Fall Happenings

I love fall. Everything about it whispers fun~ apple orchards, pumpkin patches, cider, donuts, leaf piles, comfy sweaters and yummy treats! I could live in flip flops and tank tops and eat Popsicles all year round, but because I don't have a choice, I embrace the weather change and everything it brings.
 This year the kids and I decided to make a few fall treats for friends and family. We spent a week making them and made a different treat each night. This is how it went- one in the box, one in our mouth...I'm thinking it wasn't the greatest thing to do before bed, but we had a great time. At the end of the week we packaged them all up and made our deliveries.
 
This past week we had a few warm days. We cherished the time and spent every moment outside that we could. We have trees in our yard, but the leaves always blow out. The kids wanted to make a leaf pile, but our pile looked really sad, so we raked both of our neighbors yard and brought the leaves into our yard. I was sure Todd would be more than thrilled with my choice of doing this...oh well!
We also went to Longs to get pumpkins one day after work, but they didn't have any. They told us to come back the next day and they would have more out- they only do hayrides back to the pumpkin patch on the weekends. We had donuts and cider, but I was so frustrated with the whole situation. Who doesn't have pumpkins out right before Halloween and who charges $8 a person (not including the pumpkins) for a hayride...UGH!!!! That means it would be $43 for our family to take a hayride and buy 2 pumpkins- that's crazy!!!!!

This morning we went to our favorite place, Three Cedars! It is such a great place or kids to play, take hayrides, pick pumpkins and take pictures. Jackson has been asking to go there for a couple of weeks, so he was thrilled when we told him we were going. It was a beautiful morning, chilly, but sunny. We picked out a few great pumpkins, played and had donuts and cider. Fun had by all!
Now we are eagerly awaiting Halloween. Fingers crossed for good weather!

Fall Field Trip

Aubrin had her first field trip of the year to the apple orchard. Last year we were still wearing flip flops and shorts. This year we needed hats and gloves for the chilly morning that was waiting for us. I was able to take the day off work to spend the time with Aubrin. Krista called that morning and said that she and Cassie weren't feeling great, so we took Tessa with us. Driving to the field trip and listening to Aubrin and Tessa talk in the backseat and sing along to the radio could only make me smile and giggle. They have become such big girls.
When we got there, we played on the play structure for a bit until it was our turn to take a hayride out to the apple orchard and pumpkin patch. After finding the perfect pumpkins and apples we got back on the wagon. As we were sitting there Aubrin had a worried look on her face. I asked her what was wrong and she said that we needed to get off the wagon and get a pumpkin for Jackson. So off the wagon and back out into the pumpkin patch we went.

Then we headed back to have warm donuts and cider. All of the kids had a great time chatting and being silly. This is the second year all of these kids have been together, so they are so comfortable with each. We had the whole barn with about 10 tables and of course most of them all had to sit at one picnic table, on the same side. Sitting and giggling...the sweetest sound.

Lunch with the Grandma's

I was lucky enough to have a few extra days off the past couple of weeks because of different holidays. Jackson was thrilled that I could take him to the bus stop both days and Aubrin was equally as happy that I could take her to school. When I picked Aubrin up from school on my first day off her teacher told me Aubrin stood up during circle time and said, "I am so excited. My mom dropped me off at school today just like your moms do!" Too cute and at the same time a little heartbreaking that my babe thinks about how other moms drop their kids off and hers doesn't:( On my second day off Aubrin said that after school she would like to have lunch with grandma and great grandma. So we were off to Applebee's- Aubrin's favorite. Aubrin also wanted to stop and get flowers for her.
We had such a great time at lunch. Aubrin told great grandma all about school and wanted to show her all of the words she could write down.
It was a perfect afternoon spent with three of my favorite ladies.

