And the decision was

So, Ashleigh finally decided to go trick or treating and she had a wonderful time. AJ and Ashleigh ended up with so much candy. I cannot believe how much they have. Needless to say, Rick and I will end up eating some of the candy too! (Not that we need it!) Both of the kids had parties at their schools today. AJ had a big party and was able to dress up in his costume! We baked chocolate cakes for the party and AJ could not wait to have one. Ashleigh had a Halloween parade at her school along with a party as well. I think they both enjoy their days at school! Once I got home from work, the kids got ready for trick or treating around the neighborhood! Here are a few pictures from this evening.

Here's a message from AJ and Ashleigh to everyone!

On a final note, for those who always say Ashleigh has me wrapped around her little finger, I have now figured out she also has Rick wrapped as well. This evening when Rick was scolding Ashleigh for getting up so early (4:15 this morning!) and asking her why she got up so early. She looked at Daddy with her big brown eyes and said "I just wanted to give you a hug before you left for work!" What do you say to that?? Neither Rick or I could look at each other because we were having trouble containing our laughter! I just want everyone to see that it's not just me anymore!

Hope everyone has a nice weekend!

Amazing......

I am always amazed at what AJ and Ashleigh can remember and what they can't remember (or maybe it's that they don't want to remember!). I have not figured that one out yet. Every holiday, AJ enjoys watching the Charlie Brown specials on TV. Up until this last year or so, AJ always looked forward to watching the specials with MeMaw and Pop-Pop! Last night, "Charlie Brown's Great Pumpkin Patch" came on and the first thing AJ said was "I want to call Pop-Pop to see if he is watching it! Remember when I used to watch this with them when I was little!" I can't believe he remembers that! It truly is amazing how much they can remember! Now if I asked him something about cleaning his room or homework, somehow, he can't remember anything about that! I really don't understand it, but he is hardly ever wrong about remembering when things happen. In fact, Rick and I generally don't tell him if we are going to go somewhere special or doing something special with him because if for some reason we don't end up getting to do it, we end up hearing about it for quite some time. Or there is a countdown to the number of days until the event occurs. We have already started the countdown to Christmas! :)

Ashleigh had a little accident at school today. When I went to pick her up today, the first thing she told me was that she had an accident. I asked her what happened and her response was, "some little kid pushed her down"! Now mind you that all of the kids in her class are all the same age! But according to Ashleigh that other kid was little compared to her! I think it is really funny how she does not see herself as a "little kid", but other kids her age are "little"! She ended up with a big scrape across her forehead, but not too bad. But of course, it caused drama at bath time. The scrape did not bother her the entire time she was home, but as soon as I was trying to wash her hair, you would have thought I was trying to hurt her. Needless to say, she is completely fine, but a little sympathy goes a long way with Ashleigh.

We are getting ready for trick or treating on Friday. I am going to be leaving work a little early on Friday because last year, by the time I got home, we almost missed the time for trick or treating! Trick or treating around here is from 3 pm - 6 pm! I can't believe it's that early. I think we are also going to try and go the Halloween Party at the Youth Center on base. Ashleigh says she is going to go trick or treating, but she isn't going to any houses that are "scary"! I will let you know how it all turns out! I guess we will have to wait and see! Wish us luck!

To be scared.....or not to be scared!

That is the big question for the kids as Halloween approaches. Both kids are a little bit apprehensive about the different decorations and sound effects of Halloween. Ashleigh has changed her mind daily as to whether or not she is going to go trick or treating. Each day, she has to think about it! Today, she said she will be brave and go trick or treating, but she says she will not go to any houses that look scary. I am sure tomorrow she will decide she is not going. AJ, on the other hand, is to the point that he thinks he is old enough to go into the haunted houses, but is still not quite sure he wants to go. On Friday, AJ went to work with Rick (because he did not have school) and some of the characters from the haunted house on base visited Rick's work. AJ was freaked out, but at the same time was a little bit fascinated as to the "hows and whys". Listening to him describe and talk about what he saw is interesting. I think he understands that most of the stuff is fake, however, he still is a little bit scared of the characters. Rick and I are probably not going to take him to the haunted house because we are afraid that even though he says he wants to go, he will probably change his mind once we got there. Plus, the nightmares that would follow would not be good. :) Nonetheless, the kids look so cute in their Halloween costumes. I think AJ changed his mind a million and one times before he finally decided on.... Ashleigh, on the other had, decided in just a minute that she wanted to be....
Yesterday, the base sponsored a little Halloween party for the little kids. AJ and Ashleigh had a really good time. They got to make little crafts like spiders, pumpkins and some others. They played games and each of them won a prize. AJ got to wrap Ashleigh in toilet paper like a mummy which she enjoyed. AJ did "diving for worms" which is a game where they put gummy worms in the bottom a bowl and top it with whip cream and you try to get the worms only using your mouth (I know you would love that one, Mom!). AJ really enjoyed it, but Ashleigh wanted nothing to do with it. They definitely have different personalities when it comes to enjoying different things. Here are a few pictures from the party.

