Finally Fall

While most parts of the country are heading into winter, it finally feels like fall here. Crisp mornings, cool afternoons, plenty of sunshine and the leave are coming down in the bunches.

Kevin got out the blower to round up the leaves in the front yard and Cole was on hand to help -- and by help I mean run through Kevin's pile and do his best to undo whatever Kevin could gather. It's hard to stop him, though. I remember doing it in our back yard when we were growing up and it's one of those memories I think every kid has.

So here he is enjoying himself.




Even Adison got a chance in the leaves (in her new red hat).

Time for Red

Halloween is officially over, and of course all the Christmas stuff is out in the stores. Actually, it was out before Halloween was even over. And while this used to annoy me, I've decided this year to embrace it. I have a list of felt crafts a mile long I want to plow through in November, and the stockings I promised my mom I would finish (last year.....but this year for sure). And it all revolves around one of my favorite colors: red.

I really do love red, even though I don't wear it all the time. It's a happy, cheery color and I do like to get as much use out of it as I can during the holidays. So when I spotted this dress in the Hanna Andersson catalog I just absolutely fell in love with it. I had seen it a few years ago, before I had Adison and thought it was just the perfect winter/christmas dress for a little girl. I think I'll keep my eye on it. I just ordered her winter wardrobe this week since she had nothing and it has lots of red in it...this might just complete it. :)


picture from Hanna Andersson

Happy Halloween!!

Well, it's finally here!

At the beginning of October, we asked Cole what he wanted to be for Halloween. Now, let me tell you Cole does not like dress up clothes of any sort. It wasn't until recently that he grabbed a construction hat and goggles and said he was going upstairs to his room --to try them on in the privacy of closed doors.

So after explaining to him that he can't get any chocolate unless he dressed up, he said he wanted to be a sign. When I asked him which sign, he said without hesitation that he wanted to be a No Left Turn sign.

He was thrilled when he got to put it on for preschool yesterday and today for Halloween. Keeping with the sign theme, we made Adison a stop sign (which is ironic, as nothing seems to stop her...)

The day started off early, 4:50am to be exact. Cole just never went back to sleep so he was good and tired by 5. Which explains why, on the way to Lizzie's we heard snoring from the back seat.



He recovered brilliantly, though, and he and Lizzie giggled through their pizza and were sufficiently wound up by the time it was time to head out the door. They had a blast, and Cole particularly loved announcing to the group that it was time to go to the next house.

The evening ended with plenty of candy and a visit to Grammy's house where he got a hearty helping of candy and plenty of player piano songs thanks to Grandpa.

Glug

There's a new store called Moxie in the area and I am absolutely in love with it. I just want to hug the owners. There's not a lot -- any that I know of -- modern baby stores here in town, and so previously all the neato modern baby things I usually ogle online. But now, I can stroll into this super cool store and try to contain myself as I see all these thing's I'd previously only seen on a web page.

I had some time to kill before going to Cole's preschool party on tuesday and I thought I'd run by and get Adison a little clip for her hair there.

Then I saw this little shirt by a company called Glug and I just fell in love with it. I had some of her birthday money in my wallet, which technically was headed to Old Navy for the recent order, but this was just too special to pass up.

So in conclusion, yes, this post is about a t-shirt. But I totally love it, and I think she does too. Don't be surprised if you see her in it often.

Eager to Help

Cole really has always been eager to help in most things. I love that about him. Now he's 3, so he's not eager to help in EVERYTHING, but most of the time when you tell him you need his help, he's on the job. Especially when you use the "how can I ever do this without you?" tone.

He does so well with Adison, and aside from guarding some of his toys from her grasp, they get along good with the bulk of the credit going to Cole.

This week we had a first though. He announced that he would be feeding Adison her bottle. So I got him set up and he did just that. I was proud of him the full 30 seconds he did it. Then I think the weight of a baby on his lap and holding up a heavy bottle made the moment pass quickly and he informed me he was all done. Adison is still young, but I'm starting to see glimpse's of these two laughing and playing together and it's fun to watch them grow together.

Perfect Day for Pumpkins

This afternoon we went down to the farmer's market to pick up apples, cider, potatoes, sweet potatoes and pumpkins.

It was such a perfect day for it. We packed up our bounty and came home where Kevin carved up his pumpkin, and Cole drew a face on his, which was so good we had Kevin carve that one out too. (so much carving, he ended up with a little pumpkin on his face).

Adison didn't draw or carve, but she does have a little pumpkin, and when you put it in front of her she just beams.

Museum of Science

On our final full day, we drove to downtown Orlando to check out the Museum of Science. It turned out to be worth the 35 minute drive. They had a huge "kid town" just for toddlers and Cole and Adison enjoyed it thoroughly. The rest of the museum was geared toward the older crowd, but we still walked through and had a great time trying everything out, including Cole "milking" a fake cow. It was a super neat place, and a great way to finish out our trip.

