Party Time!

Last weekend Maddie and Brennan had their 'joint' birthday party with friends.  We did the same thing last year, and while they were opposed to the idea before last years party, afterwards they enjoyed it so much they asked if we could do it the same way this time!  We happily agreed.

This year's theme was easy to decide on since the fall has been filled with a growing love for cheerleading and football.  The perfect combo for their party!  And, as an added blessing, some of the cheerleaders and football players from the kids' school agreed to come to the party and teach cheers and throw the football around.  It was truly sweet to see the big kids being such amazing role models for the little ones.   One of the mom's told me she heard a kindergartner say to one of football players, "Big kids, you are going down!"  CUTE!  And, the 5 and 6 year old boys really believe that they beat the big guys at football!  Ahh...the joys of childhood. (sorry about the quality of some of the pictures - there was something on my camera lens.)

stopping to smell the roses...sort of

My sweet, sweet Macy!  She is at the age where she is interested in everything.  She has a huge imagination and keeps us entertained all day.  For the last few weeks at the gym she has taken a special interest in the skeleton in one of the trainer's offices.  She affectionately named him 'Mr. Bones' and she insists that we pay him a visit each day.  One day as we were waving to him, she asked if she could go in and look at him close up.  The trainer gave her the ok, so she marched right in, looked at him for a minute, grabbed his hand, looked at me and said, "Oh, Mommy isn't he bootiful (beautiful)?"  Then, the very next day, she walked right up to Mr. Bones, grabbed both of his hands and said, "Mr. Bones, you are so bootiful.  Would you like to dance with me? "...and they danced. :)

A date with Papa!

My parents stayed with the kids for two nights last week, and the kids enjoyed a little spoiling!  Each of them got to go on a date with grandpa-which is a much loved tradition.  One time Brennan told me that Papa loved McDonald's.  When I asked him what made him think that he told me that every time Papa comes to town he just has to go there with Brennan! Hehe.  Well, on this trip Macy got to take her first date with Papa- to Chick-fil-a.  She loved it.  Although, my sneaky little one asked Papa to buy her an ice cream cone - even though she knows she can't eat dairy...luckily Papa didn't get tricked into that one!

Halloween

We had a fun and low key Halloween this year! I have never been in a place like Austin when it comes to Halloween. People go all out- I think as many people here decorate their houses for Halloween as they do for Christmas. Yes, some of it is creepy, but for the most part, it is a really fun place to trick or treat. Tons of families sit out on their driveways to hand out candy and there are so many people out with their kids- it actually gives a real sense of community. This year we went with our friends the Niemann's and their two kids.   Brennan went as a football player, Macy was a princess, and Maddie was a cheerleader.

All the kids ready to go...

All tired out after a hard night's work!