As you can see, the kids had a great time at the party and got lots of candy!

I will let you know how Halloween turns out. Hopefully, AJ and Ashleigh will have a good time trick or treating as well.

Rainbows and Smiles

Yesterday, right after I picked up the kids, there was this beautiful rainbow in the sky. In fact, at one point there were actually 2 rainbows side by side. The kids were completely taken by how big it was and that they could see both sides of the rainbow. They were talking in the backseat about the rainbow. I always love to hear them talk to each other because it's so interesting to hear their thoughts especially when they don't think I can hear them. AJ said to Ashleigh, "did you see the rainbow in the sky? It means there's money somewhere in the sky that's going to fall!" I think what he was trying to tell her was that there's a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Of course, Ashleigh would believe just about anything he said. So Ashleigh's response to AJ, "no that's where the little green man from Lucky Charms is". I think she was explaining the leprechaun. I was trying not to laugh, but I was having a very hard time with it. Below is a couple of pictures of the rainbow. I wish there was a way I could have capture the entire rainbow in one picture, but like I said it was so big. It was incredible!

AJ has really gotten into building with his Lego's. He spends most of his free time building and rebuilding vehicles, houses and anything else he can think of. I can't believe the table was bought by my parents 3 years ago for Christmas and he is still getting good use out of it. He really enjoys it as you can see.

Ashleigh has always been one to hate wearing hats in the winter, so fighting with her every year during the winter is getting a little old. This year, Rick and I thought it would be a good idea to let her pick out her hat! Wrong idea!!! She tried on quite a few hats, but could not decide which one she wanted. We did end up buying a hat, but not necessarily the one she wanted. It's just a little frustrating! Of course, the thousand watt smile she gives you makes you forget all of that!

Hopefully, they will always have those carefree smiles!

Zoo Time

This past weekend, Rick and I took AJ and Ashleigh to the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago. I can only think one word to describe it....amazing. We spent 4 hours at the zoo and still did not see the entire thing. The kids had a blast. When we first got there, Rick and I debated about whether or not to rent a stroller or wagon, but decided that the kids were old enough to walk. The weather was beautiful and we walked our legs off. We got to the Zoo right after it opened and there were already a ton of people there. I guess that's what we figured since it was 80 degrees in Chicago in OCTOBER!!! Anyway, we had a great time! We got to see lions, tigers, polar bears, monkeys, gorillas, giraffees, zebras, etc. We were a little disappointed because we missed the dolphin show, but were still able to see the dolphins swim around in their pool. It's always so interesting to see through the eyes of the kids because they always have an interesting way of looking at things. They so smart and know alot about the animals. We packed a picnic lunch and eat at one of the picnic tables in the zoo and needless to say we had some visitors while we were eating. I was a little scared that one of the kids might get bit but the geese, but we all survived without any bites or bruises. It was funny to see AJ's and Ashleigh's faces as the geese approached. What a great way to spend the day! We are definitely going to have to go back and see some of the animals we missed.


We also found a great Fresh Market down the street from us. The produce prices are so good and you can find just about any vegetable you can imagine! The kids love the Fresh Market because of the bakery goods. They make the best and freshest bread we have found and the kids love the homemade donuts! As you can see in the pictures. They can't get enough!


Hope everyone has a great week!

Nice, Quiet Week (for a change)

For once, our week was nice and quiet! It truly was a miracle! I don't think we have ever had a week where there wasn't some form of chaos! And the kids each did well in school this week also!

AJ still has a lot of homework during the week, but seems to be enjoying school. His teacher from last year, Ms. May, whom Rick and I both loved, has been having AJ help out in the school garden afterschool. AJ loves doing the gardening. He really seems to understand the hows and the whys of how the garden works! He has been harvesting potatoes, carrots and cucumbers! It's amazing to listen to him talk about it!

Ashleigh has been working on the letters B and C. She is writing both letters now and knows to recognize them on paper. She is getting pretty good about remembering what day is show and tell because Rick and I struggle somedays to remember what day it is! Ashleigh is also very interested in learning how to read. We are going to start working with her to help her read. She has started using AJ's Leapster to play learning games and seems to be doing a good job at understanding everything. We are going to buy her a Leapster for Christmas since AJ's is on its last leg!

Diamond is recovering well from her ordeal also. She is going to get the staples removed this week. I am sure she will be so glad not to have to wear that E collar anymore. She looks pretty pathetic with it on. Although it does not stop her from getting anywhere or anything!

On a sad note, Rick's grandmother (Joe's mom) is not doing well and they don't expect her to make it much longer. She has had Parkinson's Disease for awhile, but was diagnosed with bone cancer a few months ago and was unable to undergo chemotherapy because of the Parkinson's Disease. It's sad, but we are just waiting on the phone call. Rick is going to drive to New Jersey to the funeral. I can only imagine what they are going through! Please say a little prayer for Joe and his mom!

I will keep your posted on what's happening!