Fall Festivities

I feel like October was over before it even began, but we have successfully fit in all the fun traditions and made sweet memories. The weather has cooperated, and it actually feels like fall.

The fall fair had to be moved until this past weekend due to rain in the forecast for the original weekend. I was in charge of the raffle baskets again, so Daddy hung out with Jacob while I sold tickets all day for our school. Jacob must have worn himself out because after a few hours of riding ponies, exploring the jumpies, and rolling around in a huge inflatable ball, he told Jay he was ready for a nap. Tuttle and Maggie did their own thing all day. They loved the freedom, and we loved that they are old enough to fend for themselves at school events.

Our Halloween was made complete when the kids found they had been "booed." The cookie kit and Sour Patch Kids candy was a bonus! I guess if you complain to your friends at school enough that you have not been "booed" yet, a mom friend finally hears your pleas and makes your kids happy. :)

Halloween would not be complete for Jay and me until we competed in our annual pumpkin carving contest. We played hookie from church and got to work on some award winning pumpkins. Both projects were very impressive this year, but social media has spoken, and the Harry Potter pumpkin (Mommy's work!) is the winner for 2018. 

We scheduled family photos months ago with our favorite photographer, Stephanie Madison, and yesterday was our appointment. It was the prettiest fall day of the season, and everyone cooperated (even Jacob). I cannot wait to see how Stephanie worked her magic once again!

The fun continues this week with Red Ribbon Week at school filled with activities and dress up days as well as Jacob's Halloween party at preschool. 

I feel like we are running a marathon right now, but at least we have three really cute cheerleaders along for the race. A majorly handsome running partner helps, too. :)

Happy Fall, y'all!

Sweet Sister

I had Maggie's student led conference today. Part of the time was spent looking at graded work, and our first grader shared a book she wrote in class. I am always amazed at the love she has for her brothers. To be honest Jacob's party was very minimal compared to many of my planned activities, and it melts my heart that it was so special to her.

One of my greatest joys as a mommy is watching the interaction between my babies. Even if it is not always this sweet. :)

It's Potty Time!

Although our little boy was not thrilled at the idea initially, I moved forward with potty training this week.

Tuttle and Daddy went to Madison this past weekend to help Grandmommy, so Jacob and I ventured to Target to pick out new underwear while Maggie was at a birthday party. He was very deliberate in his selection and finally settled on Spiderman. He could not wait to show Maggie, and our amazing big sister was so encouraging!

Saturday evening he did not want to put on a diaper to go to bed. Maggie came out about 20 minutes after bedtime and told me Jacob had taken off the diaper and was trying to put on his underwear. We made a compromise that he could wear his underwear over his diaper. He then insisted on wearing ALL SEVEN PAIRS over his diaper! :)

Jacob loves his underwear and had no shame wearing it to the park. 

Yesterday things seemed to click, and he told me several times that he needed to go. The candy incentive might have been the main motivation, and he quickly learned that he could go just a tiny bit multiple times to get more candy. He is too smart for his own good!

Jacob also visited the dentist for the first time in underwear without an accident. Unfortunately he did have his first public accident at Chick-fil-a later, but I think it made him more aware which was not a bad thing.

This morning he woke up and immediately asked for underwear and wanted to wear it to preschool, as well. I wanted to keep the momentum going even though it was a little premature to sport them to school. I packed an extra change of clothes just in case. I will be amazed if he is still in his original outfit when I grab him at noon!

I cannot believe I am potty training my last baby. He is growing up way too fast!

Fall Break Fun

We packed in so much fun during our short fall break. Tuttle was literally figuring out how many days until his next break at breakfast this morning.

Mary Marshall and I bought tickets to a local circus last minute after hearing about it from a friend. After all The Greatest Showman hype this year, the kids were thrilled to see a circus in person. It was a small production set up in the mall parking lot, but it was absolutely amazing! I loved how intimate it was, and the performers did it all from setting up the tent, to the concession stand, and running the entrance and entertaining the guests before the show began. 

We hope the Venardos Circus returns next year!

Sunday was filled with church and working on the house. Jay put together the dining room including hanging the chandelier and multiple pictures. Prior to the renovation, we never used the dining room. Now it is my favorite room in the house!

We wrapped up fall break with one of my favorite days of the year- apple picking at B.J. Reece Orchards in North Georgia. Mary Marshall and I piled all the kids into my car for the trek to Elijay and met up with the Baldwin and Mullaley Families. It was such a great group, and the weather cooperated and finally felt like fall!

We packed out bags full of apples, visited with farm animals, and zoomed down the big slide multiple times. I left with apple doughnuts and four individual apple pies (which are already gone!). 

I cannot get enough of all these fun fall memories with my babies!

Fall Staycation

These three amigos have earned a well deserved fall break until Monday. 

We do not have any big plans, but we are fitting in a few annual fall activities even though the weather is not cooperating with the hot temperatures. 

Today we ventured to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens to walk through the scarecrow exhibit. Both Tuttle and Maggie gave the "Indiana Bones" scarecrow the highest marks. Maggie also liked the Girl Scout scarecrows since she is a new Daisy.

Everyone (especially Mommy) is looking forward to a lazy day tomorrow. No homework, piano practice, sports, or chores. Life gets so crazy with three kids, so it is essential to recharge when possible.