More Zoo Boo

As promised, here are more pics from the Zoo Boo. Grandparents, just so you know, you can right click these pictures and then save them to a folder.

Adelynne used to be deathly afraid of the carousel, just this summer even. So, we tried it again, and the whole time she was smiling and saying, "Fun!"

I thought this one of my dad with Adelynne was so sweet.

Nolan was a baseball player for Halloween. He was so lucky to get passed around the whole time wrapped in this warm blanket. Everyone was able to snuggle with this sweet boy!

Aubrey touched this snake numerous times. She was a little scared at first, but then once she touched it, she didn't want to quit. Grandma Susan was a little disappointed in her sweet little Aubrey:) (Grandma doesn't like snakes:)

Zoo Boo

For the grandparents! A good time was had by all at the Zoo Boo on Sunday. Grandma Susan, Papaw Scott, Grandma Ellen, Papaw Dave and Aunt Sarah were all in attendance. It took all hands on deck keeping track of Bob and Larry:) More pics to come later off the video camera...this is all I have for now.

Well visits

Yesterday I did something that I will probably never do again alone! ... I took all the kids to the pediatrician for Aubrey's 4-year check and Nolan's 4-month check. Aubrey's height and weight still have her in the "tall" category for her age, a fact that I am shocked by. Brandon and I, neither one, are tall...maybe she inherited that from her uncle Mike (my dad's brother) or great papaw John (my mom's dad). She's doing all the things a 4-year-old should be doing. That, for which, I am thankful.

Nolan boy, weighed in at a hefty 14 lbs 15 oz. I can't believe this little boy, who, 4 months ago, weighed 6 lbs 11 oz! He's done a lot of eating these last 4 months. :) He's very strong and healthy. Our pediatrician (who I love) recommended that we have him evaluated by First Steps, as he hasn't smiled or rolled over yet. 2 of her 4 children worked with First Steps for some developmental issues, all of which are now corrected. She says there's no real problem with Nolan, but that he might need a little "jump start" with some developmental things. I also have several friends who have used First Steps and were amazed at the help they were able to give their children. The Dr. wanted me to be reassured that there was no indication that Nolan would have developmental issues continually, but rather he just needed a little "help" with getting started. I so much appreciate her pro activeness and her honest feedback.

Aubrey was able to get the flu vaccine via the mist up the nose. Although, after getting the spray in the second nostril, she was mad. The sweet nurse handed her a tissue, but Aubrey threw it right back at her. Honestly, I think she would have preferred the shot. Adelynne had to get the shot (the mist is only for 2-years-old and older). I sat her on my lap and was singing, "the wheels on the bus go round and round..." About this time the nurse stuck her, and with a scowl on her face she said, "Owe!"...and that was it. Such a trouper. Nolan got 2 vaccines and the oral rodovirus vaccine. No flu shot until he's 6 months old. Listen, our daddy works at a school with lots of sick kids who don't wash their hands... we don't take any chances at our house :)

And just like that, I was pooped. Seriously, who knew 3 kids would be so much work! We stopped by McDonald's for hot fudge sundae's afterwards. For the most part, everyone was happy!

I did not stage this picture. I was cleaning up breakfast when I heard the girls giggling and Nolan cooing. I come out and find him surrounded by Aubrey and Adelynne, they were all crammed on our footstool. He really seemed to like it.

He's so serious!
I know this one is a little blurry, but he loves the exorsaucer.

Help!

Can someone shed a little light on this? This is Adelynne's hair. She gets the most ridiculous "bed head" everytime she sleeps or even just randomly. I've even already brushed her hair this morning, and now at 11:45am, it's back. Help!

I'm the smartest woman alive!

Here's how to get your 4-year-old to stay in her seat at mealtime. Yep, it's duct tape! I, frankly, get tired of asking her to sit down.

I love fall! (For my Aunt Suz:)

I bet a lot of you didn't know this, but, fall is my favorite season. It's not too hot and not too cold. I love picking out a pumpkin, I love mums, I love apple cider, I love visiting the orchard, I love wearing jackets (especially since I just had baby #3:), I love the colors of fall...I could go on and on, I just love everything about the fall. We got our pumkins and mums this weekend and I just wanted to post a few pictures of our very simple fall decor.

