October B.S.

B.S. ... That's Before Simon.

Tim frantically did yard work the entire month knowing how the coming Baby would slow down our lives. He was certain this tree would fall; during every storm he had an ear out for the pending crash. But it's still standing...or leaning in our woods.

October entered with the last day of the county fair. Perfect weather, a small town parade, a few more rides, and a final fair donut to tide us over until next September.

Mommy got serious about making the unicorn Halloween costumes.

Miriam earned a special treat at school for her great classroom behavior. The teacher text Mommy this picture of Miriam enjoying her snack at Mrs. Marshall's desk. She got to choose where she wanted to sit for the day and picked the teacher's seat! Looks pretty pleased with her choice.

Vivian's also been doing very well at school. She's only come home with "green smiles" on the behavior chart which makes her Mom and Dad very proud! 

Mid-month the girls had a Thursday off of school so we went to Indy to visit Aunt Maria, the Children's Museum, and Tim's sister and her family. It was a packed day, but so much fun.

Mommy turned 33 this month. It's funny because most days she doesn't know how old she is...when people ask, she has to really think about the answer. But Miriam ALWAYS knows and answers for Mommy sometimes. To celebrate this birthday, Daddy took the girls to get donuts (still in their pjs). Mommy loves apple fritters and the cinnamon rolls with maple icing. He found an apple fritter with maple icing! Perfect!

Our family group from church got together for our annual hayride and bonfire the same weekend. Very fun, like always. But what really came to light at this event...Vivian's crazy picture face. Somewhere in Viv's brain "Say Cheese" translates into "Show me your goofiest smile!"

Sometimes it's just fun to look through our pictures and laugh at the faces Vivian makes. She's a cutie pie with a great little grin...but put a camera in front of her and it's wildness to the max.

And if birthday and hayride weren't enough for the weekend, we also had the school Pumpkin Festival! Old school carnival games (like a cake walk...we took home two cakes...definitely don't need those!), face painting, prizes, kids in costume, and treats!

Round out the month with some cuddle time with Nana...

At-home preschool theme weeks. Including an All About Me week that resulted in Felicity's self-portrait...

...and a field trip with Vivian's Kindergarten class to the pumpkin patch...

And we're up to celebrating Halloween. Which means Baby's due date has come and gone and Mommy's still very pregnant. 

Felicity's story time Halloween Party...still pregnant...

...A beautiful Saturday at Grandma and Grandpa's...still pregnant.

Miriam in high heels drinking out of a coconut...she's been looking at our honeymoon pictures again...

Sunday, October 30th, Mommy is crafting like crazy. Determined to complete an Advent Calendar for her goddaughter.

Daddy is furiously doing yard work and house projects. All these things must happen now because everyone can feel that "still pregnant" won't last much longer.

It doesn't. 5:04 AM, the last day of October. Finally meeting Baby.

Since that moment Simon has been welcomed by so many family and friends. We can't begin to thank everyone for all the meals and help and cards and happy thoughts and prayers! Adding a fourth child is certainly another level to our chaos. But we're easing in and figuring out a new system around here. And soon we won't remember what life was like B.S.

Chicago Christmas

We took a day trip to Chicago yesterday to visit Aunt Bridget and Uncle Ryan and have the "its Christmas time in the city" experience.

We started off by picking up Bridget and Ryan...complete with a rousing GOOD-MOOORNING-NEIGHBORHOOD honk. Then off to Storytown , a children's improv show. The girls got to help pick the setting, create the story as things went along, and be in the show! The performers clearly just loved having fun.

Tim laughed until he cried, so not just the kids had a good time.

Below the girls are pulling a lever to send a kid down a super big and scary water slide.

Here they're being serenaded on the Lazy River. The tickets were VERY reasonably priced and the girls are still talking about the show, so it was a morning well spent!

We had lunch, drove downtown, walked by St. Peter's just as confessions were happening so we squeezed that in during Advent, then headed to the Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza. This used to be a favorite activity for Mommy and Daddy around Christmas, but this year it was a complete zoo. Mad house. Could not see anything and could only smell weird bratwurst smells. We didn't last long in the crush of people. Next time, we'll probably skip this and actually go to the zoo.

But we did run into this lovely Christmas Princess. We still don't know exactly who she is or what she represents but the girls thought she was magical.

Felicity finally passed out so we walked over to the French Market which improves on every visit. This time we did a cheese tasting and ate treats. Mommy and Daddy shared a caramel-cashew-goat-cheese gelato, Miriam had a blood orange gelato, and Vivian and Felicity shared a HUGE chocolate and peppermint cupcake with a macaroon on the top. So yummy and the best pickmeup before hoofing it back across town to Millennium Park where we took in the Christmas tree, ice skaters, and of course, the Bean.

Aunt Smidge made us dinner so we went back to their apartment, watched Elf, and ate. Daddy packed us into the car and drove the three hours straight home. It was a long day, but we had so much fun together!

Christmas Prep

We made it to Christmas! So let's keep celebrating with a little picture-soplosion of how we got here. At church, the kids made cards for the elderly and we went caroling at a local assisted living home.

Last week, Aunt Bridget came over for cookie making day. Also play/fort-making day.

She's really artistic and did a great job icing the sugar cookies.

Being a house full of girls, everyone (except Tim) got holiday toenails. Felicity is a girly-girl and LOOOOVES having painted nails!

And finally, our girls made the cover of the local United Way Christmas card. It was pretty much a disaster getting them all to sit still and look at the camera. Felicity was actually photo-shopped into this picture, if that's ANY indication of how uncooperative they were.

Kids will be kids. Especially during the most wonderful time of the year.

Throwbacks Saturday (That's a thing. Right?)

Oldest to newest...

June 2012. Blueberry picking. Just because it is still such a happy memory.

10 days ago. When the girls were told to sit still, eat breakfast, and stay out of the way of the construction people at the new house. Because sharing a meal together is part of making a house a home.

Several days ago. Attempted to celebrate St. Lucia Day like the Swedes as part of our theme of the week. Because some themes are not as successful as others. They probably are not any more cultured than they were half an hour before this picture was taken. 

Two days ago. The girls just trying to stay warm at the new house while Mom and Dad are (again) making house decisions. Because safety first is our motto.

Today. (Soooo probably not considered a legitimate throwback, but couldn't resist.) Aunt Bridget and soon-to-be Uncle Ryan got all adorable in Sarah's parents' old MATCHING Christmas sweaters. Because the 70's were a thing of beauty and these two are seriously pulling this look off!

Five days until Christmas! Is your heart ready for Jesus to come?