A new addition...

and NO we're not pregnant. We are officially pet owners again. This time it's a pet hamster named Princess Sparkles. Karson is thrilled to have her very own pet, and I'm happy for her. I decided to veto the decision to "not get a hamster" when she came home last week with a Family Pic-to-Gram which included three boxes: adults, kid's and pet's. Karson, of course, only had pictures drawn in the first two boxes. Soooo, on Saturday, she and I went to Petco. Since, I knew NOTHING about owning a hamster, I sought the advice of the trained staff and purchased a Black Bear (which are supposed to be the most friendly and fun). After buying all the supplies and signing the following statement: I commit to being a responsible pet owner by providing a loving, safe and appropriate environment for my companion, we packed up Princess and headed home. Surely, they didn't notice that I had my fingers crossed behind my back =). No, I hope that Princess Sparkles has a long and happy two years in our home.

A Game of TAG

I must answer the following questions with one word answers (which will be IMPOSSIBLE for me since I LOVE to talk):

1. Where is your cell phone? dunno
2. Where is your significant other? bed
3. Your hair color? brown
4. Your mother? helpful
5. Your father? loud
6. Your favorite thing? sweets
7. Your dream last night? weird
8. Your dream/goal? peace
9. The room you're in? living
10. Your hobby? walking
11. Your fear? stomach-bugs =)
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? working (FT)
13. Where were you last night? home
14. What you're not? running (in the 10K tomorrow)
15. One of your wish-list items? wallet
16. Where you grew up? KY
17. The last thing you did? Facebook
18. What are you wearing? clothes
19. Your TV? off
20. Your pet? nada
21. Your computer? Dell
22. Your mood? sleepy
23. Missing someone? no
24. Your car? mini-van
25. Something you're not wearing? watch
26. Favorite store? Target
27. Your summer? BUSY
28. Love someone? Matteo
29. Your favorite color? purple
30. When is the last time you laughed? everyday
31. Last time you cried? dunno

So, here are a few people I will challenge...
Shannon
Kim H.
Melissa D.
Kim C.

Karson is SIX

My little girl is officially six and no longer little. She and I made cupcakes for her class after school yesterday. She meticulously decorated each cake with sprinkles. I took them in for snack this afternoon and her class sang to her.

We let her pick the dinner venue--Chuck E. Cheese's (honestly, anything sounds better than McDonald's to me). We decided to celebrate on a smaller scale this year. We had a petite cake at Miles's party, and I took her to Toys R Us over the weekend to pick out her gifts. I let her choose what she'd like this year. I wanted to get her a hamster, but her Dad didn't think that was a good idea. Actually, I agree with him on that decision--(a) I am highly allergic to guinea pigs--which aren't the same but who knows??? (b) hamsters are nocturnal and sleep is a high priority in our house (c) the brothers--I'm sure our delicate pet wouldn't last long with them. Sooo, we are the proud owners of a couple of the Puppy/Kitty/Horsey in Your Pocket sets. Karson is inundated with toy sets. It started with Little Peoples, then the Loving Family Dollhouse, Dora's Magic Castle, Littlest Pet Shop, Ponyville (big and small), Tinker Bell Fairies, Princess sets (Sleeping Beauty House and Little Mermaid sets), and NOW the new pocket sets. I'd love to part with some of these sets (and did give the Dora set to a needy family), but I ENJOY them just as much as she does. We haven't tackled Barbie who is my absolute FAVORITE. I had 36 Barbies and 3 Ken dolls growing up. I know what you're thinking...so FEW =)??? No kidding, I was still quietly/secretly playing with them in middle school. I explained to Karson that once you go with Barbie, the other sets are history. Barbie will take over your room. She has her own mansion, Ferrari, pool, airplane, stable, etc. She's high maintenance and requires an "all or nothing" attitude if you own her. Those of you die hard Barbie fans know EXACTLY what I'm talking about. Anyway, back to the birthday girl, I have to BRAG on her for a minute....

We had Parent/Teacher conferences this Monday at school. Karson is above average(reflecting a strong performance) on all her test scores scoring a 7 in reading assesment (phonological, literacy, phoneme-grapheme correspondance, and listening) and mathematics (concepts and communication, process and application). I have NO IDEA what any of those assesments mean, but I am PROUD as a PEACOCK. She will take the same tests in the spring, but her teacher feels she will already be working on a 1st-or-2nd grade level by that time since her scores are already as high as they'll get. Her teacher wrote this on her progress report: Karson has the best personality! She is such a sweetie (not to mention smart and creative)! She is an asset to this classroom. Here are some photos from her classroom party:

Miles's Party

Family and friends gathered at our home this afternoon to celebrate Miles's 2nd birthday. Where, oh where, has the time gone? Every time we have a birthday party, I am simply overcome with emotion for all the loving and caring people God has placed in our path. I feel lucky that my children have all these wonderful influences around them. Here are some fun photos from our event...enjoy...

I made these delectable basketball cookies. It was hard not to eat the entire batch. I found basketball beach balls on clearance at the end of the summer season at K-Mart--two snaps and circle baby. Loads of fun (especially with my Dad involved).

Miles LOVES blowing out candles. I can't believe he is 2!

Karson will turn 6 on Wednesday. We decided to have a petite cake for her at Miles's party. Isn't it the cutest little thing???

2 TWO-Day

You came into my life on Tuesday, October 17, 2006, and I am forever blessed because of it. Thank you God for loaning me an angel. Happy 2nd Miles!!!

Love ~ Mommy

Fall Party CCC

Our church had its annual Fall Party last night at Kirk and Laura Young's home in Richardsville. A special thanks to the Young family for being such wonderful hosts.

The afternoon was JUST perfect for...

eating delicious food...

swinging in the porch swing...

hanging out with friends...

making funny faces...

pickin' and a grinnin'...

and going on a hayride!

Fairfield in an

ACORN shell which is what I spent most of my morning walks collecting. God's beauty, especially through the trees this time of the year, is gorgeous. We spent the week (fall break) in Crossville, Tennessee at Fairfield Glade with the Deaton family. Instead of the arduous task of chronicling our week, I decided to make one long run-on sentence of all our our adventures.

bike & stroller riding, park playing, golfing (maxi and mini), fishing, boat riding, shopping in Crossville and Pigeon Forge, ping ponging, basketball-ing, running, walking, hiking, movie watching (Beverly Hills Chihuahua) , coloring, board/card game playing, eating out, swimming/splashing in the whirlPOOL tub, chowing on junk food, tye dying shirts, Autumn Acres and hanging out with Pap, Nana, Seth, Andrew and Ben

Karson the adventurer who loves to bike, go to the park and wanted to continually go on all the walking trails. This girl doesn't slow down for one second.

Isaac the cheeseburger head who is rarely cooperative for portraits but kept cheesing in all these photos.

Isaac dipping his steakfries in Sweet-n-Low. GROSS ME OUT!

Miles our brave third child. I'm thinking we need a shoe caddy like the McDonald's ones in our home and at church.

AUTUMN ACRES

(kind of similar to Jackson's Orchard)

...lightening fast slide...