Not so Dash

Poor thing. She was such a trooper keeping up with the big kids. She didn't even finish her M&Ms.

An Incredibles Halloween

When I asked Celie what she wanted to be for Halloween, she told me about 5 different things. Finally, after watching the Incredibles one night (a Disney Movie), Celie decided that for Halloween, we all should be the Incredibles for Halloween. She would be Violet, Anna would be Dash, Jake would be baby Jack Jack, Bob would be, well, Bob - or Mr. Incredible and I would be Elastigirl. So, before I put a ton of effort into the costumes, I waited to make sure that she repeated this request and that Anna did not come up with any request of her own. I finished the costumes this morning - just in time for Halloween.

We were very lucky to have the Deliberato's over for dinner. They have 2 children - twins and they just turned 5. They were dressed as Darth Vader and Sleeping Beauty. They went trick or treating with us around the neighborhood. We had a great time and was glad that we could share the experience with others.

We received several comments on our costumes. I believe they were a hit. If you haven't seen the Incredibles, we highly recommend it. There are a lot of parallels. Being Superheros and all. :)

Halloween @ School

The girls had a Halloween Parade at school. Me, being the nervous parent - more nervous for Bob having to deal with both girls and Jake at the parade - thought it probably wouldn't be a great idea for the girls to have complicated costumes - because if they LOVED them too much, then they wouldn't want to take them off - and the parade was only for 15 minutes. So, Celie decided that it was OK for her to be KaiLan - who is a character from Nick Jr. She is a chinese and has a lot of friends and she speaks English and Chinese - Celie will often call things by their chinese name. So, here is a picture of the girls - with Jake in the KaiLan outfits - Anna decided that it would be fun to be her too. Didn't Bob do a great job on their pigtails & bows? I am very proud of him. And Jake for surviving being between the two.

Jake - the Man

Even with a bad cold, snotty running nose, the little fella is still a pretty happy camper. This picture was taken of him about a week or so ago. His cold is better now and he is still a pretty happy camper - most of the time.

My New Job

I started my new job yesterday. It was pretty uneventful. The guys that I will be supporting seem like a great bunch. We all went out to lunch yesterday so it was nice to get to talk to all of them.

The commute wasn't as bad (knock on wood) as I thought it would be. I had heard HORROR stories of the commute and I think that anyone that has commuted in/around a big city would laugh in comparison.

I finally got my computer this afternoon, so I was able to get a few things taken care of before leaving and will be able to really start working tomorrow - hopefully. Or at least take all of the training that I need to take. I think there are about 6 different training modules and tests I have to take for my division at the bank.

I am looking forward to getting to know my way around the bank and helping out. The really cool thing about working at KeyTower (you can google it) is the Starbucks in the lobby, a bank branch on the 1st floor, a Marriott connected to the tower and a cafeteria on the 10th floor. It is pretty cool. I almost feel important.

More to come as soon as I know more - Oh yes, if anyone would like more information about KeyBank products, just let me know - I can refer you to the appropriate personnel and hopefully, they will give the awesome customer service they are supposed to be known for.

Fall View

There are two places along the road near where we live that I judge how fall is going by the colors and density of the leaves. Every year I try to take a picture in relatively the same spot - just to compare. Here is this year's pic.

Halloween Decorations

To keep Celie occupied this past weekend, so she wouldn't wake up Jake during his nap and she would leave Bob alone so he could watch the football game, we decided to decorate for Halloween. We ended up doing quite well, though most of our stuff is in the dining room, we did put some things throughout the house.

The second pic down - Celie wanted to write a sign that said KEEP OUT so that is what she did and then we hung it in the window and than hung the bats up. It was perfect.

Hopefully, we will make it to a pumpkin patch this weekend and get some pumpkins to decorate the outside.

Both girls were definitely into it. I am really looking forward to decorating for X-mas now.

Look Mom No Hands

Jake has been flirting with danger lately. No matter how close you get the tray to his high chair to him, he seems to manage to wiggle about and STAND UP in his highchair. Yes, there are straps on the high chair, but they do not work right - too many contortions or something from before. Anyway. We needed another feeding plan. So, we decided to find the booster seat. He LOVES it. We can strap him in and he is able to sit at the table with us and he feels like his is part of the family - which he is of course. He loves to feed himself and we are giving him more and more grown up foods too. He is definitely a good eater. Hmmmm. Wonder who he takes after in that department?

Fall Photo shoot

I absolutely love getting pictures of the kids in the fall and then getting a good one and using it in our x-mas card/letter. I had planned on trying to take it this year with coordinating outfits, everyone looking at me and smiling. HA! Dream world, I know, but I do believe that I got some great pics of the kids - what do you think?

Busy Weekend

This past weekend was pretty busy for us. We did a lot and we had a great time. Many posts are to come with pics. It has been such a relief to worry about just the house and the kids and Bob and not have to worry about trying to find a job.

I am looking forward to starting my new job tomorrow. I am very excited - I am a little nervous about the commute - only because I am not sure how it will go tomorrow, but we shall see - more about that later.

Snuggle Bunny

I do not remember the girls being such snuggle bunnies - not like Jakers. The girls would fall asleep on our shoulders or chest, but tonight Jake just wanted to be held. Every time I put him on my lap, he would turn toward me and crawl up onto my chest. He wasn't sleeping, just looking up me, 1/2 asleep - almost drunk like - and smiling. How could I resist such good cuddling time with him. I just enjoyed my little snuggle bunny.

Last Day at GDFH

Friday was my last day at the Funeral Home. It was a bittersweet day. There was a funeral in the morning and it was sad to be leaving such great people. Everyone was very sweet and they had a farewell luncheon for me. They also got me this gorgeous bouquet and gifts for the kids. It was very sweet. It was hard leaving, but the need to have benefits and a little more money to live on was overwhelming. I am thankful for the wonderful people I met and worked with and look forward to seeing them soon again soon.

Camp Out

Celie and Anna wanted to camp out in the living room. So, on Friday night, they got in their sleeping bags and I had a pillow and blanket (& the couch) and we camped out - complete with a movie and popcorn too.

When Bob came downstairs with Jake, Anna woke up and went upstairs to lay down in bed (smart girl). So, Bob thought that he would try to get Celie back to sleep by camping out with her. It didn't work - but it made for a great photo op.

Funny Faces

Whenever I am trying to take a picture of Celie, she always does a BIG CHEESE smile and then asks to see the picture - Since I have a digital camera, the photo shows up for a brief second on the back panel. Tonight, when I was snapping some pictures, she wouldn't stand still and kept making funny faces. Here is a good one of her and a somber one of Anna.

Jake

Aren't you all glad that I finally got a job so that I have more time to post pics and items of the kids rather than look for jobs? Yeah, me too.

Here are some pics of Jake trying to eat his fishing pole. I will try to get some better ones of him.

Celie school work

I love seeing all of the projects that the girls do. We are devising a gallery system to display them. I am also going to take pictures of them so that I can have the memory without HAVING to save the real thing. I definitely want to keep the EXTRA EXTRA special ones. I have to say, I think the pig might win it. It might be a keeper.

Another cute idea - a scarecrow. Celie was very proud that she made it all by herself.
The cute pig in mud.

Anna Gallery

Since I have posted a bunch of Celie things, I thought it only proper that I should post some of Anna's things. We had to wait for her bring them home, etc. She is definitely a very skilled gluer. She likes to glue things together.

They are learning about farm animals. This chicken was also the color of the day - Yellow!!
A flower that Anna made.

I absolutely love this pumpkin idea. I think it is so clever. I am so glad to have it as a fall decoration. Isn't it awesome?

Corn

I just can help myself - but I absolutely love seeing what the girls make at school. I love seeing their projects and them growing as they are feeding their minds with wonderful knowledge and learning processes. Today, Celie made this ear of corn. Of course, I thought it was absolutely beautiful. She was very proud of it and told me how he made it. I think that we will need to get a bigger house to keep all of these treasures.

Decorating Girls

I knew that as soon as I started decorating cookies for Anna to take to school, that I wouldn't be able to keep the girls out of my way. So, I set up their own cookie decorating stations. I provided them with cookies, Frosting in a bag for them to squeeze out and sprinkles.

Anna is definitely very interested in the whole process and more patient with it than Celie was. Celie just wanted to eat the frosting.

My Duty as a Mom

I have to admit that a small party of me couldn't wait for the girls to start school so that I could volunteer my time in the class room, make snacks, etc. Anna was the first to be so lucky to have the first "event" of the season - her birthday. However, since she was sick on her birthday, we postponed her special snack at school until she was feeling better.

Unfortunately, I caught a second wind of a cold. So, my grand ideas of making these beautifully decorated sugar cookies went out the window. I opted for a little bit of frosting and some sprinkles. They turned out o.k. And I think that everyone liked them. So, here is my first duty as a Mom with a child in pre-school. A cookies - A is for Anna.

Two Tooth Wonder

Bob & Jake were supervising while the girls and I decorated sugar cookies.

Jake now has two bottom teeth and we think - do to his recent behavior - that the top ones are on their way.

Fall Festival/ Clam Bake

Yesterday, our neighborhood had a fall festival/Clam Bake at our little park. The party is for members and their families and friends of the neighborhood. We had a hayride, a cupcake walk, and everyone pitched in and brought a dish to pass and then either purchased a clam bake meal or was provided with burgers and hotdogs that are provided by Home Owners Association/Club.

The girls had a great time playing with all of the kids that were running around like crazy. Since I am on the Board, I helped with this event and had been at the park since 10am setting up. Bob took the kids on the hayride. The first time, the girls didn't know what to expect - after that time they wanted to go again. I think they ended up going on 3 more times.

The event was a success. I didn't get home until about 7pm. Bob had brought the kids home around 5pm. I had a nice surprise when I came home. There was a note saying that a florist had delivered flowers and they were left at the front door. Sure enough, there was a box covered in tissue and inside was a bouquet in a ceramic pumpkin. Well wishes on my new job!! From Aunt Sue & Uncle Tom. Wasn't that sweet? I love 'em.

Conversation w/ Celie

"Celie, Did you have a good day at school today?" I asked.
"Yes, Mama," said Celie.
"What did you learn today?" I asked.
"Mama, we had cheese crackers and water for snack today," Celie replied.

She is her father's daughter.
:)