Fall Carnival

This week is finally our school's fall carnival. I have been fortunate enough to work alongside two fantastic moms who have given all they have into this carnival. It has become our life! We have been planning this day since we first met in August and boy has it ever been a lot of work! Not one of us has worked closely at past carnivals and we sometimes feel like we are the blind leading the blind. There is something to be said for being 'green' in a situation like this...we are all open to new things. There are new games, including a Plinko board, pickle walk, corn hole, a picture spot (thank you Roger for your help on that one), and so much more. The families that come should have a great time.

Tomorrow we meet to set up for our big night and cross our fingers that everything goes according to the way we have planned. Hats off to Tiffany and Julie for being such wonderful people to work with throughout this process. I have had many second-guess my decision to be the vice president of the group (including myself at times) but I am extremely pleased with the way things have turned out. Things will be much easier after our carnival night. Keep your fingers crossed for me!!!

Sibling Love

On Saturday we went back up to Amish country to relax and enjoy the surroundings. We made a few stops on the thoroughfare and ate at the Breadbox (sandwiches and soup). Then we were off to the Mercantile. Mallory and Miles rode the carousel two times with Grandma and Grandpa and enjoyed going into the "Thomas Store" as Miles calls it. It was a dreary day and thank goodness we were making the best of it. I took this picture as we were waiting for Ryan to bring back our pretzels. It always amazes me how long people will wait in line for a pretzel. Granted, they are good, but we waited for at least ten minutes for ours to get to us. They were yummy! From there we went to the meat and cheese store. Mallory and Miles enjoy going in there because they usually say, "I'm hungry!" There are many places where you grab a toothpick to sample cheese or meat. That is always a highlight for them. It was a relaxing day...and believe me...it was appreciated by me!

A Snoopy Pose

Tonight I caught my little man acting like Snoopy on the back of this chair. I was so thankful to have my camera right next to me. Yes...he posed when I told him I wanted to take a picture. But isn't he just the cutest in his dinosaur jammies? He is my little lovebug and I could not love him any more. I think he missed me tonight because he came over after I came home from Mallory's swim lesson (boy can that girl swim!!!) to smell me. Then he had to climb on my lap after that.

Amish Light Parade

Yesterday Ryan, Mallory, Miles, and I headed up to the Blue Gate Restaurant. It is one of our favorite places to eat. Mallory LOVES their noodles and Miles LOVES to see the fish swimming out front of the restaurant.


The main reason for us traveling up to one of our favorite restaurants was to check out the light parade and yes, the lighting of the Christmas lights. I know, I know, we can argue that it is too early for such things to happen, but you cannot mess with a town's tradition!



It was raining most of the night (these pictures are from a few years ago) so my camera never left the van. We went to the mercantile where Mallory, Miles, and I enjoyed a carousel ride and had to go to the "Thomas store" as Miles refers to it. The shops were open later due to the special lighting ceremony that was going to take place.

When the time came closer we went outside and waited for the parade to come our way. Once it did, it was so nice (we had never experienced it before and I think we may have stumbled across a new family tradition). There is just something about horses pulling wagons with lights on them that makes you smile:). At one point (you will learn that I am a HUGE sap) a trolley with about 15 Amish children stopped in front of us. They were singing "O Holy Night" and tears filled my eyes. There is just something about hearing little angels singing Christmas songs that makes my eyes water. It was so beautiful! Santa was the last one in the parade in his sleigh and Mallory and Miles were super excited to see him (I think Miles is beginning to understand this whole Christmas thing). Then everyone filled the street and listened to this singing group sing a new song I had not heard about the Star of Bethlehem (then the star on the HUGE tree lit up). The next song was "Away in a Manger" (then the living nativity lit up), and then it was time for the candle lighting that everyone was supposed to participate in. With the wind whipping up it was impossible for this to happen although some determined people tried their best. The announcer (an Amishman) told the crowd that it was too windy for candles this year and if they could use their cell phones instead that would be great. I found that to be funny! Then we sang "Silent Night", said a prayer, and counted down together to have the lights come on. Mallory and Miles counted as loudly as they could. Once the lights came on it was so beautiful! We marveled in the Christmas spirit surrounding us and quickly headed for the van to defrost. Mallory fell asleep on the way home and Miles talked the entire time. He sure does have a lot to say:). I know I will have some recent pictures from our next trip up to our favorite restaurant to share before long.

