That Favorite Time of Year

Ahhhh! Fall! The only thing slightly wrong about today's adventures is the fact that it was warm enough for both children to be running around in shorts and t-shirts. Not the typical fall attire that comes to mind when I think of fall memories growing up. But, hey. We're in the south now and it's 80 degrees here at the end of October! We discovered a different pumpkin patch this year and had a blast doing it. These kiddos of ours are growing so fast, but boy, they sure know how to do it with style.

Blonde beauty

There were plenty of things to explore and put big, bright smiles on our faces today; swings, tube slides, feeding farm animals, corn maze, barrel train, hay ride, and a corn crib....oh yeah, and the pumpkin patch!

A smile as bright as the sun

That's a hug, honestly...not a choke hold!

My loves

The corn crib! What a brilliant idea. It is a 15'x10' building, filled with 2 feet deep dried corn kernels. The ultimate "sand" box! Clara and Colton easily could have spent all day in there. Digging, burying themselves, it was an incredible sensory experience. These next pictures are absolutely priceless

and will most definitely be making it on my favorites list.

Mr bucket head!

Raining corn!

Our sweet babies

We had such a great afternoon, but we eventually had to head home. My obsession (driven by the adoration of I have for the three amazing people I call "mine") with photographing these family memories always leads me to have to grab a stranger for the obligatory family photo. Well, apparently all the smiles were spent up, because this was the best we got of the four of us! Better luck next time!

Tiny Dancer

Our sweet Clara Rose made her ballet & tap debut this weekend! After nine longs months of learning and practicing, the annual recital for her dance studio arrived.

Rehearsal day!

She was amazing! She kept her composure, remembered all her steps, and looked beautiful and elegant. As soon as the curtain opened for her first routine my eyes filled with tears. She just looked so happy, smiling up there on the stage, looking confidently into the audience.  The music started, all those little hips started shaking to the beat and the crowd roared!

Studio picture

Afterward, we asked Clara what her favorite part of the day way. Certainly the trip to Baskin Robbins after the recital would be mentioned....but, nope! She took no time to reply, "Getting flowers and being on stage!" It appears we have a little dancing diva on our hands.  Before the recital she had been on the fence about whether or not she wanted to take dance classes again in the fall. After the recital, she can't wait to go back to the studio in August. Watching the "big girls" dance in the evening recital definitely solidified the decision for her. She was in awe watching them dance across the stage and was already making plans for when she gets to dance like that, too.

Proud parents and brother with our little tap dancer/ballerina

Snow Days!

Frozen!

Snow? Snow in North Carolina? Yes, I guess we do get snow in North Carolina. And, I'm talking more than just flurries. Twice in the past four weeks we have had four days in a row of "inclement weather" days closing schools. Granted, to this Northerner, a snow day in North Carolina is laughable. Of the eight snow days this winter, I would say four would pass as legitimate, and that's because they don't do much salting and plowing down here. We got about three inches the first time around and about six inches and quite a bit of ice the second go round.

Our wintry backyard

So, naturally, with two small kiddos and all that white, we could not skip out on the rare opportunity to play in the snow. We managed to score some snow boots on clearance at Target, so all we had to do was layer up, bundle up and head out!

Our snow angels

What do you do when you have a perfectly snow covered hill in your front yard, but no sleds, saucers, or even large lids that will slide? You grab some tarps and cruise down the hill! Oh my! It was fun! I loved watching the kids laugh and scream with joy, and of course I joined in and took a few slides down with them.

And, why exactly are tarps better for sledding than a small saucer or sled? They unfold and you can fit the neighbors on with you! This was, by far, the best part of the day. Watching all the kids slide down the hill, laughing, screaming, and capturing the joyous moment was priceless.

It has been quite an eventful winter here in the south. Now that I've seen how they cope with snow and ice down here, I'd be quite happy if we didn't get anymore of that white stuff until next winter! After all, we've had our fun, made some fun memories and have the pictures to prove it. We're good! Come on spring!

Six Years Old!

The Birthday Girl!

I know, I know! Time flies. They grow up so fast. Don't blink, your babies will be teenagers before you know. We are learning first hand exactly how true these statements are. Granted, we still have a while before we hit the teenage years. But, man! Our first baby is just getting so big, so fast. As I was laying in bed beside Clara tonight for good night hugs and kisses, she grabbed me tightly around the neck and held on. She said, "I'm just going to hug you forever." I was, I'll admit, greatly tempted to stay there all night long. I did enjoy the hug for a good long time. While I soaked in my little girl's love, I couldn't help but think, "before I know it, she won't want to do prayers and our special lullabies before bed and I'll be begging for never-ending hugs". Our baby girl is getting so big, so fast. It is a joy to witness her grow and I am reveling in the wonders she discovers as she grows.

Celebrating her sixth birthday was everything she'd hoped. First off, the lucky gal managed to arrange a snow day off of school for her birthday. Sure, the day before and the two following days were snow days, too, but she got to lounge in her jammies all day long! Grandma and papa visited. She got her favorite dinner, opened presents and got to eat purple heart cake! What six year old girl wouldn't be ecstatic?

Sis wanted mini heart cakes for her birthday cake!

Celebrating!

For the big celebration with our friends, a Barbie bowling party was planned and it was a blast! Kids bowled! Parents bowled! We ate pizza & cake, opened presents, laughed, celebrated, and had a wonderful day! Now, on to the next year of adventures!

Party time!

Yummy ice cream cake!

Make a wish!