I don't think I got stuck with the hardest task -- one of the parents has to send ice cream, which I wouldn't want to transport.

I had a bag of apples, so I thought we'd make an apple pie. Both of the kids really seem to enjoy making things in the kitchen and for some reason I felt energetic. I no longer do!

The kids enjoyed watching the process from start to finish (I'd made the dough for the crust ahead of time and just had to roll it out) and helping when possible. But, the most enjoyable thing was playing in the flour! I kept telling Conall not to mix it with the apples.

As soon as I was done, they were in the flour left from rolling out the dough! At some point, Conall had got them both a car to bury and drive through the flour. I don't have photos from making the pie -- that was too chaotic. But, I have photos of them playing in the flour with cars.

Now, if we can just get the pie to school without any mishaps -- Conall has already stuck his finger in the baked pie and Caitlin declared at dinner "I want apple pie".

Conall posing for the camera

Playing with toy cars and flour

Henry the Tiger or Recliner?

Conall has a stuffed tiger that we got him for his 4th birthday. He usually sleeps with it every night and has named it Henry. We had some last minute guests last night and Henry didn't get put back in Conall's room before he went to bed. I didn't notice until this morning that Conall slept without the tiger -- Caitlin had made him into a recliner to watch tv.

Making Pumpkin Bread With Aunt Amy

Aunt Amy had mentioned earlier this week that she'd like to make pumpkin bread this weekend and asked if we would like some. I told her that we'd love some and that if she got really adventurous or just bored, that I knew the kids would love to help her make it. So, she came over this afternoon and they made pumpkin bread.

The kids were so excited and loved helping! And, the smell that filled the house was so wonderful! I even got inspired and we made homemade applesauce after the pumpkin bread was in the oven. I don't know who was more fun to watch with the apple corer/peeler/slicer gadget -- Aunt Amy or the kids!

Getting started -- Aunt Amy has their complete attention

Caitlin pouring in ingredients

Conall cracking open an egg

Molly and Inkspot had to check everything out

Caitlin putting pumpkin puree into the mixer

Watching the mixer run

We might be cooking in a 1950s kitchen in need of an update, but our recipe was on the Blackberry!

Dumping the batter into pans

Caitlin grinning and supervising

Molly waiting patiently in front of the warm oven

Caitlin covering her ears in case the oven door was loud -- silly girl, she really hates loud sounds

Sweet Little Girl

I found some chocolate yesterday that I had put away for the kids but had forgotten where it was. So we had chocolate in the middle of the day!
The kids were playing alone in each of their rooms. I gave Conall his chocolate first and then went to Caitlin's room to give her some chocolate. She took it, looked at me and said "I want Conall to have some too". So sweet, her first thought was of sharing with her brother! She is my sweetie.

School Starting = Viruses Going Around

Now that school has started, there are several viruses going around. Conall woke up in the middle of the night with a fever. I gave him some Tylenol and it went down and hasn't been back up since. Several of his classmates have been out of school in the last week or so with one virus or another. I'm just praying we don't get the swine flu.
The challenge this morning has been keeping Conall still and quiet so that the fever doesn't go back up. The other big challenge has been keeping Caitlin from stirring him up. They each play quietly on their own, but when they get together they get pretty rambunctious. And, of course, Conall fits the typical male "grouchy, baby me constantly when I'm sick" personality. Fun!

Fun at the Park

While I was helping Conall's class, Na Na and Po Po took Caitlin to the park. It looks like everyone had fun!

walking on the park wall with Po Po

swinging "high" with Po Po

waiting on Conall's parade to start

This is one of my absolute favorite photos of her -- she has such a big smile! This was at the koi pond at the neighborhood park.

Freedom Parade at School

Conall's school had their annual Pre-K/Kindergarten Freedom Parade Friday afternoon. As expected, Conall was super excited about the parade.