Warm Fall Weather

What great weather we had today! Today at recess the students were not wearing jackets and the sun was warm and beautiful.

All good things must come to an end. Ahhhhh....the thermometer is about to go south on us. You will not hear me complaining about this beautiful day.

We decided to get out and enjoy the last of this weather before the frigid temperatures hit. Mallory and Miles had fun raking some leaves and of course, jumping in them:). That is always something to look forward to.

The pictures of Mallory are precious. With a little help, she climbed one of the trees in our front yard and was proud of herself (although she appeared to be a little scared once she was up there).

I know I am biased, but she sure is a beautiful girl! Today after school she found a dollar in the hallway and took it to the office. She found out that it belonged to the secretary. Mallory was so proud of herself for doing the right thing. She told me, "Mommy that was caring." (We are really talking about the six pillars of character at home: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship). I made sure she knew how great her deed was. Yea!!! Go Mallory!!!

Funny Politics

I don't know about you...but I am ready to get out tomorrow and VOTE! I have done my best to educate myself by watching all channels, reading the information on the internet (from trusted sources), listening to the debates, and whatever else I can do to make the best decision I feel is best for me, my children's futures, and so much more. There is so much at stake!!

The students are buzzing about the election and the candidates as well. I do not remember this much excitement with the last presidential election. Tomorrow the students get to vote and I have this feeling it is going to be a little tense until the winner is announced at the end of the day. Today I had one arguing for John McCain and the other for Barack Obama when they were supposed to be lining up! YIKES!!! Please vote already!!! It is exciting to see them understanding what is going on in the United States right now.

For almost two weeks I have known what my picture was going to be for this post (I hope you enjoy it). The fifth graders made beautiful posters for the candidates and they are posted throughout the school (they really are outstanding). Today the two "candidates" visited each classroom and did a really nice job portraying each. It was so cute! At one point "John McCain" asked my students if they had any questions, and then answered to the best of her ability. I was impressed by both.

Tonight at the dinner table Ryan, Mallory, Miles, and I talked about what Mallory had seen at school. She said, "Today Bak Obama and John McCain came to visit us." It was so cute! Needless to say, neither Ryan or myself corrected her. Such an innocent thing!

This picture has been hanging in the main hallway and makes me giggle everytime I walk past it. Cute...cute...cute!!!

Get out an vote everyone!!!

Our Beautiful Princess

This afternoon Mallory went to her friend, Mikayla's, tea party. We went to Walmart before the party to get a little thank you gift for Mikayla (Mallory chose hair clips for Mikayla's hair now that it is growing back and some decals for her nails).

From the moment we went downstairs it was obvious this was not your normal tea party. Sleeping Beauty was there and brought dresses, shoes, tiaras, and make-up for each of the girls to wear. They played games like hot potato with a slipper, kiss the frog (instead of pin the tail on the donkey), made bracelets, decorated a mirror, had a story read to them, and enjoyed tea together. It was fun to watch the girls having so much fun together. Mallory looked beautiful all dressed up and was excited to be a part of the group. I did not see much beyond this point because Mallory was ready for me to go (I think she wanted to be herself...I guess).

This was a day to celebrate because Mallory's friend, Mikayla, was diagnosed with a brain tumor a year ago. Mikayla is now on the road to recovery and is doing so much better. Through it all she has been an amazing little girl for Mallory and others to be around. Her family has endured a lot this past year and are stronger now than ever. They are truly an inspiration to all. Thank you to Mikayla for a wonderful day. Keep on fighting girl!!