Happy Veterans Day!
To those who have served, thank you for your service for protecting
our nation and our way of life.
For the wives, husbands, mothers and fathers, and children of those who have served,
thank you for your service and for protecting our nation and our way
of life.
Brandon's mom and dad got Jordan a recorder (remember playing your recorder in elementary school!? Ah, the good old days!). They played it for her but she doesn't quite understand that you're supposed to BLOW into it. This is HER version of how to play the recorder
Since I'm having some issues with the camera USB cord and uploading photos, I'll just share some funny Allison stories.
Yesterday at lunchtime we were driving home from the grocery store. She yawned a BIG yawn and then said, "Mommy, did you hear my big yawn?"
Me: Yes, pumpkin. That was a big yawn. Are you tired?
Allison: No, Mommy! That was a wake-up yawn!
THEN, after naptime, she picked up this big gingerbread man that is part of a matching game based on Candyland. She was running around SCREAMING, "GIN-GERbread man!" For the life of me, I couldn't figure out what in the world she was doing. Then she came running into the office and said, "Mommy, I have a gingerbread man in my ear!" Sadly, that explained it all. (If you don't already get it....watch this video...)
Ahh, 3 year olds. :)
My friend's daughter is an aspiring artist. She's working for a scholarship right now. Please go vote for her picture!!
http://www.brickfish.com/Pages/PhotosAlbums/PhotoView.aspx?qsi=23151749
Last weekend we went to Zoo Boo on Saturday. It was okay but I don't think we'll do it next year. The Zoo was PACKED and we just didn't feel like it was worth all the hassle of getting there. Brandon's boss and her husband had gone the weekend before and he said it wasn't very exciting (so I'm glad I knew that and didn't have my expectations set high). They also said to get there EARLY because the parking lots filled up FAST.
They had a few Trick or Treat stations set up throughout the zoo, a giant mural for the kids to color, a couple of booths with temporary tatoos, and a pumpkin patch. Brandon liked the Species Cemetery (species that have gone extinct).
Of course we rode the carousel!
The girls were a little out of it so we didn't stay too long after lunch. Allison was upset that Sean and Lindsey weren't able to meet us there (they drove around for over 30 minutes and couldn't find parking so they left). Plus, we took a different route out (because of the pumpin patch and trick or treat stations) so we skipped the monkeys. Something Allison realized when were in the parking lot, halfway to the car. It was okay, but we've definitely had more fun visits to the zoo on just regular days. The girls did have a lot of fun playing on the playground and Jordan LOVED seeing the elephants again. And Sean and Lindsey came over for dinner later, so they were happy to see Baby Ethan!
But I think next year, we'll skip Zoo Boo. At least now we know.
We had our playgroup Halloween Party last Friday. It was a TON of fun! We couldn't stay too long but the girls still enjoyed themselves.
I tried a new recipe - pumpkin spice cake. Instead of making it in a bundt pan, I made it in a mini muffin pan that are mini bundts (they are like bite size donuts). I made a homemade cream cheese frosting and put Halloween sprinkles on them. I'm bummed I forgot to take a picture because instead of 1 big Bundt, it made 75 little ones. That's right, 75. I don't normally do low fat when I bake but I LOVE this recipe. I've made it twice now and both times it turned out WONDERFULLY. I used Splenda the first time and regular sugar the second time. To be honest, I didn't notice much of a difference. I really liked it both ways.
Here's Jordan getting ready. She was not a huge fan of wearing her costume. I think the shoes made her slip a little and then she'd get caught in her dress trying to stand up.
She's trying to take it off. :)
Allison didn't want her picture taken, so she thought I was taking a picture of monkey (hence the bizarre face).
Brandon came home from work a little early and was able to go with us. 
We tried to get a group picture of all the kids. You ever tried herding cats? I'm pretty sure that is exponentially easier than trying to get 15-20 kids from 1-5 to sit in one spot and look at a camera. Jordan is showing off what a bee says (she makes raspberries).
The mom who hosted the party LOVES Halloween. Her house looks like she bought out the Halloween stores. It's AWESOME. She also has her degree in early childhood education and so she has TONS of books. She's doing a Halloween storytime for the kids (well, the ones that would sit still. Notice how Jordan is absent rom this picture!)
She was with Daddy, smelling the flowers!
The kids also played outside and jumped on the trampoline. I was busy helping Allison with her snack while Brandon was outside with Jordan, so I didn't get any pictures of that. We had to head home because we were watching Allison's friend Nora that night. The girls had a ton of fun though and Allison will still tell you, "There were 2 Ariels at the party." None of the other costumes seemed to make an impression on her! :)
Here's more proof that Jordan is just like Michael.....
They wear their hat the same way! :)
