Stuff and Things

Yet another trip to the ZOO!
  Augi REALLY REALLY wanted one of these stuffed elephants. She has asked for one the last three times we have been there. So, I suggested she save her money for one. She had diligently and relentlessly earned enough quarters to buy one. Of course, I had to buy Emmett's, so Augi decided that she saved enough to pay for 1/2 of hers and 1/2 of Emmett's. Whatever works! She is a sweet sister.

I don't think we have any pics by the famous water fountain, so I was sure to get at least one...

Augi pulled out her posing skills.

Em was veeeerrrrry interested in this part of the gorilla.

That's what I get for nursing my kids until they can drive.

Em practicing his vampire look.

Good thing we ran outside for some fun in the fall leaves. It freakin' snowed last night and today! Ug. I'm not ready for snow just yet.

So, Augi was begging me for another party. I agreed to let her have a

"Halloween Tea Party" with her BFFs, as long as she promised to plan the entire thing herself. Well, she did it. She was born to be a socialite. Too bad she was born into a poor family! She found a picture of a cupcake-caterpillar in a magazine, so I helped her put it together. She wanted to serve Rum, but we agreed Applejuice was a better choice. The little vampire, princess, bug, witch, and cool guy were as excited as could be. It was a hit, and the preparation for me was minimal. Whew. One party down.

So, we have decided to head to England. I am nervous and excited at the same time. I really don't know what to expect from now. The clinic director told me he would notify the placement company if I am interested. I told him yes, I want to accept the position. They have to complete a security check and credentialing. Then, we will be ready to go. I know it won't happen before January, but we are hoping to be there by February. So much to think about, like where to live and where to send Augi to school. What to pack, what to leave, what to do with our house, when to quit my job...

I am feeling sad about leaving a job I love, but I think the experiences for Augi and Emmett are going to be worth it. Two years will go by before I know it.

It's Official!

We are heading over the pond. No date yet, but not before January. I have to start all the lengthy paperwork. We'll get a place with a guest room...so start saving your pennies and come visit!

Slacker

I thought I had better get a post on here before Halloween arrives. Too many projects, too little time!
What is happening around here? Nothing much--just considering a move across the freakin' pond!
I am planning a ginormous yard sale. Do people have yard sales in the cold weather? Hmmm. Something to think about!
So, here are the latest pictures and happenings...

Last weekend we went for a little walk on the mountain to collect fall leaves. I whipped up a little adventure bag for Em and he was delighted, to say the least. I put a tape measure in it and he was running around measuring everything.

I am trying to introduce Augi to "hiking" very slowly. She is definitely my child. She complains the entire time--and we only walk around the parking lot. Then, afterwards, she tells me how much she loved going. Silly girl.

Em, on the other hand, is an outdoorsy kind of guy. He could stay out all day and night and never make a complaint.

We spotted a black panther. This little guy followed us around the entire time. He seemed to be quite enamoured with Nanny. The feelings were not mutual.

So, the next day we went to the zoo with our good friend Kris. She is going to be a grandma soon! She and Don will be the greatest grandparents ever. I have another Chris friend and when I talk about one of them, Augi says, "The one with kids, or the one with Don?" The kids loved showing off for her.

One of Augi's shots.

 This week was the open house at our local fire station. Our friend Chon invited us out. We would have felt more special if it weren't for the giant billboards inviting everyone else for a month before the event. Anyway, it was crowded. We did get to ride a fire truck, crawl under smoke and out a window, watch a helicopter take off, and watch a room burn to the ground. Em is still very concerned about the fire. He was saying "fire" tonight and looking very worried. This is the only picture we have from the event because we couldn't put the kids down to take any pics. Darn.

Today we made a Jack-o-Lantern. It was my first. I am quite proud of the creation. Augi was willing to dig right in, although she doesn't look so excited in this picture. Em was not interested. He said, "Ew. No." Em had an accident today. He tripped or fell down the back stairs--not sure which. He has a huge goose-egg on his forehead. Poor guy.

So, life goes on as usual around here. I start my new job with the district November 2. I am not ready to make the big announcement about England yet, but it is looking more and more likely every day. I got cold feet last week, but I am over that now. If Chris can do it, I most certainly can.

Shhhh...he's hunting wabbits!

