Thanksgiving program

We were invited to Fielder's school for a Thanksgiving Open House.  Fielder was SO excited but also very inquisitive about how it was all going to work.  We talked quite a bit about how I was going to be in the audience and he was going to be on the stage and I think once he was sure I wasn't leaving, he was happy with it. 

I had been told that Fielder was one of the louder singers in the group and knew all the words.  It was so sweet when we got there (a little late) and all the teachers cheered that he had arrived!   

Sure enough, his voice did stand out and we could hear him singing all the songs.  It was so adorable. He was VERY proud and has been talking a lot about how he saw us smiling at him in the audience. 

4th Birthday Party

Sunday was Fielder's birthday party with the family.  He had been SO excited about his party and then very un-Fielder-like almost slept through it!  Rob went to wake him up from his nap when Andy and Tara arrived and could hardly wake him and then he fell back asleep!  We eventually dragged him out of his (new big-boy) bed and joined the party.

He got some great presents!!  A scooter board and jumpy ball thing from Samara, Andy, and Tara. Ninja Turtles and Spiderman shirts, a talking bear, and The Boy Who Lost His Name book from Mimi and Papa.  And a giant ball pit from Popa and Abu!

We had dinner together and by request, a cake with flowers on it.

 I'd say all the toys were a big hit!  Lots of extra craziness added to the evening!  :-)

The next day Fielder said "that was so nice that they came to my house."  He loved playing with Samara, eating peanuts, cake and ice cream of course, and getting presents!

Happy birthday to my buddy and a BIG thanks to everyone for celebrating his 4th birthday with us!

Surprise cousin visit!

 

We had a surprise visit with Uncle Matt, Aunt Alison, Katie and Jenna Friday night!  (Well, I knew the day before but didn't tell the kids until that afternoon!)  They brought pizza and we had a great time with them.  Jenna is absolutely adorable and Katie is as sweet as ever.  We had really been missing them.  Can't wait to see them again at Thanksgiving!! XOXO

Birthday Boy is 4!

Happy 4th Birthday to my wild, silly, stubborn, sweet, exhausting, and adorable Fielder!  You have made our lives all the more crazy and I wouldn't have it any other way!

Like most mornings lately, Fielder's birthday started super early.  I took as long as I could getting him from his room and dressed....but we ended up starting the celebration alone while Claire and Daddy slept.  He was anxious to open a present - Ninja Turtle cup, bowl, and placemat - and also found the donuts I had gotten for a fun breakfast.

Then we were off to school, passing the hospital he was born in right around the time he was born!  I was a little sad to not be with him on his birthday so was very excited when I got these cute pictures emailed from his teacher!  He was SO proud of his birthday crown and wore it all day long.

Mimi picked him up from school and took him to try SkyZone.  He wasn't too thrilled about it from what I hear and had even more fun looking at the fish at PetSmart.  Then at home, Rob brought Happy meals, per the birthday boy's request. (and of course cupcakes too!)  He made us sing Happy Birthday before dinner and before dessert!

After dinner, he got to open his presents from Mommy, Daddy, and Claire.  A new bike helmet and a big magna doodle!

Apple Picking and UVA Day

Apple picking is one of my favorite fall things.  We went in late October this year and found out we were a little late in the season.  We'll have to remember next year to go sooner!  The kids couldn't reach many to pick, but they were content to run around and "help" once in a while.  I know we came home with several that Fielder had picked up from the ground.

Even though the apples were not as plentiful as we had hoped, we still managed to bring home $50 worth!!  I've been busy making pie, applesauce, and muffins to use them up before they go bad!

Of course, we had to get some apple cider donuts too!!

Then on our way back, we went to the UVA basketball scrimmage game.  It was free and a good chance to see how the kids would handle a game.  In my mind, we would go in right when it was starting so that Rob could have the most time watching the team as possible (knowing Fielder wasn't going to last but so long.)  In his mind, we were going in right at 11 when the doors open to get the best seat.  Soooo......we had 1 hour to kill before it even started.  There was a whole incident over a drink that I don't even want to remember, but we somehow made it through the hour and then managed to stay for almost another hour watching the game.

Claire was having fun taking "selfies" while we waited.

And Fielder was one tired out kid!

Halloween

The big day was finally here!  Fielder has been counting down to Halloween all month long.

They got cards from Mimi and Papa :-)

with money inside!!

We carved our pumpkin together which was quite the experience.  No pictures to document that "quality family time."  Kids got muddy, Claire drew on our patio, no one wanted to help with the pumpkin guts, Fielder wanted to just play with knives,....you get the idea.

I held them off all afternoon and through dinner and they FINALLY got to put on the costumes!  Claire and I decided to jazz up her "Queen of the Ocean" costume so as not to be confused with the other princess in a blue dress!

They had a great night.  They were like 2 little pinballs bouncing all around  and running from one house to the next.

My favorite part was listening to Fielder yell about the candy at each house.  "Oh Mommy, I got a grown-up candy" (I had told him Mounds were only for grown-ups so I could get them all!)  And the best - "Mommy!  Look I got a choking hazard!!  Yay, a choking hazard!"

Goodie Grab at School

Fielder's school had a huge Halloween celebration - the kids loved it and of course there were tons of "goodies" around!

I didn't get many pictures, but my favorite was when the kids did the maze and Fielder only wanted to do it holding his sister's hand.  :-)

Trunk or Treat!

Trunk or Treat is always a favorite!  They love it and they get another chance to wear costumes. Fielder was Mikey from the Ninja Turtles.  (Recognize the turtle costume?  Oh yeah, got my money's worth out of that!)

Claire decided to be a luau girl for Trunk or Treat.  I LOVE this picture that Miss Megan at the Y took!

Fielder even got to see his old buddy Meadow from the Y and they gave each other hugs. Our favorite trunk was the one that the girls from Child Watch did - Candy Land!

lost an eyeball!

Rob digging through Fielder's candy!

Then after Trunk or Treat, Claire and I headed to the Pumpkin lighting at her school (with costume change to be a witch.)  October was really a party-filled month!!  2 parties in 1 night!
The place was packed and all we really had time to do was the hayride and book fair, but she had a fun night!