The drive home went very well again, and we even shaved 30 minutes off of our driving time. Most likely due to the fact that I was given a turn at the wheel this time.

Show Down

Fletcher challenged Kevin to some pink pong tonight, and I was front row courtside for the show. The elder Spillman definitely has the market cornered on smack talk, although Kevin certainly held his own.

It was a heated match, there were grimaces and shouts, spikes and spins and there was a big winner.

I'm just not going to tell you who it was. :)

Future Academy Award Winner

Adison's fake cry. You can almost feel her pain, can't you?

Happy Birthay Mom! (Nancy, Nana)

Nancy's Birthday is October 23rd, and Kevin wanted to surprise her and celebrate while we were all together. He and Fletcher went out for a magazine and came back with steaks, potatoes, broccoli, and of course, cake.

The surprise didn't last long, because when I asked Cole how the store was he said "we got Nana a cake!!"

From the daughter-in-law perspective, you couldn't ask for much more in a mother-in-law. I'm blessed to be a part of her family, and it's been a treat to get to know her more each year.

Easy Day

This morning, Kevin and Fletcher headed to a local hotel to go to a few National Pest Control Meetings going on here. While they enjoyed that (and they really did, actually) Nancy and the kids and I camped out and took it easy. We walked to CVS to grab some necessities: milk, notepad and markers, two bouncy balls, arm floaties, and one Clifford Halloween DVD. After that it was nap time for Adison, and Pooltime for Cole and I.

The men came home just after lunch and we continued to laze around. I took a nap, and the kids enjoyed some play time with Daddy.

We finished the day at a pizza place, where Cole unknowingly scarfed down spinach camouflaged under cheese pizza.

Exhilirating

Just got this one back today: Taken by Kevin, who was in the first row of "Goofy's Barnstormer", Cole's favorite ride.

The 3-Year-Old Perspective

We bought Cole two disposable camera's for Disney and let him loose. There were no rules, just the freedom to do whatever he wanted.

He got the expected feet shots, finger shots, and self-portraits at a VERY close angle including one up-the-nose shot that I wish I had not seen.

However, he did manage to get some really cute pictures. We were hoping for one keeper a roll, and he came out with more than that so we were pleased. Here's a sampling of his work.




We totally smoked this guy on the wheelchair.

Relax

This vacation is a nice way to visit some neat places, and also just sit and relax and visit. It's been nice for Cole and Adison to have daily time with Nana and Grandaddy too. The house we're staying in has been everything we'd hoped it would be, with lots of space to spread out or be together and we've been enjoying the pool and spa outside too.

The weather will be warmer today, and with the two biggies off our list already, we can do what we want with the rest of our week, doing as much or as little as possible.

More Pictures....

Mickey Mouse's House

This is what Cole called Disney World, and asked the whole trip down, "are we at Mickey Mouse's House, daddy?"

So, Tuesday was our big day. Fletcher & Nancy offered to watch Adison at home, while Kevin and I took Cole. The thought had never crossed our minds, and I'm so glad they offered, she would have been bored, hot, and cranky.

We arrived shortly after opening and had our little plan mapped out on my 3x5 note card. It was quickly scrapped. To our very pleasant surprise, the lines were pretty much zero and we worked our way through the rides for Cole's age, doing every one at LEAST twice.

By far, Cole's favorite was Goofy's Barnyard something-or-other. It was a roller-coaster train, and it looked like it was for the upper age set of 6 or 7. But because it was a train, Cole wanted to ride it. It was FAST. It started off dropping off a big hill and Cole immediately started screaming, but with a smile on his face. It was that kind of smile that could turn into a cry any minute, but he LOVED it and we rode it 6 times in a row. SIX. We had to lure him away.

We hit teacups, Winnie-the-Pooh's honey pot, Aladdin's Carpet Ride, and of course the "fast train". Cole got his picture taken with Mickey, and we just had the best time. We left after grabbing a quick lunch and were home by 2:30. It was just the perfect amount of time and we all had a blast!

P.S. My Baby Girl is 1

Please don't think I'm a horrible mother, but Adison's turned one on the 12th. We didn't have a party because we were leaving for our big trip the next day. A formal party, for which I have done lots of planning, is in the works when we return.

This little girl is just the most fun. She and Cole both are truly special and wonderful kids. Here's a picture of her when she was born, and it's hard for me not to cry when I look at this little girl, so small and fragile, who had a bit of a scary entry into this world. Most of my tears are of pure joy and happiness, and grateful that the Lord blessed us with her, and protected her those first few days of her life. It would be so quiet and boring without her...