Closing in on Fall

Supposedly, Fall is already here - in started Monday at 3:10 in the afternoon, I believe, but we're not feeling Fall yet. I really love that crisp weather and wearing sweaters pumpkin patches and birthdays and Halloween.

The girls' Halloween costumes came in the mail this weekend and they've already tried them on. The Bee's Ariel costume will need some modification - it's quite large in the top because she has no shoulders at al. Bluebird's Strawberry Fairy is as cute as a button, but we need to do something to make the wings stick out from the costume. They're both going to be adorable, though, I think.

CyFest is coming up. My mom is taking the girls to the community festival that features a rubber ducky race, moonwalk, Radio Disney and pumpkin patch. I know they're going to have a fantastic time.

And then!!! we have Bluebird's birthday. We're having a Winnie the Pooh party - the overalls are ready, the invitations are in and the cake kit has arrived. I just have to buy plates and napkins and we're a go. Fun!!

Bee's Week

This picture was taken before the storm: I had lots of fun at the park - I hope it's still there.

There was a big storm and he was really loud and he stole our fence and our flowers and ALL our power. I was really excited to see go outside before the storm got here and feel the wind and watch all my friends playing outside. Being without power was no fun at all, though. I couldn't see to go potty (and I have to have the lights on to do that), I couldn't watch movies and I was really hot.

Mommy read us lots of books and we played in the garage and jumped on Daddy's back. When we went to bed again, there still wasn't any power and it was HOT, HOT, HOT. Bluebird was sick and kept coughing and choking, so Mommy and Daddy packed the car and we went to try to find a hotel. We went to the hospital to get Bluebird some medicine. It took a long time and we were there when I was supposed to be sleeping. Mamaw and Papa Sam came to watch me and call to find a place to stay while Mommy and Daddy stayed with Bluebird.

Bluebird is better and our power came back on, but then, we ALL got sick with sore throats and sniffles and sneezes and we're just glad that we get to stay in bed and around the house for a week. That IKE sure is sneaky. I prayed that God would help all the kids that don't have power or houses anymore. I hope they find their power soon.

Updates!!

The girls started at their new school and really seem to be doing well there. Bee really likes her teacher, her class, her lunch box, the other kids and that she gets to stay home three days a week - at least, I think she likes that part. Bluebird sees to sleep better and longer and eats as well as she always has - is always clean and happy when I pick her up and is doing beautifully.

We're only about 2 months away from booking our trip to DisneyWorld. Bee and Dave are so excited, always talking about all the things they're going to do when they get there. We are going to have a great time. Now I just have to set my calendar to make reservations for Cinderella's Royal Table while we're in Orlando.

I start teaching the fall semester tomorrow and I'm taking one class on Saturdays. It's going to be a lot of work, but probably a lot of fun too. Dave's project on the school for autistic children is getting underway and they just finished the Academic Building this week.

Lots going on and hopefully, we'll have some more exciting things (1st birthday, Halloween, school developments, etc) coming up

Baptism a.k.a. TORTURE

Bluebird: Why do they do this to me? Why do the go to church on the hottest day of the year, to a sanctuary with no moving air, put me in a giant satin dress with a mile or two of lace at my nap time, when I would like to be eating (when would I not like to be eating, really?) and expect me to be good?

I mean, really, would they want to do it?

Mommy note: We did do it, it was called out wedding - I wore a giant satin dress in a church that I can only assume never turned on the A/C and I sweated to the hymns as we said our vows.

Bluebird: So like I was saying, it was torture and I hated it and I screamed and I cried and I attempted to throw a fit and nearly banged my head on the pew in front of us. It wasn't pretty, but I sure was. I let them know that this was an evil thing to do just to welcome someone into the family of God.

Three ring circus

Bee: Granna took me to the circus. I had LOTS of fun watching the Tigers - I like to stand, put my paws up and growl like they do. I saw an elephant with a star on his heinie, puppy dogs doing tricks and two people pop out of a cannon! It was awesome. I got popcorn, candy con (cotton candy) and a wand that lights up.

Really, it was a lot like our house. We have a clown, a ringmaster, a bunch of puppy dogs, bright colors and music. We have a lot going on and it's really noisy, just like the circus. Sometimes I put on a show for mom and dad and Bluebird, dress up and dance. I act like a dog, a cat (now, a tiger), elephant and dance around the room.

When I get big, I want to be like Bello, the clown I saw. He can do everything, because he's big. He can climb a really tall tower, jump onto a swing high in the air and play in a big hamster ball. I told Mommy that I want to be in the circus when I get big and she's so proud of me. She said, who wants to be a doctor, lawyer, president or businessperson, when you can be head clown in the circus?

Making changes

We're about to make some big changes around here. The girls will stop going to the baby-sitter when the summer session is over and start going to a church preschool/infant center near our home. I'm nervous and excited. I'm happy that they'll have more attention and that Bee will stop being bored and start being challenged. I'm happy that they don't force infants into sleep schedules but let them nap when they're tired.

The place seems great, and everyone is really nice and seem genuinely excited to have the girls there, but why, why, why does every daycare, preschool, etc have these crazy pay requirements? Like, no half-months, pay one month in advance on the 1st or nothing, supply fees, provide your own food, etc. I just wish we didn't have to make so many compromises in order to find a place close to home and in our budget? I am mostly glad that we don't have to compromise on care, just on extras.

Crawling around

Bluebird writes: The world looks so different now that I'm moving around. I've been crawling for about three weeks and man, is it fun. I can wander through the house, picking up microscopic specks of things the big people can't see, put it in my mouth to taste and choke on it. Mommy is learning to just vacuum daily. This week, I ate carpet fuzz, grass and old cheerios that fell under the couch. I choked on them all. It's funny to watch Mom and Daddy get all worried, rush over and stick their fingers down my throat - okay, not that last part, but it guarantees that they pick me up and hold me for awhile.

It's hard to get lots of attention with Bee around - she's always buzzing here and there and taking my toys - I am left with shoes and bows to eat. I do like to go on adventures, though. I love pulling up to see what's in the bathtub and waving "hi" to the baby in the mirror - she's my friend, and goes everywhere I do. I love it when Mommy picks me up and reward her with bear hugs and slobbery kisses.