First Time Rollerskaters

Last Saturday, Chris and I took the kids to Bell's Skating Rink for the day. This was their first time ever skating and I haven't skated since 8th grade. They did great for their first time, but unfortunately they were just getting the hang of it when we had to leave. It was great fun!

Trick or Treat!

Instead of going to any neighborhoods this year, we decided to take the kids trick or treating at the zoo here in town. It was Colt's first real time going and he had a blast!! You can probably tell by the red candy all over his face : ) It was fun, safe, and we got a few great pictures too!

Playing in the Leaves

I haven't posted much lately, Chris and I have been SO busy with school obligations (we're teachers) that we've barely had time do sleep! We finally had a day that no one had us doing anything, today we took the kids to Ligonier's Fashion Farm Pumpkin Fantasy Land. It was fun and the kids had a really good time! I hadn't been there since I was a kid and it seemed to be MUCH more then than it is now : ) I thought the kids would enjoy the fact that I had gone there every year until I was 13 or so. They had mazes, a pumpkin jumpy thing, a pumpkin display that had pumpkins dressed as famous people and cartoon characters, and of course we bought some pumpkins to carve.
Afterwards we raked up some leaves and let the kids run through them. Colt had a blast! This was his first time for this and they were a MESS, but they had a ton of fun!!

American Girl Store/Chicago Girls Only Trip

Last Saturday, the girls and I went with my sister in law, Jennifer, my niece, Anna, and my mother in law, Ruthie to the American Girl Store in Chicago. It was so much fun!! We rode the train out of Waterloo which was a new experience for the three of us. Grace slept almost the whole way there and the whole way back. It was really nice since I didn't have to drive : ) While we were there, we shopped, looked at the sights - Grace was really impressed by the huge skyscrapers! - and looked at all the cool American Girl accessories. Luckily all three girls have a doll, so no one was left out. We also ate lunch there, which was really neat! We had a four course meal - which included cinnamon buns BEFORE the actual meal, much to Ella's delight! - and the food was thankfully VERY kid and mom friendly since we are all pretty picky : ) It was an experience that none of the girls will forget. Hopefully the girls and I will get to go to the store again around Christmas time with my mom if all plans come together. More pictures will come as I get them through email : )

Science Central Day

This weekend we took the kids to Science Central for the first time in five years. We had a great time and Colt really enjoyed the toddler area with the slide and water table. I enjoyed the perpetual motion device - let me tell you that I am WAY too old to be that dizzy! : )

Grace's 6th Birthday Party

We finally celebrated Grace's birthday party! We were going to celebrate at Chuck E. Cheese's, but decided at the last minute to just have cake and ice cream at the house since we all had to go to school the next day. With just a few family members (lots less than usual) we had a nice small garden party. She received lots of nice gifts and got to play with mu brother Donnie's kids.

Back to School

This week was back to school time. Summer went by so fast! Grace was very excited to get to first grade and back to seeing her friends daily and Ella and Colt were excited to get back to Tara's and to playing with the friends they missed over the summer. Chris and I were not as excited to get back to the classroom - more anxious than excited, I guess : ) The week went surprisingly smooth for being off of our schedules for so long. Now we're all looking forward to Labor Day and the next day off ; )