What we've been up to...

• Well, I thought I would have so much more time for blogging and everything really once the kids started school.  Not true!  I feel like things are crazier than ever!  We have had 2 field trips and another one next month.  Grandparents' Day at school was really nice, and we also had a Halloween parade and party.  I guess what I'm saying is-it's always something going on!  Add in dance one night a week, and any other stuff that pops up, and you have a busy schedule!  I have been meaning to get back into swim lessons and have been in touch with the teacher, but it just hasn't happened yet.  I did take the kids swimming a couple of weeks ago-it was fun but cold!  I think the indoor thermometer might have been off.  What amazed me about swimming was how well Carson did.  He floated around in the five foot water without reservation!  I think Mrs. Elise is going to be surprised when we start back up! 
• As far as school goes-the kids are doing really well.  Carson fusses most mornings not wanting me to leave, but he is fine once I'm out the door.  Emilynn loves school!  I am amazed at how much they are learning already, sounding out letters and working on writing their names! 
• Our logging is done at our house, so the kids don't have that to watch anymore.  We are getting ready to have some bulldozing done though, so they are super-excited about that.  We also got gravel recently which was entertaining for several days.  It's funny how much they use their imagination to play.  Last night they made "guitars" with shoeboxes and rubber bands. 
• Christmas is right around the corner.  I feel like I have so much shopping to do!  I am almost done with the kids though, which is always the more stressful part.  I guess since we have the twins' birthday right at Christmas, I try to figure out both.  I want to make their birthday special even though it's at Christmas.  This year we are not doing a big party since we rented Romp 'n Roll last year.  I try to do something different each year and make it special.  This year we are doing individual things with each child, and then we'll have cake and ice cream, and maybe pizza on their actual birthday with the grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. 
• Carson's special "outing" was going to the Marvel Universe Live show last week.  It was a fun evening, but kind of different from what we are used to.  He likes Spiderman, so it was neat to see the "real" Spidey!  We had a yummy Chick-fil-A supper beforehand with Aunt Amanda, Poppy, and Hunter.  We met all of cousins Morgan & Dylan's family/grandparents, etc. at the show.  It was nice- but I am used to girl stuff so all this boy stuff is still new to me.  Carson enjoyed it I think.  I love individual time with my kids, I think it is so important.  Emilynn actually had a "date" with her Daddy to the Mexican restaurant recently.  She loved it and felt so special!  Henry is of course loving his alone time with me during school hours! 
• Emilynn's special birthday outing is going to be a spa treatment/makeover session with her bestie-Cousin Morgan at the local Diva's & Dude's kid salon.  I think the two little divas will love it! 
• Halloween was fun-we had a Ninja turtle (Carson), Queen Elsa from Frozen (Emilynn), and Sheriff Woody from Toy Story (Henry).  The kids wanted the Switch Witch to come again this year, and it was a success.  I have to say, I love the folks who give them non-candy items.  The candy is great but they get so much of it.  I will say, they ate tons of candy all day long on Halloween- before you go thinking my kids are deprived of candy!  They were then more than happy to have the witch take the rest.  Some favorite non-candy items were juice boxes, coupons for frosties from Wendy's, pencils, these popping things that jumped up in the air, rice krispies, cheese balls, etc. etc. 
• The school had a little Fall Festival Saturday and it was really fun for the kids. They had lots of games that were free with prizes.  No candy at all!  Yay!  I think it is something they will look forward to each year at school.  I just love their little school and how it's such a family environment!  I am trying to be involved as much as I can.   The other day Emilynn said to me, "I'll see you after school Mom.  I always know you'll be there."  Oh, it melted my heart!  She's my independent one so it's nice that she still needs me!  I'm sure when they are teenagers they will want me to not be at school so much-ha!  They'll beg to ride the bus.  :-) 
• Speaking of cute stuff- yesterday I cut the lights on to wake up the kids for school.  Henry says, "Cut that light off Mom, it's poking my eyes."  Dustin and I just laughed and laughed.  It was cute.  He says the funniest things sometimes.  We call him a parrot most of the time cause he repeats most everything you say in this funny voice. 
• We are loving fall around here.  It's my favorite time of year.  I felt we needed some fall so I changed the pic on here.  It's funny because I've had several people ask me if I pose the kids to get pictures for the blog.  Nope, you don't have to pose my kids.  Just act like you want to take a regular picture and the results are on the blog!  Ha!  I hardly ever catch a picture of them looking at me.  My sister and I tried desperately to get a picture of my mom's 5 grandkids on the fall tractor above.  We never got one.  The thing that gets me is if you get the little ones looking, the big ones act crazy.  Oh well, when they are grown and want to know why there are no good pictures of them I will tell them why! 
• We watched A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving yesterday-I got it from the library.  I had never seen it-it was cute!  The kids loved it.  I wanted them to see it because they are having a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving at school eating toast, jellybeans, pretzel sticks, and popcorn.  I'm sure they will love it! 
• Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday for sure.  It's so low key and doesn't involve gifts.  I am looking forward to my shopping all night that night though.  It is a lot of fun. 

Well, I am off to do laundry and dishes and pack lunches for tomorrow.  Carson took fish and hushpuppies yesterday for his main food-and of course had fruits, veggies, yogurt, etc. to go with it and for snacktime.  I'm pretty sure he's the only preschooler with fish in his lunch!  My kids take what I would consider different things for lunch most days.  I am not big on the Lunchable-but I have made my own version and sent it-which was a hit! I will occasionally get them for a treat, but the truth of the matter is my kids aren't that crazy about them anyway.   I should do a lunch post.  Anyway, I'm rambling.  More later....hopefully it won't be another month before I post again!!!