{Pumpkin Men, Class Parties and Carving Our Masterpieces}

::pumpkin men::

dave and aubrey put together our pumpkin snowman this year.
we haven't done that in a few years and she thought it was the funniest thing.
she got a little grossed out during the drilling and dowel part but she got over it.

 

here's a little peek at the first time we built one in 2006.

 

here comes jane in my shoes to help.

 

why oh why didn't i get a better picture?:(

 

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::class parties::

 

so lucky to be able to pop into aubrey's pumpkin party.

one of the many things about staying home with these angels i am most blessed to have...flexibility and freedom. (thank you baby!)

 

they had five little centers:

fishing for treats

sweep the pumpkin down the hall

bean bag toss

pin the nose on the pumpkin

and trick or treat...where they drew a card to do a trick for a treat.

 

not the greatest pictures...but a lot of sweet memories.

 

anyone else totally wigged out by plastic teeth....ahh...shivers....:)

 

she looks so shy and nervous sometimes.
but always smiles for her best friend rachel:)

lucky me...i helped at janey's party too.

 

hermione and her best friend the cupcake.

tough to get these two in one shot in a crowded classroom.:)

 

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::carving time::

 

 

look out for daddy's with pumpkin gut removing drill attachments:)

 

 

seeing those pumpkin discovery faces never gets old.

love riley's as aubrey takes a peek.:)

 

 

one last hug before the faces come.

and yes, i do have a sentimental one who is sad to carve her pumpkin.

throw it away in november too for that matter....any guesses??!!:)

 

meet two harry potters and the silly girl.

 

have a happy day,

cindy

 

Time Has Flown

It seems like only yesterday we were here

excited about the first day of school

ready to meet our new teachers

ready to make new friends

ready for new adventures

and ready for so much more

and now...

we are here

 at the end of second grade and kindergarten

looking a little older 

(yikes!)

a little wiser

{notice the flip-flops...I am a big "keep your feet protected" kind of mom...they begged me all year to wear flip-flops like their friends, we compromised...they got one day and one day only...the last day of school!}

and a little ready for some much needed fun and relaxation

at home

It was a wonderful day

filled with fun, games and friends

but there was some sadness too

You see...we had wonderful teachers this year

teachers that helped our little angels grow and nurtured them so dearly

we were so lucky!!

our end of the school year tradition includes a dinner out at a restaurant of their choice

so we ended up here (2nd year in a row!)

{see all the birds nests in the sign??}

We had a wonderful dinner 

we  talked about our summer ahead, played endless games of I-Spy,

and enjoyed being together

We went out for ice-cream afterwards

and in the car ride home Janey said, 

"You two are the best parents a girl could ever want!"

Wow...talk about making our day!

so...our summer begins tomorrow...

come back for our summer list, our first official "Craft Wednesday" and a surprise dinner...wow I feel tired already!:)

see ya then!

Because of Winn Dixie

About two years or so ago I read that book to the girls.  

What a great story!  Filled with so much love... of all kinds... 

friends, family, community and of course the canine version....

I am a softy for the canine version.

Well, this year Riley read it on her own and it sparked an idea...  

{In case you haven't read the book (or seen the movie) 

Opal decides to throw a party, a way to get all of these random friends she has met  together.} 

...an idea to have a party!

of course Janey quickly jumped on board and they decided to have

 an End of the School Year Party.  

They wanted to plan it all from homemade invitations to games and food

and plan it they did!

{I gave them $20 to spend on food and favors

that was a great lesson on what things really cost} 

They did it all 

from cleaning and decorating to

running the show

Here is a look at their big party planning debut...

I think everyone had a wonderful time

including our two party girls.

 They learned a lot that day,

from the "stresses' of worrying your friends are all having fun

to remembering the little details like "do we have enough lemonade"

I have a feeling there are more parties in our future!

Way to go girls!!!