The Fresh Beat Band

Ella and Aidan have loved watching and listening to this kid-friendly band ever since they first started out - back then they were called The Jumparounds.

Today, they are known as the Fresh Beat Band and they have their own show on Nickelodeon. I do actually have to admit that it is a bit of a family favorite, and both Mike and I know all of the words to all of the songs - just like the twins!

So, last night while our beloved Mrs. Paula stayed with Lauren, we took Ella and Aidan on a date to see them live in concert. Simply put - it was so much fun!

After a quick dinner we headed out to the ampitheater....

We had lawn seats, so we arrived a little early to grab a spot to make our own....

....and we got down to the business of singing and dancing along with the band....

By the end of the concert, the kiddos were each sporting a new shirt - their very first ever concert t-shirt (love the tired and sassy expressions - they were not in the mood for pictures at this point of the night!)!

It was a fabulous time and really nice to spend some quality time together!

Ordinary Days

There is nothing like the hint of fall in the air and nice afternoons spent playing outside....

Apples 2012

After an early morning photo shoot, I rushed home just in time for us to head out to our favorite apple picking spot in the North Carolina mountains.  This was our third annual trip, and we once again had an amazing time!

After a nice quiet 2 hour ride up - Lauren had her morning nap, the twins watched a video, I read a book on my iPad, and Mike drove (he LOVES to drive in complete silence)....

....we grabbed a really nice lunch in Flat rock before heading to the orchards....

Once there, the twins were immediately off and about - not thrilled with my desire for photos, thus I captured only a sparse few of them, and typically with a disparaging look of some sort....

...I did; however, have one litttle remaining straggler who was amazed with the process and little enough that I can still keep up with my camera!

After a little time exploring the bamboo forest....

....we capped off the day with a wagon ride.  No apple cider donuts for us this year. Now that we are bound by the twins' school schdedule, we are forced to come to places like this on weekends as opposed to in the middle of the week. That being said, we waited in line for nearly 2 hours and were no closer to the front of the line...and gave up due to a restless little munchkin who was in dire need of an afternoon nap!

Otherwise Entertained

While our first born little lady is doing this each Thursday afternoon....

....Aidan, Lauren and I have been spending time doing this....

There is nothing quite as handy as wearing out three kids all at the same time!

The aftermath and craziness of getting home after 5:30, dinner prep, baths and books is not something anyone in their right mind would willingly like to participate in, but the reward of three children falling asleep within minutes of their little heads hitting the pillows is priceless!

Wordless Wednesday

Family Friday Night

It won't always happen on a Friday night....with a husband who works 24 hour shifts (often back to back) and always has to work at least one weekend day and most holidays....true family nights are few and far between. We have to get creative sometimes at scheduling family time, especially with my now booming business! Typically, if Mike is home, I am not as I am out with other families behind my camera lens.

We try to have movie or game nights whenever possible, and last night was a perfect night!

I think that Ella and Aidan loved the flour even more than the actual pizza, or the movie selection (The Lorax).

I must admit that I am sad that the timing of our fun had to happen after Lauren was in bed, but Mike didn't get home from work until almost 7 PM, and the poor baby just could not stay awake any longer.  Sometime soon we will get her in on the action!

Almost

Almost officially a walker....

Rite of Passage

I thought I could keep her little forever.

Really, I knew in my heart that it was just a pipe dream....but I really did believe it would be just a bit longer before my firstborn asked for this....

Ella has been asking (i.e. begging) for months to get her ears pierced. I have not been too keen on it and I remember it being a really big deal for me when I had it done (though admittedly, I cannot remember how old I was when my mom finally gave in).

"But Mom, Avery has her ears pierced"

"But Mom, dont you want me to be even prettier than I am now?"

"But Mom, I want to wear jewels in my ears like you do!"

So today on a random trip to the mall for nothing even remotely related to ears.....I caved.

Perhaps it was the presence and nonchalant reaction of my husband to her repeated requests. Perhaps it was because it was the end of the day and I am extremely under the weather and barely functional that dulled my wits. Perhaps it was the restless baby and hyper twin brother dancing around that made me lose focus just long enough to let the word "Ok" slip from my mouth.

Or perhaps it was just that I decided that if she is ready, then I am ready.

She hopped up in the chair in her sweet school uniform and end of the day straggly hair with a huge grin, hugging the teddy bear and clutching her "post piercing" lollipop tight....

....not even a flinch as the dots for placement were drawn....

....and as the actual piercing took place....

...my baby girl's eyes became as round as saucers and a brief look of panic came across her face. I hugged her so tight and praised her over and over, fearful that she would suddenly want to undo what cannot be undone.

She never shed a single tear, just clung to me, no more need for the bear for encouragement, asking if she was brave, and how did it look.

I was the one with tears, not Ella.

It's Official - I am a Mom!

I knew that the twins starting kindergarten was the end of one era and the beginning of another for them.

Left behind are the days of pure childhood innocence - the sweetness of preschool and the relaxed  schedule without homework and the freedom to take vacations whenever we chose.

Here today are the 6:30 AM wakeups to rush out the door to make either carpool or the bus, the afternoon rush to after school activities, tardy bells and abiding by the school calendar for dates that we now must plan our vacations around.

I knew all of this going in to it last week.

What I did not know, and was not prepared for, was the overwhelming emotions I would feel with the first assignment brought home by the kids for my signature.

So strange that such a small detail would push me over the edge. It wasn't the insane amount of school supplies we had to purchase (over $200) or the uniform requirement (which I LOVE!). It wasn't even the first day jitters and tears from the kiddos, or watching them walk away from my van during carpool or hopping off the bus in the afternoon.

It was two simple pieces of paper that smacked me in the face with reality.

My babies are growing up and in real school now with real homework and real grades. This is it - the journey to college and adulthood begins now. I know that sounds extreme, and to a degree, it is. But when I think of the bigger picture, the structure for good learning / study habits are set in these early years.

The kids were both so very proud of their very first graded assignment...

...and were quick to tell me that they both made 100, "That is a perfect score, Mommy!". I love that they are so proud, and that the teachers insist upon parental involvement. This is my kind of place!

And before you think that the date on the bottom of Ella's paper is wrong....it is correct. Europeans write the day, then month, then year.

We are so blessed to be at such an amazing school. Not even one full week into it and both Ella and Aidan can recite all of the colors of the rainbow in German and almost have counting to 10 downpat as well.

And the most important thing - they are having FUN!