The Growing Caldwell Family

I always think of parents teaching their children, but am sometimes reminded that they are also teaching us.  This morning, my independent girl had it in her mind to wear a t-shirt to school.  We go through this debate many days about what she wants to wear and what I think is a good choice.  Today my argument against a t-shirt was that it was in the 40s with a high of about 60 and therefore, in my opinion, too cool for a t-shirt alone.  She persisted and I repeated that she needed a warmer shirt and finally, as she often does, she asked, "why?"  I started to respond by saying, "because your teachers will think I'm nuts for sending you to school in a short sleeved shirt on a cold day."  That's when it dawned on me that I was more worried about someone else's opinion than I was about my sweet girl. In that moment I changed course and told her to wear the ballerina t-shirt and feel good about herself.  Boy did she prance into school feeling good about he...

Sarah Graves wanted a spooky jack-o-lantern and she picked this face for our pumpkin.  She Daddy had a fun time carving the pumpkin, including getting all the "guts" out. She was so excited to get a candle and see it all lit up!  We are so enjoying her excitement for Halloween!

Saturday morning we enjoyed bagels for breakfast before we headed off to find a pumpkin for carving!  Sarah Graves was really looking forward to carving a jack-o-lantern and we were ready! We didn't go to a big pumpkin patch this year, but instead chose a church near us that has a pumpkin patch setup to raise money for their youth.  It was very quiet and easy.   Her desire was a big one and she looked around until she found one sufficiently large.

While Aaron was hunting (never expected to be writing that), Dad came with me to take the kids to our friend Greg's birthday party.  The two of them are a lot for me to wrangle at a birthday party, so I called in reinforcements!  Greg turned four and he loves animals, so he had an animal themed party complete with an animal demonstration and petting.  Neither of my kids wanted to touch any, but there were some really interesting bunnies, birds, and other furry creatures. Charlie was curious about the tortoise. Our friend Allison was there too. Greg was so cute and sweet!  I think he really enjoyed his party. Sissy loves to help her baby brother out.   Me and my sweet girl.

Friday was SG's Halloween parade at school.  She was SO excited to wear her Princess Ariel costume and the Ariel wig!  I was a little surprised she kept the wig on so well.  She was beaming as she came by with her class and was tickled to see Nay, Lovie, me, and Sebastien (a.k.a Charlie) cheering for her!

This year for Lovie's birthday we made it an all day affair!  We met up that morning and went into the evening.  It was a day jam packed with fun.   We started with some family photos followed by a tasty brunch off Marietta Square.  It's always easier to eat in a restaurant with kids when you have five adults to two kids! After brunch we checked out the farmer's market and enjoyed a few treats. After the farmer's market we headed up to Ellijay for the Apple Festival.   This boy was so sweet and loved watching and waving at people! Sissy was very sweet the whole time and enjoyed the kids' area very much! Little girl in a big chair! We left the Apple Festival when it closed and headed back to Atlanta for dinner at Pappadeaux's! I made salted caramel cupcakes in hopes of getting the recipe similar to what my great grandmother made for her when she was growing up.  Not sure how close my recipe came to her caramel cak...

Dear Charlie, Time is just flying by!  I can't believe it has been two months since your birthday.  You are learning so much every day! The thing we are really noticing is how you are beginning to talk!  You are starting to say hi as you wave to us and I have heard you say hi dada and hi pop!  I'm pretty sure that you call me Baba and when you enjoy what you are eating, you say mmmm.  You also point to the light and say light and know to say uh oh if you drop something.  You know the dog says woof woof, too!  You "talk" a lot and I think probably you are saying a lot of other things that we just aren't picking up.  You have a sweet little voice that I love hearing.  You have developed this habit of a high pitched squeal that you do when you are frustrated or excited.  Sometimes you just run through the house doing it!  Not sure how we teach you that squealing isn't the best sound. You are a wild man!  You walk and run all da...