The Farmer Family: November 2011

The Best Three Days

I deemed the first weekend of November - Potty Training Time!!!! I took off Monday, followed the 3-Day Guide and sent Dave, Caroline and Raleigh to Lynchburg for the weekend. Despite our best efforts, as hard as she tried and as much as she loved her "big girl" underwear it just didn't "click" and we're still in process.

So for three days I cleaned up pee! Pee on the carpets, pee on her bed, pee on our hardwood, but you know what? For someone as OCD as me and for someone that loves things neat and tidy, I didn't mind in the slightest. Why?

Because those three days were among the best I've ever spent with my oldest, it was absolutely wonderful. Only Katie and I, no chores around the house, no errands to run, no WORK . . we played and played and played, loving every minute it of it. "Big hugs mommy. Good girl sharing with Katie. I love you mommy" - I love you too Bucket and I promise that I'll spend quality time with you and Sissy as often an possible, not just when we're potty training!

Our "big girl" underwear!

Raleigh back home, sleeping on the remains of PT.

Busy Saturday

We haven't been back to the Richmond Zoo since our last trip there with Grandma. Katie hid her face most our visit and upon leaving the zoo she let us know that "I'm scared of animals." In your defence Katie, two monkey's attacked each other and gave me a fright as well.

Since it'd been two months and combined with friends from school, I thought that perhaps Katie would now enjoy the zoo. Enjoy she did, the entire time Katie called "come on Emerson, come on! This way guys!" She loved feeding the giraffes, the goats, the deer and was beyond sad when we left.

Caroline wanted to walk, walk, walk . . but our time frame didn't allow it, so you rode instead. You squealed with delight in being up so high.

Katie and Emerson

After the zoo we stopped by the Shelton's neighbors so Katie could see her first horse (up close and personal). I thought she'd be scared, but Katie was all bravery this past Saturday - I was one proud mama!

Colorful Beauty

Recently, every time I drive off the main road and on the back ones towards our home, I'm amazed by the beauty of the leaves this fall. They turned a little bit later this year and their colors amazing! The view from our deck makes me appreciative of Virginia and how much I enjoy the weather and beauty our state has to offer.

Let it begin . . . .

Caroline, You've always known what you've wanted . . and recently you've become a little more vocal to your sister about it. You're not going to take it anymore!!!! Watch out Katie, we're pretty sure your Sissy can hold her own.

Honestly, this picture symbolizes Dave and I to a T! I'm having an absolute melt-down and he's calmly doing his own thing :)

V I C T O R Y!

Ramping up for the holidays!

Arin and Chloe came over this past Friday afternoon for a play date, it's a little early, but I saw a Gingerbread House set earlier that day in Target and couldn't resist. The girls had a lot of fun decorating and EATING their hard work!

Caroline "decorated" the snowman that came with the set :)

Trick or Treating - Rain or Shine

Almost time . . .

Katie and Caroline's classmates Emerson and Archer came to join us Trick or Treating. You couldn't have asked for a better duo since Emerson was Mickey Mouse!

Ready to go, ready to go!

The weather had been perfect all day, right up until six o'clock. The four kids bundled up, umbrellas in hand and off we went . . .

. . . to our first house!

And sadly that was our last house with Emerson and Archer. It started raining even harder and since the girls didn't know what they were missing we decided to let them just play inside.

About 15 minutes after our guests left and 10 minutes after Sissy was put to bed, David starts yelling, "the rain stopped, the rain stopped, here's her chance." Thankfully Katie was still in costume, I picked her up and we raced out the door.

At our second "first" house trick or treating.

As we came down the driveway, Katie looked at me and goes "another house mommy? Which one has candy?" I knelt down and said "Katie, tonight is Halloween, they ALL have candy." She took my hand with the biggest smile and kept saying "another house mommy, another house" after each one. Well . . . until we hit about 15 houses, after that she just wanted to sit on her front step and eat what she collected - happy as could be!

Going back out with Daddy

Enjoying her loot!

Upon picking up Katie from school the next day she asked excitedly if we were going trick or treating that evening. No doubt there, after the second "first" house she's hooked and will completly understand what she's missing going forward!!!!!

H A L L O W E E N - Primrose

Primrose School Parade - Caroline's Classroom (Young Toddlers)

Katie's Classroom (Early Preschool One)

What the heck is going on!

Caroline's class took a walk immediately following the parade, our little pumpkin!

Later that day I ventured back to Primrose for Katie's Halloween Party. After the morning parade they gave the children a choice to keep on or take off their costumes - NO WAY was Katie taking off hers! After seeing all her school friends in masks and dressed up all day, she was no longer scared of any costume. Trick or Treating here we come!!!

Katie's "Friends"

Cupcakes!!!

After all that sugar there was no problem obtaining a big smile :)

WELCOME HALLOWEEN 2011

We headed over to Bethia UMC on Sunday evening, October 30th, to do a little trunk or treating. Caroline, now fully mobile, loved it because she could walk, walk, walk to her hearts content! Katie on the other hand was a bit scared of the costumes and was very happy to sit by the car and eat candy.

Our Family