Goodbye, big guy

Today we let our greyhound go. He was 12 years old and just not feeling well anymore. Needless to say, my heart is so sad right now.

Sweet Charlotte drew me this picture so that I'd always remember Pepper.
How could I ever forget?

http://www.ngap.org/gift-of-life-y350.html

Candy Apple

Isn't this tree gorgeous? It's not too far from our house. The colors cascade down from top to bottom, red to orange to yellow to green. It reminds me of a candy apple. Or maybe candy corn? Or maybe I think about candy too much?

Either way...isn't it spectacular?

Poppa came to town

A few weeks ago, my dad came to visit. We had a really fun time. He came in late Friday night and all the kids were already asleep. The next morning, he tagged along to soccer. Soccer games are the time that I most miss my family. I know they would make it to all the kids games and I sit there, watching the other grandparents cheering on their grandkids. It puts me in a funk!

On Sunday, we took a trip to the Vermont Country Store. The kids filled up on the candy and free samples. That's always a big hit. When we got back, we played twister and went to our favorite pizza place (Dad's treat of course. *wink*). I promised Dad no pictures of him playing Twister but I assure you it was a sight to see!

Charlotte, happy to be hanging with her Poppa

Lucy

Lucy and Poppa inside the Country Store (I just realized there are bras in the background!)

Lucy, checking out the penny candy

How many people can you fit in a Hula Hoop? ("You know, for kids!")

The kids and their Poppa (Queen Lucy presiding)

(DAD! He's almost as tall as you!)

Come back again, Poppa. We love you and miss you and wished you were closer.

It must be fall...

....because all I see are soccer balls and apples.

Apple picking....the cool thing is you can eat as many as you'd like. Lucy thinks she's getting away with something!

He's not as sad as he looks here... I think he may have bit into a worm.

Wearing Big B's uniform

Charlotte's very first day of soccer

Growing up

It's been a while, hasn't it? Sorry about that. Sometimes it gets overwhelming to update if it's been a while. I have a month's worth of photos and news so I'll be updating quite a bit in the next few days in order to catch up!

While on vacation, Charlotte said she wanted to get her ears pierced. Since she was born, we've always said that when she was old enough to ask for them, she could have them. Her body, her choice. Well, I guess it was time!

We discussed the process of getting her ears pierced, the good and the bad, as well as how she would have to care for them afterwards. I told her that when we got home, if she was still interested, we'd get them pierced. The first day back she ask, "Can I get my ears pierced today???"

We went on a Momma and Charlotte day. We started it off with breakfast at Friendly's which everyone knows equals MnM's on your pancakes!

Ears, unpierced!

Then we headed off to the jewelery store. Charlotte sat in the big chair and spent quite a bit of time choosing her earings. She was a little nervous and shy. The jeweler handed her a teddy bear to hold. At this point, Charlotte whispered to me, "I don't want to! I don't want to!" I thought she was changing her mind about piercing her ears but she said, "No, I don't want to hold the teddy bear. I'm a big girl and I'm not scared!"


Charlotte flinched during the first ear piercing and I had a moment of panic invisioning her walking around for the rest of her life with only one earing. But she sat up straight and turned her head so the jeweler could do the other ear! She's my brave little toaster.

Ears, pierced!

What a big girl. What a fast 5 years. What a proud Momma.