Campfire

I signed up Alyssa for Campfire for a couple of different reasons.  I thought it would be a great experience for her all around and plus my good friend was going to be the leader and she is AMAZING!  I was looking into doing Girl Scouts but normally these type of groups don't start until you are at least in Kindergarten.  Campfire had a preschool group with enough interest so one was formed.  Yay for me!

This is a whole new thing for me I was never involved in something like this growing up.  I wanted to but I remember my mom asking me if I would wear the outfit to school and I said no.  That was the end of that.  I'm not sure if kids still do that but during "my time" they did.

It's only been a month and Alyssa is loving it.  She goes once a week for about two hours.  My friend and I worked out a deal to where I watch her son who is Knox age and she takes Alyssa.  It works out perfectly!  If I have said any of this before my apologies.

During the time they have a craft project, a lesson of some sort, snack and sing songs.  A few weeks ago they had their Jammin Jamboree.  I have to say I really liked how they did this.  Alyssa or I decided how many laps she would be completing and if she completed these laps she got her "prizes".  She also had to send out twenty donation requests.  It didn't matter if she got donations but just had to send them out to get the "prizes". 

Both girls did amazing on their walks and completed their laps.  Alyssa became even more excited when she knew she was getting a patch for it as well.  She would see several older girls with lots of patches and she wanted to know how she could get them.  Talk about motivation for her! 

I was really proud of her.  It wasn't a huge deal but I was proud of her and how excited she was and that she accomplished it.  She will get another patch for swim and I'm excited to see what else she will accomplish through Campfire this year!

Pajama Party And Halloween

At school Alyssa had a pajama party on Halloween.  She was so excited about this and had been asking almost everyday when it was going to be time to where her pajamas to school.

The kids had a blast that day.  They made pumpkin pancakes at school and had whipped cream on top.  According to Alyssa she ate five pancakes but who knows.  They played games and got candy.  I'm not sure what else went on that day but do know that when she got home she laid down for almost two hours!  It must have been fun!

That night my friend and I were going back and forth as to what we were going to be doing.  Our final decision was just to hang out in my neighborhood and trick or treat.  Cory ended up being able to come home early from work so he got to see the kids and hand out candy.

My kids were to so excited to trick or treat this year.  Alyssa kept asking, "What time Mom do we get to go!?"  It didn't really matter what answer I gave her she would ask again.  I have fun with this at her expense because her obsession with time can be draining.

When our friends got here we headed out shortly after.  We hit up our whole neighborhood which took about two hours.  The kids were loaded with candy that we still have.  I wasn't sure how Alyssa would do because of how shy she can be but was I surprised.  She was out there running around, first to the door, saying trick or treat...thank you and then she was gone!  Who was this child!  Knox was the same way and had a blast but was a lot more interested in checking out all the cars in the driveway.

The four kiddos had a blast and when we got back to my house we finished handing out candy so Cory could head to bed.    Around nine we finally called it a night and started to settle in.  I have to say Halloween as a success!  We always have a lot of activities to do regarding this and I couldn't be happier.  Alyssa has already been thinking about what she wants to be next year on the list so far...Robin from Batman and Robin, since she didn't wear her costume this year, a ghost, and a female Willy Wonka with sparkly shoes.  This made me laugh and would be fun!  Her count down has begun.

A Halloween Party With A Mix Of Christmas

The kids had a Halloween Party to go to on Friday which they or Alyssa was so excited about.  It was my step sister's daughter who is in the 5th grade.  There were about ten girls there not including my kids.  My kids absolutely adore Jianna and were so excited to be going.  They were bugging me all day as to when they were going!

The party lasted about two hours and the kids were entertained the whole time.  Literally I would go downstairs and this is what my daughter said "Mom, we are fine.  Please go back upstairs."  Seriously!  Knox would come over and shut the door on me.  OK I got the picture my babies were fine with the older kids.  They were so good with them too.  Including them in everything and respecting their age and watching out for them.  At one point Alyssa came and got me for something and then wanted me to come meet her new "friend."  It was one of the girls Alyssa had taken a liking too and they were dancing together and stuff.  It was pretty funny.

They did crafts, had a scary story that included sitting in the dark and putting your hand in a bowl to try and figure out what the item was, the mummy game, dancing, crafts, cupcake decorating, and great food.  My kids were wiped out when all was said and done.  Around ten we headed on home and tried to get lots of rest!

The next day we did something a little different for this time of year and attended our first holiday bazaar with our good friends.  It was through Alyssa's preschool and they had an area where the kids could make their own ginger bread house.  Kelly and I were really surprised that all the kids were so into it especially the younger ones.  The bazaar was nothing to write home about.  I mean seriously how many tables can you have of crochet doilies?

Anyhow we killed a little time there before heading on back home to get some rest.  The kids were still pretty exhausted from the night before and with a big week coming up I wanted them to get some rest!

Two Fall Birthdays

I'm not sure why this happens but It seems that every time we have a birthday party to go to they end up being on the same day and time.  It's not really but at times it feels this way.  Anyways Alyssa's friend from dance and preschool was having her princess party and she couldn't wait to go!  Let me tell you nothing like being in a room with ten four to five year olds.  The kids played games, had lunch, played dress up, had cake and dessert and then opened presents.  Alyssa picked out a cute sparkly purse, hair accessories, and nail polish for Zoe.  I think she was secretly shopping for herself.  Alyssa had a blast and was sad to have to leave early but we had to head out to another birthday party that was at the same time.

Originally Cory and Knox were going to make it to the second one and we were going to join them but they both had pretty bad colds and weren't feeling good so they ended up staying home.  Alyssa and I were about an hour late to my friend Katie's son 6th birthday.  She had it at one of the pumpkin patches in our area.  The weather wasn't too bad.  It was raining but while we were there just drizzle instead of the down pours!

We were at the Thomas Family Farm, the one we went to as a family the weekend before.  All the kids had a blast doing all the activities.  One of the things that we did this time was mine for gold.  It was a lot of fun and Alyssa was excited with all the gems she found.  I thought it was pretty clever how they had it set up.  I will have to find something cool to do with all of them.  Anyways we were there for about two and a half hours and after Alyssa did the face painting we headed on out.

Instead of going home I decided to take her out to dinner and we went out for our favorite, Pho.  Yes, my children love this!  So thankful.  Anyways we had a great warm dinner talking about what fun we had that day and what our favorite part was etc. etc.