FALL PARTIES

It's been quite the week here at our house.  We kicked off Halloween festivities with a Halloween party we go to every year.  Livy always has fun and we have the best time! 

Then, we celebrated Livy's first school party. We had fun celebrating with all of her friends. 

Then, we headed to our school carnival.  It was extra special because cousin Ellie got to come with us.  All three of the Stokes girls dressed like Ariel. We had so much fun dolling them up.  

This is our favorite time of year.  We are soaking up every fun event!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Branson Getaway

Derick has been working LONG hours at work the past few weeks. It can make for long days for all of us.  He hates to be away from the kids and me.  We miss daddy too. Livy especially misses him.  She's a full on daddy's girl.  So, we planned on getting away for the weekend.  We enjoyed ourselves!!  We were away two nights and it was wonderful.  This was our official first family of 4 trip.  Phillip was a champ and was a great little traveler.  Livy loves Silver Dollar City.  She will ride any/every rollercoaster. She gets this from her mama;)

The park is gorgeous this time of year.  We loved all the fall decorations.  

Hooray for family trips! They are few and far between so we are very thankful we were able to get away for a few days.

Pumpkin Patch

Livy had her first field trip last week.  A trip to the pumpkin patch. She had a wonderful time with her cousins/classmates.  

They were sent to the patch to pick out their own pumpkins.  Livy was extremely picky.  It took her a good 10 minutes to find one. HA.

We had a wonderful time.  We LOVE this time of year!

Days are gone

Livy started Pre-K this year and she loves it.  It's quite a bit of a change for all of us.  She's being exposed to new people and new things every day. Some good, some not so good. I've spent many a days on my knees in prayer while Livy is at school. I'm sure I worry more than I should but I'm a mom! I don't think I'll ever quit worrying. 

I started thinking back to a few years ago when Livy was a toddler.  There were days we'd stay in our pajamas all day and watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Our biggest worries were, "What will we cook for dinner tonight?" I knew the day would come when we wouldn't be home all day and I'd be escorting Livy around to all her activities.  A few years ago, that seemed exciting to me. Now, I want to stop time and make Livy a 3 year old again.  Is this normal? 

I think my problem is, I don't like being BUSY.  There was a time, I'd call up family and friends and say, let's go to lunch and shopping.  These days, we have to schedule out any sort of lunch/dinner dates.  That's life. People are busy.  I don't like it. I want my kids home with me all day long and not have to worry about driving them to school or activities.  Is this a normal feeling when your kids start school. Maybe it's the growing up blues.  I don't know.  Maybe I'll just keep having kids so I can keep them home forever. Errrrr. Derick may disagree;)

Do any other moms feel this way?  I've been talking with one of my sweet friends about it this morning.  I think I'm having a blue Tuesday.  I need to snap out of it!