Favorite Moment

As you could probably tell from my earlier post, we just returned from Disney World!  We were there for 7 days so I have lots of pictures, and lots of stories.  I'll just post about my favorite things as I can so as not to have the longest post in history. 

At the beginning of the week Nathan was NOT fond of the Disney characters.  This is not necessarily unusual I'm sure.  It's kind of intimidating to see these giant guys coming toward you.  The other kids loved them, but Nathan....not so much. 

When Nathan is worried about something he puts his hands over his ears.  It's not just about noise, it's just how he comforts himself when he's unsure what's going to happen.  Every time he would spot a character his hands would go RIGHT over his ears.  The first time we had a character breakfast I put Nathan by me AWAY from the rest of the kids.  I was hoping the characters would go to them and stay away from Nathan.  It worked for everyone EXCEPT Mickey.  Mickey took a picture with the other boys and signed their autograph books, then he spotted Nathan.  He walked right around the table and stood looking at Nathan.  Nathan, of course, panicked a bit and put his hands over his ears.  Mickey stepped back rather quickly and put his hands over HIS ears.  They stood there staring each other down until Mickey waved and walked away.  Nathan had met his match.  I laughed SO hard.....this was definitely one of my favorite moments.

Wordless Wednesday

Kid Humor

Tonight I just have to get down a few things the kids said this week that I can't forget.  This could be a full time job, so I need to be better about it!

Nathan to Jilly and the other girls I babysit:  "Hey gulas (girls) follow me into my room and I'll show you all the stuff my brother doesn't like me to touch!"

This conversation took place as I drove Calvin to school one morning.
Calvin:  "I've never seen a real bear close up."
Me:  "Yes you have....we just saw some at the zoo this summer."
Calvin:  "Ya, but those weren't the same kind of bears we have around here were they?"
Me:  "No, they weren't.  We have Black Bears up here."
Calvin:  "And the ones at the zoo were African American Bears....right?"
(After more discussion I realized the sign at the zoo probably said American Grizzly.  Close right?)

Me as I change Jillian's diaper:  "Jillian, you need to start going potty on the toilet.  MOMMY goes potty on the toilet!"
Jillian:  "Every time???!"

The boys got off the bus and we were walking down the driveway.
Me:  "How was school, Nathan?"
Nathan:  "Good!"
Me:  "How were the sloppy joe's for lunch?"
Nathan:  "Good, but I accidently got some in my pocket."

A Pumpkin for Everyone!

Besides being adorable, this is the most crown pleasing craft I've ever done.  Last week I gave each of the kids a tiny water bottle to drink at lunch.  They thought that was fantastic.  What a treat.  Little did they know, the fun was yet to come!  On Monday I gave everyone a half sheet of orange construction paper and they took their time tearing it up and stuffing it in the bottle.  The reason I loved this craft is that it worked for all the ages I have.  Everyone had a different style for tearing the paper and it was so cute to watch.  I did the cutting of the faces because they had to be pretty tiny to fit on the bottle.  The cool thing was....after we removed the label there was a huge sticky spot where it had been glued on.  The kids were able to just stick the face pieces right on there.  Good times all around!

Wordless Wednesday

A Trip up North...

What is up with me not blogging lately?  Yeesh.  Again, I'll try to do better.

Last weekend we headed up north to Marc's parents.  We have had BEAUTIFUL weather this October and Marc wanted to take Calvin hunting.  I guess at the tender age of 7, he was more than ready.  SO...after some pancakes on Saturday morning, Grandpa, Daddy, and Calvin headed out. 

Here are our men when they returned.

What is the deal with the plastic bag you ask?  Well, the word is that they saw no grouse so they hung the bag in a tree and let Calvin shoot the gun at it.  He was super excited to show me the hole. 

The best part of the day?  They took him to the hardware store and bought him his first blaze orange hat.  This is a big moment in a man's life.

While the big boys were cruising the woods on the 4-wheeler, Grandma and I took Nathan and Jillian to the playground.

Nathan thought this HUGE tractor tire was the best part of the playground.  He just sat in it.  He loved that it felt like a fort.  I think we need to find one of these.  He would spend hours in it!  Maybe Papa and Nana need one for the resort??  Sounds like a good idea to me!

When everyone was back home Grandpa took Nathan and Jilly for rides on the tractor while Daddy and Calvin played football.  This is the face we get lately if we ask her to say cheese.

It wouldn't be a visit up north if I didn't mention GG's Oh Henry bars.  She makes them every time we come back, and they are amazing!  We had such a great weekend.  It's always so relaxing when we're there, and this time was no different!  Thank you Grandma, Grandpa, and GG for the visit and all the fun!

Contagious...in a Good Way

I realize I probably should have stopped her, but this laugh of his is so genuine and funny I just couldn't stop!