Watch those Wee Ones!

 


The leprechauns, don't you know. We woke up to a huge mess in the kitchen this morning and there isn't any other explanation -- besides leprechauns!

Here's wishing you the luck o' the Irish all the year through!

Francesca is 7 and it's Owl-right!

From the land of unusual birthday celebrations comes Francesca's 7th -- affectionately dubbed 'Owlfest 2010" in these parts.

Steve and Anitra from the American Widlife Refuge brought real, live owls to the party and gave a wonderful presentation that left us all a little smarter!

Owl cake, owl cupcakes, treats that owls might like to eat (chocolate mice and gummy worms). I made owl lollipops for the guests and personalized owl bookmarks and well.. I'm exhausted!

Francesca says it was all "awesome"!

Sophia is 8!

Even though it seems like just yesterday she was 7... what a day! Presents for breakfast (a fine Carol Chapman tradition). She had to cool her heels at church before the Gymnastics party in the afternoon. She spent time with her girls flipping and twisting and jumping and got a load of great presents. Follow that with a birthday request dinner of pancakes and bacon, followed by Cake #2 -- and she crashed in a chair before bedtime. She was wrapped up in a blanket she received today, and was clutching Bear and a new doggie friend she unwrapped at her party.

Such a cliche, but I cannot believe how time flies.

The Old Reliable Run

It's becoming a family tradition for us! Joe does the 5k. We switch the kids. I run the 10K. All that plus face painting, bounce houses and popcorn! We had a beautiful November Day to run it -- temps in the mid-70's.



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Runaway Bride: The Sequel

 

I dusted off the old Runaway Bride costume for the Monster Dash at Cameron Village on Sunday. (This year I threw the bouquet to my little girls and didn't run the entire 5K with it!).

I love this race because it has all kinds of great family events and it takes place at one of my favorite shopping destinations in the world!

Even more than that, Joe brings all available kidlets and they see two things in action. 1) I am not just "Queen of the Laundry" as they like to joke. And 2) There is a lot to be said for trying your best and being a good sport. Sometimes you win, and sometimes you don't. This year I did place again and take home some gift cards. But the results show there were plenty of old girls right there at the tip of my veil...

Pumpkin in the Patch!

 

Gabriella's class took a field trip to the Pumpkin Patch on Friday. This is my third year in a row visiting this particular patch. Even better than that, this is the third year in a row my Kindergartener on this field trip has worn the Lilly Pumpkin ensemble. It doesn't seem quite so extravagant anymore!

Beautiful, warm weather and a great break from the moving madness!

More blue.....

 

This time it's not Carolina blue -- it's blue ribbon blue -- from the North Carolina State Fair!

I was tickled when we arrived today to find two of my stamping creations had been awarded prizes. I'm glad this was the year I finally stopped thinkling about entering, and actually did it!