Nate's teacher helped him to make this wish list for Santa. He made it Friday morning and that evening we had already planned to watch 'Star Wars' episode IV that night for family movie night. After enjoying the movie, his list has expanded with all things Star Wars. Notice he is attempting to write his name in cursive. Cursive handwriting is MC's new obsession. She has some time before she actually begins this feat in school, but I guess it seems like a grown-up thing to do. And as usual, Nate likes to try everything MariCagle is trying.
This is at Nate's 'mini feast' at school. The children all dressed as pilgrims or Indians (their choice) and we enjoyed a 'mini feast' that they had prepared for everyone. Nate was so proud of himself as he helped snap the green beans, wrap plasticware, make placemats and tablecloths, make homemade biscuits and roll up turkey for the feast. I told him I was going to let him start cooking every night!
Nana saved the wishbone for MariCagle and Nate to snap. Above they are ready to battle. Below you can see that Nate won. Though MariCagle swears that he used more than three fingers. :)
Despite her lack of enthusiasm for math, she is doing quite well, learning to add and subtract. And she is spot on with her 'love, love, love' of reading and writing and she is doing great at that too. We are so thankful that she likes school so much thanks to her fabulous teachers and friends.
This shot was taken at the pumpkin patch at Nate's school. I got to walk over with his class and watch them pick out small pumpkins. It was lots of fun.
Aunt Kim had the fun idea to visit this pumpkin patch in GA and found it online for us. Thanks Aunt Kim!
I just love this one of the two angels. It's always great to catch those angelic moments. They each got to pick out a pumpkin. (We never got around to carving them until the week after Halloween seeing as how the carver in our family was out of town on a whirlwind of interviews that week. But they didn't seem to mind.)
Hanging with Uncle Britton even though he has on a bulldogs t-shirt.
Quinn wasn't in the mood for pictures but I had to include one of her anyway. She's too cute even when she's not looking at the camera. And we had lots of fun with her and Payton over the weekend. Family fun at Grammy and PopPop's is always special.
Nate was in full character throughout the parade shouting 'Argh!' and 'Where's that treasure?' It was quite amusing and a testament to his far-reaching imagination.
Here is another angelic moment as they waited to trick-or-treat at Nana and Pa's house. They got to knock a few times to trick-or-treat for aunts too. And needless to say this wasn't the typical stop with one or two pieces of candy, rather the entire basket between the two of them!
Here's a nice brother/sister shot before one of MC's games.
Here Nate celebrates a goal. You can just sense his excitement. Now if only that had been during the game instead of during warm-ups. :)
Teddy bears, Teddy bears!
Teddy Bear Tea Party - Thank you Aunt Terri!
Decorating teddy bear cookies
Teddy bear birthday cakes.
MariCagle definitely rose and shone this morning. Oh, the look on her face when she realized today was the day. After Open House yesterday, she couldn't contain herself. "What if I can't wait until tomorrow, Mommy?" I only hope she'll get out of bed so quickly the remainder of the year.
She was up and dressed in her adorable uniform before I could get breakfast ready. We had a special first day of school breakfast. Special in that I actually cooked breakfast compared to the usual cereal and yogurt or instant oatmeal. I told her not to get used to this, and she quickly noted that she was already used to it.
Ready to go. She was all set to go 15 minutes early! Again, I hope that this enthusiasm lasts. This is her 'dress' uniform for days when they have prayer services and mass. But given MariCagle's affinity for dresses, I think she'll be wearing the jumper ensemble most days.
This is outside her building. Nate was feeling a little neglected and needed to get in on the pictures. I think he's going to miss having his sister around to play with, especially these early weeks when he doesn't have school himself yet.
At the classroom door...can you see what I mean? That boy loves his sister so much. MariCagle is excited about her new teacher and new classroom, especially after getting to meet and see them yesterday at Open House. There are several of her friends from last year in her class. That coupled with the fact that the teacher's assistant in her class is a mom of a friend from last year who went on all the field trips with them, and you can see why she felt right at home.
She walked right in and took her seat. This marks the first year she hasn't cried at drop-off the first week or two of school. She just waved goodbye, eager to start the day.
The Natester doesn't start school until after Labor Day, so he settled with 'working' on the computer when we got home. He loves the Playhouse Disney website.
He was stuffed inside his pillow case. When I asked him why this morning, he had a perfectly reasonable answer...'It felt like a sleeping bag.'
I didn't have to ask him about this one. I knew right away he was trying to be like his Daddy, sleeping without his shirt on. Speaking of Brandon, everyone please keep him in your prayers. He's working crazy hours (even crazier than usual) trying to get this dissertation ready for his first conference in October. He's been up all hours for over 7 weeks now. Things are going well, but it's pretty intense. Thanks!
At two years old, not too long after our move here.
The other night, just because I am feeling pretty nostalgic this week. Sorry for the blurriness.