Costume Party Fun

Chris and I were invited to our first costume party in AGES this weekend. I was so excited about it, but Chris needed to be convinced that dressing up would be fun..... I spent a week browsing second hand stores and the internet looking for ideas, but none of them seemed to be something that we would both agree on! Then I spent a whole day out with Joshua shopping for a Knight costume for his Renaissance Faire (which we could only find for $50) so we headed over to the fabric store and found a great pattern and material for $12. When we brought it home, Chris thought it was pretty cool and said he would wear that......so back to the fabric store I went!I ended up making a Knight in Shining Armor and a Damsel in Distress costume! I started sewing on Wednesday and finished them up Friday morning. I have this really bad habit of sewing till I am almost done (you know, just the point where you can see what the costume will look like) and then moving on to the next one. I think I am just anxious to see how they will look! So I was mostly finished with both of them by Thursday night and then spent Friday morning hemming both costumes. I LOVED how they turned out and everyone was so surprised that I had made them myself. I have to say, Halloween costumes are way more fun to make than regular clothes! Now this week I have to make the mini versions since I am making a knight for Joshua and a Damsel in Distress for Savannah.....so it's back to the sewing machine for me!

Looking for Leaves

After living on the east coast for 12+ years, I realized that I have never taken the time to ride up to the mountains to see the leaves. You see, I grew up in the desert and you always took a trip to the mountains to see the leaves change (preferably within the week of seeing the colors start to change or the leaves would all have fallen down!). When I moved to tree country, it seemed a little strange to drive somewhere to see the leaves because I had no less than 30 trees in my own yard! But we decided to try something new this year and headed up to the Blue Ridge Parkway.....

We actually ended up being a little early for the changing of the leaves, so we may make the trip again in a few weeks.
We didn't see any bears.....but Samuel looked like a little bear cub climbing this tree! I snapped this new picture of Shelby to show off her black hair....she dyed it while I was at Time Out for Women this weekend....

Savannah and I climbed down into the rocks at the overlook. Yes, this is how she dresses to go hiking....you never know when you might need to look beautiful! Actually, this just started out as a Sunday drive, but when we got up in the mountains, we decided to walk up to the overlook........

Even with the slight changes in color, it was absolutely beautiful and we can't wait to go back! The kids really want to do a cookout in the mountains, so we will have to make a day of it!

Maybe summer's over for you.....

But we're still in the pool!!! Joshua and Samuel are swimming for the YMCA. They are loving it and doing great! Samuel is tearing up the pool and placing first in every event. If you are familiar with USA Swimming, Samuel has gone AAAA in every event! That is the highest level of competition! Joshua is beating his best times at every meet! It's great exercise for them and we love watching them compete!

And the hallways will now be a safer place.....

Joshua was thrilled to be selected to be on the safety patrol this year! Only one boy and one girl from each 5th grade class were chosen and it was all he talked about for days while we waited to hear who would be selected! He is now in charge of patrolling the school hallways in the mornings and reminding students to WALK and be safe! Way to go Josh! We always knew you would end up in public service!!!

Artists and Nail Polish

Lots of pictures are being drawn around my house lately by one little girl who is thrilled to be taking art classes at school!Naturally, most of the pictures involve princesses! (which happen to be her favorite thing at the moment)Or Mom (which happens to be her second favorite thing!)On Friday, Savannah had a playdate and I learned how much my "mothering skills" have lapsed...... Perhaps it wasn't such a good idea to let her keep her nail polish and tell her that she had to do it with mom or dad around! She broke the rule and got it out with her little friend and then it got knocked on the carpet. Chris tried to get it out with nail polish remover, but that only made things worse. At least it was purple and matches the pink and purple decor in her room......because it will probably stay this way for a LONG time!