Patterson Farms

On Friday, Cathy the kids and I took a little afternoon trip to Patterson Farms in Chesterland, OH.  The wasn't as cold as we expected, there was even sun coming through every so often... BUT because of all the rain here recently it was real muddy!!!  All the kids had a great time, but each was a victim to the mud!  Will fell first, followed by a nose dive by Gabi.  Isa got a little muddy in the corn maze.  Gabi however was our true mud battle winner by actually getting stuck in the mud and losing a shoe in it!  yuck! 
The kids loved the hay play area and all the slides!  We hung out in the tree house playground for a while too. The scenery was beautiful and we had fun, so all in all it was a great trip! 

 

 

2011 group Halloween Party

I figured that even though I am real tired tonight, I need to post because I have a feeling our days are going to be real eventful and I don't want to play catch up!  Last night I finished making Isa's "semi-homemade" Jessie costume.  Just in time, since the kid's playgroup party was today!  The group, now 14 kids strong, had everyone there and let's just say... it was loud!  They kids all had a great time playing together, dressing up, and doing crafts!  We also welcomed Tia Cathy back to Ohio... and it was amazing.  It had been raining all day, and literally as soon as she stepped out of the airport... the SUN came out!  She brought us a little bit of Florida with her!

playgroup 2011

Jessie costume complete and Isa modeling it!

Our Transformer and Boo (from Monster's Inc.)

 Craft time with Tia Cathy!

Halloween... here we come!

Gabi 20 months

The 27th of each month seems to come quicker and quicker each time!  Our little girl has definitely changed this past month.  She is keeping up with her siblings, talking alot more, doing lots of singing.  Gabi is finally using multiple word sentences.  Recently she has been caught singing "happy birthday" and "tomorrow" from Annie throughout the day.  Her personality is really starting to shine more too.  She is a happy go lucky little girl that loves her mommy and daddy.  She always asks for Will and Isa when they are at school.
Some of the words and phrases she is using (there are a lot more I am sure): I see you, A juice Mommy, Love you (Mommy/Daddy), Love you More, Night Night (insert name, followed by a big hug and kiss), Open, Close, Up, Down, Off, On, Lechecita, Get it Please.  Her new favorite word this month is "yellow".  She also will try to repeat almost anything you say which is great!  We really feel like her vocabulary is taking off.   Although she isn't talking all the time, there are moments where she starts and just can't stop... it's so cute to hear!
Gabi loves to dance around, jump on the bed, and climb just like her siblings.  She is a bundle of joy.  We couldn't have asked for anything more.  Our home is truly complete with lil Gabi Rose and it's so amazing to watch how she fits into everything we do!
Gabi loves her dolls, snuggling with at least 2 of them when she naps and goes to sleep.  Whenever she picks up a new stuffed toy or doll she gives it the biggest hug she can!  Although she enjoys books, she doesn't normally sit through the whole thing.. she is anxious to get you the next one!   She is eating everything we eat but still gets milk 3 times a day.  She is now napping once a day from 1-3pm (while the the kids are in school) and sleeps over 12 hours a night! 
Gabi is our lil rose and her sweetness is contagious!  It's amazing watching her grow!

 time with her cousin Chloe!

singing part of "happy birthday"

Will's birthday book

Here is a link to Will's birthday book that I finally got done and ordered =).  Enjoy!

WILL's BOOK

 

soccer pics and circus

We got the kids pictures from their soccer season and couldn't help but smile at how cute they look.  Our kids are definitely petite!  They are done for the Fall, but start back up in April for the spring season.  They both seemed to enjoy it.  We were most proud of how much better Will did this time around!

Yesterday was also a VERY eventful day for Will.  Our little guy had a special night with his daddy at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus!  Will had been asking me about the circus during the last week, and hinting "I would really love to see a circus".  Initially we had no intention of going (because we have many other fun events planned) but when I heard from Nikki that we could get $10 tickets... we got them!  It was real nice for Tobin to take Will on a little one on one outing.  Oh.. and Will... well, let's just say he couldn't stop talking about his evening and went to bed with one of the biggest smiles we have ever seen!

 all smiles and ready to go!

(photo courtesy Nicole Tully)

Fall festivities begin!