Anderson's Orchard

We started a tradition with Aubrey last year, that her birthday present from us would be a trip to a local pumpkin patch/orchard. This year as we are experiencing our first fall in Plainfield, we didn't know where to go, so we went off of recommendations from our friends and neighbors. I must say that Anderson's Orchard (http://www.andersonorchards.com/) in Mooresville far exceeded our expectations. We were able to pick apples (the girls LOVED that), picked out pumpkins, and played on a cool swing set. Mommy and daddy also splurged a little on mums and apple cider. (We opened the cider last night after the girls had gone to bed. It was so good that mommy and daddy decided not to remind the girls that we bought the cider;)

After we had our pumpkins and apples we decided to take a drive back thru the orchard to see the changing colors of the tress and the two lakes that were back there. What beautiful scenery and reminder of the greatness of God's creation! Enjoy!

It's Party Time!

One of the lessons I learned this week was that with small children, you should really have their birthday party either before, or, on the child's actual birthday. Unfortunately, daddy had his county golf tournament last Saturday, and thus, making it impossible for us to have her party before her birthday. So, we opted for yesterday, and sweet little Aubrey thought she was turning 5! Ha! You know, because she turned 4 on Tuesday! Once all the grandparents, aunts, uncle, and cousins got here though, all systems were a go. I must say, Aubrey hit the mother load as everyone was so generous. She got lots of cute fall and winter clothes, a princess jump rope, a fish game, a Curious George book, and most importantly...PRINCESS CLOTHES! My parents got her a beautiful Sleeping Beauty dress (movie also) and crown. Brandon's parents got her a treasure chest full of different dress up outfits (Brandon's least favorite would be the wedding dress:).

The theme of the day was from the Disney movie, Mulan. Our sweet neighbor, Tina, has a daughter (Sierra) who is one of Brandon's students. When Sierrea was Aubrey's age, she was really into Mulan. Her grandmother made a Mulan costume for Halloween, and sweet Tina, let us borrow the outfit for the party.

Mushu the dragon (voice done by Eddie Murphy) was the inspiration for the cake. Although he didn't turn out quite like I'd hoped, Aubrey told me, "You did a good job on my cake mom." That's all that's important, right? :)

We had a great day of playing with the new princess clothes, watching Sleeping Beauty, playing outside and capping off the day with "B pizza" recommended by grandma Susan. (She called it "B pizza" because she couldn't remember the name of the restaurant, but knew it started with a "B".":) Sorry grandma, I just had to mention that:)

Oh, yeah, did I also mention that yesterday was Aunt Sarah's birthday? Happy birthday Aunt Sarah! We love you!

You know it was a great party when the girls slept in until 9am this morning. Wooowho! Party!

4 Years Old

4 years ago today I was 9 months pregnant and a swollen mess. I felt as though my water had been leaking all night, but I wanted to be sure before I called the doctor. By noon, Dr. Knutson had confirmed that, indeed, my water was leaking and that today was, The Day. By 2 pm I was in active labor. After an uneventful labor and productive pushing, at 8:28pm, Aubrey Lynne Paschal, with her red hair and rosebud lips, arrived to the awe of her mom and dad. She was the most beautiful thing we'd ever seen....all 8 pounds and 11 ounces of her!


In her 4 shorts years, she's experienced her daddy graduating from college, 2 moves, and 2 siblings being born. She's our spunky, fun, energetic, ready to move on to the next adventure kid. She's a girly girl who likes to dress up, but is also a tomboy when it comes to playing outside and getting dirty. She's lovey and likes to cuddle, kind (at times:), very tenderhearted, extremely impressionable, and everyone's friend. She's the exact replica of her momma at that age (says papaw Dave and grandma Ellen) ...that's kind of scary :) Man does she love her daddy, and I live for the moments where she takes my face in her hands, grits her teeth and says, "I love you." I never knew I could love someone as much as I do her and I am thankful for all the lessons she's taught me in the short time we've had her. Happy birthday sweet Aubrey!

Picture Update

Nolan woke happy this morning, so I was able to let the girls hold and love on him. He really seemed to like it, especially cuddling up with Aubrey. She's a little more "soft" than Adie:)

Nutso!

Have you ever taken 3 kids under the age of 4 years old to have their pictures taken in a studio? I don't recommend it! Each child got their picture taken individually and that went off rather successfully (with the exception of ADD (or ADHD, I haven't really decided to which category she falls) Adie running around like a man woman). As Nolan got his individual pictures taken, daddy changed the girls clothes to coordinate for all 3 of them to get one together. By the time this happened our luck had run out...Adie was still a mad woman and Aubrey said, " I don't feel like smiling anymore." And like that, mommy's dream was dashed of having her 3 babies (3 cutest in the world) in one, JUST ONE, picture...that's all I'd asked for:) And...daddy was mad that he'd taken the time to change their clothes in the storage closet at JC Penny that was full of snacks and miscellaneous picture props.

By 8:30 pm on the eve of mommy's broken dream, Brandon and Megan lay lifelessly in the recliner and couch respectively.