Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween and Reformation Day for those LCMS folks out there!  We went to the Willis' house for our annual Halloween Chili Dinner and Trick-or-Treating event.  As the kids are getting older, they are starting to take over the house and with all the candy, the house was even louder this year!  However, we all enjoyed ourselves and the kids crashed after bath tonight!

THANK YOU, Grandpa Ron and Grandma Debbie!!

Preschool Fall Party

The girls had their Fall Party at preschool yesterday.  I wasn't able to attend since Natalie had her Physical Therapy appointment and siblings aren't allowed to attend parties this year.  We arrived at school and were going to practice walking and just wait for Sissy and Gracie to be dismissed, but  Mrs. Greene saw us talking to another family and invited us in for the last 15 minutes of the party.  I was glad to be there for a tiny bit and watch the girls in their school element.  Here are a few pictures-they are just getting too big!

Happy 18 Months, Miss Natalie

Natalie is growing by leaps and bounds!  It's hard to believe 2 years ago she was around 13 weeks along in my tummy.  Oh, let's not forget how sick I was either!  We are so thankful God blessed us with her and her little personality is blossoming.  I love watching all my babies interact with each other and she definitely holds her own with them.

You might recall, Natalie began physical therapy in August.  I'm happy to report we graduated from PT yesterday and while we were sad to say, "buh-bye" to Miss Wendye, it will be nice to have our Thursday mornings to play together.  Natalie is walking, but they are a tiny bit concerned about her stance, and the pressure she puts on her toes.  We will check in with Dr. Bays and let her decide if braces are needed.

She is starting to really take off with her words.  She has several in her toolbox and like most 1 year olds, we are the only ones who understand, but she does like to talk-hmmmm-who does that remind you of?  She is definitely very animated when she talks.

We see the doctor in 2 weeks and I will update her stats at that time.  Miss Wendye at Children's Mercy seems to think she's super short, but we will see what Dr. Bays says at her 18-month visit.  In the meantime, here is a picture of my sweet pea.  (I know, rear facing until 2 years, but that law wasn't in effect with my BIGS and she no longer screams and cries when I put her in the car seat-I'm choosing my battles).

Pumpkin Patch and Carving 2014

Well, Fall is really upon us and we are enjoying every minute of this season.  It seems like our weekends are packed with activities, but how can you NOT enjoy the festivities of Fall and all the season has to offer.

Last weekend, we went on an adventure to Kearney, Missouri for our annual Pumpkin Patch excursion.  My sister and I wanted something a little different this year and decided to test out a new pumpkin patch. We were pleasantly surprised by Fun Farm and will definitely return next year.  Here are a few pictures from the day-it turned out to be a gorgeous day!!

The next day we ventured over to the Ranes' house for our annual pumpkin carving event.  I was a horrible mommy and didn't take any pictures.  I was too busy painting a BLUE pumpkin (GOOOO ROYALS) for Kianna and Natalie, along with chasing a cute 18-month old.  There is always next year.  It was definitely a super fun weekend!

Sleeping Beauty

Since Biscuit has arrived and Kianna wants Biscuit's kennel in her room, I've been making her nap in our room.  Well, let's be honest, on my days off a nap is required for all inhabitants in the Hurt Household.  Everyone must stay in their room and it has to be quiet.  Well, Miss Kianna likes to whisper, sing, bounce, go potty, swing her arms....are you tired yet?  Putting it politely, it drives me batty and leads me to be a bit cranky.  That's when I pull out the big guns-I bribed with candy.  Yep, you read that right-I bribed with candy.  You go to sleep, you get candy!  I did offer to snuggle with her and she quickly fell to sleep, once I said the word, "CANDY".  Here she is sound asleep in my arms.  These are the days that I just love the innocence and want time to stand still!

Oh, and by the way, I bribed my 3/4th graders to clean up the room.  I even said, the fastest student will get a treat.  And it happened.....a little 3rd grader called me out on it and said, "that's bribery"!  But guess what?  The room was spotless!

