October Fun!

October is always a little busy around our house as Ragnar starts up the Rockets season and the holidays begin. The kids and I enjoy getting ready for Fall. This month started with a trip from Daphne for the kids church Primary program. We were so grateful she took the time to come. 

The girls are always glad when Daphne comes for church because she curls their hair so pretty! The kids did great in their program and it went well as a ward primary presidency.
The next week we painted pumpkins for FHE as we prefer that to carving.

They each were definitely different and I enjoy seeing their creativity.

Cavin had to make a pumpkin of a character in a book for school as well. It was a family project and we chose "The Tickle Monster" book. My kids have loved that book since my best friend Stacey introduced them to it. 

Ella also got to go on her fourth grade field trip all the way to Austin, Texas to see the state Capitol and a couple museums. I was nervous for her to go that far alone. They had big greyhound buses they took them on fed them and such and she had a blast! I mean she talked about it for days. I am so glad it was such a positive experience for her. 
As for Halloween this year. We were a little less than enthusiastic. The kids were indecisive about what they wanted to be and I was all for keeping it simple. Cavin decided to be a basketball player and I was glad because he had everything and Deacon was one as well. I much prefer spending money on something they will use again! Ella wore her dance recital costume and Channing her birthday dress of Sophia! It worked out well!

 Ella as a princess ballerina.

 Cavin was James Hardin

 Channing was Sophia the First

And...Deacon was a handsome basketball player.

I sure love these kiddos! We went to the Trick or Treat in the suites at the Toyota Center and it was packed this year. We had fun though and then we hurried to our ward trunk or treat and caught the end. Then on Halloween it was raining. It slowed down so I took the older three kids with some friends out to trick or treat, but it was kind of a dreary day. Another Halloween in the books!

Deacon's 13/14 month pictures!

Deacon is growing and growing! He learned to walk right after her turned 13 months and now he is almost running! He has several more teeth and loves eating most everything. He still loves bread and fruit.

He loves to go under the table and see what is left for him...

Walking can be exhausting!

This is what he looked like after 30 minutes of running back and forth after a ball! Sweaty!

Here is how he spends his time at the dance studio when Ella has dance! Staring at himself and throwing a ball!

And this is his new favorite thing to do at soccer practice! He looks adorable in that chair!

He also is learning to be so helpful around the house...or so he thinks!

I didn't need that laundry in the dryer anyway....

Such a good helper ;)

He has a love for his brother, but Ella is moving up the ranks!

 He has the funniest faces!

Ok Ok I know I'll stop trying to make you smile!

I just love his cheesy grin!! He makes me smile. He is a very happy baby. Last week however he got a staph boil and it was bothering him. Hopefully with several days of the antibiotics we can clear him of those! He loves kicking and throwing a ball and loves balloons as well!

Ragnar's Birthday!

Ragnar is officially 38! We celebrated his birthday over a span of 2 weekends! The weekend before his birthday, his sister Daphne who lives in Baton Rouge, LA was kind enough to invite him to LSU's biggest football game of the year against Auburn. Lucky for him it was also the second hottest game in history ;)

He went up Friday night and then they tailgated Saturday morning and went to the afternoon game!

Go LSU!
The next weekend Daphne came to Houston. We celebrated with some yummy cheesecake!

After cake, the kids went to bed and my parents were kind enough to watch the kids while we went to Top Golf. We brought along Daphne and a friend and the 4 of us enjoyed a night out golfing!

It was a fun evening, minus hearing gun shots not far from us and then seeing several police cars! Ragnar whooped us the first game. Happy Birthday to him!

Channing's First Fieldtrip!

Channing went on her first field trip with her preschool this week. They went to the HEB grocery store. They have been learning about their 5 senses, so they got to go see how the store works, and try samples from the different departments.

Here are the girls in her group. Ellie, Channing, Kaitlyn, Peyton, Cheyanne, and Jane. All adorable girls!

