WOW! I do love fall!  We had a great weekend!  The fun started with a impromptu trip to the zoo Friday afternoon.  The boys and 2 daycare kiddos skipped naps and off we went.  It was my first time seeing the new tiger exhibit and Isaac’s first zoo trip. It was a beautiful day, just a bit windy…which is probably what led to the massive door ding on my truck door I discovered when leaving the zoo. It was bad enough I would have left a note or at least moved my vehicle!!

The giraffes looked like a picture for the cell phone commercial.  3 “bars” :)

 

The lion and cubs were posed on the big rock in their exhibit.

 

C, Aidan, & K posing at the new tiger exhibit.

 

Aidan is just too cute at posing lately!! Look at that ornery face!! Can’t get enough of him!

Isaac shows a slight grin at the zoo. Don’t really think he saw any of the animals.  Fussed or slept most of the time!!

Saturday AM we took yet another impromptu trip.  To El Dorado to visit my brother who was there on work.  A picnic in the park, which we missed most of the picnic, but he stayed around to watch the kiddos play.  Here’s (I’m biased) an ADORABLE pic of Aidan playing on the slide.  I added one of my fav boy “sayings”.

Sunday was church…I even made it almost on time getting all 3 kids around on my own…without fits or screaming on my part or theirs!  Now that’s something to brag about.   I’m really enjoying our new worship minister, Jared Bayless.  He’s doing great!  Here’s a video of created for his original song.

As I left church a woman (that I must shamefully admit I wasn’t even sure of who she was) presented me with a HOMEMADE personalized quilt for Isaac!  Love my church fam!!  Here’s a pic of the quilt…

It has a cute little animal print, embroidered circles, his name and birth date, backed in navy blue.

After church and breakfast out the kids and I headed to our Niece’s 2nd birthday party.  She’s a doll! 

 

She loves ducks, so her party was a duck theme!

In addition to clothes, I whipped up this hair bow holder for her.

Above Aidan beating the piñata, below Emma loving’ what was in the piñata!!

Home from the party and Emma was struck with a fever…great start to the week…which is already busy b/c of all the work I avoided by going on all the impromptu “trips” this weekend! :)

And we got it!!! Emma’s school focus on a character trait each month.  September was Respect. Emma  was the Kindergarten girl awarded the character trait of Respect!! We’re super proud of her!! She was recognized at the school assembly, her name was in the newsletter and she was given a certificate!!  Here is lil’ Ms. Respect and her award (proof that I’m not making this up!) :)


We are proudly displaying the award here at home to serve as evidence that what can happen at school can/should happen at home!!
Congrats Emma we’re super proud of you and love you bunches!
No discussion on respect would be complete without….

Makes me wanna dance!!

- a mother’s heart smile?

- 9 months of discomfort bearable?

- sleepless nights doable?

- melts my heart after hours of fussiness?

THIS:

A bit blurry, but he was so excited! What a doll!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m participating in a blog carnival from Kelly’s Korner blog today.  For this carnival women are sharing what their favorite baby items.  Mommy tested.  Child tested. Mother approved.  So. here are my favs.  The first is my newest favorite that I didn’t even discover until child #3!!  What’s your favs? I’m sure I’m forgetting something…

Sleepy Wrap

Unfortunately I didn’t know of the Sleep Wrap with my first two.  I’m not sure if I would have appreciated it with my first, but with my colicky & refluxing 2nd it would have been wonderful!  It’s been a Godsend with my newest baby.  Basically it’s a long piece of knit fabric that when tied on a certain way holds a tiny baby up to a toddler in several different positions.  It’s super comfortable and not nearly as hard to put on as you might imagine.  No buckles, snaps, straps to adjust or move.   And most importantly it frees my hands to help my other 2 kiddos.  I owe my friend Audra my first born for loaning me this!!

Cup Labels

These are great labels from Inch Bug!  Much like the rubber bracelets people wear for different causes these labels have the child’s name “carved” into it, totally indestructible and can be thrown in the dishwasher.  Great for labeling bottles, sippy cups and even drinks for lunch bags, water bottles for sporting events, etc.

*Side note…pictured is my fav sippy cup.  I do daycare and have experienced A LOT of different sippies….playtex is by far the closest to holding true to being “spill proof”.

Graco Swing *Plug In* Swing

I borrowed a Fisher Price aquarium swing with my first, bought my own for my second (and occasional use by a daycare child) and it pooped out.  So, with another daycare kiddo and my third I invested in the Graco Sweetpeace Soothing Center.  It plugs in *yeah*, very comfy, the seat can be removed and double as a lounging chair for baby and best yet a Graco carseat can snap in so baby can transition from car to moving swing…ahhh….uninterrupted sleep!

Saucer

Simply a lifesaver and time “giver”.  From about 4 months on my kids have all loved their saucer.  I’m especially excited to use mine with Isaac.  He will not be walking quite yet come spring/summer so drag this puppy outside and he’ll be happy. (Hopefully…)  Easy to clean/hose down if necessary and this one is great b/c it functions as a play mat, saucer and activity table!  Multi purpose things like this are great!

Aquaphor

With my first I’d buy and try multiple different lotions and potions for different things thus my cabinet resembled the Wal-mart baby isle.  I was told to use Aquaphor  on my son’s rashy and often times dry skin.  Works like a charm. Also totally healed up a really bad diaper rash Aidan had once.  I think initially I thought using Vaseline was “old fashion” I mean that’s what my mom was stuck using, but we have all these new and different options now.  Old works gals!  (Well…I REALLY like Dyprotex. SUPER thick ointment…like 30% zinc oxide,  but Walgreens doesn’t carry it anymore…)

Again a little slow getting to this, but doing my best to NOT fall into the "3rd child gets nothing" trap! I WAS super prepared for the birth announcement.  Even looked up gender neutral, boy & girl ideas on the web prior to delievery.  I worked on the address list of folks I'd be sending them to.  Then the birth came, mommy fell apart and here we are!  I'm posting it here before I snail mail it out b/c I just ordered them so by the time they are in and I get them sent...well they might as well be our Christmas cards! :) Hehehe!



I must share that my friend Ruth made this announcement.  She is simply amazing at creating announcements, Christmas cards, invitations, etc.  She did Aidan's announcement and our Christmas cards the last several years. She can make a beautiful card using my random snapshots and she also is a very talented photographer herself!


So here it is..


Funny story about the photo shoot for this.  Isaac was all tense having Matt hold him 1/2 naked in his arms for the newborn shoot at Penney's.  YET, for this photo shoot Isaac was sound asleep 1/2 naked in the back of a Tonka truck in the backyard AS the ice cream man drives by playing obnoxious music!?!? :)
Thanks again Ruth!  You're the best!

I'm a couple days late gettingthis posted.  Isaac turned 1 month last Saturday.  I could ramble onabout how that seems so very, very impossible.  Poor little guy has onlyhad 1/2 of his Mama his first month here!  I'm trying my best to changethat!  So here's the scoop on Isaac this first month...