September Randoms

We had Chloe's birthday party the weekend before her actual birthday, so on her big day we had a special breakfast and then went to Red Robin for dinner. We also made Oreo fluff from leftover cream and Oreos :)

We've started doing a Preschool curriculum at home with Chloe, too. She got some posters and flashcards for her birthday so we have those up on the wall.

Chloe started Adventurers at church this Fall. She loves it!  They meet one weekend a month and do an honor and crafts, then do a field trip. These are photos of her on the day we signed her up (getting her uniform) and on the first meeting day wearing her field uniform.

To break up all the kid pictures, I'll throw in this one. I went to an all-day photo class lead out by Scott Kelby. It was so fun. All day to myself and I learned so much!

I'll end with some true random photos...

Apple Orchard

Our first field trip for Adventurers was a visit to the Erwin Orchards for apple picking. Nathan stayed home with Megan (she was teething and very grumpy) but since the girls' cousins Fiona and Oliver are also in Adventurers, we got to see them and Uncle Ian and Aunt Melissa.  It was a cool day weather-wise, but I guess that's how you want it to be when you're out running around picking apples. Chloe loved the wagon ride and talked about it all week. Afterward we explored the grounds and got some cider and donuts. 

 

Chloe Turns Three

Chloe has a very sweet personality, but she is all toddler these days with the attitude. A sure way to have her look away from me is to say, "Chloe, look at mommy!" I've pretty much resigned myself to the idea that any pictures I take of her are going to be very candid. Smiling at the camera will happen by accident. So, with low expectations we set out on our back porch for a few pictures when she turned three. (BTW, she loves cars and has a few favorites that she carries around with her. )

Three

We had Chloe's family birthday party this weekend. We were fortunate to have all of our immediate family there (except for one). That's quite an accomplishment considering how many people we're related to!

I found this super cute purple t-shirt dress for Chloe so we decorated in purple and pink. For food we had biscuits and gravy (with fake meat), macaroni and cheese, cream cheese meatballs in gravy, salad, a fruit tray, and a fruit soup. Drinks - lemonade and pink dairy punch (lemonade, gingerale, milk, and strawberry ice cream).  Chloe's cake was white vanilla and strawberry. It was supposed to be checkered but the batter mixed too much - sad face :( Nathan made vanilla bean and butter pecan ice creams, plus chocolate hardshell and waffle bowls. I also made froot loop treats. 

The streamers are purple, pink, and blue...though it's hard to see them in the photo.

Chloe decorated her mini personal cake all by herself. We found the Easter sprinkles so there were bunnies, eggs, and butterflies mixed with her crystal sprinkles. That candle played "Happy Birthday" when it was lit and it totally scared Chloe when we lit the candles to sing to her. Then we couldn't make it stop even when we blew out the candle and Nathan had to take it apart. LOL.

Mommy decorated the big cake :)

Froot Loop Treats

Favor bucket with The Birthday Balloon That Won't Die 

(we got it for her 1st birthday party and it's still fully inflated!)

 

Chloe holding her birthday dessert - waffle bowl with cake, ice cream, and froot loops!

The checkered cake that didn't turn out - although there is some sort of pattern. Next time I will try two cakes that are more contrasty. I think the vanilla and strawberry colors were too close.

Chloe got lots of great presents. This is her giving me the 'annoyed teenager' look when I had called her name about 50 times so she'd look at me. "Mom, I'm busy here."

Playing with her rocket launcher outside (guess who got that for her...yep, daddy)

Family pictures!

Cousin love with her cousin Kaitlyn.

 Party Favors - Oreo Popcorn!

 What a fun day!