The Pumpkin Patch

Kianna's preschool class took at field trip to the Pumpkin Patch.  We originally we were supposed to head out last week, but it rained.  So, they were able to quickly reschedule it for this past Thursday.  It actually turned out to be a great day and wasn't too chilly.

This was the first field trip I've been able to attend.  As I've said before, it's difficult being a teacher with small kids who still go on field trips and have parties.  My mom was able to take the morning off so I could attend.  She and Natalie went to Zona Rosa and Panera and had a great time together.  It was fun seeing Kianna with her peers and how she interacts with them.  Let's not lie, it was nice to get some mommy adult time.  

As you can see, the sun was shining and the kids were having a great time!  It's still hard for me to believe this little blessing is almost 4 years old!  

Next weekend, we will go to another pumpkin patch with the entire family.  Let's pray for good weather, so we can find the "perfect" pumpkin!  

Clifford, the Big Red Dog

Barnes and Noble has a great story time for preschool kids.  The little kids have a difficult time sitting still for the stories, but Kia and Gracie enjoy the stories.  Afterwards, they have a craft and then some sort of drink-Gracie's favorite!

Yesterday, my MOMs club went to see Clifford and the girls were super excited!  Of course, they told me he was just dressed up.  I'm trying to play the innocent card just a tiny bit longer, so I exaggerated and said he was real and before he came down the aisle, he was panting and eating.  Gracie, Miss Literal, told me that he was stopping to take pictures (she was right, but I can't let her know that, just yet).  Anyway, the girls waited patiently in line to get their picture taken with Clifford.

I decided that I would let Natalie get her picture taken with Kianna when it was their turn, but Natalie had other ideas and decided to let ALL of B&N know that she wasn't interested and definitely didn't trust the Big Red Dog!  No worries-I've already prepared myself for Santa.  It will be another memorable year for Santa!

After pictures, we made a craft and enjoyed our Frappuchinos (spelling error-NOT a fan of coffee or drinks of this sort).  They made some cute ears and colored a picture.  Natalie enjoyed this part!

We had a great Friday with our MOMs friends and all the girls did great!

Educational Specialist

This post probably isn't as exciting as my posts about my darlings!  But, after 12 years, I am back in school earning my last degree EVER!  It will probably be a sad moment in December 2015, but for now, it feels great to be 6 hours closer to a degree.

In June when our contracts were released, I received the bad news of not getting a raise.  When I looked at the salary schedule, I had "bottomed out" and a raise wouldn't be in my future.  So, I frantically began the admission process to Arkansas State University.  (Teachers, these are the emails your receive multiple times a day)  In all honesty, this program is cheaper than my undergrad AND Masters!  

My sister and I decided to enroll together and take the same classes.  Because we are part-time, we decided to hit the ground running and become full-time students.  Anyone who knows me, knows that I get overwhelmed, want to run away and those feelings hit me again when I started classes.  That moment of, "what did I get myself into", hit me hard.  Needless to say, once I got into my routine, I was able to keep up and actually was ahead of the game most of the 7 weeks.

Now, remember when I said I'm taking classes with my sister?  Well, I can honestly say, my parents never compared us or instilled competitiveness between us.  We ARE competitive when it comes to sports, but not between our bond as sisters.  That changed (for just a minute) in one class this term.  In a nutshell, we had the same classes, but different academic assistants.  In one of our courses, we were graded like we are English majors.  Do you remember me saying I haven't been in school in 12 years?  I HAD no clue how to format my papers in APA.  Worry not, I'm learning.....  Anyway, we had a pretty large field project to complete and she killed me on the assignment.  She received an A, and poor me, received a B-!  A B-, yes, you read that right.  While I was wallowing in my sorrow, my own mother told me to have a drink and go on with life!  John then comforted me and told me that I'm just trying to earn a pay raise, and he's right!

So, as the weeks went by, another field project was due for our other class.  I'm here to report, I beat my sister by ONE point!  I nailed it with 100%.  

