Drew's Community (a month late in posting 11/16/2010)

Hi all...so, I am behind again!  I really thought after my class finished on December 1st that I was going to have all of this extra time....who was I kidding??  With all of the kids activities, Christmas shopping..oh yeah, and my full time job, I really donot have any extra time at all!  Anyways, Drew goes to a really neat Museums Magnet school where they get to go on all sorts of fun fields trips and do several community based projects where they really figure out how they fit into the world.  The Kindergarten classes theme was "around town" and each class was responsible for their own centers...bringing in supplies, building, painting, etc.  Drew's class picked a hockey rink, hospital, farm, and sweet shoppe (there may have been a couple others).  Since I work at the hospital, I was able to supply the class with all sorts of fun "Baby" medical supplies.  I had to work the night that they shower off their community, but Julian was able to go and hang out with Drew, who was so proud to show off his hard work!  I was a little uncertain of the magnet program at the start of the year, but they have blown me away with what they are teaching the kids about being a part of our wonderful world!

Early in the morning....

The time change has really thrown the family for a loop.  I try to get up around 6 to do some school work before the kids get up and lately they have been beating me out of bed.  We took this picture this morning after everyone had lumbered downstairs (in the dark).  Kind of cute to see them all sitting together watching t.v.  I love that they have each other (and someday they will appreciate it as well)!

Chef Maxie!

Noma Jonas is here and there are always fun activities for the kids when she is around.  They were making dessert and Max really took to it...as you can see.  It tasted delicious as well...



Potty Time

Bella and I were the only ones awake this afternoon and I asked her if she wanted to sit on the potty...and she said yes.  I remember pictures of Drew and Max sitting on the potty around this age and thought that Bella needed one too!

Halloween 2010

Halloween was a great success this year...we all had lots of fun.  The boys had been counting down all week and Julian and I were excited to see if Bella would be interested in Trick-o-Treating.  We started early...around 5:30..because the boys could not wait any longer...took a few (and I mean a few) pictures and then they were off.  We went with our neighbor Caroline and friend down the street Brett (who went as Buzz).  It was kind of neat to see how much more independent the kids get every year.  Bella was a bit slower than the rest but caught on fast and held out her pink bucket with the rest of them!  She would even give a cute thank you every once in a while.  The boys and Bella dove into the candy when we got home and stuffed themselves full...always a fun way to end Halloween night!  Unitl next year...

 This shot is a bit better of her...not so much of the boys, but oh well!

 Our sweet baby Bella as Minnie Mouse...I have to say that I did splurge on the outfit...do not tell the boys :)

 One of the few pictures of them together where they look like they love each other!

 I was trying to get a full body shot of her costume, but I could not get her to stop moving!

 A little out of focus but so darn cute

 check out the red glitter slippers (another splurge)

 Our neighbor, Caroline....we had them all scream and I think it was the best shot we got of them!

 ...beautiful blue eyes

 big brother Drew was helping her up the hill...sweet

 Our neighbors on the other side was the first stop

 ..the loot...Bella walked around for the next few days asking for can-dy!

 Drew's loot...does he look excited or what??

Halloween 2010 was awesome...we are already trying to figure out what we are going to be for next year!

Hill Ridge Farm

My friend Brooke (who I grew up with and now lives in Raleigh with us),  and I went to Hill Ridge Farm with the kids right before Halloween.  We had been trying to get together, but with our crazy schedules and Drew in school it had been a difficult task.  The kids all had a teacher's workday on this particular Friday and so off we went!  Everyone had a great time...even little Bella and Bridgie (Bridget).  It was nice to hang out with my friend and catch up...something we need to do more often!

The boys all bundled up

The slide was Drew's favorite...

It was really just a long corrugated tube that you slid down on a burlap sack...but lots of fun!

Even Miss Independent loved the slide as you can see...by the end she walked all the way up with her own burlap sack...not a baby anymore!

This is Brooke and her daughter Bridget who was born about 2 months after Bella

The kids loved playing in the dried corn...Bella was a bit hesitant at first, but then literally jumped right in!

Hopefully these 2 will be friends forever too!

This is Brooke's oldest daughter Grace, who was born about a month before Max

I do not even remember why she was so upset, but I thought it was cute

This is a hay maze and as you cen see, Bella has no fear!

On the hayride to the "pumpkin patch"

Bella saying "cheese"

..on the train

...Brooke, Gracie and Bridgie on the hay ride

in the pumpkin patch...Bella has found her pumpkin