Totally!

We were driving home from Payton's school today when I stopped in front of our neighbor's house to show the kids their fall decorations. I asked if they were cool, and Payton replies, 'To-tally!'

Payton got her hair cut today. She's been wanting to cut it 'like Sarah's' - which is pretty short. So I let her cut it off to her shoulder. It's cute, but I think Daddy is going to miss the longer hair.

After the haircut, we headed over to the dollar store. I've been doling out coins for chores lately in an effort to motivate the kids to help out. Plus I figure that it's a good way for them to understand why Mommy and Daddy don't always have money to buy whatever they want. I explained to them that everything at the dollar store is only a dollar and that we could take money out of their piggy banks to buy something. They were super excited about it. But when we got to the toy isle they seemed a little depressed. Nothing quite lived up to their standards. This was their hard earned money after all. The balloons were very tempting, but then the mega giant blow pops were spotted. They came in a 4 pack - it was all over. Each child had to have them.

Garden note: This evening the kids helped me plant some mums and pansies in a planter on the deck. We had a couple left over that I planted where the sunflowers used to be in the backyard. (Scott had to work tonight.) We had to move a couple of boards around to fix and add soil to the area where the sunflowers were and all of a sudden their were slugs slugging out of thin air. They were everywhere. It was totally disgusting. I had been wondering where they all were because last year at this time I was in serious combat with them.

St. John's Carnival

Tonight, Payton's school held their annual carnival. I was skeptical last year. I'm not big on carnivals. They are usually money-sucking stressful occasions. But this carnival is different. It's not too big. The games are kid-friendly. Everyone is always a winner at the games. And you can have a nice family date night (including dinner) for $25.

We got there when it started and the kids were super excited. I let each one enter a raffle for a toy prize basket. Payton was ready to claim the prize immediately. I tried to explain how raffle works. I think she's almost to the point of understanding the concept, but she's not so happy about it. She wants the prize...now.

Anyway, so we played games. Ian was drawn to the basketball game. Payton slid down the 15 ft inflatable slide and jumped in the bounce house. Daddy showed up while I was working the pre-K booth - toss the TP into the toilet bowl. (They were brand new toilets.)

We had pizza and hamburgers for supper. Ice cream for dessert and we were home for baths and bedtime. It was a pleasant evening.

Sarah's Birthday Party

Last Saturday was Sarah P's birthday. Sarah and Samuel (her brother) are our favorite playmates. So the kids were super excited about the party. Scott was working so it was also nice to have something to do :)

Sarah had a princess themed party with a painting craft to kick it off. This wasn't just any painting craft. The kids painted a large cardboard house (large enough to go in and out of). The kids really enjoyed this, all except for Ian. I don't know what was going on with Ian. He didn't want anything to do with anyone else. He played by himself and was perfectly content to not take any part in the festivities. The only thing I can blame it on is that he's getting one of his molars. His appetite is sporadic and he has been especially requesting pretzel sticks for snacks.

ps - pictures to come (still working on the camera issue).

Haven't been blogging

I have good excuses for not blogging as much. First and foremost, since our camera died, I haven't able to take many pictures. Secondly, when Mom and Dad were here, Dad got me addicted to watching Two and a Half Men. If you've never watched it, I recommend it for a good laugh. The topics are definitely NOT for children which is part of its appeal for me. And it just puts me in a good mood. The other great thing about the show is I think it started back in 2004 or 2005, so I have 4 or 5 seasons to catch up on. It makes me smile just thinking about it :)

Auntie Melissa and Auntie Moo visit

Melissa and Margaret came to visit me last weekend! It was great to hang out with them. They came into Charlotte late Friday night, so we stayed in a hotel downtown instead of driving home. It was sooo nice to be able to sleep all night without interruption AND sleep in.

Saturday we took it easy and made our way to Childress vineyards. They had a live band out on their lawn. We got some wine, cheese, and crackers and soaked up the music and beautiful weather. After a nice lunch, we walked around the vines a little before we headed off to home.

The kids were excited to see their Auntie Melissa and Auntie Moo. They played in the pool a little an showed off to their aunts. Saturday evening, we left the kids with Scott and ate out at a little wine bar and listened to a little live music in downtown Winston-Salem.

If there's night life in W-S, I don't know about it. I'm always home before dark with the kids. But we had a nice relaxing time.

Sunday, Scott, Melissa, and I had our Fantasy football draft. We grilled out and took it easy. The girls had to be at the airport at 6 am Monday morning. It was a quick trip, but nice, relaxing and fun :)

Scott, several months ago, kicked a big ball up into one of our pine trees. The ball has been perched very nicely so that Scott has not managed to get it down, until my Dad is present and he decides to go all out. By saying all out, I mean, he was on a mission one night that my parents were here. He was bound and determined to get that ball out of the tree. He had some help and an audience :)

Scott, on a chair, holding his ball retriever. Attached to the ball retriever, a sprinkler heard shooting water at the ball.

Different angle.

Spraying from another angle.

Spraying the kids....

Grandpa holding a two by four, split, and attached to the other half, with the ball retriever on the end of the two by fours. (Shirt off)

Scott's turn - which finally brought down the ball.

Mom and I went for a walk, so I've received much of this information second hand. But we have pictures to document the progression of methods to procure the ball.

Old Salem

The last day of Grandma and Grandpa's visit (Tues.) we walked around Old Salem. They have some gardens, old buildings, and a great bakery that still bakes the same way it did 100 years ago.

We were walking around the gardens and Ian decided that he was tired. He stood in one place and just started crying because he wanted to be held. I walked around a little bit with him on my back and then, of course, Payton wanted a piggy back ride. Grandpa offered, but they were both getting pretty whiny after the bakery. So, in the old hat shop, we bought two green swirly lollipops. It was like magic. The kids walked by themselves. They were happy as clams. Listened to us nicely and let us tour about 30 minutes longer. Amazing what a little colored sugar will do.

Payton finally went back to school on Wednesday. I felt a little guilty keeping her home for the week that Grandma and Grandpa were here, but it's only pre-K. Payton when asked, says that she would rather stay home with Mommy and Ian than go to school. I'm not sure why. She never fusses when I drop her off at school and she always says she's had a good time at school. Right now she's suppose to go 5 days a week, but if she keeps this up, I may keep her home 1 day a week. - We'll see.