At the end of this 7 weeks, I'm happy to report that Nerned and I passed both classes with A's!!!  We are getting ready to embark on another 7 weeks and a raise will be earned in February for both of us.

Congratulations Nerned!!  Cheers to the next 7 weeks-we can do this!!  (I feel the need to format this).

P.S.  Are any of you wondering what degree we are earning?  Sit down-we are earning our Administration degrees-yes, Stephanie is earning her Administration degree-I know, I'm shocked too!  :)

To my children, I hope you know how important an education is and no one will ever take your education and knowledge away (Grandpa Sevedge).  Daddy and I will support you in whatever path you take-always reach for the stars, anything is possible.  

Biscuit Kate Hurt

It's official, our house is estrogen filled!  Since we lost Cole-Cole, it's been rather lonely around our house.  It took John about 2 weeks before he said it was time to add another family member.  I was indifferent, but kinda wanted to wait until next summer.  After John brought up the subject a few times, I decided maybe it wouldn't be so bad to add another dog to the family.

We had decided to adopt a puppy, so we could train the dog the way we wanted and spend a lot of years with this special puppy.  I began the search for a puppy...after all, John picked out Cole for me on my 26th birthday.  

I searched every website in the Kansas City area daily and my patience paid off.  I found a cute, little puppy in Crocker, Missouri.  Don't ask me how to get there, but Siri (on your iPhone) can get you there safely.  I immediately responded with interest in Miss Kate and we adopted her that evening.  She wasn't ready to be released from her foster mommy, so we had to wait 2 weeks before she was ready to be adopted.

Last Saturday, we made the trek to Crocker, Missouri and all over southern Missouri after getting lost a few times.  After the 12 hour day, we arrived home and the bonding began.  Miss Kate's name was changed to Biscuit (by the kids) and the exploring began.  Biscuit loves to explore and play a tiny bit.  Potty training is going well with the help of the vet-I think she knew I was panicked 3 days after we adopted her!  

The kids aren't quite sure how to handle a puppy since she does like to nip and jump, but hopefully, she will turn into a snuggler and perfect companion friend.  

Welcome to the family, Biscuit Kate Hurt!

K&K's Birthday Party

With a September birthday (Kyle) and a November birthday (Kianna) and a whole lotta' family/friends birthdays in between, it's just easier to combine birthday parties for K&K.  We compromise and plan a party for early October.  The only negative to this is Kianna thinks it's really her birthday on party day.  Sorry, Kia-you're still 3 this year!  You have a month left......

Anyway, John and I were trying to decide what we could do this year, instead of hosting a party at our house.  Kianna LOVES gymnastics and Kyle loves PTA night at Mercury gymnastics.  After researching every gym, north of the river, we settled on KC Gymnastics.  I work with a gentleman that helps run KC Gymnastics and this turned out to be the cheapest and one of the best parties yet.  In looking at the pictures, you can see EVERY person had a fabulous time.  The adults may have enjoyed it more?!?!  I know my children are sleeping like babes as I type!

Happy Birthday, Kids!!  We hope everyone had a great time!

A Childhood Memory-The Gladfest (Parade)

Growing up, I can remember looking forward to the Gladfest and the parade.  I especially loved to watch my cousins dance in the parade.  Then throughout the weekend, they danced on the main stage.  This was always a fun and memorable family outing.  

I must admit, since I've had kids, I haven't been as passionate about taking the kids to the Gladfest because other activities have been scheduled.  A few weeks ago, I took the girls to see the "Oak Park 50th Graduating Class" parade and realized just how much my kids are missing out.  

So, this morning, we bundled up, grabbed our chairs and headed out the door-oh yeah, and we brought a trash bag for our loot!  Of course, John had to work, so it was just me and the kids, but we joined Graham Cracker, Gracie, Aunt Nerned and Uncle Ry-Ry.  It was definitely cold for the adults, but the kids didn't mind as candy was thrown at them by the bundles.  

The question that remains after today is, "When can we go to another parade?"