This past weekend was exciting.  Saturday we spent the day between soccer games and Gramma & Bapa's house making it ready to sell.  The games were great.  Isa had her last game of the season and Will SCORED HIS FIRST GOAL at his game!  Uncle Jona and Bapa made were able to make it to Isa's game and Gramma and uncle Jona came to Will's!  Will has come a long way since he started soccer in the spring.  He is playing great, running the whole time... and most importantly smiling !  He's having fun! This coming Saturday is his final game for the year. 

 this shot is right after Will scored his goal!

 

On Sunday our gang joined the Cecil family for our first Fall Fest outing of the season.  We took the gang out to Mapleside Farm.  They had a tractor pulled cow train, Marvel Hero corn maze, super slide, and a giant 70 foot jump pillow (this was the biggest hit).  It was a gorgeous day (80 degrees!), which led to stopping for and ice cream treat on the way home!

 

 

 

 

 

 

This past week, the kids also welcomed Gramma and Bapa to the neighborhood.  They were so excited and decorated the front of their new home.

proud parents

Often times we find ourselves wondering if we are doing it right.  Are we yelling too much, not enough, teaching them right, setting good examples.  I am sure many parents end many days so thankful for all their blessing, but exhausted and wondering how they can do it all again tomorrow.  Yet there are little glimpses that everything is as it should be.  God's plan is working and our family is doing alright.  This past week was a week like that. 
We, as parents, had several incidences that made us smile and made us proud.  First of all, the kids had school conferences this week.  They are doing amazing!  Will's teacher remarked how mature he is and how well he is playing with others.  We are at a point where we need to establish new goals since he is excelling so well!  That is great news for us!  His teacher says he is more than ready for Kindergarten next year, and is so proud of how well he is doing!
When we walked up for Isa's conference, the teacher actually said "before we start, I need to tell you that Isa is The Bomb!"  She sat down and told us how proud she was of her, how great she is doing, and how she needs to constantly remind herself that Isa only just turned 4.  She kept trying to focus on Kindergarten screening stuff when she realized Isa still had another year of pre-school.  That's our girl!  She is not being "spirited", she is being kind, is bright, and also a little leader.  We walked out of the school,  held hands, and smiled at each other.  It was a moment of pure relief and pride.  We are doing ok. 
Today the kids continued to surprise me with their kindness and selflessness.  They helped Gramma move the entire playroom over to the new house.  It was amazing to witness.  Will, Isa, and EVEN Gabi carrying bins, boxes and toys to load up the cars.  I was so proud of them today. 
Isa has also been Daddy's little helper recently.  It seems like whenever Tob asks if anyone wants to help him .... (fill in the blank)... she is the first one to jump up and help.  Our favorite comment of hers is always "we have a lot of work to do" =)  no matter what the project! 
I write this because even though there are times when we look at our children and sigh, roll our eyes, and wonder why they don't listen... they are good kids.  Sometimes we just need to step back and see them through others eyes.  We are blessed. 

Isa is FOUR

It's almost incomprehensible to us that our little princess turned F O U R  this past weekend.  Even though we must admit that many times she seems older than this (personality wise... not size wise =), it is still a little hard to accept she is 4.  The weekend was amazing.  Isa was smiles the whole time.  WE feel blessed.  Isa was showered with love, hugs, tickles, smiles, visits, and gifts from many family and friends close to us.
October 1st... Isa started the morning out with a wonderful Princess Breakfast. 

Bapa and Gramma joined us for coffee and our day began.  Isa helped me bake cupcakes, make our stuffed shells for dinner, and intermittently opened gifts throughout the day.  Will and Gabi graciously assisted their sister in opening and "trying out" each new gift.   Oh joy!
Isa's family dinner was scheduled that evening and we all had a great time.  It was real nice just hanging out with loved ones and letting the little ones run around and play.  Isa decided that she wanted a Hello Kitty themed birthday... so we obliged =).  She was decked out with Hello Kitty earrings, shirt, and bow.   One happy little birthday girl!

 Isa's Princess Ballet party followed on Sunday morning.  We think all the girls had a great time.  The most rewarding feeling was hearing our little girl thank us for such a great party during our drive home.  Miss Jacqui's Dance studio is AWESOME.  She did a fantastic job with the girls and kept it easy for us.  All I did was bring sandwiches, juice, cupcakes, and treats... she did the rest.  Oh what fun!  All in all, we count our blessings every day for the little miracles in our lives we get to share our love with.  Isa keeps us smiling.  We hope her spunk and sweetness continues for many years to come.  Happy Birthday baby girl!