Happy Halloween!

What a Halloween celebration!! It started Thursday when our town, Kirkwood, does a Halloween walk downtown. Almost all of the businesses pass out candy, and just loads of families come to participate in this Halloween event! It was a lot of fun, and I was impressed by how well Bennett and Miles did, even with so many kids there!

Rapunzel and the monkey dressed and ready to go to the Kirkwood Halloween walk!

Miles is ready with his bucket and glowing pumpkin!

A quick picture with Daddy

Halfway through the kids decided to plop down on the sidewalk and chow down on some candy! Bennett tried cotton candy for the 1st time!

Digging through their loot when we got home.

This morning, Bennett got to wear her costume to school and they had a parade for the parents and sang us a song, then went trick-or-treating in the younger kids' classrooms. It was very cute, and Bennett was very proud of her Rapunzel braid. She walked into her classroom and turned around backwards until someone noticed her braid! (luckily her teachers were right on it!) ;)

At the front door getting ready to Trick-or-Treat!

This year, Bennett's joke was, "How does Rapunzel keep her doors closed?"

"With golden locks!"

In the wagon, off to trick-or-treat!! And thanks to cousin Alison who helped Brandon with the kids while I stayed home and passed out candy!

Happy Halloween!!

Stephanie and Adam's Wedding

This weekend we had a wonderful time celebrating Stephanie and Adam! Bennett was an outstanding Flower Girl, and Brandon and I had a great time catching up with good college friends! Bennett even decided that she would go on the trolley with the wedding party between the ceremony and reception. Everyone raved about how good and mature she was. Phew! She was very patient during dinner, speeches, etc, then danced her heart out for about 5 songs and then totally conked out! Being a Flower Girl is hard work! Many thanks to Mona and Drew who took her home a little after 9:00, so Brandon and I could stay longer! Congratulations, Hueys!

Bennett and Preston at the rehearsal

Rehearsal dinner at Kemoll's.

All ready to go in the back of the church!

Taking a picture with the bride, groom and ring bearer.

My all time favorite picture! Bennett was in heaven dancing with the bride! A moment she won't forget!

Family pic!

With Stephanie and Abby

Villanova girls! Me, Heather, Stephanie, Abby and Carey

Pumpkins!

Today we went to the pumpkin patch to pick out our pumpkins! Miles has been in awe of all of the Halloween decorations around the neighborhood, and he points out every pumpkin that he sees when we are driving. So naturally, he was really excited when we told him we were going to the pumpkin patch! He says "pumpkin patch" really clearly too. In fact, his talking has really exploded lately and he says just about anything he wants to now.

Strong man!

Bennett likes this one!

Two at once!

Bennett chose some places and just struck a pose!

Peek-a-boo!

Bennett and Daddy

The kids had a blast in the bouncy house!

Nothing but skin and bones! ;)

Mommy and Miles

Heading home with our pumpkins!!

All about Miles

Miles is such a character! He's talking so much now and puts multiple words together all the time! He loves school, and his teachers love him. He's really into Elmo, Dora, trucks and trains right now! Here are a bunch of recent funny pictures of Miles! He also loves to sing! Happy Birthday and the Itsy Bitsy Spider are his favorite, but he has many songs in his repertoire!

Getting ready for bed! (after pulling all the diapers out of the box!)

Funny guy!

During "meet your teacher day" at Bee Class.

Lunch with Woody and Buzz

He thought under the table would be a good place to eat his snack!

You've gotta do what you gotta do to make meals fun when you have a picky eater!

Riding his bike (sorry about the pink bike buddy!)

He had so much fun at the Green Tree parade!

He loves to wear my shoes around...especially my boots!

Elmo slippers!

Transportation Museum with his buddy Silas!

As Miles would say, "Caboose comes last!"

Playing in the corn at the Farmer's Market

Is it Miles? Mario? A pirate? I'm not sure!!

Go Cards!!!

Farmer's Market

Today I went on a field trip with Bennett's class to the Kirkwood Farmer's Market. It's so fun to see her interact with her friends at school (and that she's still excited for me to come...she's not too cool yet!). My group of girls were so cute and funny. Her teachers must just laugh all day long! We had a great time!

The Bear Class

My group

Little monkey!

Riding the tire horse

Bennett and Sophie in the corn

Reading and Writing

The next two posts are all about Bennett. I promise a Miles post will be coming soon!

Bennett's reading has been absolutely taking off lately! She amazes me every day with how fluently she can read! Today, a bag came home from school with the book Little Bear in it. The bag goes from house to house, to ensure that kids have books to read at home. Bennett had never heard the story before. She opened it, said mom I think I can read this, then sat down and read all 4 chapters (63 pages) to me, and I only had to help her with one word! I was floored! I couldn't be more proud of her!

Bennett after she just finished reading to me!

Also, yesterday, the teacher in me came out and I decided to start Writer's Workshop with Bennett (a staple from my 1st grade classroom). When I asked Bennett if she wanted to become an author and an illustrator, she was so excited! She decided to write a story about Snow White. She had a Snow White book in front of her so she got the spelling from that, but other than her name, I let Bennett use inventive spelling and I think she did a great job hearing a lot of the sounds in the words!

Bennett the author and illustrator!

Pg 1: "Snow White lives with 7 dwarfs."

pg 2: "Snow White takes a bite of an apple."