Lil Miss

Being 5.  

She has got it down. 

This week alone she started to ride her bike all by herself. 

Miss Independent. 

{A little girl and her lambie}

I love capturing at this moment. 

Our Lil Miss.

Halloween's of the Past

I have a feeling my years of all the kids dressing up for

Halloween are numbered.  

The two oldest hadn't wanted to dress up at all this year

(until this week - last minute costumes to the rescue!)

Here is a reflection of all the costumes we have had in the past.

{ 2009 }

This was our first year as parents.  

Man were we overwhelmed. 

And not ready for the intense candy rush that happens

after eating WAY too much candy. 

(I talking about us not the kids.  wink wink)

{2010}

Lil Miss and I were only 2 days post our escape from the hospital

when trick or treaters came to the door this year. 

 {2011}

The start of my son's Star Wars obsession. 

Little Yoda.

{2012}

{2013}

Iowa Octobers - Halloween costumes with turtlenecks and 

long underwear under them. 

{2014}

five.

Happy. 

There is not a more perfect word 

to describe this girl. 

Today she turns 5. 

How this happened, I'm not sure. 

{ 1 week old }

 { 6 months old}

 { 1 year old }

 My little thumb sucker. 

 { 2 years old }

{3 years old }

{ 4 years old }

{ the big 5 }

Twinkle, Twinkle 

little star

Brave & Beautiful 

is what you are!

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

Fall Things I Love

The last few days have really pushed us into Fall.  

The temperature is dropping and its officially time to pull out the coats, hats, and gloves. 

I embrace this time.  

Falling Leaves

Scarves in every color

Boot season

Cozy nights by the fire

Apple Orchards

and

Especially the return of pumpkin EVERYTHING. 

{pumpkin spice latte}

{pumpkin shake from Whitey's}

The house is decorated with pumpkins, gourds, and mums.

It is hard to resist picking up more pumpkins every time I 

go to the store because you can never have too many.

I had the chance to take the girls to a pumpkin patch so we can check 

that off our Fall Family Bucket List. 

This face painting quickly changed her halloween costume choice from 

Cowgirl to Kitty Cat.  

Then we took the family to an apple orchard yesterday. 

The kids had fun loading up our bags with apples, 

and even more fun eating the apples. 

 We have great ambition to make apple pies and applesauce this week.  

Now it sounds like a lot of work.  

 But as the days get colder, cooking and baking in the kitchen 

doesn't sound so bad. 

Of course one of my favorite things about fall is... Football. 

It wouldn't be fall with out the pigskin. 

Time to bundle up to watch another game.  

I am suddenly remembering how much I prefer watching the games on TV and not in the cold.  

Bundle up.... 

Are you ready for some FOOTBALL?

Full into football season.  

NFL - because my husband plays pretend with his fantasy team.

College - because of the Buckeyes of course! 

and now tackle football - yikes! 

 Yes, my son is putting on the pads and ready to play. 

His first year and his team is doing awesome. 

 This mama was both excited and nervous as we watched them take the field today. 

Holding my breath every time one of the boys were a little slower to get up making sure

that it wasn't my boy.  

 He had a few blocks and ran the ball.  

I also learned that I have a lot to learn about the sport, because I don't know what 

some of the terms they call out are. 

Like encroachment or an illegal formation is, but mommy is a newbie.  

I did earn major cool mommy points with my choice of gloves though. 

Football season... doesn't get much better than that! 

Apple for the Teacher

We are on day 5 of school, and I have a breather to put a few thoughts down. 

Back to routine ( Hallelujah! ) 

The beginning of a new school year is just another document on how the kids 

are growing up.  Can't believe this is my oldest's last year of elementary.  

This time next year she will be starting Junior High and Lil Miss will be starting kindergarten. 

But let's not get ahead of ourselves... 

To the 2015-2016 school year.  

My kids are ruling the school being 5th, 4th and 3rd graders.  

We love our school.

It was so fun to see all the familiar teachers faces, friends (kid's and mommy's),

and to see new families to welcome into this wonderful community.

Rosie couldn't wait to socialize with her friends. 

As excited as the oldest three were to go back, the little one was 

a little sad.  She just lost her three best friends. 

She has told me "I'm bored" about 100 times this week.  

Mommy apparently isn't as fun as her brother and sisters.

Have no fear though, she is starting preschool next week. 

We unpacked her backpack Wednesday night and she 

is ready to go. 

Oh, and it only took 3 days into 5th grade for me to bring in reinforcements

for Math homework. 

Glad daddy understands it all.  

So welcome back to a new school year. 

I pray that my children's teacher love my kids,

That my kids love their teachers,

That we all try to be patient when learning something new,

That we respect other students opinions an feelings,

That we foster old friendships and make new ones too, 

and that everyone tries to do their best.