Firsts

Yesterday was Hayden's first day of real preschool. She goes to Little Eagles, at Lakes High School.

She was/is beyond excited about it! She has been asking for months when preschool will start. We went to orientation last week and met her 2 teachers. The high school students are the teachers. It's cheap and the teachers come to the car so I don't have to even get out. Perfect!

Her 2 friends, who live across the street, are in her class so we get to carpool. We showed up a few minutes early, so the girls were antsy waiting for their teachers to come get them.

Hayden got to be Star Student today! (No, she was not dressed like that at school. This picture is taken a few hours later, after playing with friends and painting) She was the first Star Student of the year. She got to take a few things in the big green bag. Then she stood in front of the class and did a show and tell. She took Goldie (her stuffed unicorn), a story she had drawn out (she loves to draw stories), a little bag her cousin Sara made her, and Pinkie Pie (her favorite my little pony.) She also got to wear a crown and necklace, and she picked names for the activities they did. She loved having this day to be extra special!

Every time we have talked about Hayden going to preschool, Cole has said something about his class. I tried to tell him he wasn't in a class and wasn't going to school, but he wouldn't have it!

So, I signed him up for a class at the Park District called "Gettin' down and dirty." It is every Wednesday morning for the month. Today was the first day and he had a lot of fun. It is an open play setting with lots of toys, a table with paint supplies, a shaving cream table, an art project table, a cornmeal bucket, and  some apple cider playdough. Aside from nursery at church, this is his first experience of being in a play setting without Hayden. As soon as we left to go home he said "Where's Hayden?" He loves his sister and is definitely going to miss her while she's at school. This class will be good for him and he had a great time!

Craftin' it up

I have some awesome, crafty friends. We have started "Crafting Wednesday." For the past 7 weeks we have taken turns hosting. We have a potluck and then after a few hours of crafting, we end up with some fun things!
Here's what we've done so far:

WEEK 1- Ribbon Wreaths (wow, my door is filthy. Note to self- clean front door)    http://sheskindacrafty.blogspot.com/2010/11/christmas-ribbon-wreath.html

WEEK 2- Hair Clips (We each brought an idea and enough stuff for everyone to make one)

WEEK 3-Halloween Topiaries http://craftysisters-nc.blogspot.com/2010/09/trickor-treat-topiaries.html
WEEK 4- Bead Spiders   http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/2010/10/guest-project-make-beaded-spider.html

WEEK 5- Book Page Pumpkins  http://www.u-createcrafts.com/2011/09/book-page-pumpkin.html

WEEK 6- Wooden Turkeys  http://www.u-createcrafts.com/2010/11/creative-guest-2x4-turkey-by-craft.html

WEEK 7 (today)- Halloween Jars   http://notsoidlehands.blogspot.com/2011/09/guess-whos-cute-craft-is-on-front-cover.html

It's so nice to get together and have some adult time. The kids are running wild, ransacking the house, but it's worth it for 4 hours of girl time. Thanks Ladies!!

Fall Fun

We had more family fun on Saturday as we had our traditional visit to Stades Farm.
It was cloudy and a little cool, but the farm wasn't very crowded, so it was perfect!

Our first stop was the corn boxes.

There was lots of diving and burying going on.

Then we hit the spider web and hay maze.

They're getting so big!

As we were walking around, Ryan and I were talking about how great days like this are. Being outside as a family, running, playing and enjoying the day!

We saw Frank the combine. Cole has a machines book that he loves, so he was excited to see the combine. He was running around saying "A combine! A combine!"

The farm has all kinds of fun. There's a petting zoo, pony rides, trains, twirly cars, etc. Being the cheap parents we are, we were sticking to the free stuff. After many pleadings from Hayden we gave in and let them try the $.50 slide, the cheapest attraction there ;) They loved it!

We ended our morning with apple cider donuts and a pumpkin picture!

Pickin and Flyin

Saturday was the perfect day. The weather was gorgeous, so we had to get outside.

First we went to Homestead Orchard to pick some apples.

The kids each got a bag and headed out to pick.

It was fun watching how excited they were.

Cole kept doing his cheese ball smile (which he does on command, also).

The orchard was started by and is still run by a family that lives on the orchard. They make their own honey there, also. The bees were blocked off, but Ryan was able to take a minute to show the kids where they make honey in the distance.

It's a very quaint and beautiful little place. We headed home with 2 bags of apples and some honey. So far, we've enjoyed eating the apples plain and in apple crisp. My first attempt at apple pie is coming in the next few days ;)

Later that afternoon, we headed to our "backyard" to fly our kite.

The kids (and Ryan and I) love flying the kite. It's just one of those simple joys in life!

It was a great family day, spent in beautiful weather. Perfect!

Ballerina

We have had a ballerina at our house today. Hayden put this on first thing this morning, and has been wearing it all day, even during her nap! I've gotta get this girl in a dance class!!

Rites of Passage

Our kids are growing up...

 Hayden gave her first talk in Primary on Sunday. She was so excited!! She did a great job and her finger didn't go in her nose until she was walking away from the microphone. She has a thing with putting her fingers in her mouth or nose when she gets nervous. Thankfully that's usually the only time, but if she's nervous then there are probably a lot of people watching her little fingers.

She had her 4 year check up last month.
Her stats are-
35 1/2 lbs- 70%
41 1/2 in- 70%

She is super healthy and just perfect! She was upset about the 2 shots she had to get, though. Poor girl. I had to hold her down. She just got her flu shot last week and did much better. Not a single tear. She told me afterward, "I decided to be brave!" Love her.

Cole is officially in the terrible twos. He is somewhat of a menace these days, (a cute menace, of course) and his artwork on the wall today proves it!

I had to throw this picture in, because when these two aren't fighting like crazy, they love each other like crazy!! Hayden likes to "babysit" Cole while I shower sometimes. This is how I found them after my shower one morning. I love Hayden's arm wrapped around him. Hopefully, they will watch out for each other forever!

TWO

This little man turned 2 a few weeks ago! He was so happy to have his birthday. He was singing "Happy Birthday to me" all day!

He went to a race car practice with Grandma and Grandpa Woodland, Aunt Camille and Uncle Eric and few months ago, and has been talking about it ever since. So, I made him a race car cake.

We had a few friends over to celebrate with us.

Cole was spoiled with lots of fun things. Grandma and Grandpa Woodland got him a little tikes basketball hoop. Grammy and Grampa got him a mickey mouse guitar. We got him a train track and some trains, and his friends spoiled him with "boy things."

He is so fun! He always makes us smile. He is super silly and loves to have fun.

We each took a turn getting our picture taken with the birthday boy.

Here's a little clip of him singing happy birthday to himself. Sorry it cuts off abruptly. I ran out of space on my memory card. Oops.

At 2 he still talks a ton, loves balls, trains, books, and still loves to play with his sister. He's often seen wearing a princess dress and slippers. He has started being a little naughty. He thinks it's hilarious to hit, pull hair and sit on his sister. It's all a game to him. We're working on it. He has also started potty training and is doing pretty well. He gives great hugs and lots of kisses, eats pretty much anything, sleeps in a big bed, and is Hayden's little shadow. His best friend is Justin, but he loves to play with all of his little friends. He is a runner, climber, jumper. He still loves songs and singing.

He had his 2 year check up this week.

His stats are:

Weight- 27 lbs- 50 %
Height- 36 in.- 95%

Still super tall and skinny, and healthy. Just the way we like it. I just love this little boy. Ryan always teases me that Cole has me wrapped around his finger. It's true. How can you not be?