Halloween 2011

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Halloween was a Disney Halloween around our house! No shocker there I guess. Abby was Rosetta (from the Tinkerbell Movies), I was Tink (ahem), Andy was Lightning, and Trav was Mater. It was like we have kids that are 2 and 5 or something... ;)




The Contreras Clan joined us again, and their kids (the Pumpkin Brothers and Rapunzel) were cute as can be - as always!




Also joining us this year was the Ratliff Ladybugs:




After some yummy dinner and more photos, we hit the streets.




Apparently, we weren't the only ones in the neighborhood that went with Disney Themed matching outfits!

We started at the neighbor's house. Doug made the mistake of coming home RIGHT as we were coming up his walk. I think he felt a little bombarded by our crew of EIGHT kids on his door step. He couldn't get the door unlocked fast enough.




The Big Kids had a great time, and Andy and Kayla were adorable! They were genuinely shocked and pleasantly surprised that people were giving them candy! And we were letting them eat it!!!




After they got back to the house, they were still in awe of their mass haul. They shared so cute and nicely. It was really sweet watching them try and figure this all out.

Andy was so cute. I took all his candy and put it in a Target plastic bag and gave it to him to hold. Later in the evening, this is what I found. Apparently, he really wanted his candy in his Lightning bucket.

Friday Family Fun!!!

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This was such a fun evening! The Dads headed out to SyKart for some racing fun while the Moms and Kids stayed home and shared in a dessert bar, drinks, and a Kiddie Movie Night. The kids watched "Gnomeo and Juliet" and the Mommies chatted it up - and ate yummy desserts! :)

We all had a great time and I'm glad Kati had the forethought to capture some of it on the camera - Thanks Auntie Kati!!

Abby's Activities

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The week before Spring Break was a busy one for Abby. Lots of classes and activities were wrapping up and we got to go watch her show her stuff! :)

On Monday evening, we got to go and watch her perform as a "Squirrel" in her "Story Theater" class. It was a six week class geared toward imagination, role playing, etc. Abby and her Friend Laci took it together and were cast as Trees and Squirrels in the open scene of another "big kid" play that evening.

It is really hard to explain, but they were cute little squirrels - they really were! Here are some pictures from their last class and also the show later that evening that we got to watch.




Marshall and Andy weren't all that impressed with the entire experience. But, they took some cute pictures at least:




In-between the class and the performance, we went out to dinner w/the Bex Family. Andy and Brynn shared a romantic dinner for Salsa, Beans, Rice, and Chips - Heavy on the Salsa and Chips! Afterwards, Andy made his 'move' at the Theater as the lights were going down...

They were totally distracting to us, and bored themselves w/the performance. So, they ended up going out into the lobby to cause havoc.

Tuesday that week Abby had gym class. I didn't take many photos at all, but I did capture Abby mastering a "Backward Rolls" down the wedge mat. She has been working hard on it, and practicing at home off of my ottoman. So, I'm glad I was able to document it!

Wednesday Abby's PS class took a Field Trip to the Firehouse - soooo cool. They got to ride the Max down to the Hillsboro Downtown Firestation. Get the tour, have a snack, and head back on the train. We had 15 kids and 14 adults. I personally enjoyed the ratio. We were a huge group, but there wasn't much worry about losing anyone!

Here are Abby and her buddies waiting for the Max Train to come:

Getting the tour of the Firehouse and their living quarters:

Down in the Garage. I took a picture of each kid as they came out of the Fire Truck for their Scrapbook at PS. As Abby came out, I said "Abby, show me what a Firefighter Princess looks like". This is the pose I got - heehee.

At the end of the tour they had one of the Firefighters try on the entire outfit and breath thru the air mask and everything. That way the kids could see what it would look/sound like if a Firefighter ever had to come into their house. I thought it was a GREAT idea. One, *I* would never have thought of. But, it was amazing how timid the kids came when he came out. They were definitely a little scared of approaching him. So, what a great learning experience for them to have. Who says kids don't need PS? :)

PS Christmas Party

Abby's PS Christmas Party was on Friday. She was SO excited - just like always. After all BOTH Mommy and Daddy were going to be at school - ALL DAY! I always look forward to these days, but they are also VERY tiring. Again. I have NO IDEA how PS teachers do it - I really don't!



For this party, Trav was in charge of helping to make "Baby Jesus" out of scraps of paper and grocery bags. They turned out cute and it was fun to watch them work w/the two dads that were in charge of that station.



So - side note. You might notice as you are looking thru the pictures that Abby is wearing sunglasses in almost all of the photos. This was "Day Two" of "I need glasses so I can see better". The day before she had worn them ALL day - including during a 2 hr play date at Pizza Planet. I'm not sure I have mentioned this before, but Laci Bex got glasses recently and Abby is now OBSESSED with glasses and thinks she needs some too. Soon enough dear Abby, soon enough I'm sure...



Later that evening my Mom baby-sat the kids. She said Abby feel asleep w/her glasses on. I figured if I ignored it and didn't say much about it, she would soon forget. We shall see...











The kids also made some pretty ornaments for the Christmas tree. Abby actually insists that one of them is a door hanger wreath for her bedroom door. I have no idea if that is true or not, but that is what she is using it for! :)



Snack time was an edible Christmas wreath - bagel with green cream cheese decorated w/craisins and marshmallows - yummy!

Me you ask? I was in charge of capturing it all on film for the PS Scrapbooks and slide shows during the year. Now that is something I can handle about PS teaching...

Abby and her gal pals (left to right): Tori, Abby, Emily, and Ava

Gee, I wish Abby posed better for the camera... :)