All-American Kids

In general, I don't like to shop. That's probably why my kids have never been to the mall (I think I took Noelle once when she was about 1 1/2). Last week I decided to take the girls to the mall to look for a dress and purse for me.

I had Noelle bring a backpack of activities for Sadie so Noelle could "babysit" her in the stroller and then I had 2 treats planned out. Since they've never been to the mall, they didn't know there was a play area in the middle. After about 1 hour of shopping I took them down the glass elevator and let them each throw a penny into the fountain around the base of the elevator. Noelle and Sadie really got a kick out of that and Noelle asked if that was the surprise. I was pleased to announce that I wasn't that lame, and I walked them over to the play area. They were ecstatic! They happily played for a long time.

Then we moved on to some more shopping. After another 45 minutes I announced our second treat was next on the agenda. We went to the food court and stood in front of Dairy Queen. I bent down and asked Noelle "What do you think about having ice cream for lunch? Just ice cream?" She looked at me confused...like I was asking a trick question...and hesitantly said "I think we should have something else first." I delightfully answered "No, we're going to have just ice cream for lunch!" Noelle really was unsure about this (or maybe it was my sanity she wasn't sure about) because she said several time "I don't know mom, I think we need something else."

After Noelle came around we all indulged in a Chocolate Raspberry Blizzard for lunch. We went home happy. I didn't buy a thing...which won't surprise anyone whose ever shopped with me before. When we left we all had smiles on our faces and my kids are a little more Americanize having spent the morning at the mall with Mom, playing at a germ invested playland, and eating junk for lunch.

Noelle's Final Day of Preschool

Today was Noelle's last day of Preschool. We enjoyed seeing her closing program and sadly saying good-bye to her wonderful teacher.
Here are pictures of Noelle on her first day of school and her final day of school.

She looks like such a little girl in the first picture! I've also decided she looks better with short hair so I think we'll take off a few inches this week.

Why?

I thought kids didn't start the never-ending "Why?" question until they were 3. Someone forgot to tell Sadie the rules and she's started 8 months early.
Why?
I don't know.
Why?
I just don't know.




Here's a conversation I had with Noelle on the way to preschool this morning:
Me: It's a nice day, maybe you'll get to play on the playground today.
N: Maybe but the swings are always "A limits".
Me: The swings are what?
N: A limits. We're not allowed to go on them because of the puddles.
Me: Ohhh, they're off limits?
N: Yes, off limits. Maybe today they'll be "on limits".

I had to agree...if something can be "off limits" it only makes sense that at some point they will be "on limits".

Elizabeth-the-Great

My sister-in-law, Elizabeth, does not have any royal blood (that I know of), but she certainly earned the title Elizabeth-the-Great this past Saturday. She too ran in the 10k that the Spence men ran. That alone awards her high honors but the part that earns her the esteemed title is that she ran (yes, ran) the 6.2 miles only 3 months after giving birth to their son Noah.

And the final kicker... she successfully trained for this event while taking care of a newborn AND her older son who is a mere 14 months older then this younger brother. I'm just glad I can say I'm related to her!

Here she is (in yellow) on the final stretch, just seconds before she finished strong.

"Apple Blossom Festival" in Virginia

We returned yesterday from a lovely time in our hometown, Winchester VA. Every May our town has an "Apple Blossom Festival". Our family enjoys going and taking in the 10k race and the 2 parades; a fireman's parade on Friday evening and the Grand Feature Parade on Saturday. Here are some pictures:
Watching the Firemen's Parade which involved dozens of firetrucks and marching bands. Sadie sat like this for the first half hour, just staring at all the sites. Next to her are cousin Payton, cousin Nolan, aunt Jenelle (can't see her), Grammy Sauder and Pappy Sauder.

Grammy and Sadie, snuggling during the parade.


Daddy and Sadie sharing a fun moment

Noelle and her cousins, Kalysta and Payton

Brad and Janelle taking advantage of the wisteria backdrop in mom & dad Sauder's yard.

Brad and his dad (in yellow) running the 10k Saturday morning. I'm in the pink tank top with the long lean thighs (Ha, Ha, I crack myself up). Actually you'd have better luck finding me at the Funnel Cake stand in the background.
Sadie, watching the race

David, Ken and Brad Spence after the race, sporting their cool shirts sponsored by David (a Realtor) and a few friends.

Noelle and Grandma Spence enjoying the Grand Feature Parade on Saturday. This parade we enjoyed in the yard of some Spence friends, complete with a food buffet.

After all of our festivities, Grandpa Spence thought Sadie looked a little hungry. He dished her up a man-sized steak which she dove into without a blink...we took it away after the photo op.