Family Fun Saturday

Today was one of those super-rare occasions when there was nothing, not one thing, on our family calendar.  We have been so excited all week about the thought of rest, a family fun outing, and of course a little Clemson football!

We started the morning with an almost hour long walk on the Greenway.  Since Dave has hurt his back, we decided to take it easy this morning with a workout that was longer, but less intense than our normal Saturday morning runs.  Then we headed to a local pumpkin patch for our adventure for the day.  We decided to try a new farm this year and went to the Hall Family Farm.  I had been there before to pick strawberries, but had no idea how many Fall things they set up.  The kids were almost overwhelmed with the variety of activities they had to choose between.  Despite a few sprinkles of rain we managed to spend almost 3 hours there and still had to drag Preston away!

Savannah navigating the first kid maze

So excited to make her way out!!

Not really wanting to smile, but trying to make mama happy

Savannah and Preston first navigated a kid sized maze set up with plastic.  Savannah could easily see over the top so it was neat to watch her problem solve and find our way out!  Then we tried a real corn maze for the kids.  It was challenging enough and the kids loved getting their stamps at each station and collecting their prize.  We thought that would satisfy Savannah's desire for a corn maze, but she insisted on trying out the big maze.  So we took the easy map and gave it a go! 

After an hour of searching USING THE EASY MAP we still were missing 2 puzzle pieces.  At that point I think the kids were thinking we were lost for good and were never going to make it out, so we made the decision to give up on the last two pieces and head for the exit!  Let's just say that maze was pretty intense.  They have you carry tall flags so that if you do get lost they can have the man sitting on the tower direct you out.  When we finally made our way out he congratulated us and then said "I was worried about you guys."  Ha! 

We then took a ride on the hayride and enjoyed the scavenger hunt they had set up along the way.  The kids had some more fun with a duck race and then we had to make them leave!  It was a lot of fun and a great way to spend a Saturday morning.

Now they have been bathed and are down for naps.  Dave is watching football and we're ordering pizza for dinner.  That makes for one happy mama! 




 

Build a Bear Celebration!

Preston deciding between the bunny and the brown bear

Savannah quickly decided on her rainbow bear

The winners are a rainbow bear and bunny!

During the heart ceremony, rubbing their heads so symbolize making good choices

Giving the animals a quick bath

The finished products.  You can't see "Fuzzy's" red boxers and "Magical's" sparkly shoes

Today we finally made it to build a bear where Savannah and Preston were able to choose an animal to build!  We have been bribing Preston for weeks, okay let's be honest, months, now that if he would start pooping on the potty and stop wetting at nap and bedtime he could go to build a bear.  We were all set to go last week, but he ended up soaking his bed at nap time on Saturday. :(  But he's done an incredible job this week and stayed dry all night most every night so we decided today was the day.  Poor Savannah never got to go when she started staying dry at night (over 3 years ago), so this was sort of a celebration for her too.  We actually just told her that it was because she did great on her summer swim test and had been doing so well in school.

Anyway, Savannah chose a rainbow teddy bear that she name Magical.  Magical is complete with these adorable pink sparkly shoes, bright pink hair bows, and a hand that makes a magical sound when you squeeze it.  Preston choose a bunny which he named Fuzzy.  Fuzzy is complete with a pair of red boxers (where his tail can hang out the back) to represent big boy underwear that Preston so proudly wears now and a hand that giggles when you squeeze it. 

What a fun afternoon it was and an exciting way to celebrate such a big accomplishment for our little Preston! 

Happy Birthday Dave!

Dave sporting his new Clemson jacket with the kids

Yesterday we celebrated Dave's last birthday in his 30s!  It was a pretty normal Saturday that started out with a family run and then of course a trip to the grocery store. The kids and I surprised Dave with a ice-cream birthday cake and then we went to Red Robin for dinner. 

I have to say that I am one of the luckiest women alive to be married to Dave.  He is beyond patient with me, even when I'm in OCD mode, super supportive of the many activities the kids and I are involved in, and never ever complains!  He is super easy to please and values family time as much as I do.  Happy happy birthday, Dave!!!  I pray the Lord blesses you with another fun, happy, healthy year of life with many more to come.

First Day Back to WEE School

Preston's new squinty eye smile for pictures

Finally a smile before going to class!

I should have known that today would be the day that Preston refused to get his picture taken . . . these were the best "first day of 3 year old preschool" pictures I could get! It's so hard to believe that my baby is no longer downstairs in church or preschool.  This was a big day as Preston officially joined the kids upstairs at school.  He had a fabulous day and I definitely enjoyed the time with him in school!  Yeah for Fall!!!!

Labor Day Weekend Fun

First stop on Saturday ~ time with cousins

Second stop ~ graham crackers at Great Grandma's house

Picture with Pawpaw



This past weekend was a lot of fun for our family!  We took full advantage of the 3 day weekend and did a variety of things.  The fun started on Saturday when I ventured on my first long trip solo with both kids.  Since Dave had to work all day, I took the kids to Mebane to visit with my brother and his family.  Of course Savannah and Preston loved playing with their cousins there.  Then we drove to Great Grandma's house and had lunch with her.  They also enjoyed seeing Uncle Mark, Aunt Carol, Pawpaw, and of course Great Grandma too!  The first thing they always do is head for the graham crackers when we get to her house.  It's so funny because grandma actually calls Preston "graham cracker" he likes them so much. :)  Thankfully we made it home safely and Dave was able to make it home in time for dinner

Sunday, after church and nap time, we decided to head to Matthews Alive for the street festival they have every year.  It was super hot, but the kids enjoyed walking around and seeing all of the crafts.

Monday we ventured out to Carowinds for the morning, and again, it was super hot!  We came home and while Dave mowed the yard I bathed the kids and put them down for naps.  They were exhausted so they slept a long time!  At 5:00 we woke Preston up and went out for dinner.

We enjoyed a fun weekend and got a lot of things finished too.  It's nice that we had a 3 day weekend because today the craziness of a full blown Fall schedule starts!