School Pictures

Call me cynical, but I had pretty low expectations regarding Madeline's school pictures.  Primarily because by the time we get to school in the morning, her hair looks like it's been outside during a wind storm.  Brad, being the brilliant father that he is, thought ahead and brought a hair brush for some on-site maintenance.  My next doubt was that she would neither still still nor smile for said event.  Imagine my surprise when I saw these beauties: 

Warning: Picture of a picture. They are much higher quality in person!

This is my favorite. I realize I am genetically programmed to think so, but she is seriously beautiful. And looking so grown up.  

She came home from her first week of preschool saying "I have big, beautiful brown eyes," clearly quoting her teacher. It's easy to see why. Love love love this girl.

Going under the knife

The pumpkin that is. Brad is a monster pumpkin carver. If you have not see the Chuck-O-Lantern, you are seriously missing out.  This year was a little quicker and more kid friendly.

Getting some help from little miss.

Someone asked if this is what I look like when I'm frazzled. Seriously?

The final product.

crappy phone shot. eek.

Pumpkin Patch

Despite a miserable, wet week, Saturday shaped up to be a beautiful fall day.  Post nap, we ventured to a local farm for some fall fun.  A quick wagon ride into the pumpkin patch yielded a nice pumpkin for carving.  Madeline had a blast running around the corn maze and I managed to score some cider and a strawberry rhubarb pie for later.  Nothing better than outdoor family time!

Random Updates

New bike. Must always be ridden to Clara's house. And yes, she has a helmet.

Since I took a blogging hiatus thanks to a crazy summer school schedule, here are the major points of the last few months:

-After a very unfortunate situation involving our babysitter, Madeline is now in full time preschool. She loves it and is doing amazing.
-After about 2 weeks at said preschool, she decided that she was done with diapers. Within 4 days she was dry all day AND all night. Dream. Come. True.
- She is obsessed with singing "Bible songs." It melts my heart every time.
-She is up to 25 pounds and 34 inches. Last week she was released from the pediatric GI specialist. YES!
-We have been making all sorts of mini road trips: Holiday World, an epic failure of a camping trip, Conner Prairie, Brown County, the grandparents'....more pictures to come.

Such a big girl, riding everything by herself at Holiday World. Now if only she were a little taller...

(sugar free!)

Cousins

A crappy iphone shot of Madeline and Evan. How big and adorable is he? These two are going to have so much fun once he's mobile!