KI's Howl-a-Palooza

We went on our first ever visit to King's Island's "Howl-A-Palooza" Fall Festival for kids yesterday. The kids had a BLAST! You could dress up and there were a lot of fun things for kids to do. The kids played cheap games in which they won a prize for playing. We also visited Mother Goose Land where the kids trick or treated characters from the nursery rhymes. Seeing the Peanuts characters all dressed up for the Halloween and watching them dance and sing fun songs was a hit for the kids. They also visited the petting zoo, rode a tractor ride, journeyed through a bale of hay maze, and of course rode all their favorite rides. Everyone had a great time, but I'll admit I was exhausted when we left!

We plan on taking them again, but will trick or treat with the dinosaurs and (visit with the dinosaurs) for the first time. We just love Fall with all the fun activities for kids. Each weekend, we have something Fall-ish planned!

Cowboy Fun

Fern Jr.

Cowboy Up!

Last night was "Cowboy" Night at AWANAs at church. Luckily for us, we had all the things needed to make some cute cowboys and cowgirls! The bandanas were from last year's AWANA. shirts we already had and the hats were given to them from my friend.

Miss Cinderella was upset that Mr. C had the red hat, the girl needs a lesson on matching! I TRIED to explain that the red hat matches his red plaid shirt, but she had no part in it! When that girl gets something on her mind.....look OUT!

Football and Friends

Yesterday, we went to our friends' home and had lunch and watched some football. Honestly, I think Matt watched football and the rest of us were busy with kids or the dog. Mr. C is quite fascinated with his new friend N and loved his baby toys as well! He also enjoyed exhausting the dog out as well!

When arriving home, Cinderella pulls out a tooth that wasn't totally ready to be out and brought me a bloody tooth. (Ick! Gross! Lovely!) She was very excited for the Tooth Fairy to come. (She is also equally ready for Santa as well!)

We have decided on Halloween costumes and will be ordering them in a week or so. They will be a duo again for the first time in a couple of years. Stay tuned!!

7 years

It came to my attention by one of my blog readers that I have a blog anniversary coming up in less than a week! Seven years ago on September 26, 2005, I began blogging! I had two babies back then. Wow! It is amazing how time flies and that I have blogged for 7 years! Miss Cinderella was 5 months old and Mr. C was 20 months old.

A lot of wonderful, positive, and sad things have happened in those 7 years. Both children learned to walk and talk. Both adoptions were finalized! We terminated our foster license. My husband switched careers a couple of times. We went on some very fun vacations. Both children started preschool and elementary school. I could go on and on, but I won't for my readers' sake!

If the Lord is willing, I hope to continue to blog for 7 more years and maybe many, many more! It's a little scary to think about what life will be like in 7 years....probably because I will have (at least) two teenagers!! (That thought TERRIFIES me!)

If you are new to my blog, I invite you to check out my 2005 and earlier entries.

Our Week in a Recap

Our week went by VERY fast! School was normal for everyone, AWANA is back in full force at church which keeps our Wednesday busy and CRAZY, and someone had a birthday. By looking at the picture, one could guess that the birthday person was ME! Yep, yesterday was my birthday (and my mom's)! I had a day of shopping, dinner, and more shopping. It was a great day. I am now getting closer to 40 than 30, so I am trying to get over that tidbit, but it's just a number, right?!

I got my hair cut on Thursday evening. I had 6 INCHES taken off and it felt like I didn't have any hair when it was over. My waves and curls (underneath top layer) immediately sprang into action that it shocked the person cutting my hair!! My kiddos were a little shocked when I pulled into the driveway. I guess it was because I haven't had a hair cut in about a year!!

Next weekend, we are going to get into the Fall mood, by having some fun at Kings Island!! We are moving into my favorite season. Can't wait!!

Metamora Trip

We spent the majority of the day at Metamora, Indiana. It's a very old canal town with lots of shops and places to eat. They have a canal boat and an old train that you can ride at a low cost. We plan on taking the kids trick-or-treating again this year as it was a lot of fun last year as well as the Christmas Walk in December. We had such a fun time!

Train Ride!

The kids BEGGED to take the train ride at Metamora. So, we decided to let them ride. They were so very excited! The train ride lasted about 30 minutes and we waved at shoppers and cows and lots of corn fields!

Conversations with Mr. C

Yesterday, while getting ready for school, my mom made Mr. C's bed and arranged all the Peanuts' dolls on the bed. Mr. C then proceeds to tell my mom that he needs to talk to the dolls. Then he climbs up on his bed and looks at them and says, "I have to go to school today, but I will see you later!"

Awwww! I have also noticed his language skills are progressing as well as some imaginative play! It has taken all of 8.5 years, but it is so exciting to see it!

Another milestone

Miss Cinderella came home with her first set of spelling words yesterday. What is so special about that in second grade? Well, Cinderella is in a special education class since preschool and has NEVER had spelling words until now. I am excited for her, yet anxious to see if it is over her head. The words are very easy minus a couple of high-frequency words. She did her first homework exercise last night (despite having interruptions from Mr.C!). She did fine minus a few handwriting issues. Tonight might be hurried due to going to AWANA at church, but she will get through it. My girl is growing up! *sob*

Productive Weekend

Despite the depressing rain and muggy temps, I had a VERY productive weekend! Many rooms in my house have been neglected due to my surgery in July. So, Sunday and Monday were "cleaning days" in which we cleaned every room in the house! Miss Cinderella helped out as well and Mr. C was himself and of course was adorable as always. It felt soooooo good to de-clutter and clean. We were probably not well-liked by Mr. Trashman on Monday morning as I threw away 3 old car seats that were in bad shape (so glad to be in small booster seats now!!) as well as 10 bags of trash and more broken toys.

The kids enjoyed visiting my parents one at a time for a few hours yesterday which saved my sanity as they were fighting and getting on everyone's nerves!!

A few things I have realized after this weekend....

1) The kids have WAY too many clothes and toys.

2) I have WAY too many books. (I love Ollie's.)

3) I can ride roller coasters with the family again! (YAY!)

Skunk Encounters

Miss Cinderella and I were taking pics of the Eiffel Tower as it was changing colors Friday night. As we were looking for Matt and Mr. C, we saw something black crawling. As we became very close, I realized it was a skunk as I saw the white striped tail. Calmly, I pulled Cinderella away and walked quickly to the others while hoping we would not get sprayed!! Luckily, we did not and the kids enjoyed the fireworks. We did see that skunk again at a nice long distance! I hope I never get that close to a skunk ever again!!