MSU Fair

 I always look forward to the third Saturday in September. The MSU Tollgate Center always puts on the best fair for families. Its a bummer that Todd always has a golf outing on this weekend, but its the annual Brentwood Cup (mock Rider Cup) in our neighborhood and something he looks forward to all year.
This year my mom was able to join us. After Jackson's flag football game we headed into Novi, met my mom and then headed over to the fair. It was beautiful afternoon to spend outside. The fair was packed. We ran into 6 families from my school and also Tony was at the fair with the boys. That was a fun surprise!
We spent a lot of time doing crafts. The kids made dragonflies, painted with fruits and veggies, made spiders out of egg cartons, painted pumpkins, went on a scavenger hunt... it was so fun! Jackson really enjoyed the demonstration on how to make apple cider. He got right in there and got to crank the handle a few times.
 As we were leaving we stopped at the table with all of the veggies they grow right there at the Toll Gate Center. So we picked out a few things and we were on our way.
In a few weeks we are going back to get our family pictures taken there. I was so happy to see that there will be a few great spots.
Today as the Brentwood Cup ended we spent the day with our neighbors at the clubhouse chatting, eating and celebrating our last days of summer together.

First Day of Preschool

Aubrin has been waiting for this day since her last day of preschool in June. This girl loves to be with her teacher and her friends. My kids tend to wake up SUPER early on the first day of school. So it was no surprise to me when Aubrin came in my room at 4:45 wondering if grandma and grandpa were on there way over yet to pick her up for her first day. I said no and she climbed back into bed with me until I had to get up for work. Although it was way too early, I couldn't think of a better way to start my day than cuddling with my little lady and she gushed about her first day of school.
My mom and dad stepped in and happily took Aubrin to her first day of school. Aubrin was equally excited to have them come. She had a great time meeting a few new friends, see her old friends and seeing her teachers. Although we saw Tessa this summer, Aubrin said seeing her at school was so much more exciting and she couldn't wait.

 

When I got home, Aubrin had me sit in our sharing spot and she told me all about her day and how great it was. Here's to another great year of preschool!

Packed weekend full of fun...

This weekend we filled every minute with something. On Saturday morning Jackson had his first flag football game. He was really excited to play his first game on the high school football field. The weather was absolutely perfect. Aubrin of course was more than thrilled that Luca and Reagan were there. She watched the game for a bit, but she found way more fun sitting at the top of the bleaches and giggling with her pals. Jackson did a great job playing in his first game. I'm still not totally convinced that he really wants to be playing, but he gives it his all while he is out there. After the game we rushed home because my dad was picking Jackson up to take him to his first college football game. Jackson was more than thrilled to be going to his first Michigan game. My dad picked him up at 11:30 and they headed to Ann Arbor to tailgate before the game.

 Aubrin and I had plans to head to the store. Although we have already been school clothes shopping, she really wanted to go and pick out a special first day of school outfit. She only had to twist my arm a little:) When we got to the store we shopped around a bit and she found what she wanted. As we started to get in line she said, "Mom, while we are here, can I get an outfit for the 2nd and 3rd day of school too?" Love her! I wonder where she gets these crazy shopping habits from.
Once we got home we had friends over to watch the football games. Jackson finally arrived back home at 9:30pm. He was so thrilled to tell Todd and I about the game and also to show us his new t-shirt and hat grandpa bought him. The first thing Jackson said to me was, "Mom, I went to the Big House today." At that moment I felt that we needed to jump in the car and drive as fast as we could to East Lansing, but I smiled and listed to his excitement. He was so excited that he had a total guys day with grandpa. What a great memory for both my dad and Jackson.

On Sunday we went to the fall fair at Fisk Farm with the DeAngelis family. The kids did crafts, bounced in the bouncy pumpkin, pet the animals, ate a little junk and rode a horse. This is a first for the Miller kids. They were both really excited and loved it!
I love that fall is approaching. There is always so many fun things to fit into the weekend.

First Day of School

 We were all ready for our first day of school on Monday night. We all had our new first day of school outfits out, our bags were all packed and lunches were made. Jackson has been very excited for first grade and to meet his new teacher. He didn't know many kids that were going to be in his class, but he is always up for making new friends and seeing his close buddies out at recess and at lunch. Aubrin didn't start school this week, but she was so excited to spend the week with Julia. Although Julia has been to our house before and watched the kids a few times, this was her first official week watching Aubrin. 
I had such the guilty working mom feeling as I left the house on Tuesday morning. Of course I wasn't able to get Jackson on the bus because I had to be at work, so Julia came to the rescue and took a ton of pictures for me. I think that she has quickly caught on that I like to capture a moment with 200 pictures.  She said that he was so excited to leave for the bus stop and to get his day started.
When I got home from work Jackson said that he had a great day. He showed me a few things that he did at school and said that his teacher was really nice.
Aubrin starts school next Monday...more to come!