The room parents (I'm one) arranged for them to have cupcakes to decorate in red, white, and blue before the parade and Conall was also excited that mommy got to be there. Making it even better, Na Na and Po Po came down for the parade and watched Caitlin while I went up to the school to help.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Labor Day Was Really Labor Day

Last weekend we headed back to Fort Smith for the first time in months, hoping to spend a nice, long weekend with family. Unfortunately, things didn't work out that way. We had been there less than 24 hours when we got a call from our neighbors about a water line break in our front yard. Molly got out and Animal Control and the police were called to catch her. And, Caitlin puked and had diarrhea while there.

Due to everything that needed to be fixed at home, we didn't get to visit with my mom or Stu's grandmother. But, the kids did get a really nice visit with my dad and my aunt and uncle. Everything is fixed (we hope) for the time being. Here are some of the photos I got while we were there.

Conall making cookies with Pop Pop -- this it their "tradition"

Digging in the dirt in the front yard -- they were so dirty we had to change clothes immediately!

Filling up a wheelbarrow with dirt

Caitlin's first ride in Pop Pop's truck

Loving the ride in the truck

Conall in Pop Pop's chair

Stuff on Your Face

Caitlin was snuggling with her daddy when she looked at him and said "Daddy, you need to get rid of that stuff on your face." Our smart little girl has figured out that Daddy's stubble is removable!

Fairy Rain Boots

At the recent kids consignment sale, I got Caitlin a pair of rain boots. They have fairies on them and fairy wings on the front. Caitlin LOVES them! She puts them on several times a day and wears them through the house. She even wore them to the car while we ran an errand today. Isn't she cute in them?

Ladybugs and Butterflies

Caitlin "Mommy, butterflies can talk."
Me "Really?"
Caitlin "A-huh. Butterflies and ladybugs talk. They are my favorite bugs. I don't like flies. Flies are bad. I like toys though!"

Halloween Preview

Here's a sneak peak at Halloween

Funny Birthday Stories

Yesterday was my birthday, which is much more exciting to the kids than to me. It was a wonderful day, thanks to the efforts of my sweet husband and the kids. And, thanks to Aunt Amy and Na Na and Po Po for watching the kids on 2 different nights this weekend -- Stu and I actually got to go see two different movies in the theater!

At lunch yesterday, Stu brought me some lovely floral scented candles and some yummy gourmet hot cocoa mix. For the rest of the day, Caitlin kept bringing me her toys and saying "Here Mommy, this is for your birthday."

After Stu got home from work, we celebrated with cake and gifts. Conall asked "Mommy, how old are you?" I asked him how old he thought I was. Conall immediately responded "60". Great, thanks Conall!

Conall got a big kick out of giving mommy birthday spankings, including the "one to grow on". He told me he can't wait until next year when he gets to give me more!

Caitlin gave me a cat coin for my cat coin collection. Conall was really excited and told me it was "to buy another cat. We can get a kitten and name him Luke after Luke Skywalker." And he went on and on about this kitten. I'm sure Inkspot appreciated it.

Conall got me a white teapot that has vines on it and is reminiscent of a pumpkin. Before I opened it he said "Daddy and I went shopping and looked at a bunch of old junk, but we found you a teapot. Here it is."

Stu got me a beautiful sapphire and diamond ring, which he had originally intended for a gift for our 10th anniversary, but couldn't wait until December. Caitlin immediately wanted it! She kept trying to take it off my finger.

Stu brought me a flower arrangement with yellow and white daisies and other flowers. Conall had requested that instead of getting me roses (what Stu usually gets me) that daddy get me some "sunflowers." I think this is the closest they had. This morning at breakfast, Conall kept complaining and saying that he couldn't eat breakfast because it "stunk in here." I finally convinced him to smell the flowers, because I knew that was what he was smelling. He said "That's the stink -- real sunflowers don't smell like that."

Caitlin asked me this morning why my birthday was black. I was really confused and kept trying to get her to explain. Finally she said "your birthday cake was black." I laughed -- my birthday cake was a fudge chocolate Silvek's cake.