South Drive in: Hotel Transylvania 2

We put off going to the drive-in this summer just because with late sunset, the movies didn't start till 9:30...however...they are STILL showing movies in the fall and now they start at 8!! PERFECT!!

I saw on their post that they were showing Hotel Transylvania 2--and the girls seemed interested, so Eric rushed out and bought the first one and we had a movie night Friday night--they loved it!

Saturday then, we headed to Walgreens for snacks, Little Ceasers for a pie and drinks, and got to the theater, 3rd in line!  Dressed in their glow-in-the dark jammies, we noshed on 'za and played eye-spy, and the alphabet game, waiting on sunset and for the magic to start.

The parking lot started filling up and before the movie started, it was packed!! The girls took turns sitting on daddy's lap and I sat in the back on sleeping bags with the other one. The fall weather was cool and breezy and just PERFECT. It wasn't buggy at all, and the sky was just beautiful.

We had a great experience and were on the road home by 9:30--now that we've done it, and the girls know, I think this might become a tradition for us for sure. I know Eric wants to take dad's truck and try that once too, so maybe we could convince grandma and grandpa to go with us--when it's not harvest season of course :)

grandparents day fun

Grandparent's day is a holiday that we always look forward to celebrating--the kids love prepping and the grandparents love participating! This year the kids wanted to do a bonfire and painting crafts, so they all came up on Sunday afternoon and we had a great time!

Amara was the head roaster for everyone. I parboiled brats so the boys were all about those, the grandmas wanted dogs and since I made coneys--we all dug into the coney/ sloppy joes!

Cora had marshmallow duty, she LOVED making smores for everyone and I tried my first ever (Ms. Sarah inspired) smore with a reeses cup, TO DIE FOR!!

After eating and roasting it was time for crafts. The girls painted with the grandmas and made signs for the yard and the house. Grandma Youngs had clothespins for photos and mom's was for her yard. Eric and Amara made the signs with reclaimed wood scraps from our office reno project, so it was extra special. 

And after the painting we were all treated to a dance/ tumble off on the trampoline while we all relaxed and enjoyed the perfect evening. We had the patio lights on, some hip hop music and literally let the paint dry. Perfect day, so much fun for all of us and hopefully we made the grandparents feel as special as they are. 

and he shall be called Oliver

After we got our pup, he was Pup, for a few days. We could not decide on a name! Eric tossed out Sherwin, because he has a little angel kiss on his head and a white ring that looks like paint on his tail..someone tossed out Lambert because he looks like a tiny lion cub in a way...

Amara would come up with something crazy that Cora didn't like, then Cora would do the same...

Then on the third or forth day we had him, Amara woke up and standing in the kitchen said "What about Oliver?" We were literally heading out the door to Upward cheer, in a flurry, and everyone looked at each other and unanimously it was done--Oliver was to be our new Shiba boy's name :)

Mason's birthday party

Amara was invited to her new friend Mason from Ms. Thompson's class birthday party and she was excited to go! I was really proud of her because she was the ONLY kid there not from his kindergarden class and his mom told me he invited the entire class.

I didn't get the impression that they were super "close" heck, they've only been in class together literally a few days, but the fact that she wanted to go and just joined in and had no reservations was pretty cool.

The party was at Darby Batelle park and the theme was clowns--so luckily even through we mostly played on the playground areas, we had this photobooth moment before we left. She stuck closer to me than normal, which I didn't mind, but I really enjoyed her overall attitude and friendship to Mason :)

Arts in the alley

We went to Arts in the Alley on Sunday this year and it was a PERFECT day! We parked by the kids area and spent lots of time crafting bags, drawing, making water bottle suncatchers and visiting friends. Cora's preschool teacher Ms. Emily was there in the GCCCC booth and Mrs. Kelly was there with We Joy Sing!

We meandered through the sea of fried food and artisan bags to the main fairway--but stopped abruptly when we saw that Coffee Break pottery was letting the kids throw pottery for $5!! what!??

