Manhattan '09

I was thinking of something special to do with Miss Brynn so we could have a special day together. She's getting bigger now and I thought I might just take a chance and buy tickets for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular but take JUST her!!! This is a big step for both me and Brynnie...My tiny middle child has quite the set of lungs and I was afraid that her sweet disposition would emerge during the show but figured if it happened, I lose the money on the tickets and just have to leave the theater. Since Stephen's away, I made arrangements for the other kids and Brynn and I, along with Aunt Nancy and Jessica took the train to NYC for the day and had a FANTASTIC girls day. Brynn did very well, considering she had to walk throughout Manhattan.

Brynn got to take a bus, a train, a taxi, walk down the busy streets of NYC, got to eat lunch at Planet Hollywood, check out the M & M store, see a wonderful show at Radio City (which she LOVED AND SAT THROUGH), then for the BEST part of the day (in my opinion)---got to pick out an American Girl Doll!!!!!

The child was exhausted and had a complete meltdown after picking out her Bitty Twins (who she fondly named Emily and Dylan)...She WOVES Manhattan and wants to go back soon with her "DD" (Dylan)

Roller skating

Sunday we attended one of the kids friend's birthday party at a roller rink. I have not been to a roller rink in AGES (seriously I think it was high school the last time I was skating). Dylan and Brynn, however, had a roller skating party in October that Aunt Shell took them too. Dylan acted like a pro and put his skates on and went right out on the rink. Brynn also got her skates on and held on tightly to mommy as she attempted to skate on the hardwood. They both did terrific jobs and i was quite impressed that there was no screaming or tears when they fell down All of the kids there tried their best to skate and in a matter of no time, the kids got brave enough to try skating without holding a parent's hand. It was a fun afternoon

Chuck E Cheese

We took the kids to Chuck E Cheese Friday night so they could spend some much needed quality time with us. Stephen left for Canada yesterday morning and it has been a tradition to take the kids some place special right before daddy leaves. Chuck E Cheese is a pretty long ride for dinner with 3 kids but since I had to do some shopping, it worked out perfectly. I haven't been there in months and was surprised to see the changes they made. Everything is computerized now and there are different games to play. My Brynnie is a pretty lucky chick because she was winning LOTS of tickets from the machines. Of course she shared them with her big brother...her favorite is a horse they have to ride. Dylan found a dinosaur machine and was in heaven. Emme was content watching the lights and hearing all of the noise. For a Friday night it wasn't insanely busy which made for a nice evening...

Hunting camp...

Yesterday was Dylan's last soccer game for the season. We had to drive past hunting camp so Stephen spent the morning there and I picked him up so we could ride to Heindle Field together. When the game was over I had some errands to do. Dylan said he was going back to hunting camp with daddy "AND girls are NOT allowed there". That works for me! The girls and I went grocery shopping. The guys were having target practice getting ready for the upcoming hunting season and daddy's trip to Canada. Dylan looked hysterical wearing the headgear that I had to take a pic.

Halloween '09

The weather put a real damper on trick or treating Saturday night. As usual, we stopped at a couple of relatives houses so the kids could show off their costumes but Emily was so cranky and it was pouring rain, we just decided to let Dylan and Brynn do some trick or treating around our neighborhood and call it a night. I think the kids enjoyed handing out candy to the trick or treaters as they arrived at our house more than walking around in the rain getting candy on their own.

i'm already contemplating costumes for next year (I know I'm crazy)