Snowsuit!

Here was Eve waiting for her breakfast after she came inside from playing in the snow. Eve told me that she was so excited about the snow that she was going to wear her snowsuit all day!!! 

Snow!

 On November 14th we woke up to our first really big snowfall!  

It was such a surprise for all of us!

 

Thankful for Our Veterans

 I was able to take my children to the Children's Museum of New Hampshire on Veteran's Day since there was no school that day. In one section of the museum they had a thankful tree, where the children were encouraged to write what they are thankful for on post-it notes and place them onto the tree. Both Grace and Jack first wrote how thankful they are for our veterans.

To all who have served out country and to those who are currently serving our country, thank you so very much. Your courage, service, and sacrifice is not forgotten. A very special thank you to my father and brother-in-law for their service.

Grace's Painted Globe Pumpkin!

 This is what happened to Grace's blue pumpkin that she painted earlier this month.  It's now a globe!  

The First Snowfall of the Season...

Here were my children standing at the window yesterday morning...watching in awe as the first snowflakes of the season fell outside.

The Story Behind the Cast of Characters from the Wizard of Oz...

 Grace was so excited to be Dorothy for Halloween this year.  I think the character of Dorothy was just perfect for Grace.  Grace had first suggested the Wizard of Oz theme back in August.  Jack and Eve agreed right away and from there the characters were chosen and Maddy started designing and sewing.  

Every time I think of Jack as Toto it makes me smile...of all of the characters in the Wizard of Oz Jack knew right away that he, most definitely and without any doubt, wanted to be Toto!  Grace tried really hard to talk Jack into being the Scarecrow or Tin Man but his heart was set on Toto from the start.

Little Eve as the Wicked Witch of the West.  This also makes me smile because Eve is such a little sweet pea so it was fun to see her in such a different role.  She has perfected "I'll get you my pretty and your little dog too" and she has the cutest little witch laugh.

Off To See The Wizard...

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from the Wizard of Oz cast of characters! 

Grace as Dorothy 

Jack as Toto

Eve as the Wicked Witch of the West.

Our Little Wicked Witch!

What a beautiful night it was for trick-or-treating. Here is a look at our little Wicked Witch. Many more pictures of my Wizard of Oz crew coming later. Happy Halloween!

It's Almost Halloween...

Every year since Grace was born my amazing and extremely talented Mom has designed and sewn all of Grace, Jack and Eve's Halloween costumes. Every stitch and detail is done with so much love and care. I can't thank my Mom enough for all of the hard work that she puts into making Halloween so special and forever memorable for Grace, Jack and Eve. Here is a little sneak peek into this year's Halloween theme. 

Wishing everyone a very safe and fun-filled Halloween tomorrow!

Clementine Jacks!

Every Halloween we draw jack-o'-lantern faces on clementines and oranges. They are so fun to make and even more fun (and healthy!) to eat.

Pumpkin Carving at Pineland Farms

October

Happy last week of October...how very quickly this month has gone by!

My Ever So Strong & Brave Gracie Girl

For the past week Grace has not been feeling well. She went to the hospital last week to have an ultrasound of her abdomen due to some intense right sided abdominal pain. Her pediatrician was concerned about appendicitis but the ultrasound revealed that Grace has swollen lymph nodes surrounding her appendix. This condition is called mesenteric adenitis. When Grace came home from school yesterday the pain in her abdomen had intensified and did not resume overnight. Her pediatrician sent Grace to the emergency room this morning. After nearly six hours of testing it was discovered that the lymph nodes on her left side are also now affected. Unfortunately this condition may persist for several weeks. What struck me today as I sat watching Grace in the emergency room is just how very strong she is. If you just look at Grace and watch her you would really not know how much pain she is in. Her bright and positive personality continue to shine despite her not feeling well. I am also very proud of the way Grace conducted herself in the emergency room today. Grace took complete control of her health by asking many thoughtful questions to all of the doctors and nurses in order to understand everything that was happening to her. Although Grace looked so tiny lying in that hospital bed her spirit was so very big and bright.

The Perfect Way To Spend A Rainy Day...

Eve and I spent our morning reading books together at our public library. Eve could have stayed there all day long. The library is one of her favorite places...so many great books to choose from and the perfect way to spend a very rainy day!

A "Little" Face Painting!

We did a "little" face painting the other day. Jack asked if he could paint my face. I thought I was going to end up with a few little cat whiskers but instead this is what happened! When Jack was finished he stepped back and looked at me for a long time before very seriously saying, "Oooooooo, Mama. I have never (with a very strong emphasis placed on the word "never") seen you look more beautiful. You really, REALLY should look like this every day." 

My Grandmother

My mother took this beautiful picture of my Grandmother last week.  My Grandma is "Great-Grandma" to Grace, Jack and Eve.  Four generations...my grandmother, my mother, me and my children!

Monarch Butterfly!

Late last week we started to see monarch wings inside of our chrysalis. A day later a beautiful monarch butterfly emerged. Over the weekend we released him (it's a boy!). We are all so happy to have warmer weather this week, which gives our monarch butterfly the best possible start to its long journey to Mexico. Safe travels, sweet little one!