Chores

In our attempt to place some of the household responsibility on the kids, Robert and I bought them their own laundry baskets. Laundry is a never ending battle for me (for us all!), and it is time the kiddos helped out more with that. To get them more excited about the prospect of doing chores, we let them decorate their baskets. Since I have so many crafty things, it is never hard for me to begin a project.

Holiday Season Begins

The official start to our holiday season is our joint birthday party. But it really feels like the holidays when we start decorating the house for Christmas. Yes, I realize it is a bit early, but the last couple of years we have not been home much for Christmas. So, this weekend I said it was time. We drug everything out! I must say the kids love to decorate the tree and help drape the house in lights. I hope they always love it! I know I do (and so does Rob--even though he refuses to admit it)!

A couple more!

Aunt Becca took these pictures. She will be happy that she made it on to the blog! The kids loved having her here, so I thought I had better put this up!The other pic is of all the girls (and if you look closely, some boys). I also participated in the costume wearing that weekend!

Girls:
Abby, Brooklyn, Amaris, Christina, and Carlynn

Birthday Weekend

The kids had a blast at their joint birthday party. I think it was the best one yet! We had pizza, hit the pinata, and the kids ran around like crazy--but we would not have had it any other way. Thank you to all our friends and family that came to share the craziness of that day. You all made it great!

P.S. In case you are wondering--Aunt Becca let C put on makeup that day, so if you are curious as to where those black eyes came from--Aunt B is to blame! Mom was not as enthusiastic.....

River 2009

I just uploaded some pictures from this past summer and I thought I would share. Robert's parents have a house on the Devil's River and we spent a lot of time there this summer. We spent enitre days in the river, even bringing our portable bbq pit so we wouldn't have to stop swimming to eat! With the tarp for shade and plenty of water to drink and sunscreen, we were able to pull that off without a hitch. By the time we spent Labor Day at the river, the kids only played down at the water for a hour or two (can you imagine!). We tuckered them out.

Carl and Melissa are so kind to allow us to enjoy the River House when we want. The kids are going to have so many beautiful memories of river trips with their friends and family.

Game Day and Baking Sunday

We had a little Family Game Day this afternoon. Robert and I bought a cool game we wanted to use at the kids' party next weekend. Robert thought he had the perfect throwing technique and completely ignored my technique.....until I started scoring. Needless to say, he then decided my technique was not so juvenile after all. But, to my dismay......he started to excel and beat me at my own game. The kids did good too! With all the action of today, Baking Sunday was a bit low-key. C and I made yogurt covered pretzels instead of our signiture cupcakes and cookies.

Pumkin Patch

It was a beautiful day today, so we decided to head 20 miles up the road to Eldorado to visit the Pumkin Patch. They had pumkins of all sizes. Aiden obliged me long enough for a couple of pictures, he is getting too cool for his mom and dad. That is to be expected, of course! But my sweet boy took pics, then promptly went to sit in dad's pickup. Carlynn, loved meandering through the pumkins, I think we came home with 20!

I will post a couple more pics soon.

Carlynn the Couragous!

After much protesting and begging, Robert and I allowed C to get her ears pierced. We took her up to San Angelo today to do it. She will be 6 in a few days and we did it as part of her birthday present. Now, most children are somewhat afraid of sharp objects, particularly ones aimed at the head, but Carlynn didn't flinch. A few onlookers applauded her bravery. Little C has laughed in the face of danger since she was little; jumping off couches and touching snakes. This child is ASKING to get a flu shot. She terrifies me!

I wanted to share pictures of her newly pierced ears. She is so proud and told me that she can't stop looking at her ears. I must admit I can't stop looking at them either. She looks gorgous.

A.R.T.

Aiden started the 3rd grade this year! I know, where does the time go? It was just yesterday that I sat up nights just watching him breathe. It was just yesterday that he was insisting that we watch Blue's Clues over and over........and over (he still sleeps with Blue every night). Anyone remember the Birthday Party episode? "Present time, present time. Open a present and see what's inside!". I still get that stuck in my head. This year has started off spectacular for Aiden. In his first six weeks, he has earn Student of the Week for good behavior and perfect attendance; then got Student of the Day, because he used the word "shimmering" in a story he wrote. In a few days, my little bug will be nine years old. 

Little Reader

C is learning how to read! She is getting really good and really persistant about it. She wants to read several times a day. I am so happy that she is excited about it! I think I know everything there is to know about fish, artic foxes, bears--all the school's library books. I hope she finds a place in her life for reading, reading for the love of it.  She will benefit greatly.

Westgate in Dublin

The pictures here are some of the two bedroom apartment that we will be staying in in Dublin. We have booked and confirmed our stay here as of this morning. It was certainly an experience booking these apartments. I asked my realtor if there were any contracts that I needed to sign and he said---no, the e-mails suffice as a contract. I am a bit apprehensive about this. But, I think the Irish are of the mentality--my word is my contract. I am used to signing pages of contract to confirm any agreement. This is better!

Party Time

I have a creative gene in me that I can only entertain when it is time to do invitations. For those of you that know me well know that invites are my forte and I love to make them rather than buy them--at least most of the time. So, I usually make the kids' invites along with a little rhyme. I am sure my days of doing Bug's invites are winding down. I don't know many pre-teens boys that let their mom make an invitation that rhymes and is on scrapbooking paper. But, until he complains, I will continue the tradition. The problem with the girl is she wanted her invite to be "scary" and asked that a bat be put in the place of the crown. I guess I could not hide my dissappointment as C "allowed" the crown to stay. I did try to put the bat on for her, but she insisted later that it remain as it was. They like to appease their 'ol mom. This will change.

Movie Night

We try to have a "themed" type day once a week. We do "Baking Sunday", "Movie Night". etc. These pics of the kids in their 3-D glasses crack me up, therefore I wanted to share them with you.

Since most of you will know us pretty well, you know that October is a big month for us! Aiden and Carlynn both have a birthday this month. So, we are consumed with birthday party planning and costume shopping. We have been fortunate in that the kids do not protest much about having joint birthday parties. This year we have gotten really lucky, because both of them want a "spooky" theme party. Usually the house is draped in pink polka dots and Pokemon attire during our one party! This year we will be able to knock it out with one theme--Halloween. Fitting, since Bug (Aiden) is a little spook himself. C arrived ten days before Halloween. I will be posting birthday party pics soon.

The Start of New Adventure

After some prompting from family and friends (one in particular), I have decided to start this blog. The initial catalyst that began this process was the fact that the Teaff family is about to embark on an overseas adventure! To complete my graduate program, I am required to complete 150 hours of internship within a university, in a department of my choice. I have been offered the unique experience of completing those hours in Dublin, Ireland; which means spending ten weeks on the Emerald Isle! I am thrilled by this prospect and as long as we can pull together all the moving parts--all of us will be spending some time in a foreign country; which has been a dream of mine for a long time.

The latest development in this process is that we have secured our accommodations! I will be living in an one bedroom apartment at first and then move into a two bedroom after Robert and the kids join me. The pictures you see are of the first apartment. I adore it already!