So busy!!!

I really didn't mean to go so long between posts, but life has been so busy! I mean really busy. Let's see, I will try to hit the highlights so this post doesn't go on forever.

Thursday night last week our friends came over for some dinner and fun. Hubby came home for dinner and we went and got some Golden Corral. Then Hubby had to go back to work for a meeting. That left just us girls for playing. Whitney's hubby is currently in Iraq.

Anyway, it was getting late, and the girls were still playing really well. Courtney went to come walking into the kitchen, tripped over her own feet and fell flat on her face. Out popped her tooth! The root and all just went shooting across the floor! When Courtney tells people the story she says "it just flew out of my mouth, like a bird!" Of course that resulted in a lot of blood. Whitney scooped Courtney up and took her to the sink while I got on the phones. With one phone I called the dentist. With the other phone I sent Hubby a text message saying "call me now!" He called and talked to Whitney while I spoke to the dentist. Our dentist is so nice. He informed me that he probably won't reinsert a baby tooth, but that he would meet me at the office if it would make me feel better. We decided against it. Once Hubby was home and things were under control Whitney headed out with her girls. It took us forever to get the bleeding stopped and Courtney settled down to the point that she would go to sleep.

The next morning she had a big old fat lip, and she was upset that her tooth was still gone. But that night we found the tooth fairy pillow and put the tooth in there. The next morning she discovered the tooth fairy had brought her $1. So, she was happy.

Friday afternoon we went apple picking with Whitney and her girls. Hubby was able to leave work early to go with us too. We went down to the same place we went last year, the guy's private farm. So fun! It was warm, Kasey rode in my back in the backpack for some of it. Then I got wise and put her down. The ground is very uneven so she had trouble walking, and she wanted to eat and apple, so I plopped her in the shade of an apple tree while I picked apples. She really seemed to enjoy that apple!



The next day was extremely busy. Of course it was September 11, Courtney's 4th birthday. We started our day with zoo preschool. We learned all about tapirs. Very cute. Right after preschool we rushed off to pick up the cake and cupcakes for the party that evening. Meanwhile, Hubby was at home installing our new microwave. Our neighbor came over to help. I guess they had it done in record time, about 30 minutes. So he was able to get his other running around done, like the last minute trip to the grocery store.

Once the girls and I got home, we dropped off the cake and cupcakes and picked up Hubby. We went back down to the main intersection near our house (Vickers and Union) as the Firefighters Memorial Parade was happening that day. It just happened to coincide with September 11th, that wasn't planned. But every year they have a big "parade" if you will. They get fire trucks from everywhere that will send one, then lots and lots of firefighters on motorcycles. This is the second time we have been able to catch it. It is quite moving.


After the parade and a quick lunch we put the kids down for nap. This started Hubby and I preparing for the birthday party. Not only were we having 8 kids, but also all their parents plus a few extra adults. We planned a party plus dinner. So, Hubby was busy cooking and preparing food. I was busy getting all the party stuff together.

We had a Princess Party for Princess Courtney. This included the fact that she and all her friends were dressed up as princesses for the party. We played a few games to start, including one princess game. After that, we did their nails. My mom was able to find tiny princess nail decals. So, my sister, my mom and Whitney used instant dry nail polish, painted tiny nails, and then slipped princess nail decals on too. It was quite cute.

I also had a friend of mine, who is a hair dresser, come and do princess do's for all the girls. So, if the girls wanted to, they could get their hair done up like a princess. After they were all made up, hair done, nails done, we had a princess parade outside. All the adults went outside, and I handed them a packet of glitter on the way out. They lined the sidewalk and I walked the parade outside and through the adults. The adults threw glitter on the girls as they walked by. The girls loved it so much, they went through the adults 3 or 4 times.

After the princess parade was dinner. We had a royal feast of hot dogs and hamburgers. Courtney choose fruit salad and chips to go along with it. After the royal feast she opened gifts and then it was time for cake. Courtney choose cake for the adults and cupcakes for the kids. They were all the same flavor, but that is how she wanted it. I had no complaints! So our toothless wonder is now 4!

The next morning was an early morning for all of us. It was the Race for the Cure! Toby, one of our cadets, spent the night with us and came and did the 5K run. It was a beautiful morning, and it was fun to get out there. Lots of people, as usual, but fun. Here is our team! Yes, Zak's hair is bright pink. He was really easy to spot in a crowd! And Kasey is asleep in the backpack. She sneaked in a quick morning nap.

After the Race we went to my mom's favorite Irish Pub for some lunch. After a yummy lunch, and just about everyone dancing on their little stage with Courtney, it was home for naps. We were all beat. But our day was not over yet.

Hubby had planned a BBQ for his office at our house. So, at 5pm all his co-workers came over. We smoked a brisket, and everyone brought something. It was tasty food. I was beat by the time it was time for bed!

The rest of the week was busy as usual. Hubby left for Boston for the week. I had a lot of MOPS stuff to do. We had another meeting on Tuesday morning. But I also had a few power point presentations I had to get together by Friday morning, plus 2 girls from the team came over on Wednesday night. Plus I made 2 egg dishes and 4 dozen mini muffins to bring as well. I also was able to squeeze in making a batch of applesauce.

Yesterday was zoo preschool, as usual. Our Saturday class is only 3 kids, including Courtney. The other 2 kids were out yesterday, so it was just us! And we learned all about skunks. The cool thing is that the zoo has a skunk named Tiger Lilly. Someone had her as a pet, so she is de-smelled. I love Tiger Lilly and have had the opportunity to pet her many times. But yesterday I got the opportunity to hold her!!! Courtney got the chance to feed her crickets! Live ones, it took her a while to get up the nerve, but she did! I was not able to muster the courage to feed her a live cricket. It was fun!
After class was over, we went to visit Tahoma the moose. For the first time in 3 years I finally got to see him in the water! This was very exciting. I think it's just always been so elusive to see him in the water that it was exciting to finally see it! He is so cute....
Kasey rode the merry-go-round for her first time ever yesterday! She seemed to enjoy it. She has been fighting a cold all week, so she's a bit under the weather and not 100%

Hubby came home from Boston yesterday. He ended up getting delayed a few times and made it home 4 hours later than planned, but he made it home! Well, it's time for us to head to church! Hugs to all of you!