Have you been going through withdrawl?

Well, we're back, baby!

Here's your fix... and prepare yourselves everyone... this post is going be crazy as all friggin' get out! We have all been so busy lately that I have had zero time to blog. I have read everyones a time or two... but since we have been out of town I have a lot of catching up to do. So, in my feeble attempt to fill y'all in on the last few weeks I'm going to have to hop from topic to topic like a frog on speed to cover it all. Cool??? O.k., buckle up, 'cuz here we go.....

First comes preschool pictures. I usually specialize in individual family portraits, so I was not sure what to expect. I just knew several parents weren't happy with the guy who usually takes them for the school, so they asked me to try my hand at it. They were actually really fun to take, and it went a lot better than I thought it would. Granted... I have never moved so fast, nor have I seen so much sweat pour from my body... but it went pretty smooth overall. You can check them out if you like at www.richbeginnings.com/ffpreschool

Next we are off to a speech therapy update. Allie has started "Straw Therapy." This is where she uses a series of different straws over the course of about 10 weeks or so to strengthen her tongue to help her articulation. The straws are the same cool straws we all has as kids, but they are each different lengths, widths, and sizes to work on different parts of her tongue. Sounds crazy, but her speech therapist has been teaching for over 30 years and swears by this new method.
Oh, and in related news... Allie has totally given up her paci she used at night!!! She was such a good girl about it and as a reward she got a new Care Bear! (her latest obsession)

Now to Halloween. The costumes are under construction. I know y'all are chompin at the bits to know what they will be this year. I have been collecting little things here and there and the masterpieces are almost complete! I know... the suspense is killing you.

Let's start with Turner. He's going as a pile of laundry. I kid. The freak is a sucka for some laundry fresh outta the dryer and insists upon spreading his nappy cat fur all over it!

Now to the kids. I debated long and hard over their costumes. After seeing Allie's 'buggy' I thought I should dress her a a friggin' bag lady, but decided against it. Really though... the 'buggy' is kinda a compulsion. I'm a little worried. She piles all of her favorite things into it and pushes it around. Like... everywhere. Lets get a quick inventory, shall we???

In no particular order, we have a...
1. Vera Bradley purse containing 8 Care Bear figurines
2. Backyardigan's sing along radio
3. Ballerina Slippers
4. Cheer Bear stuffed animal
5. Wool baby blanket
6. Sock Monkey purse
7. Toilet paper roll (what?!?!)
8. Baby bottle
9. Comb
10. A hand drawn stop light (by Allie)
11. Three Pennies and a nickel
12. Four Leaves (crumpled and flaking everywhere)
13. An old grocery list (OBSESSED with lists of any kind... totally my kid!)

She can account for EVERY item in the buggy. She calls them her 'things'. Should I worry???

Anyway... back to the costumes. Here's a peek at Allie...

Is she freakin cute or what?!?!?! Not pictured are her nude pantyhose that are about four shades too dark for her skin tone and her shoes. She will also be sportin some pink blush and pink lipstick for the occasion. Now, I bet you can guess what Wyatt will be as well! I figured it was appropriate since he was bald, has only two teeth, and wears diapers. HA! They will be the cutest Old Farts...er...'Grams and Gramps' evahhhhh!!! The hat was actually her Great, Great Grandmothers, the purse and broaches are her Great Grandmothers, and the skirt??? A women's size 12 that I picked up for a whole two dollah at Goodwill and altered down to fit her. Love me some cheap homemade costumes.

Now to vacation. We went to New Bern, NC which happens to be the birth place of Pepsi for all you 'pointless facts freaks' out there. I for one happen to despise Pepsi, so I didn't give a rip... but it was a great vacation anyway. We left on Saturday and spent a few days alone with the kids, and then on Tuesday Michael's parents and Brother drove up to join us. We had an awesome 4 story condo and had a relaxing week doing not much of anything. We drove to the beach one day, played plenty of putt-putt, went to the Tryon Palace, shopped, ate tons of great seafood, and swam. Michael played a ton of golf so he should have his fix for awhile. Well, almost. He's playing tomorrow but then... that's it!! I mean it!! Enough explaining... here's the pics...

Our view from outside our condo

Allie loved to chase the geese... which was fine with me because they crapped everywhere...

My boys

Allie loved the playgroundWyatt became a swinger...

Allie played a little putt-putt to spite the full moon...

Katie, I found humor in this particular hole on the course. I thought you might as well seeing as how our minds seem to spend excess time in the gutter. What the frick kinda shape is this??? Who designed this course anyway?
The pool...The beachThiese wee the NC Aquarium. Allie loved it!Here's hoping the Gators won't take a bite out of us this weekend!

My adorable little crabby crabs... quite fitting at times....Allie and Poppy... one of her most favorite people in the world!The family

Michael is in a wedding this weekend. Our friends Jason and Lacie are getting married and we are so excited for them! I'm sure I'll take plenty of pics so the ole' blog will stay good and stocked for awhile...