I'm getting pressure to start blogging again from a certain someone, so here we go.

Jack is getting to be such a preschooler, rather than a toddler. He's growing like a weed! All of the clothes he has are too small!!! Now that the temperatures dropped, he literally has no pants that reach his ankles. He has a plethora of hooded sweatshirts...all too small. He cracks us up with things he says on a daily basis. I need to document conversations that we have because they are seriously so funny.  He's becoming very much more independent. When I'm solo, I can tell him to get dressed, get his pajamas on, take a bath, etc., and I can count on him to do it.  He loves to be my little helper too. This time next year he will be getting ready to start VPK at my school, which will be a new experience for us.

Grace is ... challenging at times lately. She has a case of the terrible twos, but we know it is just a quick phase. She's got an attitude, and she definitely knows what she wants, and expects to get it. She still has lots of good and sweet moments too though! She's become very articulate in the past several weeks. I'm hoping that is going to help her voice her feelings, rather than having tantrums! She's 100% potty trained, even at night (has been for a while, but I'm not sure if I documented it).

Erin is getting so big too. She repeats everything. She can say many, many words in context. She keeps up with her two older siblings quite well! She imitates everything they do. She's very goofy and makes us laugh lots! She is by far the best eater we have! She loves to eat, and she isn't picky in the least. She's got several teeth, and is getting at least one now. She's verrrrry attached to paci ("poppy") nowadays!

All of the kids looooove going to school and playing with their friends, which makes the fact that we pay more per month to the school than we do for our house...worth it! Tomorrow is their Halloween party, and they are ready to go! Costumes, snacks, and treat bags are laid out on the counter. Can't wait to pick up 3 sugared-up kids tomorrow afternoon for pumpkin carving and trick or treating. :)

Jack and Grace are becoming wayyyy too early of risers. They've been sneaking in our bed in the early morning hours, and it's become a terrible habit that we are now trying to break. I cannot function when they wake me up for the day before 6:00. I need at least a half hour to get myself ready for school in the mornings before I have to deal with any babies!!! We've put them down about an hour earlier than usual (which was already very early), and they are still sleeping in until 6ish. They DESPERATELY (especially Jack) need a minimum of 12 hours of sleep in order to be a pleasant human being the next day.

We haven't had a lot of luck so far this sick season. The kids all had fevers and coughs at the same time one week, and then the stomach flu passed through us all. Currently, we are all healthy. Hopefully it stays that way.

Colin and I had a mini date night last night. Thanks Lisa, Marie, and Trinity for volunteering to come stay with the kiddos. I had my "bon voyage" party for the upcoming race. I have to say...we know how to make the most of our time. We managed to attend the party in downtown Orlando, get a big girl car seat for Erin, do a quick Publix trip, and drive through Steak and Shake in about a 3 hour time span. Any time we can hold a conversation without interruptions is bonus. We had fun!

This is my new day care bus arrangement as of this morning:

Buddies:

This is our favorite time of the year. The season change reminds us of 'home'. We love to burn our fall-scented candles and open the windows. We visited the pumpkin patch we go to each year a couple of weekends ago. Jack rode the zip line again and also rode the horse. Grace wasn't into either of those, but she did enjoy the petting zoo and the bounce pillow. Erin loved just hanging out on a pumpkin (as show in pictures), and she kept pointing to the stem and saying, "banana!", which I'm almost certain Grace did the same thing last year. I also took the kids to the Fall Festival at my school. The kids and I went to the church's Fall Festival as well. All lots of fun for them!

Jack knew he'd be riding the horse, so insisted on dressing like a cowboy. 

 Past Trips:

2011

2010 

2010

2009

That's all I can handle for the night. This internet connection is wayyyyy too slow to upload pictures. I'll be back later this week if Colin can fix it. I'll have some cute trick or treating pictures hopefully. 

ah hem...ARE YOU HAPPY!??!?! ;)