Kaden's Thanksgiving Program

Kaden & his classmates
Kendall w/ her best baby friends, Sarah and Mallory, wait for the performance by their older sibling.

This is what Kaden wrote about his Thanksgiving traditions and what he is most thankful for. Uncle Darrell, Karson, and MeMe got some love but not no such luck for Mommy and Daddy! :)


Kaden's school Thanksgiving program and party was this morning. They sang several songs but "The People on the Farm Eat Kentucky Fried Chicken" was the hit of the show :)

Christmas Sneak Peek

I couldn't resist snapping a couple of pictures while the kids were all dolled up for their Santa visit.

Santa Visit 2009

Our visit w/ Santa at Phipps Plaza today did not sit well w/ Kendall. She walked right up to him but the moment she sat in his lap the water works began. We couldn't even get a good picture. We finally let her come back to us while Kaden sat with Santa and told him everything on his wish list which we had made into a dvd. Oh well...maybe next year!

Christmas Ornament Craft

Saige & Kaden
Ethan & Kylee

We returned to the Avenues of West Cobb on Saturday for the Learning Express Toy Store free christmas ornament craft. The kids loved making their beaded snowflakes and as you can see from their faces on the pictures they took it very seriously :) We finished off the day w/ lunch at Macaroni Grill and shopping...I'm a sucker for a good sale at Gymboree. We then went to Barnes and Noble to let the kids each pick out a book and play in the kids section.

Sleepover Highlights

Last night my niece Kylee stayed over. I love it when she is here; She is 7 years old and soooo helpful. It's like having a mini babysitter in the house. She kept the kids entertained while I cooked dinner, read the kids a book at bedtime and is currently at the table feeding Kendall a poptart! Kaden adores her and they have played hide and seek, school, video games, house, and raced through the house on other whirlwinds of activity. All the while little Kendall has been trying to keep up with them. I'm tired just watching them in all their activities!

Learning Express Craft Day

Kaden knows the minute we walk in the door of Gabriels where to go to pick out his favorite...the mint brownie!

Saige tried out the snickerdoodle cookie.

Kendall shared strawberry pound cake w/ me and a red swirl sugar cookie.

This past Saturday I took the kids along with my niece Saige and my sister to Jenna to the Learning Express Toy Store at the Avenues of West Cobb for their Make A Plate for Santa Craft Day. Kaden & Saige each colored a beautiful page that will be made into a plate to warm Santa's cookies on Christmas Eve. This is our new favorite toy store and they also host many different events from craft fairs to artists to yoyo challenges. It is our go to for birthday presents and I love that they carry crocs, hairbows, and learning tools/workbooks.

Other upcoming events:

Saturday Nov 14th noon-2pm is make an ornament day a free event for ages 4+.

Sunday Nov 22nd Disney Silhouette Artist Kathryn Flocklen. Appointment only
The Avenue West Cobb

3625 Dallas Highway SW

Marietta, GA

770-422-2228
There is also another location in Woodstock at 2295 Towne Lake Parkway (next to Kroger).

We also ate lunch at one of my all time favorites Gabriels Dessert in Marietta, not far from the Square. I love to pick out selections from their daily vegetables or opt for the chicken salad. But their desserts are out of this world and they offer a huge selection daily. Their must haves are the pound cake and red velvet cupcakes. Kaden's favorite are the mint brownies.

http://www.gabrielsdesserts.com/

The Toy Catalog has Arrived

I remember being a kid and the Sears Christmas Catalog would arrive to my Nana's. That huge book meant the beginning of the Christmas season. My Nana would put out different colored pens for my sisters and I to circle the items we wished for Santa to bring us. It was such a simple thrill and my sisters and I would talk about the toys and giggle and then argue about who was getting what. Even today when the toy catalogs arrive from Toysrus, Target, or wherever I admittedly feel like a kid again. I have sat w/ Kaden each year and flipped through to watch his face and let him point out what he liked. This year I gave him a red pen and said "circle what you hope Santa brings you"...the result was 111 items w/ a big red circle. So of course I asked him to give me his top ten and although even that list keeps changing it reminds me why I love this time of year. The hope and excitement and the pure joy of the season...especially through the eyes of a child...there is nothing else like it and who doesn't love to feel like a kid again even if for just a brief moment.

H1N1 Vaccine

The four of us received our H1N1 vaccines yesterday. Bartow County was offering the shots at the Civic Center and b/c our pediatrician and family practitioner had already given out all doses they had received and were not sure when they would get more of the vaccine we decided to go ahead and get it while we could before the winter hits and we begin our holiday travels. We all received it in the shot form rather than the spray and although I'm a little sore in the injection site we have had no other complications that I'm aware of at this time. I had gone back and forth as to whether I should even get the kids vaccinated but after their previous illnesses and their doctor's advice I decide to go ahead. Unfortunately, when our pediatrician diagnosed the kids with Swine Flu last month there was no test available at the time to make the diagnosis 100% so we were still advised to get the shot...just this past week a new in office test became available...just our luck. Had the kids tested positive they would have not needed to been vaccinated b/c they would have already been immune....
Well at least I know they are protected now.

Please note that I'm only writing about our experience as I struggled w/ whether or not to get the vaccine. I'm not in any way stating that you or your child should or should not be vaccinated.

Carlton Farms Fieldtrip

Pictures from Kaden's annual Field Trip to Carlton Farms in Rockmart, GA. I for one could have done w/out the smells but Kaden had a great time. We feed and pet the cows, donkeys, pigs, goat, turkey and chicken and went through a corn maze.

Fun with Fall Leaves

As soon as the leaves started to fall Kaden has been asking to go outside and play in them. Today I finally got Keith to agree to go and rake together a huge pile for the kids to play in. As you can see from the video Kaden had a blast but Kendall not so much. She kept shaking her hands as if to say too messy and dirty for me. Kaden loved it and played in the leaves until we made him come inside.

Fall Leaves Bring on Big Tears

101 Dalmatians Musical

Kendall's adorable Dalmatian themed outfit is from www.achildscloset.com
Kaden & Kylee

Quick photo before we left the house. Kaden's appliqued shirt is from www.collectionsbytaranicole.blogspot.com

On Thursday afternoon Keith and I took Kaden & Kendall along w/ our niece Kylee to the 101 Dalmatians Musical at the Cobb Energy Center in Atlanta. Getting there was a bit disastrous w/ two mildly sick children and our Mexican fiesta lunch was a bust, but we got to the venue and the kids became instantly filled with joy. We got a good deal on a family four pack and our seats were center stage front row w/ the orchestra below us so the kids could just stand up from their seats and watch all the musicians and conductor, which was a huge thrill for them as well as myself. (I don't think I've ever sat front row for anything and I don't know that I can do it any other way now!!! :)

By far the most entertaining play/musical that I've ever brought kids too. There was even two parts where real live Dalmatians took the stage. Kaden's favorite part is when they did tricks on stage at the end of the show. The musical was part of the Atlanta Broadway series and I believe it is on tour so if it is coming to a city near you check it out.

Make note: when purchasing tickets for events where children are attending make sure to find out if your little ones need tickets. Even if they are lap babies and can not take a seat of their own they more than likely will require that you purchase a ticket for admission.