Packing care boxes for the troops in Iraq

November 12, 2009 was a great day for us! We went to A’s house and packed boxes for the troops in Iraq. Each mom supplied 24 items of things to put in boxes. The kids drew pictures and made cards for the soldiers over there. Even the moms made some cards. It was a great giving moment! After we packed the boxes, the kids played on A’s stairs. They had a blast jumping from the steps to the floor. I know….not very safe…. but they did have fun!

On our way home, Z asked why the troops were in Iraq. I explained to him we were at war and that the really bad guys attacked our country on Sept. 11, 2001. He continued to ask questions, so I explained it all to him. I told him that we even had old newspapers from that time. When we got home, I pulled up everything I could find from the attacks on the computer and showed him everything. He saw all the terrorists and Osama Bin Laden and understands that he is a bad man. After checking out the computer, we looked through all my old newspapers. He just loves to learn about new things.

Turns out the next day at school, Z drew some pictures of the attacks during free draw time in class. He is so proud of what he has learned and says we will find Osama Bin Laden and kill him. I hope so honey!

Read to make cards for the soldiers.

Z made a very sweet card to the men. He even wrote "USA ROCKS" on his card.

Proudly displaying his work.

Packing boxes.

They turned out very nice! I know the men and women will love them!

Yeah...it isn't safe, but look at the fun they are having!

Look Mom! I can fly!

This picture shows the twin towers and the airplanes going through them and the fire above the towers. Those are emergency vehicles at the bottom of the page.

This was the title of the picture above. On another drawing, he said over 100 died.

Playgroup’s halloween party

October 30 was a super fun day for all the kids in our playgroup. D and I really planned a great event and had many many moms help us out to make this years party even better than last year. We had a face painting table, cupcake decorating table, marble painting table, popcorn glove table, make a ghost table, bean bag throw, touchy feely boxes, mummy wrap, costume contest, costume fashion show, trick or treating, a trick and treat game, and a fishing booth. We even had pizza and drinks for everyone. Those kids played and ran around having a blast. I even dressed up as a ghost and took pictures with the kids. Each kid left the party with a bag full of prizes from all the games and a bunch of candy from all the moms. The moms left with very tired kids!

Cupcake decorating.

Making a popcorn filled glove.

Friends playing the trick and treat game.

Ms. M painting the kids faces.

I was 'ghosty' and posed with M in this picture.

Z helped me work the fishing game.

Z fishing for prizes.

Ms. M wrapping M in a mummy outfit with toilet paper.

Three boys working the fishing game.......this can't be good.

Z marble painting.

Z was a transformer and walking the red carpet for the costume fashion show.

Trick or treating time.

I was one happy mom!

I got a lot of hugs from the kids when they left. This is little Miss M.

Trip to the pumpkin patch

On Saturday, October 17, 2009, some of our playgroup went to the pumpkin patch in Marble Falls. We went there last year and had such a great time, we couldn’t wait to go back. So with our husbands and lunches loaded in the cars, we headed out to the farm. We went with D, T and C’s families. It was such a beautiful day and the farm was busy but not unbearable. The kids immediately started jumping on all the hay bales for many photo opportunities. There was so much to see and do it was hard to decide what would be first. They played for a while on the hay bales, played in pumpkin filled boat and truck, picked out pumpkins, ate our lunch, fed the goats, went on a hayride, picked fresh flowers, ran through the corn maze, painted pumpkins, and stuffed a scarecrow. We even ran into K and her family there. And of course in between all that we took many pictures!

The day was not over yet….we stopped at Dairy Queen for a quick ice cream cone and the stop turned into over an hour because the kids played and I chatted with D and K for a bit. Then for dinner we went to this wonderful seafood place with D and her family. We got home after dark! What a long fun day. And hubby and Z were sunburned from the day at the farm. Sorry for not putting sunscreen on you both.

Posing for the camera while on a large rolled bale of hay!

Hanging out with friends on a beautiful day!

I pick this pumpkin....and that one over there too.....

I will shoot you with my gun gourd.

Posing with the pumpkins. What pretty colors.

Feeding time for the goats. They also loved my carrots I didn't eat from my lunch.

Barking up a tree.....

Time for a hayride!

Hayride with C and J.

Hayride with T and her family.

Hayride with D and her family.

What pretty flowers!! Z picked a bunch to bring home.

Caterpillar and a butterfly. Very peaceful!

Ringing the bell in the corn maze.

Painting pumpkins.

Z and Daddy stuffing the scarecrow.

Ok, so Z played in the hay while hubby stuffed most of the scarecrow.

Putting the scarecrow together.

Time to draw the face.....

Two guys proud of their work!

Now that is just wrong!

Crafts and Bats

Friday, October 9, 2009 was a fun Halloweeny day for us! After school we went to a M’s house for a playgroup craft. We called it a witch craft. Apparently it was a melting witch made out of pudding cups. The kids just loved it and it was so cute! M had so many yummy snacks for the kids and moms. The kids all played very well together and it was a super playdate! Thanks M!

After playgroup, we picked up hubby and went to a Kindergarten field trip to watch the bats fly out from under the bridge at dusk. We got there a little after 6pm. Tons of kinder kids came and Z had a blast running around. There were even a few teachers there and the kids thought that was awesome! Well, after playing until dark (almost, we realized the bats weren’t going to fly so we called it a night. But not before heading to McDonald’s for a yummy/fast dinner.

