Happy Halloween!!

 We had a great Halloween!  The kids had so much fun trick-or-treating!  They got so much candy!!  I think we are set for candy for the next 6 months!  Will dressed up as the 'Ice Ninja', Ben was 'Zorro' and Kate was a 'Fairy Princess'. 

 We went to a pre-Halloween birthday party for a friend a couple of weeks before and they had different costumes!  Amazing what they can come up with digging through the dress up bin!

Good Citizens

Will and Ben have both been named 'Citizen of the Week' for their classes!  They were both so excited!!  I was only able to get a picture of Ben- he was so proud!!

Just Another Day in Paradise...

This I just have to share.  While I am laughing now, all I could say at first was 'I mean, REALLY?!?!'
The story begins last weekend.  Will woke with a slight sore throat.  I checked his temp, felt his glands and looked in his throat.  Nothing.  Gave him a bit of motrin and off he went.  A few days prior to the slight sore throat, he had said his skin was itchy.  Mind you, the children spend a LOT of time at the park, climbing trees, running around and being kids.  I chalked it up to an irritation from something at the park.  Ben had a some itchy spots, as well.  Gave them both benedryl and they were both fine.  So, the story continues on Monday when Will said he was still itchy.  I checked him over, said we would get an appointment and go to the doctor that afternoon.  I pick both boys up at 3pm and head to the doctor.  We had just been there on Friday for Kate (chest congestion- on antibiotic).  Dr. Snitz looked him over, took his temp the said 'let's take a throat culture- just to rule out strep.'  The quick test came back negative.  He said he would let it sit and call in the AM just to be safe.  So, our week goes on.  No call from the Dr.  We must be clear!  Fast forward to this morning.  I get the kids going- we have carpool and Will needs to get there a little early to get his AR test taken.  I get the kids to school at 8:47- whew!!  As I am pulling out the school drive, telling Kate of our fun morning with her friend Brendon, the cell phone rings.  The conversation goes like this:
Me:  Hello?
Jamie:  Hi Megan, this is Jamie from Dr. Snitz's.
Me:  Yes?
Jamie:  Well, Will has STREP THROAT!
(side note, she did not yell strep throat- it just always sounds so dreaded!)
Me:  I just  dropped him off at school- I have to go get him, right?
Jamie:  Yes, he can't be at school until Friday mid day.
Me:  Boy, not the wrench I was expecting today!

So, Kate and I drive around the block- back to the carpool lane, park and head into school.  Mind you, the first bell has not even rung yet!  I go into the office and say 'well, I just dropped off my child, got a call from the DR.  and he has strep.'  They were quick to get find him.  He was taking his AR test.  I let him finish that and he was shocked to see me.  When I told him he had strep and we had to go home, he was worried that meant a shot at the doctors.  But, lucky for him, he has strep with no sore throat, has medicine to take and gets to stay home and watch movies!  So, after dropping off the kids at 8:47 it only took 30+ minutes to get out of the school!  

This parenting thing is not for sissies!!

Kate's First Dance Class

Kate had her first Ballet/Tap class today.  Boy, has she been excited!!  We got her dance outfit a couple of weeks ago and she has been asking to go ever since!  This morning, at breakfast, she told the boys 'We need to get moving for ballet!'.  She finished breakfast up and hurried upstairs to put on her leotard, skirt and ballet shoes.  She came down- tights in hand- ready to go!  

The class is in the basement studio of a woman in Waxhaw.  There were 7 other little girls in the class.  It was amazing how well they listened and followed their teacher.  It was too cute!!  

 

The class started out with tap - yes, Kate now has tap shoes-  what were we thinking!!  She LOVES them!!  They also worked on some ballet.  It was a fun hour and Kate was wiped out when it was over!  She said 'Mommy, I am tired of playing ballet!'.  Of course, she has already asked when she gets to go again!  

 

Hope you enjoy the pictures- my camera was acting a little funny...  I am sure I will get better ones at another class.  And, not to worry, there will be a recital in May!!  Can't wait for that!

Apple Picking

On Labor Day, we took a day trip to Flat Rock, NC with our friends, the Moores and the Sykes.  It was such a beautiful NC day.  The sky was gorgeous and the temperatures were perfect!  Nice breeze up on top of the mountain and more apples than I have ever seen!!  The kids all had a great time climbing trees and picking apples.  We picked Grannies, McIntosh and Arkansas black (not the best apple!).  We had a picnic on the lawn and enjoyed the most delicious Apple Spice donuts for dessert!  We picked 20 pounds of delicious apples- now to make applesauce and apple butter!! 

First Day of School

I can't believe summer is over and school has started!  The first week is over and the boys are really liking (okay, kind of liking) school.  Will had a great first day.  He woke up that first morning and got dressed right away, came downstairs and said 'Mommy, am I late??'  He had said many times how he didn't want school to start- but I really knew that he would be excited!  He had a great first day!  

Ben didn't start until this last Monday.  Boy, was he excited!!  He has the same teacher Will had in kindergarten.  We all walked Ben to his class, then he went in- no tears, hardly a look back!  Of course, it was not as easy for me.  I can't believe I have 2 children in school!  Ben looked so big!  Of course, so did Will!  I can't believe he is in second grade. 

Where has the time gone??  It seems like just yesterday I was bringing them home from the hospital.  I picked each of them up on their first days but they have been riding the bus home everyday since. 

Ben was so excited to ride the bus the first time- of course, the first day all he had to say was 'the bus took longer than I thought and I was pretty sure there would be more seats!'  Funny little boy!  Can't wait to see them when they get home today!  We have a short week next week and soccer has started up.  I will keep you posted on all our goings on. 

July and August

I realize that I have completely left out the months of July and August.  Trust, me- I will get to it!  I just have been overwhelmed getting the kids ready for school.  I will get to those and fill in where we are missing.  We had a great July with a visit to Florida and a fun trip to the beach in August.  Bear with me and I will get to them soon!!!