October!

October was a busy month, as it always is, with Erin being tracked out of school for the first 3 weeks, her big birthday, and Halloween.  I am also behind on giving a 6-year update on our big girl, but that will be next!  We started out with a bang by getting the kids' flu shots on the 2nd.  This would not normally be notable, but for us it was due to the fact that nobody cried.  First time ever that we have gotten through vaccinations without tears!  Anna may have sniffled a little, but quickly recovered...no holding screaming kids down, no sweat or tears on my part!  We are all growing up.  We 3 ladies had a fun afternoon at Phillips Farm on the 3rd, which has become an annual tradition for us.  It's a really fun place in Morrisville/Cary with lots of activities for the kids, hayride, and pumpkin patch.  

We had a busy morning on the 4th with our family pictures at Bond Park (I haven't been there in about 10 years!), then Anna's "away" soccer game across the street at St. Michael's.  

We also had a busy day on Sunday with Atrium class, then I got to go to Concord for Dale and Maria's baby shower while Bob and the kids (and neighbor friend Laney) went to Erin's dance class and the parish picnic.  Lots of fun, and a beautiful day!

Erin and I went to Anna's preschool on the 6th to help with a painting project, which triggered an ongoing rant by Erin regarding going back to preschool.  I think she was upset that she never got to go there, or else she was just jealous of all the fun they were having while she is working so hard in kindergarten!  

House news - we got our water heaters replaced on the 7th.  Our neighbors had theirs leak and cause a great deal of damage over the summer, so we thought it was about time to have ours replaced since they're 10-11 years old.  We went from two 40-gallon tanks to one 50-gallon tank.  He said it probably won't be enough to fill the whirlpool tub, but considering we haven't used that in 4 years, we probably won't miss it.  

We had a great time in Concord over the 10th-12th for Erin's birthday celebration, trip to the pumpkin patch, and Hound Dog Hustle!  We always have such a great time with everyone there. 

 

Erin and I went to Defy Gravity on the 17th for her last morning of track-out, and we both really enjoyed it.  We went to the state fair on the 17th and had a great time.  Erin finally succeeded in talking us into painting her room on the 18th (well, Bob) while we ladies went to Erin's pre-K teacher's baby's first birthday party.  We now have dueling electric pink bedrooms!  

Erin went back to school on the 20th with little protest, thankfully.  It's so nice that she enjoys school this year and doesn't complain constantly about going!  I think she really enjoys being with kids her age who are much more verbal and interactive.  She is learning a lot and having fun!  We had a super fun day on the 24th with Erin's class field trip to the Stevens Nature Center/Hemlock Bluffs in the morning, bowling for Caroline's birthday in the afternoon, then movie night at our neighbors' house.  Whew!  We had a few of Erin's little neighbor friends over on the 25th for tea, which she enjoyed quite a bit.  We also had a great visit with Grandma F. on the 26th!

The week of the 27th, we got prepped for the big day on Friday...Anna's class had silly hat day/fall harvest party, so we made Rice Krispie treat pumpkins to send in.  Erin's class had book character day, so Erin got to wear her beautiful tutu from Grandma and Grandpa A. and bring in a book that we conveniently had about a ballerina.  Then, of course, was the big night out trick-or-treating.  We had a pizza party with lots of neighbor friends, then the kids went out.  They had a great time, but Anna enjoyed handing out candy just as much!  Our kitty cat ballerina and (human) ballerina had a great time!  Stay tuned for our big birthday update!