Giving Thanks...Preschool Style!

Yesterday was like Christmas for me! Landry's preschool class had their Thanksgiving feast and since I was on vacation it meant that I got to be a mommy and go with him to celebrate with all of his friends. :)

 

We had already missed the pumpkin patch field trip, community helpers day, and the Halloween party...because they were on days when I had committments at school that I couldn't miss...and I was feeling really guilty about it. So, I was over the moon when I learned that their Thanksgiving feast was going to be during my vacation. I was definitely more excited about it than Landry.

 

Here I am with my Bubs!

 

As you can see they had the whole spread. Turkey, ham, stuffing, apples, mashed potatoes, corn, gravy, rolls, cookies...and Landry's favorite...pumpkin pie!

Before they ate, each child said what they were thankful for. It was so stinkin adorable...and because I am such a sap...I teared up a bit. Most of the kids said they were thankful for their mommy and daddy. A few of my favorites were the little boy that was thankful for Power Rangers and the little girl that was thankful for pinto beans! :)

 



 

Each child made their own "I am thankful for..." placmemat. Landry wrote that he was thankful for his mommy and dad. On a different project they did in class, he was thankful for his cats...so I was glad we made the list. :)

 

One thing I know for sure...he is definitely thankful for his two AMAZING preschool teachers...

 

Miss Courtney...

 

 and Miss Annette!

 

We are so very thankful for them and for all of the staff at Brighten Academy! From the very first time I walked in the door it felt like a home. Each and every one of their staff members goes above and beyond and you can feel how much they love their jobs. We are so very grateful to know that Landry is in such kind, gentle, caring hands when he is at preschool.

 

Here is Landry's preschool picture from the fall...his first school picture...cue the tears!

 

Today we are off to Visalia to celebrate with my family and then we are headed to Gary and Mary's to celebrate with the Tigh/Lofgrens. We are so thankful for this day to spend with our family and loved ones, our health, and for all of our friends that make our life so much fun! We wish you and your loved ones a safe, fun, and festive Thanksgiving!

 

Just a Morning at the Park

It is vacation...which can mean one thing for sure...Landry and Amy playdate!!!

This morning Landry and I met Erin and Amy at Oso de Oro Park for a morning filled with donut holes, Starbucks, play time, swings, duck feeding, and leaf throwing.

 

It was a bit chilly but this little bear was ready for some fun!

 

Nothing like going down a wet slide to start the morning off right. :)

 

 

I just about died of shock when Mr. Cautious decided to actually get a bit daring and climb on the wall!

 

Nothing beats swinging with your buddy. :)

 

After spending some time on the playground we decided to walk down to the lake and feed the ducks. Landry loves to go and feed the ducks with my mom. The difference is...those ducks are behind a fence...these ducks...not so much!

 

Amy was fearless and went right for them. You can see Landry's stance.

 

Amy had them literally eating out of her hand!

 

Landry quickly retreated to the safety of the bench...and worked as the guardian of our Starbucks drinks. :)

 

Did I mention that these ducks were NOT shy?

 

Time for a donut hole break!

Erin and Amy feeding the ducks at the lake.

 



 

Once the ducks had gone back to the water...on the lake...Landry decided that it was safe to feed them again. :)

 

 

How cute are these two?

 

Love this little girl's face!

 

Once we ran out of bread...Amy and Landry discovered...leaves!

Lots of leaves!

 

We headed back to the play ground for some fun in the sand...

 

and on the teetertotter...

 

and we had to take a picture on the bear before we left!

 

Oh how I love our playdates and adventures together! These two are absolutely adorable together and have so much fun.

 

You know it has been a fun time when both kiddos are crying as we are dragging them to the car...and they are wet and covered in sand and leaves. :)

Can't wait for our next palydate...Landry says it needs to be NOW! :)

Happy Halloween!

Like I said...I'm playing a bit of catch up. :)

 

This year Landry was TOTALLY in to Halloween! He was excited about his costume, pumpkins, candy, decorations, trick-or-treating...ALL OF IT!

 

A few months ago I asked him what he wanted to be...and his choice was...an ELEPHANT!

 

Of course! I should have known that my elephant enthusiast would want to dress up like his favorite animal. Of course my response was, "Really? An elephant...how am I supposed to make that?"

I guess it could have been worse. He could have asked to be his other favorite thing...a vacuum. :)

 

So I went to work, creating what I hoped to be the cutest little elephant. It turned out pretty cute! Of course there are things that I wasn't completely satisfied with...but I did love his little tail. :)

 

Big thanks to Chad's cousin Kelli for giving me the idea of using a pool noodle for his trunk.

 

Cutest elephant I've ever seen!

 

Uncle Ron and Auntie K.K. came by to see him before he went trick-or-treating...

 

and so did Nawnie and Papa.

 

Our family of three...no, I am not expecting...just need to lose a few pounds. :)

 

I took landry around our neighborhood...which was pretty boring and disappointing. Lucky for Landry...we have a "few" friends that love him to pieces and so we headed over to Frank and Sheri's "hood." He had a blast...and he even won the prize from one house of the cutest costume of the night. :)

Pumpkin Carving!

Well, I am a "bit" behind on my blogging. By a "bit" I really mean a lot...but for now I am going to prioritize and then do a "catch-up" blog later. :)

 

This year we decided to get some pumpkins just for carving. It was the first year that we have attempted this and Landry was really excited...even though he didn't really understand what we were doing. Here are he and Daddy...all ready to carve!

(Sorry about the funny angle that makes the pumpkins look HUGE and them look tiny. )

 

 "Is this how is carve it, Mommy?"

 

"What about this way?"

 

 

 Daddy had to step in with the "big boy knife" and show landy how it was done.

 

Watching closely...

 

 

 Look at all that goo in there!

 

Landry was less than thrilled to have to put his hand in the pumpkin and scoop out the goo and seeds. Immediately he said, "Peeyoo! It stinks in dere...it is smewwy!"

 

 

"Dis is yucky...can I have a wipe? I don't want to do dis. My hands are aw yucky!"

 

"No, I don't WANT to do it. It stinks."

 

 

And that is when pumpkin carving turned into this...

 

Yup, he took off on his tricycle and left me with the "fun" job of cleaning out the pumpkin. :)

Once the pumpkin was all clean he decided he would come back and "carve" his pumpkin.

 

He didn't make much progress...but he sure was serious about it. :)

After "he" carved his pumpkin he was so proud and excited to show it off. :)

Here are all three of our pumpkins...carved, lit, and ready for Halloween!