This is going to be fun!

Check out my witch craft....

I am just going to eat worms....

B is here. She loves to hug on Z.

A classmate, N with little R in the background.

This is L, another classmate.

Not sure if daddy is being scary or just goofy.

You can't hide B.

Another classmate, J.

Ok, it is dark, time to stop horsing around.

Bead playdate at our house

Last Friday, September 18, Z and I hosted a playdate at our house (7 moms and 14 kids). I had a ton of beads and rope necklaces and let the kids create until they couldn’t create anymore. They had so much fun making all the necklaces and bracelets. I had a shoe box lid for each kid to avoid beads from falling on the floor and it worked like a charm. We even had 2 babies down on the floor and there were no bead mishaps with them. After each kid finished their creation, I had them make a sticker and marker and glitter glue picture. I still have glitter glue on my ottoman but those kids had a blast. By the way, all the glitter glue came off my card table. WHEW! Of course there was playing upstairs as well. The place was a disaster so that means there was some serious fun going on. I wouldn’t have it any other way! Everyone left with smiles and beautiful necklaces.

Pulling out letters to make a word on the necklace.

This is what Z put on his necklace. He did it all on his own.

This was the tub of beads after a bunch of kids already made their necklaces.

Picture time. Z made a "Z-Bot"

Some of the other friends making crafts.

Final family fun night at Kaleidoscope Toys

August 14, 2009, was the final family fun night at the toy store. We got to hear Static Correction sing. It was a fun time! After the show, the owner of the toy store had a bunch of goodies to give away. She had a drawing and Z won a prize. It was a game and he just loves to play it! Thanks Ms. T for the fun summer and gift! We can’t wait until next summer!

Introducing....Static Correction.

Having fun with mom.

The prize Z won. This is a fun game by the way!

Great show!

Sheriff and the bike lady…

August 13, 2009 was a very busy day with us and playgroup. Z and I started the day watching some friends while their mom took their brother to the doctor. After breakfast, we headed to the park to a playdate with someone from the Sheriff’s department. Deputy M did a really good job talking with the kids about strangers, safety, calling 911, and rules when riding bikes. Then he let each kid sit in his vehicle. They LOVED that part!

After the sheriff visit, we took G and P back home with us for some lunch. Then their mom and little brother came to visit. Before we knew it, it was time to head back to the park for another playdate. This time it was with the bike lady teaching us about bike safety and stuff. She even set up a riding course for the kids and brought new helmets for everyone. WHEW! What a busy day!

Checking out the vehicle!

Deputy Z at your service!

Friends and Deputy M.

Thanks for the great visit!

Learning about bike safety.

About to go for a ride.

Helmet fitting time.

Anyone can have fun with a tire pump!

Playgroup tour of Krispy Kreme Donuts

On August 11, 2009, our playgroup got to go on another tour of Krispy Kreme. We did it last summer and it was so much fun we decided to do it again this summer. We had such a great turn out. We got to go see how they make the donuts, touch the dough, ice our own donuts, eat tons of donuts, and play. Then after the sugar high, we all headed to Applebee’s for some lunch.  It was such a sweet time with friends

I could eat all of these!

Listening to the man telling us all about the donuts.

What could be better than chocolate icing? YEP, getting to dip the donut yourself!

Tastes great!

Mom's turn.

Getting goofy with friends.

Mr. Puppet again….

July 31, was not only the last day of VBS, but the last time we get to see Mr. Puppet this summer. So a bunch of us from playgroup went to the Family Fun Night at Kaleidoscope Toys and got to see yet another fabulous show! We had a total of 20 people in our group and we all sat up front. And as always, Mr. Puppet changed up the show and we all just loved it! If you ever get the opportunity to see him, YOU MUST GO! He is AWESOME! We are officially groupies of Mr. Puppet. In fact,  Z and A made him some lovely pictures to give him before the show. He actually hung then up in the store for everyone to see during the performance and called attention to them during his act.

After the wonderful show, 14 of us went to The Outback Steakhouse for some more fun and food. It was a great night with friends!

Giving Mr. Puppet his picture.

During the show.....

This is Tiny and he sprayed us with water. Silly elephant!

The place was packed!

Having a blast as usual!

Mr. Puppet and Stinky.

He is sooo funny!

Everyone gets a fun fact card about one of Mr. Puppet's puppets.

Showing off the lovely picture Z made for Mr. Puppet.

Bubble Magic at the library

On July 30, we had some last minute schedule changes due to the rain, but it turned out to be a great day! We originally had planned to work on scrapbooks while the kids were at VBS, then we were going to pick them up from VBS, get a bite for lunch, head to the park to have a playdate with the sheriff ,and then go swimming. But it was raining that day. So we quickly changed plans and went to eat after VBS and played for a while on the Burger Kind playscape then headed to the library for another show. This time it was Bubble Magic. I had never seen anything like it and it was just amazing! This lady dressed as a clown did some fun things with bubbles. Needless to say the kids LOVED it and who can resist bubbles? Then after the show, A and her mommy came over and while the kids played, D and I continued to work on our scrapbooks.

This is the clown. She called herself Heart Throb.

Mom and Z during the performance. He was not thirlled with me.

After the show with Heart Throb.