This week was Red Ribbon Week at the kids' school and it's seriously one of my favorite weeks of the year. I love that the teachers talk to them about making good choices and doing what's right and I love that they can get creative while doing it!
Monday was the traditional "Wear Red Day" - Emmy of course had to add her own little flare.
Tuesday was superhero day and we didn't take a picture. Oops.
Wednesday was jersey day but the girls didn't want to wear one of Rad's old jerseys so they settled on Aggie shirts instead.
Thursday was camo day and also "make a funny face day". This is how it goes down...
Radley - the oldest kid, stands and smiles like he is told
Emersyn - the middle kid, does what she thinks is cute
Landry - the third kid, doesn't even make it in the picture
And then it was Friday - my FAVORITE day. Character day! Emersyn picked Fancy Nancy and helped "design" her own ensemble and Radley was the Book with No Pictures - get it?
We made our way up to school but the plans got altered since it was pouring down rain and instead of having the parade outside, they altered it and let the kids walk down the halls while the parents stayed in the cafeteria to watch. I ended up liking this even better because we had places to sit! I love how creative the staff gets and how much fun the kids have!
Mr. Hatfield, our principal, was Pete the Cat!
Some of Radley's 4th grade idols...
The 3rd grade DL teacher was Captain Hook...
This girl went all out as Ursula...
Frida...
Kayla was a horse rider for the third year in a row...
Radley as the Book with No Pictures (which if you don't have it - pick up a copy.... my kids love it and I have to admit that I think it's pretty darn funny, too!)
An adorable Waldo...
And then of course Miss Fancy Nancy herself!
Love those big smiles on their faces at school! Halloween week may be growing on me after all.
It was time for the annual Halloween Party on campus which is really just one of my favorite nights. We've been going since Radley was SIX WEEKS OLD so it just holds a special place in my heart. Plus I advised the organization that hosts it and I've seen it go from a huge indoor invent, to moving locations while our MSC was renovated to moving back in and now it's outside! Whew - change is fun!
These three were ready to show everyone what it's like to be an Aggie fan... you start out with Joy in your heart as you wave that 12th man towel and then sometimes you end up full of disgust.
(Radley had a themed costume to match his sisters, but he didn't want to wear it on campus in front of the Aggies). ;)
We got all checked in and they just hit the ground running on fun!
I don't know why, but kids never fail to be entertained by fake fishing. They were so genuinely surprised and excited when they "caught" something.
Then we ran into a few friends from WDS and it was a giggle filled mini reunion.
I was having so much fun watching them that I kept forgetting to take pictures. The highlight of the girls' night was dancing around to the silly music on stage with their daddy. Radley had found Cade by then and was running around like a big 8 year old kid. At one point, I looked up to spot him telling on the Hospitality members how to run the game. I'm not sure where he gets that from, but I like it.
When I think about how quickly these kiddos grow up, I get kind of sad. There's so much I'll miss when they get big - like how perfectly Landry fits in my lap, or how much Emersyn still likes to be held, or even how Radley still lets me hold his hand (and lots of times still grabs for mine). And as much as I want them to stay little, I'm excited that they get the chance to grow. BUT I do wish one thing - I would just love to bottle up their voices forever and ever.
(And yes, I realize that I can record them, but it's not the same.)
Some things I never want to forget...
Landry
chicken = kitchen
kitchen = chicken
I wuv you
I wuv you mowa
I wuv you the most
I wuv you mowa than the most
I wuv you 5
basically that her Ls still = Ws so she says her name is Wandry - it's perfect
We NEVER do that. (Meaning, we haven't done something since yesterday or 5 minutes ago)
Radley
He basically speaks like a regular grown up. And in two languages, so he's more advanced than me. But I'll never forget how he said "lellow" or "hold you" (when he wanted to be held - actually they all 3 did).
The scariest night of the year had finally arrived .... it was time to create ::dramatic pause::
OUR PUMPKIN MONSTER!!!!
This is how Radley felt about the pumpkin guts (or was he just being dramatic for the camera? You decide.).
