Mini Cini-Buns

Last week Olivia's teacher gave her a little cookbook that had recipes for miniature treats.  We opened it up and made mini cinnamon buns.  The girls rolled and sprinkled cinnamon and sugar and baked them in the oven.  For some reason I love miniature things and I was enjoying it too.  It was fun to see them doing something all together, although very messy.  There has been lots of fighting lately amongst the sisters and I think that I have had enough of it.  I hope that they realize that it is much easier and more fun to just get along.

 

Happy 35 Years!

Joey had his birthday last week.  The girls and I filled 35 balloons with the things that we love about him.  He then had to pop them and read 35 reasons we love him.  One of my favorites was Abby who wrote, "He ah-choos funny."  Others said because "He tickles me," "He reads with me," "He takes me out to donuts."  Last weekend I took the girls to the store and they each picked out a gift.  Abby was so sure that she wanted to get him a new tie.  She had been telling me for days.  Sammie wanted to get him a teddy bear for when he has to go on trips.  It had been an idea of hers for a while as well.  Olivia got him a Hogwarts t-shirt because they read the Harry Potter series together and they both love it.  Joey is a very good dad to these precious girls and an amazing husband.  We couldn't ask for a better guy in this house.  Instead of cake he wanted his favorite.  Pumpkin pie.  Happy Birthday Joey!!  Love you :)

Happy Halloween 2013

The girls were up bright and early to get ready for their school parade.  I didn't take these pictures until we got ready in the evening.  They can't wear makeup to school.  It was a bit of a hassle getting everyone ready and then making sure they had something easy to change into.  They have to take their costumes off for the rest of the day, but I'm sure their costumes were spared some wear and tear.  Abby also had a party at preschool. 
This year we have a witch, a clown, and a cat.  Sammie was decided on her costume after we went to the circus in September.  She really wanted to be a clown, but a cute, silly one.  Abby's love of wild cats inspired her choice this year, and Olivia was undecided until we started piecing things together at the Halloween store one night when my mom was visiting.  I think it was the wig that started her costume.
Halloween is a fun start to the holidays.  After everyone was showered and in bed I plopped onto the couch and realized that the next day would be November 1st and that means Thanksgiving is coming and then Christmas.  It always catches me by surprise.  I have always loved this time of year and the preparations and traditions.  Joey's birthday is next weekend and we'll have to do something for that as well.  I love having things to look forward to, it keeps my mind busy.

Abby Musings

Sammie was taking a bath and Abby came out of the bathroom with the front of her clothes all wet.
"Mom!  Look what Sammie did to me!"
I went into the bathroom and asked Sammie why she got Abby all wet.
"She wanted me to do it."
"Well, if Abby wanted you to push her off a cliff, would you do it?"
"No," with a hint of a smile.
Then Abby says, "Well, if it was a small cliff because some cliffs are small."

Then there was last week:
Abby: "There is only one thing that I want to eat and it's pizza."
Me: "You can't just eat your favorite food every night.  That's not how it works."
Abby: "Well, it's how I work."

My Mom is an Artist

I just wanted to share this beautiful painting that my mom did.  She started taking water color classes a little while ago and is getting really good.  This is one of her very own originals.  I love it!  It is never too late to develop a new talent.

Crazy Sock Day!

It's crazy sock day today at school.  October has been sort of a whirlwind with lots of tiny things going wrong.  It's just one of those months.  At one point I just started laughing.  I think it was when Joey went outside early in the morning to leave for work and his tire was completely flat.  He came back into the dark house to tell me and I just started laughing.  So many things like that this month.  Frustrating but funny at the same time, and thankfully everything that has broken/semi-broken was easily and quickly fixed and nothing cost us too much in the end.  There is still a week and half left of this month and I'm crossing my fingers.

 

Fall

What is fall without a little football?  We went to the high school homecoming football game last weekend.  It has been a long time since we've been to a sporting event at the high school.  Teachers really are like celebrities when they go to a school event, especially when their family comes along too.  We didn't have to pay to go in.  We were constantly stopped by students wanting to meet us.  Joey's name was yelled out from a distance away.  Former students and current students were making their way over to us, smiling and shaking our hands.  I found myself laughing about it on the way home.  I think that was the most popular I have ever been.

Apple Cheeks

Sammie was smiling really big when she came home with 2 apples stamped on her cheeks.  It was some sort of prize for being good.  She could choose stamps on her hands or on her cheeks.  She chose the cheeks of course :)