Of course we waited, and the girls took it all in watching the kids in front of them. When it was finally their turn they were smiling from ear to ear and absolutely loved it. What a neat way to introduce kids to that kind of thing! we are so lucky to have such a neat event close to home! (and eric got a corndog and i got my cheese--it IS a festival afterall ;))

Darbydale skate night

Amara loves it when a flier for a school skate night comes home in her backpack, so we put it on the schedule right away!

She was keeping her eyes open for any friends--especially since so many aren't in her class this year. We did see Lance and Lane but that was it--though some friends from other grades she knows from the bus or around school.

We planned on only staying for half, but they were having so much fun we stayed the whole time. They ate pizza and had punch, played the games including the limbo, did the dark skates with glow wands, the ghostbuster skate, and the whole 9 yards. The both of them get just a little better every time we go out :)

GC community eco day

Grove city hosted their first ever eco-day at Hencroth park in town and I was excited to check it out. The first thing that caught Amara's eye was the climbing wall. We got there just as they were setting up and she was antsy to climb. She got harnessed in and started up, but her hands were getting sweaty, (and she hates sweaty, lol) so she turned it over to Cora. 

But she was right in there to help Cora--the grips were pretty far apart, but Amara was super sweet helping Cora up the wall. 

Next, on to face-painting, crafts and more crafts, and some freebies. 

A bubble station can't be passed up!

And neither can duct tape. Amara loved taking the pieces of tape on a water bottle, filling it with rice, then using it as a shaker/ noise maker. She made one for Coach Kaylee to use at competitions and one for herself too. It was a really cool event and Eric and I even got to check out the eco friendly advantages for the home--albeit quickly :)

Adley's sweet, 7th snow white birthday

We were so happy to celebrate with Adley at her snow white birthday party on a sunny day in September. The girls were happy to see a giant slip and slide, pinata, yummy treats and "Adley's mom" (Joy). 

They played until they made mud in the yard, till they looked as tired as if they'd been to a full swimming pool. On the way home, they ate their candied apples in the car and ravaged their treats until we could get home--but we had a great time and Ad throws the best parties ever! Happy birthday lady! 

upward Friday night lights and parade

One of the most fun traditions for the fall upward cheer is the Friday night game and Saturday parade for Arts in the Alley. Friday night we met at the naz, and both grandparents came, it was great! The girls ran onto the field after being announced and were all smiles!

They cheered facing us during the game--Amara has gotten a lot better over the seasons and really knows them with very little effort. 

Cora on the other hand gets frustrated when the cheers are too "fast" so she just ends up cutting up. Hey, it's ok, we knew we'd likely only get one season with them on the same team, so this is it. 

The next morning we had to be out early for the parade but the weather was perfect! We got them to line up, got our seat by the CVS and then who showed up but the Black family and their friends! Eric and I caught candy for the girls before going to pick them up, then met up with grandma for lunch. It's a busy, bustling 12 hours, but one we always look forward to. 

upward pic night

The girls were excited to FINALLY break out their new uniforms, get their hair fixed and take pics with their Fireworks team and Coach Teresa. It was a tad warm, so the turtlenecks were pushing it, but the girls looked SO cute. 

Cora was ALL about posing. Amara was less interested, but hey--this is old hat for her. Their friend Sophia is such a sweetheart--i was glad she ended up on our team again and so are the girls! I can't wait to get the pictures this season, I have a feeling Cora will be shining and posing ear-to-ear!

back to school flower class

We love us a good flower class to be sure! As soon as we saw an ad for this one we signed up--I know we missed at least one over the summer. 

The girls hopped right up out of bed to get going and got to work--Amara is the meticulous one and Cora goes for color. I love that we've been doing these for so long now, but it never gets old for them. Maybe one of these days they'll start making them with the flowers around our yard ;)

fun on the lake with Laraine

After having SO much fun at Laraine's birthday party this summer, we made plans to come back and the girls were THRILLED when the day finally came. We packed up our lifejackets, suits and towels and headed out to Lake Chaktaw to meet our friend. 

Her grandparents had the boat, so we headed to an area in the cove and the girls played on the raft and swam around for a good while. They jumped off the side and were in and out of the boat a million times. They had pretzels and snacks but didn't pause long before jumping right back in. 

