Painted Flannel Board Stories

Some of you know that I enjoy making flannel board stories. I have taught others how to make them, but have had some say they don't have the time. I thought it would be fun to make these in my spare time to earn a little extra!!! If you are interested, check out my new blog for more pictures and details!!!

http://www.paintedflannelboardstories.blogspot.com/

This is just one example:

C - is for the Christ Child born on Christmas Day, H- is for his humble birth and in his manger lay, R- is for the reverence that Mary and Joseph did show .....

Our Halloween!

We sure had a spooky Halloween at our house and hope you all had lots of fun too!!!

Marlee and Heston waiting for Trunk or Treat to start!

Marlee and Debree look like twins in their cowgirl costumes!

Digging in! It was cute to hear Marlee say, "Happy Halloween" and "Trick or Treat" to everyone she met! She couldn't stop staring at everyone's spooky costumes!

Giddy Up, Cowgirl!

What a cute little "quacker"

We had a lot of fun with the menu this year! We ate Supper in a Pumpkin (artwork done by Marlee), Spider Web Dip with Coffin Chips, Deviled Eye Balls, Blood Punch and Boo Cups for dessert!

Marlee, Grandpa, Alan and Heston chowing down! I think Grandpa was a little frightened by the spooky menu!

Wives Beware!

Have you ever sent your husband to the store and got a little more than you asked for? Alan is obsessed with Count Chocula (and pine nuts) as you can see. Every time I go to the store he always says, " See if they have any Count Chocula" and of course they don't because they only sell it around Halloween. So needless to say he was pretty stoked to find some today and bought FIVE boxes. He cracks me up! I think he will always be a kid at heart which I love about him. Sometimes it's hard for me to find the inner kid because I am so involved with being the "Mom", but I am glad he is here to remind me to enjoy those simple things in life. I would have gotten him in the picture, but he is round bailing right now, so I will have to catch him next time!!!

Today Marlee and I decided to pick our GREEN pumpkins. She helped me pack them to the porch and arrange them. She also went to the dentist today for the first time and did really well. We have been practicing all week and when she got there she was totally excited. She opened her mouth really wide as they took pictures of her mouth. A few times Alan said, "Ok, Marlee you can close your mouth now," and she just kept it wide open. The dentist was really impressed with how well she did. We love you so much Marlee and are so proud of you!!!

Heston was also a big help. We picked the last of the buttercup squash today. We are cooking some right now to make some baby food, YUM YUM!!!

Heston's Well Check

I just wanted to record Heston's stats for his 6 month well check. He weighs 20.5 lbs which is between 75-90 percentile. He is 29 inches long which hits the 98th percentile. Poor boy had to get 4 shots today counting his flu shot and I tell you he was not a happy camper! Otherwise he is doing pretty well. He is eating well, but I think he has a little allergy to peas. The doctor said to try him on them again in a few months to see if they still bother him. His personality is starting to come out for sure. The other night he was playing with a car toy and Marlee decided she needed it and boy did he squawk at her!!! He was upset and wanted it back. Marlee I think was a little surprised by his reaction and gave it right back!

Cute Smile ... Crazy Hair Due

So Big!!!

Just of few milestones I wanted to share!

Marlee was so excited to finally get into a Big Girl Bed this week! It has been a long time waiting. When Grandpa came by to see it she screamed in her high pitched voice, "Grandpa, I got a new big girl bed!" She has been pretty proud ever since! She cracks me up with all of the cute things she says. She has a song for everything. If we are in the store or anywhere I will say, "Marlee, stay by mom so you don't get lost." Now she goes around the house singing,"don't get lost, don't get lost" over and over. She also likes to sing twinkle, twinkle little star and the nursery rhyme one, two, buckle my shoe. She keeps me busy that's for sure!

I can't believe Heston is already six months. He has been sitting up really well and is now eating baby food in a high chair and growing like a weed. He kind of skipped through 6-9 month clothing and has moved right into 12 months! He's the Happiest little thing. The other night he learned how to click his tongue and finds that to be quite entertaining. He loves to wrestle with daddy and snuggle with mommy!

Summers End!

I can't believe it is already the end of August. As much as I love Fall, I don't know if I am ready to say good by to Summer, so I guess this post is mostly for me, so I can look back when I am feeling a little couped up inside!!!

THE RES:
Even though this little reservoir is just down the road from us, we haven't taken advantage of it this year, so the other day I was bound and determined to take Marlee swimming. When we got there I thought that maybe it was closed because there was no one else around and then Alan reminded me that school was in and it was a Thursday (hello)! Being the only ones there was just fine with me! It was like having our own private beach!!! Marlee had fun swimming, making mud pies, and walking along the beach with mom.

Marlee soaking up the sun!

My cute little fish!

Alan and Heston getting in a nap!

NEIGHBORHOOD BBQ:

Our neighbors were so sweet and had a little BBQ at their house. I guess they have been doing this for years! It was fun getting to know our neighbors more and eating yummy food.

This picture is Marlee with her neighborhood friend! They have fun in nursery together!

The pretty sunset that night!


THE NEW TRACTOR
This month the new John Deere arrived! Alan was pretty excited! So, I guess it's out with the old and in with the new.

Alan and Marlee saying good by to the 8120 and hello to the 8130

CANNING:

Today Marlee helped me make a batch of Basil Jelly! It's always nice to open a bottle and taste a little bit of summer!

Marlee holding her pretty bouquet of Basil

Luckily they all sealed!

Later we ate some on a cracker with cream cheese. Yummy!

Just Couldn't Resist!

Heston was needing some plain onesies and I realized that I had packed away all of Marlee's and figured that was at least one thing they could share. In going through all of Marlee's clothes I just couldn't resist playing dress up with Heston!!! I know he will probably kill me someday ... but someday won't be for awhile! I sure do love my little boy, but I have to admit I miss all of those cute dresses and bows!!!!!

Heston at 5 months! What a little darling!

Marlee in the same dress also at 5 months!

Marlee and Heston posing together! As you can see Heston is sticking his tongue out at me which I guess I deserve!!!

Marlee trying to put on her baby shoes! It took me 10 minutes of trying to convince her that her feet were just to big!

-Marlee's Shoes-

Her then size one's to her now size six! They change so much in such a short amount of time.