Fall in Kansas

Every fall, we try to hit some of our favorite Autumn destinations. On one warm, sunny day (note the shorts and tshirts), we headed out with some friends to the Overland Park Arboretum.  The kids love playing in the tall grass maze. 

We also try to visit one of the many pumpkin patches in the area. The Louisburg Cider Mill is one of our favorites. 

 They have...

hay bales for jumping...

...a corn maze for running through...

...a wagon for hay rides...

...pumpkins for picking...

...and fresh cider and doughnuts for eating!

Goodbye Friends!

It's hard for me to say goodbye. It's even more difficult when it's someone you've made a strong connection with. Our friends the MacArthurs moved back home to Utah this fall, leaving a little empty space in our hearts. It affected us all. Jenni has become one of my closest friends — I've always valued the closeness of my friendships over quantity.  Anybody can have lots of friends, but few have friendships that can stand the test of...life. Jenni is one of those people who will stand by you no matter what. I'll miss our late night, last minute movies, commiserating about our hardships, celebrating our little triumphs, trading play-dates and sharing our favorite books. 

Jack will miss "Owie," his best little buddy.

Aidan will miss his big friend Brayden, and their Pokemon-playing sessions.

Mia will miss Reese, who has been her little soul mate for the past 2 1/2 years. Since they've moved, she's asked me that "if you don't see someone for a long time, do they stay in your heart?" She also asked me if she yelled loud enough, "will Reese hear me?" She misses her something awful.

We got together for photos the day before they left, and it was HARD. 

These five little girls have gotten to be such a close bunch.

These three little toddlers have grown up from baby boys together. 

These two big boys have been so sweet to their little sidekick, Aidan.

Jack, Cheeseball Preschooler Extraordinaire!

This just seemed like the right title to this photo...Jack specifically requested this pose for his first-day-of-school snapshot. Preschool has been a mixed bag for Jack this year — his best friend Owen was going to be in his class at Miss Sara's preschool, but then moved away. Which left Jack as the only boy in his class. Some days he's excited about school, some days, I can barely get him out of the car. Once he warms up, he usually gets with the program. As I get to know Jack's personality, I realize he's more and more like his Dad than I thought — Bob has to be talked into stuff, and is sometimes slow to warm up. The other day, Jack told me that he "hates Costco, because there are too many people." It was so totally Bob it was frightening.

Despite Jack's stubborn and slightly grumpy streak, he is such a lovable boy. He tells me he "wuzes" (loves) me "all day" and gives me hugs and kisses on demand. He is fiercely protective of his siblings (even though he's usually responsible for most of their frustration), and has a wicked sense of humor. He'll bust into a karate kicking and chopping frenzy at the most inopportune moments, and I just can't help laughing at it. Why can't he just stay three a little longer?

Happy 6th Birthday Mia!

The day before Mia's birthday, our new American Girl doll store opened at the mall. I decided to surprise her with a visit, just to "look around." Bob and I hadn't decided if we were going to buy her one...they're just so expensive. Turned out that an opening of an American Girl store is a big red carpet event...we had to wait almost three hours just to get in the door. Mia invited Reese, her BFF, along to join in the fun.

Due to the long wait, we went home and got Jenni and Reese's big sister. We had to do some fast talking to get them in since we didn't have extra tickets. 

Mia had enough of the photos and was trying to get out of the shot here...

Neither one of us was prepared for what was in store for us! The American Doll brand is quite an institution! 

 Of course, I couldn't resist, so I put in a call to Bob, and with a contribution from Grandma, we decided to buy Mia her first American Girl doll!

Mia and Lanie

 Aidan made Mia a birthday poster to wake up to, along with all of her presents.

Birthday breakfast! Mia requested sausage, homemade cinnamon rolls and eggs. 

Because we had spent so much on Lanie, I had to think fast and come up with a special present to open on her birthday that was inexpensive. I had some leftover material from a blanket I had Mia a few years ago, so I made a doll sized matching rag quilt.

We headed out to the zoo, one of Mia's favorite places. She's going to be a "zoo keeper" some day. We have a family membership, so we go as often as we can.

We met up with Grandpa Littlewood and Laurel.

Grandpa and Laurel offered us all camel rides. The boys took them up on it right away, but Mia needed some convincing. She finally got on and LOVED it.

After the zoo, we headed over to T-Rex, a favorite birthday spot. In fact, we go three times a year on all the kids' birthdays. Grandma and Uncle David came along.

This girl brings so much to our family. With Mia, there's never a dull moment. There's never a quiet moment either. I love her personality and all her little quirks — she cares so deeply about her friends and family and is so intensely excited about EVERYTHING. Happy Birthday Mia!

Back To School

The night before the kids go back to school, I try to make a special dinner. This year, the kids requested pizza and a yummy ice cream punch drink. We finished it off with the Best Chocolate Cake Ever!

This second grader is growing up way too fast...

Mia has been ready for Kindergarten for the past year...

At school

A few days after school started, the kids were ready to start riding the bus. Mia had been BEGGING me to let her ride it since the first day, but I am a little overprotective. We had a big talk with Aidan about watching over his little sister. A few days later, Mia complained that she wanted to sit by her friends but Aidan wouldn't let her — he insisted that she stay by his side. Big brothers are the best!

I LOVE this photo. I can see Mia's huge smile just from her profile, and Aidan is being protective as usual.