Em is delighted by chasing the poor bunny.

Woo-hoo!

So, I received a request today to interview with the clinic in England. One step closer...OMG. Panic is setting in.

Goodbye September

I can't believe September is over. I know a lot of you hate September, but I like it. September is just a slow, easy month. Nothing to plan, nowhere to go. Last weekend I left my computer at work by accident. It was really wonderful to be without a computer for a couple of days. I discovered that my world won't collapse without my laptop. I have to admit, we have several other computers around the house, so I was able to use one when I needed it. But, it is always such a time sucker.
September gave us these ginormous sunflowers! Augi has been in MusikGarten since before she could walk. Em just started this semester. Miss Amy always gives the kids some sunflower seeds at the end of the year to plant over the summer. We haven't had much success the last few years, but this year we got some great flowers. We pulled the seeds out, but then I left them outside and they got all soggy in a rain storm. Oh well...it's all about the process, not the product--right?

We went to a local farmer's market and picked up some yummy corn on the cob.

I have been working on my crafty skills. I made these cute little dolls from clothes pins.

I am quite pleased with them! Augi and Em love them. Especially Emmett. It reminds me that children don't need flashing lights and noise to have fun. I have been clearing out as many of the electronic toys from our house as possible lately. My children are spoiled with toys. Thinking about moving to England has me wanting to down size my life--whether we go or not. Simplify is my new motto!

This is just a funny picture of Augi creating her own little warming tent with her poofy dress over the heater vent.

Okay. I am bugged. I just downloaded the latest version of Picasa. It won't freakin' save my rotated picture. I am too impatient to try to figure it out right now. I am including this anyway!

It was UEA break this weekend, so I had 4 days off. I scheduled way too much for my kids. We all had fun, though. On Thursday we did our errands, then we went to the zoo for a harvest festival. The place was packed. As we pulled in to the parking lot I tried to talk Augi into going somewhere else--the park, the aviary, Disneyland, etc. She was not interested. So, we literally parked 1 mile away from the zoo. When we got in there we realized that the activities were lame, so we bagged the harvest festival and just enjoyed the animals.

On Friday we went to the farm with Addie, Connie, Sully, and some other random kid they brought (can't remember his name). Emmett was in heaven here. He loves animals, tractors, dirt, and climbing.

It was his kind of place.

Sully is camera shy, and this is about the best I can ever get of him. Stinker.

Em was a maniac in the treehouse. He has no fear. He just climbed right to the top and looked out the window as he called, "Maaaaaa!"

Because my children weren't completely overstimulated, we decided to try out the

Enchanted Woods friday night.

It is a non-scary Halloween event for little kids. I let Augi pick a "date" and she invited Dayton. She asked me to call it an "outing" rather than a date. It was a lot of fun! The kids went through the museum as a group and listened to different characters from fairytales. At each area, they got a treat for their bag. They got musical instruments, candy, masks, pencils, and all kinds of fun things. Em had a 45 minute screaming tantrum at bedtime. I think he just needed to blow off steam after too much fun.

Augi and Dayton at the beginning of their "outing." Augi told me tonight that she doesn't want to talk too much about the date because then all the boys will want to go on dates with her.

To top off our fun weekend, we got to celebrate

Dayton's 5th birthday!

The little car is always a hit with my kids.

Yes sir, that is a bouncy house in the background.

Greatest party ever!!!!

So, Augi and I were lying in her bed tonight talking about our weekend. We reviewed all of the events of the last 4 days. Augi said, "I'm gonna do all those things with my kids."  That melts my heart. Some days, like today, I question my choice to work outside the home. I can't believe Augi is four years old. I hate to miss anything as she grows. I want to be the mom that takes her to school and picks her up every day. I want to take Em to music and not stress about working an extra hour to make up the time. I love these children and I hope they have a happy, memorable childhood. Despite my desire to stay with them, I have to remind myself that working really is a choice. If I want to stay home with them, I can. We would figure it out. (We might not be able to eat, but that's beside the point!) I love my work. I have found a wonderful caregiver for them when we can't be there. There are things my children benefit from with Sarah that they would never get from me. (Like homemade cookies!)

I just wish I could slow down the clock.

I want to hold all of these moments with my children in a little bottle so I can take them out whenever I want!