Thriller!

The TMS faculty "thrilled" our students today with a flash mob at the sports awards assembly. At the conclusion of the assembly, we all started walking like zombies to the middle of the gym floor and proceeded to do the Thriller dance. We had practiced about 7 or 8 times after school and could clearly have used some more practice, but we still had a great time and the students were so excited! I have on the white long-sleeved shirt under my red t-shirt toward the back left of the screen. I've always wanted to participate in a flash mob and now I can check it off my bucket list :)

The Arch and The Marathon

Since we were already planning to go downtown STL to see Aunt Julie finish the marathon, we decided to sneak in a trip to the Arch as well. Ross and Corinne had never been up in it. We made reservations on the 9:30 tram so we would have plenty of time to sight see before heading to the finish line. It was a perfect fall day!

Enjoying the walk from the parking lot.

The obligatory artsy picture

Ross and Delaney on one side of the scale

versus Harper and Corinne on the other side

Harper peeking out

The Old Courthouse

Cousins

Delaney looking East to find our house

The whole gang minus Mama Liz who opted to stay down in the museum

Corinner Binner

Busch Stadium - home of the 2011 World Series Champions!!

Harper, Allan, Delaney, Ross, Corinne, Jen

Mama and her Grandkids

The colors on the Arch grounds were beautiful

On our walk to the finish line we stopped by Keiner Plaza to get a picture by the Cardinal Red fountain. The kids were so good while we waited for Aunt Julie to finish. Probably because we were pumping them full of snacks and lunch!

Julie had a rough time with this marathon because her knee gave out at mile 10 and she had to walk some starting at mile 18. She finished strong, though, with her sister Jenni along for moral support. We were so proud!!! Makes me ready to train again for a race in the spring!

On Stage at School

Delaney's class was on stage for the first time this year. Allan was Super Dad and stayed all three days to watch. I was able to sneak out during my plan time yesterday to go see it.

Harper and her class on the way down.

Delaney was quick to show me the spot where Harper her bit her an hour earlier.

Delaney and Payton

She got to hold the flag for the Pledge.

Harper and her best school friend, Lanie.

I love how my girls love to praise Jesus and shake their booties at the same time :)

Cousins

Ross and Corinne are down from Minnesota for a few days so Aunt Julie can run in the marathon. The girls all coincidentally had on purple shirts and black pants, so I had to snap a quick pic. In the second one, Ross and their other cousin, Ana, got in on the fun.

Delaney (almost 5) Corinne (8) and Harper (2 1/2)

Ross (11)

Delaney is on the Worship Team!

Delaney "tried out" (no one gets cut) to be on the vocal team in Adventureland at our church. She helps lead worship on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Saturdays of the month. They always have to wear the same t-shirt, jeans, and tennis shoes. Right now, they are singing "All Because of Jesus" and "Everlasting God". As much as we all know that Delaney loves to sing and dance in the mirror at home, she is still a little timid on stage in front of a crowd. She is getting better every week about smiling and not concentrating so hard on the motions! Her buddies Tyler and Landon also sing with her.

Delaney and Tyler

Landon

Harper doesn't get to go into the auditorium during church, so she likes to watch the practices. I guess it was a little too loud for her.

Honey came to watch Delaney's practice, too.

Soaring on wings like eagles!

Homecoming

My nephew Jon went to the GC Homecoming dance with his girlfriend Alina. They had a perfect day! As tradition dictates, all of GC met up at the park to get pictures taken. My Mom, the girls, and I joined in on the fun.

Jon and Alina - so handsome and pretty!!

Pinning on the boutonniere or corsage is always the most awkward moment. Does anyone really know how to do it correctly?

Uncle Ken sneaks in the picture

Honey and Jon

More Alina and Jon

Jon and his cousin Carter

Jon and his girls - Cate, Harper, and Delaney

Joy Ride

It was a beautiful day and we were a little early for dinner at Mama and Papa's, so Allan took the girls for a spin around the lake in Papa's little car.

Harper's Haircut

Harper got her first haircut at a beauty shop today! She's gotten a trim from Honey before, but not a full-fledged haircut. As I've written before, she hates for me to fix her hair, so it was time for it to come off! She did such a good job and earned herself a sucker.

Before

After - I think she's adorable!

Big Girl Bed!

Harper has been asking about a big girl bed for a few weeks, so Allan and I decided to try it out yesterday for her nap. We converted her crib to a toddler daybed. Allan was nervous about her falling out (it's only about 10 inches off the ground!), so we lined the floor with pillows and blankets. It took her 2 escapes and 30 minutes to settle, but that's not much longer than she usually jumps around and sings and talks to herself to fall asleep. She slept for 2 hours and 15 minutes - a great nap for her!

At bedtime last night it took her about 15 minutes to settle and she slept through the whole night. The cutest part is that both times she woke up she yelled out to us, "Mom and Dad, can I get out now?" I guess she doesn't realize that she's not locked in.

This morning when she saw her crib railing leaning against the wall in our bedroom she said, "No more crib! I big girl now!"

1st nap in her big girl bed

Fire Station Open House

October is Fire Safety month and Delaney has been learning all about it at school. She loves to practice Stop, Drop, and Roll and knows to get down low and crawl as well as to check the doors to see if they are hot before exiting.

The Glen Carbon fire station had its open house today. The girls had a fun time on the bounce house, shooting the water hose, eating treats, riding in the fire engine, and watching a real fire be put out. We were surpised to see the Garmans and Joneses there as well.

How many bounce house pictures do I have of my kids? Too many! But their smiles are too precious.

I think Harper got going a little too fast for her liking.

Eating hot dogs, chips, cookies, and lemonade with friends - life is good!

Harper is waiting for the fire to start. I guess she thinks it's gonna get loud.

The girls and the daddies

Luke was there too.

The fire burned the "house" quickly and it was SO HOT that we actually had to move back.

Silly Claire

Sober Delaney watching the fire