Fall Events and Celebrations

Yesterday I told you about the sports and activities the kids were/are involved this fall.  Besides all of that fun, we kept busy with get-togethers and celebrations.  Ready?

Hunting ~

We always get together with Hubby's family and pheasant hunt (like years past, I made caramel rice krispie bars) over a long weekend.  This year was no exception.  The weather was beautiful, almost too hot one of the days and we had a great time.

Smiley's Birthday ~

Smiley turned 6 on the 21st of October.  I should really dedicate a post entirely to her since I missed doing that on her actual birthday.  But, for now let me just say that this little girl is a joy to call my daughter.  As I wrote on my Facebook page on her birthday: 

I cried when she turned 1, because that first year had gone so fast and now I am a little in shock as my baby turns 6! Slow down time, you are moving way too fast! Happy 6th birthday baby girl ~ you are talkative, amazing, creative, talkative, kind, caring and talkative (did I say that already?)

Smiley is into all things Frozen and that was the theme for her 6th birthday.  The night of her actual birthday, she had requested homemade pizza and jello ~ easy enough!  I also whipped up some cupcakes for dessert.  

The day of her party with friends came and with pinterest as a guide, I threw together this cute Frozen themed cake.  She invited 5 friends over and we spent 3 hours making crafts,  playing games, opening presents and of course eating cake and ice-cream.  I think she had a great party!

Hubby's and My 15th Anniversary ~

15 years of pure wedded bliss.......
Ok, so I might just be exaggerating a little here ;)  
Really though, marriage can be work ~ lots of give and take, compromise, selflessness, patience, love, forgiveness, respect and time.  If you want something to work well and flourish, you have to nurture it.  We've done just that in our marriage.  Yes, there are times either of us are frustrated with the other for things said, done or not done, but we talk it out.  We are a team ~ two person strong!

So, 15 years and life keeps getting better and better. Through all our ups and downs, laughter and tears, and everything in between we have had each other for all of it.  And I look forward to our future ~ together!

Halloween ~ 
Of course we had to carve a few pumpkins ~ one for each kiddo.  They were in charge of cleaning out their pumpkins, creating the design and helping to carve it (Smiley didn't carve hers ~ safety first!)

On Halloween night, Hubby and I dressed up like a couple of our favorite football players from our favorite team ~ The Pittsburgh Steelers

I dressed up as Troy Polamalu, Hubby dressed up like Brett Keisel aka "Da Beard".  Check out this picture of the two of them together.  I think we are a spitting image of the pair ~ well, maybe not, but we had fun! .  Oh and I totally should have been smiling in this picture! Troy ALWAYS smiles ~ I was too busy trying to act tough! 

The kids dressed up as well.  Smiley last minute (actually the day before halloween)  decided to be a pirate ~ she had been planning on dressing up like Elsa from the movie Frozen.  She even had a choice between two dresses the coronation gown or the ice castle gown, but decide a pirate was the way to go.

Action pulled out the green morph suit and afro wig he wore last year.  He just couldn't decide what he wanted to be and remembered all of the comments and reactions he received last year so he went with it again.

Sassy and a group of 6 friends decided to dress up as minions.  They painted the G symbol on their t-shirts, had white stocking hats spray painted yellow, a friend of hers made the goggles out of pvc pipe and with some jeans and black suspenders, they were set to go.  

The kids trick or treated at a couple of houses in our neighborhood before we went to meet up with friends. 

Unfortunately the night was called a bit early ~ 9:30 because Sassy wasn't feeling well and asked to go home.  The kids were able to attain a lot of candy and had fun with their friends!

Well, that pretty much wraps up the events and celebrations portion of fall thus far ~ next week, I'll show you some of the fun fall pics I took on another one of our annual "field trips" as well as more details on Smiley's Frozen birthday party.

Have a great weekend!

Friday, Monday....check.

I don't know about you, but for us, it has only been 2 full days since school got out for the summer.  The year flew by and the last days came fast.  What is even faster, is the fact that my little Sassy has graduated!  Sixth grade that is.  She will now be onto the dreaded middle school years.  New school.  New teachers.  New bus.  New friends.  New sports teams.  New tears for mom as I look back and wonder where my baby went and how life went too fast!  New.. New... New....

Anyway,  as I look back, I am very proud of these years she had in elementary school.  Let's highlight a few of these things shall we...... It is my blog after all, and yes, I am a proud Mama :)

She took pleasure in reading aloud to her kindergarden class during group time many days a week and would bring her favorite books from home in hopes her teacher would let her read a story to her class.

(First Day of Kindergarten)

She had eye surgery in 1st grade.  She was not nervous or scared, but excited about the possibilities.

She made her first communion.

She got involved in sports:  basketball, slowpitch softball, eventually on to fastpitch, gymnastics (for about 3 years) and volleyball.

She has tried out for fastpitch softball for 3 years and has made the top team every year.  Let me add, she works hard, puts in the time and is very determined.  She LOVES softball!

She thrived in school.  She was reading and completing math work at 1-2 grade levels above her own.

She tried out and was accepted into the district choir.  Then when one of her friends suggested they start a singing group this school year she was completely on board.  The girls got approval from the principal and music teacher to come into school early 1 day a week to practice.

She protected a friend. She stood up to a girl who was bullying this friend, not worried about what the bully would say/do to her in return.

She really tries to make the best out of adverse situations and to keep herself and others happy ~ poor teachers and principals, frustrating rules at school (especially at lunch and recess),  being on the losing end of games, arguments with friends, tough work ahead, etc...

DARE graduation and of course, Sixth grade graduation.

Basically, it comes down to the fact that I am pretty stinkin' proud of this girl!  Is she perfect?  No.  Has she made some bad decisions? Yes.  Do I love her unconditionally every single day?  Absolutely!  I am a very proud mama!  I am sad that the elementary school life is behind her ~ it went to fast.  Excited for her and her upcoming years in middle school.  And I admit, a bit nervous as a parent, as this next chapter in her life begins but am looking forward to guiding her on this journey.