Eli has been doing soccer and he loves it. The first game is Tuesday so we will see how it goes. Anyway today after soccer both kids said they were hungry despite the fact that they had eaten before. So daddy asked them if they wanted to go get a special teat before heading home to bed - of course it was immediately YES. However, I then informed them if we did go get something then we would not have time to read all the books before bed like normal. Kiley had no problem with this but Eli however was very torn over the decision and not so sure that a treat of any kind would justify giving up his beloved book time. In the end Kiley convinced him to forgo his book for the evening and we ended up going to Yo Yos a self serve frozen yogurt place. You just get a bowl and put as much yogurt of any kind in you want and as many topping as you want then you pay by the oz. The kids had fun and enjoyed their creations.

Well - it actually feel a bit like fall here this morning and I love it. The windows are open, the music is up, and I am getting some cleaning done. Kiley and I decided to enjoy the weather this morning and we went for a walk around the lake - it was actually a little chilly going into the wind. I love being outside and in nature and so does Kiley - this morning we got to see several deer enjoying their breakfast. I am just hoping that this weather sticks around.

Last night as Brian was mowing he came to the door to let us know that there was a baby kitten in the yard. The kids were thrilled hoping they had lucked into a pet. He seemed very healthy and well cared for. I think that there is a little family between our fence and the neighbors. I gently pushed him back under the fence and have not seen him again, much to Kiley's disappointment. He was kind of cute, but I am VERY pleased he was not abandoned.

Happy Birthday to our beautiful now three year old angel! Today we had a great day just hanging out as a family. We had some pictures taken, went out to eat, and just had some fun.

Daddy got Kiley some roses which she loved and the baby doll that Grandma and Grandpa sent was a big hit too. They sent a lot of doll clothes that I had used on my babies and some I think even worn as a baby - it was fun to go through them and see her playing with them.

This week has seemed to fly by. We had the first parent conferences for Eli, Kiley had gymnastics fun on Monday and music time Tuesday. I had bible study Thursday, Eli had soccor Tuesday and Thursday, and today we had a little party w/Kiley and her little twin friends for her birthday. She was very excited when she woke up and say balloons and streamers and then was over the top excited when she opened the refrigerator and say the cupcakes! We are looking forward to nothing tomorrow but hanging out with my birthday girl and Eli.

So next to the air mattress our #2 toy around here is tupperware containers - the big ones. We have defiantly done our share of moves and in doing so acquired a few containers. The kids love playing with them - especially Eli. We have had a swimming pool, a train, an army tank, a house, a turtle shell, and many other creations I can not remember or did not know of. Today Eli built a house in the living room... (the picture above is today - the ones below are a few of his creations from this month)

Today we took a little trip (30 min from our house :) to an exotic animal ranch. I was not sure what to expect but it was so much fun. They had a couple of monkeys, a bear, some special birds, and a few other animals in enclosures and a large petting area w/birds and lots of goats. After we saw these few things you get back in your vehicle and drive through the rest of it. It is just a HUGE open pasture full of all kids of animals. Every variety of deer, elk, camels, osterage, emus, buffalo, zebra, goats...I do not know what all was there but it was impressive. You drive through and you feed the animals from your car - they eat right out of your hand. The kids loved it. The camels and big osterage where a little much but the rest were great - every time one of the kids saw the osterage coming they would roll up all the windows. Eli got to 'drive' through part of it too so he thought that he was pretty big stuff. We had a lot of fun and defiantly something we will do again.

I was amazed at good all of the animals looked. They were obviously well cared for, however I did have to feel a little sorry for the tiger. He had a large enclosure in the middle of the area w/all the deer and other animals roaming free around him - I would think that would be a little tempting...

Friday Eli's school had a freedom walk around the school. Each class made a banner and walked around the campus. Brian, Kiley, and I all went to walk with Eli's class and it was neat. A small gesture to recognize and appreciate all those who service and sacrifice for our freedoms - THANK YOU!

Wow - I think that I am glad that I do not live closer to the coast when hurricanes are coming in(I am sure everyone does - but anyway)... We have been having rain for the last couple of days b/c of the storm but last night is when it actually came through. Brian said the news said we had around 12 inches of rain last night. It was crazy. Roads where closed everywhere b/c of the flooding and schools where delayed or closed. We got a leak in the kitchen ceiling - it was dripping at a seam and I had to dump the gallon bucket twice in the night b/c it was full and overflowing. Alex came through earlier this season but it was nothing compared to Hermine. I heard that it had something to do with the side of the hurricane that you are on, a couple of small tornado's developed too but I do not think they did damage. It is still raining of course but the sun did actually peek through a little so it does not seem like evening all day. It was not really that bad, but I think more than anything I was just surprised at how powerful the storm can still be so far inland.


Good news is all the water washed up some worms - one of my daughter favorites and she now has a bucket with her pet worms in the garage - she just came in asking if she could take some toys out for them to play with. I convinced her that a rock from the yard would be perfect so she got them a rock and just came back in saying that they were playing now so she would leave them alone...


Kiley enjoyed playing in the rain yesterday morning before the wind picked up to much. This is squirmy wormy one of her 'pet worms' as she calls them :)

Kiley is sitting on the couch in the living room reading a book of nursery rhymes which she is really into right now...

Little Jack Horner sat on his tuffet
Eating his Christmas pie
he stuck in his thumb and pulled out a plum and
along came a spider and sat down beside her
and frighten Miss Muffet away...

kiley's abc book

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