At last it was finally time to try tubing--and Amara was excited. Cora was too--but thrillseeking is more Amara's thing...not to mention Cora was getting tired. The first time, all three girls got on and after a quick run, then stop, they all tumbled in the water face first :( Cora was scared, so she came in the boat with me and in just a few minutes, had fallen asleep on the back of the boat, while big sister rode like a champ. She LITERALLY would have ridden till the gas ran out of the boat. 

With Laraine and Cora both getting tired, we decided to call it a day. Amara realized when she quit how sore her arms were from hanging on--though all she kept talking about was how amazing it was, how she was moving to a lake or the beach so she could do this all the time, but assured me that we could all come with her (gee thanks). 

We spent hours at the lake that day and had a blast and some amazing firsts. What a sweet thing for Laraine to share her grandparent time with us!

Meeting the new red shiba boy

We have been trying for YEARS to get a new shiba pup from a rescue. Either they have been abused, aren't good with other dogs, not good with kids, etc. etc. I have been stalking a few Ohio rescues to beg for a companion for Ily and for the girls to raise from a pup...until now. 

Our friend April, who fosters for local rescues, alerted me to two shiba moms who were rescued pregnant and due soon--with the pups to be adopted. WHAT?!! I hounded (pun intended) this poor gal, Mickie, at Safe Harbor Animal Rescue in Loraine Ohio for WEEKS. Filled out the application and prayed. 

We agonized for WEEKS. The shelter said they won't accept applications let alone start placing pups for a while after they were born. I watched online as the moms grew more and more pregnant (Suzu and Kimi). FINALLY in late June and July the litters were born. After 6 MORE weeks of waiting, the applications were accepted and I started campaigning again...

At the end of August, we FINALLY got the call--that we could come get our boy, the Friday of labor day. OMG. Eric and I planned our trip up (since it was a few hours each way) and then raced back home. We surprised Amara right off the bus who didn't believe us--then surprised Cora at school with him, who immediately claimed him as "hers." (and I think he's perfectly ok with that...whatever his name will be)

end of summer zoo trip

The girls had been to the zoo in summer a few times but we never made it together, so we decided to head up. It was SUPER hot, so we were darting around for shade--but raced all the way to Africa to be able to feed the giraffes. The girls wanted to do that more than anything...but first, i want a pic on the moose statue mom!!

While we waited for the train, they cooled off with some dippin dots, a brief quiet moment in the sea of babies and tired toddlers, haha. 

We also explored some of the home areas that we never normally take time for, but we really enjoyed it. Instead of running from one end of the zoo to the other, we just focussed on half, but really let them do what they chose. I guess we're growing up more to the idea of letting them pick what they want as much as we're changing ourselves. 

Amara's First day of first grade

We were all really excited for Amara to start first grade and be a full-time student in her brand new school! Outfit and dress laid out, summer sandals still though since it's still in the 80s :)

Cora went down to the busstop with us, we were all a little groggy having to get up with an alarm and follow the schedule but we made it!

New teacher in Ms. Thompson, new principal Mrs. Weese, and everything in the school new--so she was started to get rolling for the year and meet some new friends in her room and on the bus too. 

The girls showed off their backpacks for me--I just love this pic of their little brown summer legs and animal packs :)

Mr. Phil is her new bus driver, on bus 70, and he was right on time at 7:47--a little later than last year (different route too). Once she took off, we headed on to school for Cora, so this will be the routine from here on out. Next year they will be together, so this was a first and a last at the same time!

Cora's 1st day at GCCCC

Cora's first day at GCCCCC was a long time coming! By her age, Amara had already been at Primrose, but Cora had only been with Carissa and Sarah--so this was big.  She started one day before Amara, so we all got to do this together and make it really special for her too.

We picked out her special outfit and made her sign, got her new backpack ready and circled up the wagons. Since Amara went here and we visited Emily a few weeks before, things were familiar and the girls were excited to get started--i think Amara would have stayed!

There was so much pomp and circumstance, we actually missed the breakfast time (whoopsie) but Grandma Jahn met us in the parking lot to see her off and Amara and we all walked her right to the room, hung up her things, put her blanket, pillow and fox on her cot, and got acquainted. 

I'm hopeful she makes some fast friends and for a great year of learning for her, my little angel is a Ladybug now!