Fall Break

I am 30 weeks pregnant this week! I am excited to be able to count down the remaining weeks in single digits. I am often switching from uncomfortable to painful these days (particularly my constant pelvic pain) and it is just making even regular tasks difficult. While there are still good things going on over the next two months, I am hoping they fly by because I am ready to have some pain relief and get my body back. I can be a little bit of a control freak at times, and it is hard to be forced to take a step back by my body. I am very grateful that our little boy is developing well, and am willing to suffer a while longer in order to bring a healthy baby into this world. Sometimes I am amazed what I and other mothers are willing to go through for our offspring!

The first few days of the week were pretty typical with grocery shopping, laundry, and playing at home. On Tuesday we made it to story time at the library where the kids did a pumpkin craft and the kids played with their favorite toys- Thomas played with the dinosaurs and Maybrie played with the magnetic paper dolls. On Wednesday I taught preschool, the letter F for feelings. I only had Maybrie and Jakoby because Kade was in Idaho. I borrowed some Mr. Potato Head toys from a ward member so the kids could make different faces, and my kids have been playing with them non-stop all week. Maybrie has also been teaching Thomas how to play "trick-or-treat" since our neighbor brought the kids candy pails/baskets. Thomas has a Winnie-the-Pooh one and Maybrie's is Disney princess. Thomas got in some sword fighting with dad (He likes to play with the vacuum extensions). We took our usual evening walks, soaking up the last of the warm weather... it's awesome that it has lasted so long this year. The kids discovered rolling down a grass hill one night. Thomas was hilarious to watch... he wasn't near as smooth as Maybrie! Michael and Maddie have the perfect little hill in front of their home, so now our kids have yet another reason to want to go visit (as if they don't love them enough already!).

Brian's fall break started on Thursday. The Wilson's came with us to the zoo that morning. Maybrie complained that her ear hurt on our way there, and after the dolphin show and seeing maybe two animals she had a meltdown because of the pain. So Brian and Thomas stayed with the Wilson's while I took Maybrie home. It ended up being 75% crying over the next three hours until her doctor appointment. It was awful... for both of us! Turns out she has a bad double ear infection, poor girl. So now we get to battle her morning and night to get the antibiotic in her... she DOES NOT like medicine. We are glad we didn't try to head out of town for the break now.

Friday Maybrie woke up feeling much better so we took the kids to Pioneer Park in Mooresville (20 mins. away). It is one of our favorites. The kids played on the playground for a while and then we took them down on a nature walk by the stream. It was a beautiful day and the kids loved exploring. Maybrie wanted to be the leader the whole time, and was in a very photogenic mood, constantly wanted to stop and pose for pictures. Thomas on the other hand would not hold still for a second! He was on the go... constantly running off the path to tromp through the tall grass and leaves and collect sticks. Brian made the comment that he needs to take Thomas camping, I have no doubt the boy would love it! We had pizza for dinner and attempted a family movie night with caramel popcorn. We watched maybe 30 minutes of Ratatouille while the kids stuffed their faces with popcorn, and then we finally just turned it off and played "Duck, duck, goose" and wrestled on the floor (Brian and the kids... I played referee from the couch!). Brian and I watched Iron Man 3 after the kids were in bed. We both liked it.

On Saturday we drove 2 hours southwest to a small town called Bicknell, IN for the Kirkwood's Fall Harvest Party. Our friends Chris and Holly invited us to Chris's parents' house for the event (Chris is in Brian's dental class). It was a beautiful drive down highway 67 passing lots of farmland and small towns. Chris's parents have a beautiful home and farm. There were about 30-40 friends and family there. There was a lot of food- chili, hot dogs, nachos, cider, and treats. They had a blow up slide, kiddie ferris wheel, face painting, log ride, hay ride to their pumpkin patch, pumpkin decorating, and ponies. The kids had a blast playing all day. It was a fabulous party, definitely the best fall party we have ever been to. Thank you so much Kirkwood family for having us!

All in all we had another good week and lots of fun with daddy at home for four days. Now it's back to school and a busy test week for Brian and the usual here at home for me and the kids. Though we do have several fun Halloween activities during the next few weeks.

Pioneer Park

Fall Harvest Party at Kirkwood Farms