This is how Emersyn actually felt about the pumpkin guts.
And Landry of course wanted to taste it. Ew.
I love how no matter what we are doing, they have to right next to each other.
And then Ryan forced me to dig in there so I put on a good show for the kiddos - please note the girls' faces.
Radley selected the face and the girls agreed so away Ryan went!
(Did you catch that? The girls AGREED. Like right away. It was weird.)
At some point Landry got mad about something - I think she was complaining that she couldn't see the pumpkin that was 6 inches in front of her face. So she ran off crying and I did what any good momma would do about it - took pictures to remember this moment forever.
She then hid in the closet.
And five minutes later was all smiles.
#threenager
After all the turn taking, patience giving and paper patter mutilating, I must admit - it turned out pretty good!
And we have never felt more safe than with this monster keeping watch at the door.
I had no idea what I was going to blog about today and then I saw Shelly had linked up with Shay, Mel and Shaeffer for What's Up Wednesday and decided to join the fun....
What we're eating...
Fall has {kind of} arrived which means we made our first batch of pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. These are seriously the most amazing cookies you will ever in your life taste. They are so good that I actually follow the recipe ... step.by.step.
And don't worry - it's the not the recipe that leads Ryan to drink - it's all the extra special help he gets when baking.
This. Y'all this is a major accomplishment as a couple. It's our FIRST EVER attempt at making cream gravy. And we absolutely ROCKED it. It was touch and go there for a minute but we just kept adding milk and persevered. Worth it. And we even shared with the kids.
Recipe: left over bacon grease, flour, milk and salt/pepper to taste
Mix grease and ~4tbs of flour or until preferred thickness. Slowly add milk whisking to keep from clumping. (We added about 2 1/2 cups (I think, we never measured)) Add salt and pepper to taste.
What I'm reminiscing about...
All things ghostly, ghoulish and fun! As much as I try to act like I don't love Halloween, when I look back at these pictures I can't help but smile. All the joy that they get from this night is worth all the running around piecing costumes together. We tried on their costumes for this year tonight and they were absolutely GIDDY running around and getting into character and well, maybe I kind of like Halloween after all.
What I'm loving...
Ryan is using a vacation week this week which means he is able to just do "normal" things that he isn't usually able to like eating lunch with the kids. He's been here for drop off, picked up the kids after school, made dinner and stayed up late watching Netflix. I'm definitely loving this time with him and I am not the only one!
What we've been up to...
October started rough with me and the girls getting hit with bronchitis/sinus infections. But we bounced back and have been filling our days with as much fun as we can - celebrating birthdays, going on field trips, and serving with friends. And as much fun as all of that is, I kind of loved our weekend laying around, watching movies and listening to the rain. Oh and staying up way past bedtime! ;)
What I'm dreading...
Honestly? I don't know that I'm dreading anything - so that's a win!
What I'm working on...
The Dish BCS is working on a few fun giveaways in November for and we'd love some more ideas! If you are local let us know what you'd like to see us blog/discuss/review/promote. We are planning some awesome things in the next two months and we can NOT wait to share with you!
What I'm excited about...
I am BEYOND thrilled about the fun SWAP till you DROP night I'm planning with Cindy, Holly and Shelly. We are discussing ways that we can include all of our virtual friends, too so throw some ideas our way! All of our local friends are invited for a night of free shopping! Everyone brings items that they have but just never wear and we swap away over food and wine because clearly that makes it better. Anything that is unclaimed will be donated to a local women's shelter. So friends, food, fun and FREE clothes - it's a winning combination! If you're local and want join in on the fun, let us know!
What I'm watching/reading...
Y'all. Have you been here before? If yes then you are aware of my complete and utterly shameless obSESHUN with these women.
And I know I haven't blogged about the revival but it's really because I can't do it justice. I've already started rewatching the entire show because #craycrayKK and it's even better the second time around. If you haven't watched it you totally should. Funny, relevant, witty, QUICK, awesome, sarcastic, basically perfection.
(ps. I love that Shelly is watching FNL and GG - reasons we are friends).
