Fall Break

A couple weeks ago, the girls and I went to CA to see my family for our Fall Break.  We had the BEST time!!!!  We got to enjoy REAL "fall weather" and enjoyed every second of the trip!  Here are pictures to show all the fun things we got to do:

Playing outside with big wheels (and fairy wings!).

Playing by the creek.

Our cousins Jack and Miles came over to play.  SO much fun!!

Ella reading her book she made to Great Grandma Eleanor.

There were even a couple rainy days - but we were prepared!

Grandpa took us to the train museum one morning:

Ella and Grandpa playing Twister - such a good Grandpa!!

Reading with Grammy

We even had our "traditional tea party" with Grandma Eleanor:

Grammy helped with some fun Fall art.

Grandpa took us to the zoo too!!

 And we got to ride the little train!

Going out for ice cream.

Uncle David came to visit.

The girls love their "hideout spot".

We did sewing and art crafts with Grammy....

And then when the girls went to bed, my mom and I made our own crafts!

The girls loved them!

The last day was a little cold and rainy, so we celebrated a good time with some hot chocolate:

It was LOTS of fun!!  We can't wait to go back and play again!

Hello Fall!!

Well, fall is officially here!   =)   We are so excited (even though the first day of fall was 107 out...) and are looking forward to all the fun things fall has to offer.  I have even been enjoying my FAVORITE fall drink every now and then:  Starbuck's pumpkin spice latte.  Mmmmmm!!!

My cousin Karen does something really fun with her family.   They have been creating "seasonal to do lists" the last summer and this fall.   It is really cute and a fun way to see all the things they want to do!  I was inspired by theirs, that the girls and I sat down and created our own fall to do list.  So here it is:

Family Fall To Do List

1.   Make bead necklaces on a rainy day.

2.  Ride bikes outside.

3.  Play in the backyard and on the swing set.

4.  Bake cookies, and pies (apple and pumpkin).

5.  Take a trip to California. (Train museum, Folsom Zoo, play outside, play in the creek, ride big wheels, see family)

6.  Play at Royer Park in California on the castles with cousins Jack and Miles.

7.  Visit the pumpkin patch up north.

8.  Carve pumpkins.

9.  Take walks to feed the ducks.

10.  Go trick or treating!

11.  Put flannel sheets on the beds when it gets cold.

12.  Make haunted gingerbread houses.

13.  Have outside picnics.

14.  Make fall art and crafts.

15.  Go to the dinosaur museum.

16.  Do sidewalk chalk on the driveway.

17.  Go to the zoo.

18.  Have “family movie nights”.

19.  Make paper homemade books.

20.  Go to Zoo Lights around Thanksgiving time.

Girl Day!

Yesterday I had a fun "girl day" with my two favorite girls.  Eric was in a golf tournament for work, so the girls and I had most of the day just the three of us.  That morning Ella told me that she wanted to go shopping to get a new toy with some money from her piggy bank.  So after a yummy breakfast (cinnamon rolls - their favorite!), we counted all the money in everyone's piggy banks.  The girls hunted for their purses and we were off for a fun morning at our favorite place - Target of course!

Is it just me, or does she look 12 in this picture?!

We had fun cruising around all the aisles and the girls are SUCH GREAT shoppers!!!  I love being out and about with them!   =)   They each decided on a "Fur Real Friend" pet.  It was good for them to be able to try to pick something out that was only in the price range of what they had.  I was very proud of them!  Ella also spotted the gift she has been wanting for Christmas (she has been talking about it for months already) so Santa might go back soon and get it to put away till Christmas.    We also found a really cute Halloween craft thing that is made from foam.

After getting home the girls played with their new pets and then they had fun decorating the Halloween Tree that we had gotten. (That was the foam craft.)

The girls with their craft and "pets".

Eric got home later that afternoon and they had fun sharing their "girl day" adventures with him.  Then that night we had Family Movie Night.  The girls have been waiting anxiously for Rio to come on Netflix, and finally it did.  So after dinner and baths, we turned out all the lights (like a movie theater), got everyone set up with snacks (popcorn for mommy and rice krispie treats for the girls), and then I surprised the girls with glow in the dark bracelets and necklaces.

It was such a fun night!!!  What a wonderful family day!

School "Happenings"

To say that we have been busy, is an understatement.  Between kindergarten and preschool, it seems like something fun is always happening!  So let me recap on all the thins that have been going on:

Two weeks ago both the girls' schools did a little something for Grandparents Day.  Ella's entire kindergarten put on a wonderful program!  In the evening all the parents and grandparents were invited, and then all 6 classes were on stage singing ADORABLE songs!  Eric's parents were able to come watch, so that made it special for Ella.  We took a ton of pictures (of course) and video, but here are a few pictures:

Ella - top row

Ella and a classmate

Afterwards there were lots of cookies and drinks for everyone to enjoy.  It was a lot of fun!  Then the following day, Abby's class did a little performance as well.  The kids all sang a song and then had a craft to give.  Linda was able to come watch Abby, so that was special for her.  But I am kicking myself because I was in "teacher mode" and not "mom mode" and I forgot to bring my camera to take pictures.  Luckily a parent in the class took a little video and e-mailed it to me which was nice.  (Not to worry - I did remember my camera the following week for the firefighters.)

The following week Ella had her first "official" girl scout meeting.  She is in Daisies and there are about 10 kids in her troop.  One was a friend from preschool last year, and two others are friends in her class this year.  At her first meeting she got to meet the other girls, learn the girl scout code, and make a fun craft:

So if anyone loves those girl scout cookies (hint. hint) talk with me after Christmas!

Oh, Ella also got her school pictures back!  When did she grow up?!  (Abby has her pictures taken this week.)

Then this week Abby had her first "field trip"!  It was an onsite field trip and the local fire department came to talk about safety and let all the kids climb in the fire truck.  Such fun!!!  Abby had a really good time with it!  Plus, at the end they gave everyone fire hats!  (What is more fun than that, right??)  =)

In line to climb onto the big truck.

This is her FAVORITE thing to play with at recess.

Showing off her PINK fire hat at home.

The girls are loving kindergarten and preschool (me too!)!