Its been a busy few weeks! One of our good friends and neighbors was on maternity leave with her second daughter, and so we were able to hang out with her a lot before she had to go back to work this week. Thankfully she only works part time so we still get to see her and her two girls often... but it was great just to meet up on a whim. This is her oldest Parker, who just turned 3. Even though she is almost a full year older than Madeleine, she will be in her class when they start school. They really love to play with each other. They are two peas in a pod.

 

Our town had a fall festival and James' school was able to get a booth to promote the school as well as our annual carnival... and to get kids (and their parents) to come by, we did face painting. And it took me over a week to get the paint stain off of my hands and nails. I looked like I had some fungus growing on them. I cant wait till I have to do it again at the carnival in a few weeks. Madeleine has a butterfly on her cheek - she was either thrilled or scared by it.



 

True sibling love, James sharing his milkshake at lunch :)



 

I threw a surprise baby shower for two moms are James' school a few weeks ago. It turned out really great and they were so surprised. Madeleine got to hang out with all the moms and some of the other younger siblings. She really loves to play at his school... she's going to love going next year!



 

Here she is with two of her friends that will all start with her next year. It is really cool to see this group of about 7 kids start coming to school as babies for their older siblings and watching them grow and become school kids themselves.



We went to Columbus last week, and it was a very busy trip - so the only pictures I took were of the kids playing out back of John's Dad's house... on the only day it didn't rain. I think they were just so happy to be able to run outside that they didn't mind me asking them to say cheese!



 

The kids love helping John wash the cars. I think they always end up with most of the water on them!



 

Our neighborhood had their fall festival last weekend, and it was a blast. Pumpkin painting, face painting, bounce house, games and a hay ride! It was a really good time for the kids. And they had beer and live music for the adults. Can't ask for a better Saturday afternoon than that!



 

Madeleine is now in a big girl bed... which has been an adjustment. She is constantly sneaking out of her room and into her brothers. James has been asking for a dinosaur room for months and we finally did it. It actually looks pretty awesome. But he couldn't sleep in his room the night we painted because of the smell, so we let him have a "sleep over" with Madeleine. After a lot of snuggling and giggling they finally fell asleep. They had the best time that night, but were so grumpy the next day that I think it will be awhile before they are allowed to have a sleep over again!



 

Rainy Sunday activity - James of course painted dinosaurs :)



 

I made a tutu for Madeleine's Halloween costume... and of course she's been wearing it constantly. There's a good chance it wont actually make it to Halloween! And yes, she is wearing a shirt that my mom had made for me with my school picture on it from way back in the day. It was laundry day! And yes, I used to wear a shirt with my face on it. Apparently that was cool.



 

Today we went pumpkin picking with James' class! It was a fantastic time. Perfect weather, lots of friends and many laughs. I love Fall.