What I'm listening to...
Hello.
Along with 99 MILLION people in TWO days. I could cry her voice is so amazing.
What I'm wearing...
It's safe to say that I'll be living in ponchos this fall. I really can't recommend this one enough from Target and I am debating on whether or not I need the red one, too. I'm also pretty pumped about these pieces I came across in Ryan's grandmother's vanity. From time to time I sit in my closet and go through MY grandmother's old vanity case. It smells exactly like her and I just love looking at her Avon, creams, and trinkets. I decided to go through his grandmother's vanity (that is the exact same except for the color) and found these beautiful charms. They were the perfect pop of fun to an outfit that included a white tank top and jeans. I recommend digging through your grandparents hidden treasures - you really will never know what you'll discover!
ps. Let's make sure I take all pics from that angle from now on because my legs haven't looked that skinny since the 9th grade. When I was self-conscious because I was so "bony".
Dear 14 year-old self -
You are dumb. You will wish for those legs a lot in later life.
Love - 36 year-old self.
What I'm doing this weekend...
We are heading to Waco to celebrate Halloween! First time the kids have been trick or treating in my old stomping grounds and we are pumped!
What I'm looking forward to next month...
THE BEST HOLIDAY EVER!!! Thanksgiving is seriously so much fun. I love everything about it - the food, the fellowship, the idea that we can share a meal together with those that mean the most to us. We haven't made our final plans this year but I know it will be spent with people I love and that love me well, too!
What else is new...
I feel like I should have something exciting for this part, but I don't. Nothing. Nothing is new.
:)
Favorite Thanksgiving recipe...
There is so much I love about Thanksgiving, but the sights and sounds of all of us in the kitchen working on a meal together is my favorite. The recipe I love the most is my momma's cornbread dressing, but I have no idea how she makes it.
I also love my corn/squash casserole. It's something I kind of made up and is a crowd favorite!
Instructions: Sautee squash and onion until tender, add remaining ingredients and heat through. transfer to baking dish and cover with more veggie ritz. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes.
DISCLOSURE: I have no idea what the measurements are because I just make it!
The Kings got celebrate Millicent Claire this weekend and had the BEST time! I grabbed the bigs early and then headed to pick up Landry and Millicent before heading to our first stop at the Pumpkin Patch where the brick road is actually orange. ;)
They had great time walking around, acting silly and posing for pics. Well, most of them any way... Emmy had just fallen down and was clearly injured in the process. I think she got a scrape on her knee the size of a pin needle. She wasn't up for a photo op.
And then 3 seconds later all was well. Mills is 15 months younger than Emersyn and 1 inch taller.
They insisted I take a picture too. I love how the blur makes me look thinner. ;)
One more smile and then they were off to pick their pumpkins...
So we could go home and paint them...
I mean, I can't even handle the happy.
After they finished their master pieces, scrubbed clean in the world's biggest bubble bath and put on their princess best the birthday girl picked Chic Fil A followed by a trip to Target for her fancy night out.
#shespeaksmylovelanguage
#friedfoodandTarget
#putthatonashirt
Saturday morning we got birthday donuts and braved the rain to go volunteer with UPS at Scotty's House. Our job was to make all the center pieces for their upcoming Character Breakfast, their largest fundraiser of the year. It's going to be a fantastic event - we got a sneak peak at the costumes and they are amazing!! The kids are going to have so much fun and Scotty's House is a great advocacy center for children in the Brazos Valley.
And I couldn't think of a better way to spend a Saturday morning than with my kids, doing something to that will ultimately help other kids.
They did such a great job designing their own little center pieces...
going from table to table...
step by step...
and so proud of their final products!
And I was so proud of them!
(And that cute guy in the middle that organized this whole day.)
Happiest birthday to you, Millie! We had the best time celebrating you and we love you so much!
Wife to a hot UPS man and momma to #wee3kings... my motto is the more the merrier so everyone always has a seat at our table. Love God. Love others. Everyone is welcome.. and no one leaves hungry.
