Papa Visits

My Dad came up for a quick visit Sunday - Wednesday.  He received a lot of love from Katie and Mikey.  We had busy days filled with showing Papa where the kids go to school, farm animals, lunches in nature, making great dinners, napping and going for walks.  Thanks Dad for watching the kids while I ran some errands and for taking Bailey back.  It was very chaotic in our home the last 2 months having Bailey back, so my Dad and Mom offered to take her back for a bit. Thanks!


The next few pictures show Mikey petting this goat pretty heavily.  I think they both enjoyed it.  The goat seemed to be in a trance and Mikey was in his own little world.  Mikey affectionately named him Carl.

Katie much preferred the sheep.

I am loving fall and the bring colors of the leaves.

Taking a hike on the walking trail through the woods.

It was just us and nature.  I like that they can run ahead and explore.

Such a nice brother.

Almost had the playground all to ourselves today.

They wouldn't let me sit and swing.  I had to push!

Mikey found what he calls a "Crying Mantis"

Papa found the best spot in the house for a nap.

So blessed to enjoy this gorgeous view while eating lunch.

More exploring with Papa, this time even farther into the woods.

Fall Dinner Party

We have now lived in CT a little less than 2 months, and I'm happy to report that we are having our second dinner party tonight!  We loved throwing dinner parties in Denver and Chicago and it feels good to get back into the grove here in CT. We had about a 2 year dry spell once we moved to NY where we were really tight on space to throw our own little dinner party so it's exciting to have people over again and play hostess.

We had our friend's the Schilbs over tonight for some drinks, apps, dinner, dessert and playing.  The boys enjoyed running laps around the house to burn off energy and sugar and the girls played with babies and jewelry.  As hard as Mikey tried he just couldn't keep up with the older, bigger Jacob.  We finished off the evening by reading some spooky Halloween books!

The table is set.  I loved being about to put out my Wilton Armetale dishes.

Also, it's great being about to use our wooden salad bowls and our lovely monogrammed napkins we received from Great Grandma Ruth again.

The girls, Katie and Carly protecting the appetizers.  Aren't the mums we received from the Schilb's so cute?!


Thanks for coming over!  We'll have to do this again!

The elusive nap

And so it begins.....Katie hasn't been napping every single day anymore.  She still naps about 4 or 5 days out of 7.  She has been trying so hard to dump her mid-day siesta but some days she is more successful than others.

She fell asleep at 5:15pm (didn't have dinner) and slept the entire night waking up at 6:30am. Must be a growth spurt!

Birthday party / fire drill all in one

Remember when I mentioned back during the "meet the teacher" event at school that Katie got invited to her first school birthday party here in CT? Well it was today and it was awesome!  Katie's friend from school Elly had her 2nd birthday at Stepping Stones.  There was some good music playing, crafts for the kids to do, lots of toys to play with, different activities during the party, yummy food and delicious cake and ice cream cake and our very own viewing of a real fire drill.  This birthday party happened about 3 weeks ago now and Mikey still talks about the fire drill...  We also play fire drill with all his trucks and little people...who have to get out of the building.

Mikey building a transformer out of building blocks.

Lots of balloons everywhere.

Of course Katie got her hands on a balloon.

Decorating their own crowns and having snacks.

 We then all of a sudden got told to leave the building as there was a fire drill.  Minutes later the fire chief arrived first to clear the way for the fire trucks who came racing down the street with their sirens blaring.  Mikey was in heaven.  We aren't sure what caused the fire drill.  The staff at Stepping Stones seemed just as confused as everyone else.  We all waited outside about 25 minutes before given the all clear to return back inside (where the party was promptly extended by another hour). Don't mess with a preggo mommy throwing a party! Ha.

The fire chief behind the car.

Here come the fire trucks.

Fire fighters decked out in their fire gear.

Back inside playing.

Bubble time? Ut-oh I think that bubble machine peaked Mikey's interest.  He's in the forefront. Let's see what happens.

Yup, asking the Mommy if he can play with the bubble maker.

She said one more minute than you can have it.

Ta-da! He got the bubble maker and loved making bubbles for the little girls.

Animal parachute time!

Katie and Clara Jane from school ready to sing to Elly.

There's the birthday girl!

Delicious cake that was a really bright purple color.  It was amazing and from a Philippine Bakery in NYC.

Party favors.  They left with lots of favors but these are their favorite!

Easy zebra.  No need to get all rowdy on me!

Clean Teeth

Every time we brush our teeth we talk about how we need to have clean teeth for when we see the dentist.  It goes something like this:

Me:  "Okay, you have to brush really good, get the top and bottom and don't forget the teeth in the back.  Okay, that's good.  Now get the front of the teeth and then the back of the teeth.  Great job.  Now let Mommy brush them really quick.  We want to have clean teeth.  We want to make the dentist's job easy and we want her to say "WOW, you have really clean teeth! No cavities!""

So after saying that for 6 months, it was time to see the dentist again!  This time we went to a new dentist here in CT and the place was suited just for kids.  The kids could watch movies while they got their teeth cleaned and then pick out a toy from the toy chest and get stickers and a tooth brush and tooth paste and floss.  We left with lots of goodies.

The kids both did great.  No tears from either kid, although Mikey was a little more apprehensive than Katie.  We have also been flossing Mikey's teeth nightly with the kid flossers.  He has been doing a great job.  The dentist said there isn't much room between his teeth so it's best if you start flossing.

I've been flossing nightly too to set a good example.  It's taken my flossing routine from about 4 times a week to 7.  I love going to the dentist and I'm trying to rub that attitude off on the kids.  So far, it's working!

Getting a little mad at the moose because it isn't "going".  She kept yelling "Go!" at it.

Clean check-up!