They were trying to guess which fruit was in the bag by feeling it. It was a coconut!

They got to try a delicious cookie from the bakery.

Then they met Fred the Lobster. As you can tell from Channing's face, she was the only one not interested in touching him (much like her mother!)

They practiced scanning and got real money and a 2 item grocery list they got to buy. She had a fun time. They tried pizza, fruit, cookies, milk, and cheese! No need for lunch!

She got this bow from a friend in preschool who went to Hawaii and loves wearing it!

She wanted to be like her brother!

Practicing silly faces like him and all!

Soccer Season is upon us!

Cavin started soccer season a few weeks ago and it is his 6th season. He is such a big fan of soccer and we are glad he has found something he loves.

He has been on the same teamq each year and he has Coach Tory and Coach Roland again. They are the Red Dynamite this year (a name which Cavin proudly chose)

He is big into silly faces lately!

He was chosen as the Eagle of the week the first week of school and also was the DOJO leader of the week! That is a system his teacher uses to track good behavior! 

We love Cavin and are proud of who he is becoming!

Channing started Pre-school!

I have never really been a big fan of preschool. I think it's great for some children and families, but I want my kiddos home! I only get 5 years until they are in school and I want every second! I did a simple Joy School with Ella and Cavin, but let's be honest..it wasn't that "Joyful". Ella and Cavin have always done really well with academics and knew how to read going into Kindergarten. I know you can't compare your children, but Channing is very different from the other two. She is very logical, but doesn't have a great start on her letters or have as much interest in learning. I try and go over them with her, but they don't seem to be sticking! 
My friend told me about a lady who does a preschool out of her home each year. She has a full curriculum and only allows 6 kids each year that are going into kindergarten next year. I looked into it and felt like it would be perfect for Channing. It is still very small and simple, only 2 days a week, yet she has field trips and evaluations and I think it will be great for her. She is so outgoing and chatty at home, but won't say a word to other people. I am hoping that she can catch on to her letters and sounds and be able to really feel comfortable communicating with her teacher and peers. 

I got to take her friend Cheyanne on the first day! They could hardly wait to get in the car!

She wanted to pick her outfit and hairdo! On the way there she said her tummy felt funny. I think it was the first time she has been nervous.

Here is her preschool room and her teacher Miss Lindsay! She has been talking about her all summer since we signed up in February! I have heard great things about her and she is a member of our church, so I know she will be teaching similar values that I would! Even more fun for Channing, her class ended up being all girls! She has two of her friends, Cheyanne and Ellie and then 3 new friends she can get to know, Peyton, Kaitlin, and Jayne! I'm so excited for her! So far she has LOVED the first two days!

Weekend Fun!!!

This past weekend we had a great time! We got to do a couple fun events that the kids seem to enjoy! First we had the Eagle Springs Elementary Fundraiser at the school. It was a Color Fun Run! It was very simple, after all it was a fundraiser, but the kids were able to raise some money for the 4th grade field trip to Austin that Ella will attend this year!

We walked to the school since it's only a half mile away and this was our view! I love it! Ella and Cavin wanted to lead the way, they are such good friends! 

We ran a few laps around the school and then we had the color fight!

I stayed far enough away with Deacon, but the kids had a blast.

 Nice and messy!

 A nice bath was in order!

I'm glad we got to promote some fitness and have a fun time together!

The next day we got to go to the Houston Dynamo soccer game. We left Deacon home with a sitter as the game started really late. It was a fun game and Ragnar was able to get us great seats!

Thankfully we didn't get hit by the ball!

The kids held their attention and it was fun to be so close to the players.

They gave the kids these signs which they played with the whole time!

Fun night together! It was weird with out our little blue eyed baby, but it is much easier to enjoy yourself!

We ended the weekend with a busy Sunday with church responsibilities, but the kids found fun things to do!

These legos are back from Ragnar's childhood days in Germany! His mom brought them here and the kids love them!