First and Maybe Their Last

We happened to go to Walmart on the day we heard that Hostess was shutting down. It was after dinner, which was a strange time for me and the kids to just go but we needed a few things. The isle where they are normally kept was COMPLETELY sold out of all things hostess. We happened to find a display next to the registers that had a few things left. No twinkies, but we got a cupcake for each of us. Claire possibly had one before. I remember we got a few camping one time but I am sure Wyatt has never had one. They of course didn't understand what the big deal was and I tried to explain. And they didn't think they were that great. Claire just liked the frosting on top. Wyatt of course made a bit more progress.

Auntie Ann's

We went with the Moms group on a Pretzel tour at Auntie Ann's in the mall. I was really impressed. They did a great job with the kids and we had a ton of fun. They each got to make a pretzel and choose whether they wanted salt or cinnamon and sugar. I'm sure you can guess which one they choose.

 

All the kids got these hats.

 

The group. I think there were about 10-11 kids total. It was a good turn out.

 

Goose rolling out her pretzel.

 

 

The dipping it into their secret solution. I guess this solution is what helps give it the nice brown color.

 

Wyatt was a bit shy when we was put on the spot to make his pretzel so I helped him.

 

They sent us down a few stores in the mall where they had some couches and we wait for out pretzels to cook. 5 mins at 600 degress if your interested. We couldn't have gotten a more perfect day. The Salvation Army was setting up their Christmas donation tree and had a band playing. It was a great little show.

 

Yum! Yum!

 

The Thunder girls were there to help the Salvation Army. They were so sweet and gave the kids bracelets.

 

He's a little weirded out why this girl is so close to him. Trust me dude, you'll thank me in a few years. ;)

 









 

Thanksgiving Feast

I really love Claire's school. I loved her old school too, but its fun to have the more intimate environment and a place where the parents can be more involved.

They had a Thanksgiving Feast today. All the parents were given some assignment of a finger food to bring for the "feast." Anything from cubes of chicken and ham to carrots, crackers, mini muffins etc. It's great too because they always keep in mind the siblings and have food for them too.

 

 

When I first got there they were dressed up in Native American costumes. Claire's name was Shooting Star. She said she choose it. These pictures are from later at home. She wouldn't wear her vest (I don't think it went with her outfit.)

 

 

 

 

This was supposed to be a "non-singing" program but they did sing us too songs. Sorry I was running late and didn't bring the good cameras again. And my phone camera is starting to get blurry and this video quality is horrible. Sorry. She is the third from the right.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hkgQkzxCk8&feature=g-upl

 

Gobble Gobble

 

 

 

 

Holiday Funk

I've been having a really hard time not being able to see any of you for the holidays. I'm trying to remember the point of this blog, remember to be postitive, but this has been really hard for me. We are going to a co-worker of Chris's that lives in our neighborhood for Thanksgiving so it helps that we have something to do. My cousin Dennis is also coming this weekend for dinner so I decided I'm going to cook the full Thanksgiving meal. I think that will help me and give me something to do. In the mean time the kids and I went and bought a few more Thanksgiving decorations and put them out to help us (well me) get in the spirit.

 

One thing that we did was to make a "Thankful Tree." This is something that I have been wanting to do for awhile but didn't think Claire would fully understand. I found a big branch that had fallen off one of the trees in the neighborhood and cut some smaller branches off of that. I bought some fake leaves to make our "tree." We put things that we are thankful on the leaves and then hung them from the branches. Please don't be offended that "chicken on the bone" was Claire's second choice after moms and dads. We did get you all on there.

 

Goose concentrating on punching a hole in a leaf

 

The Grandparents. It would have been smart of me to take the pictures before I hung your leaves, but I didn't think of that. :)

 

 

And a special one for Dylan

 

 

And don't worry we got one for the cousins, aunts and uncles too.

 

And the final product, the picture isn't that great but I think it turned out really great.

 

 

 

 Love and miss you all!!!!

 

 

 

Yellow Soup

I made butternut squash soup last night for dinner. Wyatt wanted nothing to do with the soup, but he loved saying "yellow soup" over and over. I asked him if he was going to eat it and he said "No. Actully No." Everything is actually no. He wouldn't say that in the below video though. He is also starting to say his name now and its pretty darn cute. I just thought this was funny and you can see how well he is talking.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zaIV3yeVvg&feature=g-upl

 

 

 

 

Torture

When the kids were babies I learned that if you want to torture me I will do and tell you anything for some sleep. I do not do well on sleep deprivation. I have also learned last week watching your five year old paint her nails completely on her own and doing your best to just let her do is also toture. When their is a big ol' drop about to fall or there is fingernail polish all over her hands is so hard to watch. But she did it and she did great. She designed it all on her own and even did her left hand, which was particulary hard to watch. :)

Incase you can't tell, but the thumbs and big toes have an orange, yellow, green and black strip on each one. Then the next toes and fingers are each their own collor following that same color pattern. We are big on patterns right now.

 

Here she is concentrating on the toes:

 

 

Beautiful Halloween toes:

 

Painting the fingers:

 

Upclose fingers:

 

Her striped thumb:

 Chilling while they dry:

 

 

 

 

 

Carving Pumpkins

We had a lot of fun carving pumpkins this year. It's so much more fun as the kids get older and more involved. Claire had a great time collecting all the pumpkin seeds for me to roast. I am a little bummed we don't have a fireplace yet. It was so warm outside that next year I want to start the tradition (if the weather is the same) of carving pumpkins and having a fire with smores and hot chocolate that night. I am copying this from someone I met, but it sounds like so much fun and we all know how I love traditions. :)

The kids with their pumpkins before the carve:

How I kept my partner entertained. He colored the back while I carved the front:

 

Daddy has something in his nose:

 

The finished product: