Happy (Be-lated) Halloween

I have been putting off posting about Halloween, I don't know why, just a blogging slump I guess. But, here goes! This year I didn't want to buy any costumes. So, for Ethan, we borrowed a Buzz Lightyear costume. We had to borrow the movie too so that he would know who Buzz Lightyear is. After watching the movie (every day the week before Halloween) he could hardly wait to dress up as Buzz. Avery luckily still fit in her costume from last year. It was 3-6 mo. size costume, but it WAS huge on her last year. It fit nicely this year. She was a ladybug, she wouldn't keep her cute hat on though, it had little antennas on it.

Since it's not very possible to go trick or treating in the neighborhood, due to the fact that houses are really far apart. Almost every business offers "trunk or treating". First we went to ISD -Wal-mart (where Papa works), and we trick or treated amongst the cubicles. The kids caught on right away. Avery knew her candy bucket would be used for something she would like, she carried that thing the whole week before Halloween. She needed NO instruction whatsoever to get going. Ethan was mostly preoccupied with the decorations, but managed to fill his bucket nicely. Next, we went to Unilever and trick or treated, and they also had a costume contest and fed us pizza and cupcakes. THEN, we went to our ward "Trunk or Treat". We had great chili, and cornbread, and the kids got to play some fun games and then parade their costumes across the stage. We were beyond tired by the time we got home. OH, did I mention what Jesse dressed up as...A MOOSE! It was hilarious when he walked into the church in full get-up, how many kids ran up to him to give him hugs. It's not like he was even a well known moose, ya know, like Bullwinkle, NO he was just a moose! But he did look pretty awesome. He got his costume from Unilever. Don't ask why Unilever had like 10 moose costumes??? Anyway, enjoy the pics.

Ethan and Avery in a cart they found at Daddy's office!

Ethan immediately found his best friend "New" Ethan (ie Ethan Hughes)

These two are kindred spirits! "New" Ethan could even pass as Woody, we didn't plan that either!

Ethan doing the "cake" walk!

Back to Back with his other best friend Ruby Messick!

Avery, being a good sport about being held prisoner in the stroller! There was way too much chaos to let her loose!

Jesse (the moose), Ethan and Avery in the costume parade!

Good Morning Sunshine!!!

Gotta LOVE the morning hair on the kids! Especially my little princess! What a beauty huh?!

I promise you I did NOT tamper with her hair in ANY way! She REALLY did way up this way! (she had pigtails the night before)

This one is less drastic but still gorgeous isn't she?!

Leelou is having a re-launch party! They are having a give-away for every day this week until Thursday! They've got some great stuff! Good Luck everyone!

Another Ethan Moment! (Journal Entry)

Setting: Eating snack in the kitchen, late afternoon.

Ethan: Mommy, I don't like Daddy-Anta-non.

Mommy: Huh?! Who's Daddy-Anta-non?

Ethan: He's in nursery, I don't like him he's mean to me!


(Now I'm concerned)

Mommy: Well who is he? What did he do to you?

Ethan: Mommy, he's in nursery!

Mommy: OK, what did he do to you?

Ethan: (getting frustrated) NUF-FING!!! (ie. nothing)

Mommy: Ethan, you don't talk to mommy that way. Now, who is this Daddy-Anta-non?

Ethan: (sigh) I don't know!

( So I give up, and go on with planning dinner, and cleaning up snack)

About 10 min later.....

Mommy: (Thinking), that name sounds like Gadianton, maybe that's what he's talking about.

Ethan! Are you talking about Gadianton?

Ethan: Yeah Mommy, I don't like him, he's mean to me, he throws balls at me! I don't like any of them! ( I think he means the robbers)

Mommy: (Now I start testing him to see how much he knows). OK, how about Nephi, Ethan, is he a nice guy?

Ethan: Yeah, he's nice.

Mommy: What about King Noah? Is he nice?

Ethan: No Mommy! He's MEAN!

Mommy: Who else is a nice guy?

Ethan: All of the missionaries, they are nice guys!


So, my little Ethan is actually hearing some of what is being taught. We do read scrips with him each night, and that might help, although we really don't go too in depth. But, here's a shout out to Bro and Sis Hansen!!!



Yesterday we had our primary program for sacrament meeting! It was very well done, and as usual the kids were great! Ethan was paying a little more attention than usual because of the little kids voices, and the singing. He was playing with one of his file folder games, when one of the children said something about the Holy Ghost. Ethan's head pops up and he says (loud enough for 3 rows up AND behind us to hear) "OH, the Holy Ghost is our FRIEND!"



In August we had an Enrichment that we focused on making a variety of things to keep kids occupied and quiet during sacrament meeting. I made a bunch of different file folder games for Ethan. His favorite is one about the word of wisdom. You separate food items either onto a plate for yummy food, and into the garbage go the alcohol, coffee, and drugs. Ethan will often tell me, out of the blue "We don't eat garbage food!". Yesterday, as he was playing this game, he held up the picture of the pills (ie. drugs) and said "Mommy, these are Yucky M&M's". I think I may need to clarify some things for him. I don't want him testing colorful pills to see if they are "Yucky M&M's".

4 Seasons

This morning we went out to play and since it's FALL leaves were everywhere. So, as the kids were playing on the swingset and in the sandbox, I started raking! Ethan jumped in to help (with a pronged hoe) every once in a while. It wasn't long before we had a huge leaf pile. This kids had a blast playing in it. This is something that even if I had had the opportunity as a child I would have refrained. I'm a little OCD when it comes to getting dirty, or the thought of having leaves clinging to my clothing or hair . I actually have to try really hard not to drag my kids out of the leaf pile hyperventilating, watching them play actually was making me feel some anxiety. They were having so much fun though and I got over my issues and took some pics. I think I may have confessed a little too much right now about my wierd-ness. Oh, well!

This big pile was made by raking what is not even 1/4 of the BACK yard! There are still leaves everywhere!

I've lived in AZ nearly all my life and never had the privelege of enjoying what 4 seasons are really like! My FAVORITE is still summer but FALL comes in a close second!

Aren't We Lucky?!!!

Yesterday we decided to take advatage of some of the beautiful hiking trails we have here in Bella Vista. Our favorite one is one that leads to some waterfalls. Avery, of course, LOVED seeing all the doggies along the way. And, Ethan has a facination with waterfalls. It was a beautiful fall day, and since the water was a bit low we were able to climb right up to the top of the falls and almost get in. At one point I picked up Ethan and pretended to toss him into the falls, and Avery gave a little scream and pinched the back of Nana's arm ( she was scared for him). I think this is where we will take our family pics for Christmas cards this year.

Marie-Therese Gown GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

Marie-Therese Gown GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

Celebration City

Craft Fair Fun!!!

On Friday, my good friend Jill and I packed up the kids and headed out to the "world famous" craft fair. We decided on one that was quite the drive, but it was supposed to have pony rides, hot air balloon rides, and some other fun stuff for the kiddos. Unfortunately we were tricked! It took us 2 hours to get there (and like 3 hours to get back due to traffic). However, the kids were great, thanks to Laurie Berkner, and McDonald's. Can you imagine 5 hours of Laurie Berkner?!

HOWEVER...

It was a beautiful day, and we were able to enjoy some wonderful pig races! Where Sam and Ruby's pig won!!! We also got to enjoy yummy roasted corn on the cob, and funnel cake! Each kid got to pick out one thing to take home. Ethan chose a "bobble head" dragon made by a native american lady (too bad he changed his mind half-way home, and decided he wanted the snake instead). Thanks Jill, for convincing him that his dragon WAS cool!!! Avery got a magnetic bracelet, she only keeps it on for a few minutes at a time, but she LOVES twisting her wrist around to look at it! She's such a GIRL!

Avery freaking out when the pigs came out!

Sam, Ethan, and Ruby

The pigs!

It was a long day for us, but REALLY fun! I always have fun with my friend Jill, and even though the crafts were a little disappointing because of the lack of vendors there, it was fun to get out with our friends, and I got to experience my first craft fair, and it was a BEAUTIFUL drive.

I don't want it to get too cold for this!!!

They can be sooooo needy, and drive me sooooo crazy when we are cooped up inside the house. I REALLY don't want it to get too cold to be able to let them play outside. It's been such beautiful weather, and they play so nice together outside. I don't know what it is, but Ethan turns into the PERFECT big brother when we are outdoors :) Avery doesn't feel the need to be held, and she HAS to wear her sunglasses! I hope our FALL weather lasts a little while longer!!!!

Theme of the Week

I have been using http://www.letteroftheweek.com/ to do some preschool activities with Ethan. This week our theme is Rainbows. I had a lot of fun doing research this weekend finding some fun activities to support the theme. Monday I introduced the theme by having Ethan help me make "rainbow" sugar cookies. I love how he gets so excited about stuff like this. He was totally into it, and made most of the rainbow shapes all by himself.

When it was time to put him to bed last night he was really fighting me (more than normal), so I told him that I would make him rainbow pancakes in the morning. It always helps him if he has something to look forward to. Here's what they turned out like!

Another TAG!

I know...my Heavenly Father loves me

I want...to win monopoly at McDonalds

I have...a waffle in the toaster waiting for me

I wish...I had already won monopoly at McDonalds :)

I hate...pie

I miss...family in CA, CO, Utah, Idaho, and AZ

I fear...dying first, dying last

I Feel...relaxed

I hear...the lawn mower, and football on TV

I smell...Carress soap

I crave...chocolate all the time

I search...the Internet for new books

I wonder...what Ethan's going to want to be for Halloween

I regret...nothing!

I love...My wonderful hubby, and two beautiful chillin's

I care...about what others think of me

I always...make my bed

I am going...to see a movie tonight (it's been a while)

I believe...I can do anything if I try

I dance...ONLY in front of my kids

I sing...in the shower to entertain Avery

I fight...if I feel I have to defend myself or my kids

I write...lists for everything

I lose... any game I play against Jesse

I win...when Jesse and I play as a team

I never...get sick of chocolate

I listen...to what my kids have to say and try to respect them.

I am scared...of losing anyone in my little fam

I need to clean...nothing, I just finished

I hope...I can learn to be more patient

I tag...everyone who reads this, and that means you!

4th Picture Tag

Go to your picture file, find the 4th folder and post the 4 picture in it. Explain a little about the picture. Everyone's tagged!

This is an ariel view of Washington D.C. Jesse took a business trip there a few months ago. He gets to go a lot of places, too bad we can't go with him.

P.S. NO CHEATING

FHE Pumpkin Carving

Last Monday we carved our Halloween pumpkin. Ethan is always excited about stuff like this. I hope he always is! I love the face he makes when he first makes contact with the "goop". He chose the spider design for daddy to do, he loves spiders, even though he is scared of them. Avery wouldn't stick her hand in the pumpkin, but she took the goop willingly out of my hand, and then asked for more, by opening and closing her fingers and motioning (yes, I know I am great at reading her own version of sign language). The picture of the actual finished masterpiece is from a week later, so it is a bit shriveled from being outside. I think we may have jumped the gun a little. Maybe we'll do another one next week!

Win a Free Handbag

www.handbagplanet.com is have a free handbag contest. It's totally free, meaning you don't even pay for shipping. They are giving away one free bag every hour for 24 hours until the launch of their new website in 4 days. GOOD LUCK!!!

Right Choices Pumpkin Farm

Yesterday for playgroup we drove about 45 min away, to Anderson, MO to go to Right Choices Pumpkin Farm. We (Ethan and Avery) got to ride the "cow" train (so cute), and we all took a hay ride. Then we had fun going down the long hill slide, playing the duck race game, seeing the farm animals, and playing in the corn box. I should have taken more pics, but I wanted to come back anyway with Jesse, so I figured I would save some picture taking for then. It was really fun, and not to mention cheap. Yeah for Fall, and cooler weather. I am so excited that in the past year I have been able to experience what 4 seasons are really like. What a difference from just the 2 seasons in AZ :) We had so much fun at the pumpkin patch, Ethan has been talking about going back from the moment we left. He even woke up this morning wondering where Jesse was because he had assumed that we would go back to the pumpkin place when "daddy got home". Poor guy! I guess we will have to take him back another time.

***See slideshow below***

Right Choices Pumpkin Farm

Guess What?!

Ethan: Guess what Mommy? I have a pee pee bat!

Mommy: What? (looking around to figure out what he means)

Refer to picture...

Make your own conclusion...

Accountability Board

For Ethan's birthday Nana Conn sent him an accountability board (like a chore chart). First Ethan had to paint it and decorate it. He had a blast, he loves doing "art". And he is excited about doing his "chores", and earning some of his own money ($.25/week). He's only 3 but I figure he can start learning about money, and saving for things that he wants to buy, because he wants/needs EVERYTHING no matter where we are, or what it is (as long as it's colorful). Thanks Nana Conn!!!

NEWS!

I just started teaching violin lessons at a local music studio. I am very excited about it. I had one student in AZ, and I loved it. I am so glad to be back at it. So far, I have one student, he's a college student, and I am excited because he's there for himself and not being forced by a parent. I also like that the studio takes care of getting me students. Hopefully I will have a full load soon. I am happy that I am able to do something in the evenings to contribute to our income and still stay home with the kiddos during the day! Just thought I would share my happy news!

New Swing Set

A few weeks ago we bought a used swing set for $75. They normally run between $400-$500. We thought we were getting a good deal. However, when Jesse went to pick it up it was in pretty bad shape, which you couldn't see in the pics. The wood was rotted in most places, and the rope ladder was all frayed and the bars were broken. Jesse spent 2 weeks replacing all the rotten wood (basically re-building the thing). Ethan was so excited, first to have the swing set, and then to be able to "fix" it, he was out there every night with Jesse "helping". He wore the new giraffe rain boots that Nana Conn, and Aunt Cristina sent him (THANKS guys!). Here are some before and after pics. The kids are absolutely LOVING the new addition to our yard. And, I LOVE that they have more to do outside. Thanks Daddy for all your hard work on the swings, they look great, and now it's SAFE! What a handy guy my hubby is!

By the way, we miss you and can't wait for you to get home (he's in New York this week).

New Swing Set

Real-Real Race Cars

Me and my boy, he's got a real-real race car in each hand.
What's THAT face?
Thinking, I think?
This is our Unilever car (Ragu). Driver Kasey Kahne.

Whats up Ya'll. There is a first for everything???? Right???? This is Jesse and I had a great day with my boy yesterday at Real-Real Race Cars, and Cassandra was procrastinating the blog, so I thought that I would shock everybody and POST, something that I said I would never do. But Here it goes.


For a long time Ethan has loved cars. Go back several blogs ago and you can see the pictures of Ethan with all of his cars on his bed. But I showed him Nascar on TV and he called them 'Real-real Race Cars'. Many of you know that I work for Unilever, and we have many different brands. We have a car on the Nationwide Series, #9, Kasey Kahne. We sometimes get tickets to some of the big races so, I asked the lady in our office who is in charge of getting tickets for events like these if she ever gets tickets for the race up in KC, she said rarely. But, she got several and she gave them to me. So Ethan got the tickets for is birthday and he and I got to go to the races up in KC. As a three-year-old, his attention span lasted about ten minutes,considering the race lasts three to four hours, I knew I had to do something. So, we left in the middle of the race and just came back for the end. We had tickets for today's race too, but there is no way that Ethan would have made it through another day.


It was an experience to say the least. There were normal people there. But I tell you what, there was also a lot of camo wearin', beer drinking, mullet- wearin', cigarrette smokin', cut-off sleeves fannel shirt wearin' folk that were spending a lot of money on nothing...well it was something, but it was what I could have bought at Walmart for 1/4 of the cost, instead of at the gift shop there.


Peace out and let me know what you think of my first blog!


P.S. When Jesse took over the blog for today I got worried, but I am relieved AND proud so, this is Cassandra Conn, and I approve this message!

Where The Wild Things Are

Ethan loves reading books. We pick out a stack for his bedside and rotate them every few weeks because he likes repetition. He has been memorizing stories since he turned 2. We finally recorded him reciting "Where The Wild Things Are".

Stylin'

Avery loves her sunglasses. She will wear them ALL day if she can. I LOVE it! and then when she adds the binki it's just classic!

Ethan and Avery Antics

Another journal entry...

The Teacher and His All -Too Eager Student

A few Sundays ago Ethan and Avery snuck into Nana and Papa's room while Papa was getting ready for church. Papa was in the bathroom shaving when he heard them. Just as he was about to check on them...

Ethan: "No, Avery, don't do that!"

Papa (thinking): "Oh good, Ethan will keep her out of mischief."

A moment later...

Ethan: "Look Avery, you do it like this!"

The Lesson of the day...The correct way to climb on the bed and jump off the end.

This picture was "posed". I did NOT catch them and THEN run for the camera! We have had enough trips to the ER! They sure are happy to be allowed to be on the big bed for a picture though!

The Story about Ethan!

Setting: Monday night family home evening...The lesson is on how to say I'm sorry when we make a wrong choice.

First we talked about what some choices we make sometimes that are not good. Ethan listed, pushing Avery, and biting (he has a thing with coming up behind us and biting our rears, I told you he was weird). I started telling a story about a little boy named Travis and his friend Matthew. Ethan wanted to me to change the boy Travis to him and call him Ethan. So, I did. So the story goes like this.

Ethan and Matthew were really good friends. One day Ethan went to Matthew's house to play. Ethan really liked all of Matthew's toys, and decided that he wanted to borrow some, so he put a few toys in his pocket. The story goes on to say how he took the toys without asking and that was a wrong choice. And it made Ethan feel bad because he was not honest with his friend. Anyway, as I went on telling the story Ethan interrupted me and said " That boy is Ethan Hughes NOT Ethan Conn OK?" Ethan Hughes is Ethan's best friend, poor guy! (Picture below).

So he went from wanting the story to be about him to THAT BOY IS NOT ME. After laughing hysterically for a few minutes, I was actually very impressed by how much he listened and understood about the story. I remember Brendan (Ethan's uncle) would always shift blame, during family prayer when we would coach him what to say, ie, "Please bless Brendan to be good", he would always change the name to Jessica.

A Bendable Stem!!!

I started homeschooling Ethan for preschool a few weeks ago. I found a really great curriculum online (and it's free). It's perfect for our schedule, and Ethan really likes it so far. This week our theme was Jungles, and our vocabulary word is VINES. The definition of a vine...Vines are plants with long bendable stems; they grow along the ground or climb up trees. We put everything we learn each day on a "learning poster", and each day we review what we learned the day before and then teach a new concept. You never really know how much kids are learning until the surprise you.

Yesterday Ethan was playing in the backyard in his sand box, and then he started collecting grass, and branches, and sticks and stuffing them into his cozy coupe. All of a sudden, and I have never seen him so excited. He runs up to me with a long green stem and says, "Mommy, I found a bendable stem". He was so excited that he found a "vine", and I was so proud of him for recognizing it.

I decided to homeschool him for preschool to save money at first, and I am loving it. I have so much fun bonding with him, and he is such a smart kid. He is always surprising me with how much he ALREADY knows.

Head Case!

Last night Jesse and I had a fun date night, at the ER. This is our second trip with one of the kids in the last 8 months. That doesn't seem to be a great record so far.



The First Time... Nana was babysitting, and I had just left and was about 1/2 way to my destination when I got a call, "Avery fell out of the highchair." She landed on her head. We took her to the ER, after a CT scan and lots of $$$ later, fortunately she was OK!



I think...she may have some long term damage. I can seem to get her to understand that not EVERY animal says "woof, woof". Every time she sees a cow she says "woof woof".



The Second Time...Ethan spilled some water on the floor and then slipped in it. He hit the side of his head. He didn't really cry, just whimpered a little, but when I looked at him I could tell he was in shock a little. All the color had left his face, and he was suddenly lathargic. I held him for a while and then we went to take a bath. After the bath he started throwing up, and I knew we would need to take him in. Throwing up after hitting your head is not a good sign. We got to the ER, and he threw up again! Luckily he was fine, of course after lots more $$$ and a CT scan.



While at the ER he kept begging to Please see the doctor. What a weird kid! He also, may have some long term damage. Now, when I ask him a question, he just roars. Is that normal??? He tells me he's The Beast! I think he may watch too many movies!



Thankfully our two little head cases really are OK! I hope our ER streak is over for a long time. Somehow, I think that's not going to be the case. What with Ethan (who always gets the comment, "WOW he's got energy"), and Avery who has been climbing since before she could walk (I'll post some pics of the heights she's acheived.

More from our PRIZE Garden!

We finally picked the last thing from our garden. We got 4 watermelon (this one was the biggest), tons of cucumbers, tomatoes, banana peppers, 3 BIG zuccinis, 2 butternut squash, crook neck squash, green onions, basil, AND jalepenos. We used it all too!!!! Ethan loved helping to pick things from Nana's garden. I think he looks so old in this picture, maybe it's his really corny smile!

Ethan's 3 Year Pictures

Monday we took Ethan to get his 3 year pictures taken. I have to say we probably spent a little too much, but it was really fun, and I think they turned out great! He was really excited to get his picture taken, and besides having to drag him out from behind the backdrops repeatedly he did really good.

Ethan's 3 Year Pictures

I Am A Child Of God

Ethan's favorite song has always been "I am a child of God". He's actually been able to sing it since before he was 2 yrs old, but I have finally recorded him singing it. It's the cutest thing ever ( not at all biased here :) ). Anyway... Ladies and Gentlemen, the vocal stylings of Ethan Conn!!!

5 things I LOVE about my Husband!:
*I love how he is with our kids! He comes straight home from work and hardly stops to set his stuff down before he gets right down on the floor to play trains, cars, etc. with Ethan AND Avery.
*Before he leaves to go anywhere and as soon as he returns from anywhere he comes straight to me to give me a kiss (even before he plays with the kids) J
*He works so hard, and is great at his job! I love how determined he is, and his competitive spirit ( except when playing board games with him) J*He is always ready to give me a break from my daily duties when I need one. And doesn’t complain about it.
* He loves the Lord, and loves the gospel. (can’t stop at 4)

5 jobs I have had:
*Sales associate at Ross
*First Report Rep at Prudential Insurance
*Dental office assistant
*Sonic Drive-In Carhop
*Kindergarten teacher

4 movies I have watched more than twice:
*The Notebook
*How to lose a Guy in 10 days
*Sweet Home Alabama
*The Phantom of the Opera

4 tv shows I watch regularly:
*Friends (re-runs)
*Everybody Loves Raymond
*Jon and Kate plus 8
*Nanny 911

4 places I have been:
*Mexico
*Brazil
*Scotland
*England

3 of my favorite music artists:
*Barenaked Ladies
*Josh Groban
*Natasha Beddingfield and so many more...

4 of my favorite foods:(I'm gonna name restaurants cause I can't choose just one food item)
* Carrabas
* Shogun
* Chik fil a
* and yummy mexican

4 places I would like to go:
*Italy
*Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas
*Jamaica
*Hawaii-again

4 things I am looking forward to this coming year:
*Moving into a new home
*Visiting family we haven’t seen in a long time
*Finally reaching my post baby weight goal
*Jesse hopefully getting a promotion (aka-raise)

4 people I tag:
Anyone who wants to do it!

I Heart the Public Pool!