Prepping for Dad's Night

E and S had a "Dad's Night" at their pre school this fall where they got to take their dad for a night of carving pumpkins with their class and teachers. The girls were super excited that this was just for them and Brett and so we did our part at home to prepare the pumpkin ahead of time in anticipation of the big night. Sophie was all about scooping out the insides of the pumpkin while Ellen wanted nothing to do with that!

Children's Theater

Got the chance to see the Cincinnati Children's Theater production of "Beauty and the Beast" and it was a hit! It's always fun to go with our good friends, Lauren and Gwyn, too.

Goofy

I just enjoy this picture...not just because it shows S and C with our good friend Emmy and because I love the sweet and happy faces pictured here. But because I love that C is wearing a WIG and she is enjoying the fun of it (while still smiling sweetly for the camera, as if it is totally normal). It makes me laugh! And it makes me happy that C is doing something out of character and having a ball doing it. I remember my friend telling me that a wig is a great birthday gift around this age, and I can see how that is the case. At this age they are actually able to appreciate the silliness of it...and I may just have to check out wigs for a certain birthday coming up!

Downtown Adventure...a little late

Realizing this post is terribly out of order, but I forgot to post it and then came across the photos again just recently. This was a perfect Sunday afternoon adventure! We took the kids and their bikes and headed down to the river for a little hometown sight seeing. We just love doing outings like this and need to do more of them!

Field Trip

E and S went  on their very first school field trip (ever) to a pumpkin farm! In pre school ALL of the parents go along because the pre school can't do transportation, so of course I loved going with the girls. It was really fun to see them with their four year old friends and to see them on their first field trip. I found it interesting that Sophie was fine walking and hanging out with her friends without me being right by her, but Ellen liked sticking close to me and needed to know where I was at all times. That is a priceless glimpse into who they are right now! It was a great day on the farm, though too muddy for the hayride. We got to feed ears of corn to the cows, crackers to the goats, and the kids got popcorn bags and juice while we sat on bales of hay and listened to the farmer tell (the parents) about different types of gourds. Then we all walked to the pumpkin patch and the kids got to pick out their own pumpkins to bring home. What a great time!

Family Fun

Let me say, Brett is the best dad ever! On the weekends he is all about the kids and having fun as a family all the time. It actually puts me to shame! Truly. The day after we went to the Harvest Festival the girls decided they wanted to do more face paint...but they wanted to be the face painters. So Brett said, "I know, let's have our own Schatz Family Harvest Festival and you girls can paint pumpkins and do face painting!" Don't get me wrong, that sounded fun to me, too. Until the girls asked if they could paint our faces. I was not excited about that, but Brett was such a great sport and volunteered to let them paint his face...and arm. So Corinne did a rainbow on Brett's cheek, Ellen did polka dots on his other cheek and Sophie painted his arm. Like I said, he puts me to shame and I love it. I am thankful that he is all in when it comes to our family.

Festival

We went to a Harvest Festival and had lots of fun! We rode ponies, got faces painted, watched a little juggling show, painted pumpkins and more. Love this time of year! C and S got their faces done, E wasn't all about it.

Lunch at School

I got to take and have lunch with Corinne at school one day - so fun!! C was chosen as STAR of the Week in her class, which means she was interviewed and her picture and answers were up on the wall in the school hallway. So it was a great opportunity to come see her STAR info and also enjoy eating with her. But wow! I forgot how quickly lunch time goes from my days of teaching! Literally lunch was over before I knew it. I got to meet the kids sitting with us and hear a little about C's day and then it was off to recess for her. But I love that parents can come and have lunch with their child any day of the week, as often as they want. She and I are already talking about next time.

Great Friends

And good kids! We met some families at the park on a (rainy and cold) Saturday. Aren't they sweet?

New Concept Playground

We LOVE this new park! It rocks.