Pumpkins

On Sunday, Carissa and Gabe went for rides on their ATVs with Grandpa and Uncle Josh for a few hours. Carissa was ecstatic when she heard that they could ride their ATVs for a couple hours. Grandpa said that Gabe did great going up and down the hills, and that Carissa wasn't interested in the hills. After they got back I picked them up from my parents house and we went home to decorate pumpkins. This year instead of the kids painting their pumpkins we bought push in pieces that remind me of Mr. Potato Head pieces. It was really easy for the kids to do on their own. They got to use any pieces they wanted and put them where ever they wanted to.

Allergy tests

Today, Carissa and Gabe both went to the doctor for allergy tests. It has been just over 3 years since Carissa's first and only allergy, so it was time to see what has changed if anything. Plus this fall her allergies were the worst they have ever been, and we want to confirm that she really isn't allergic to eggs anymore. Then there is Gabe, and he has never had problems like Carissa. But, between him having allergy/cold symptoms at the same time the rest of us are having allergies and our previous allergy doctor telling me that because of mine and Ben's allergies our kids are pretty certain to have allergy problems too I assumed that Gabe had allergies as well. We ended up waiting over an hour from when our appointment was supposed to start before that doctor came in, and considering that the kids did pretty well. The sad part was that most of the wait was back in the room, and not in the waiting room full of toys, coloring, and video games.

The doctor was really nice and Carissa and Gabe both did great for the exam part. Then Gabe volunteered to be first for the allergy test, which involved about 12-14 scratches on his back. By the second one he was crying, and so was Carissa. By the time it was all over and Gabe was okay, we still hadn't calmed Carissa down. She tends to get upset when her brother does, plus I'm sure that she knew she was next for the test. Carissa opted for a blood test instead of a skin test to check her allergies, so we had to go to the lab after Gabe's test was done. This was Carissa's first time getting blood drawn, and she fused/cried just a little. Overall, she says that getting a blood test is much better than the skin test. I didn't expect the kids to like the skin test, but Carissa had the test done when she was 2 1/2 years old and didn't cry at all. She did great, so I also didn't expect as much crying as I got either. And thankfully my mom went to the appointment with me which we ended up being there for 3 1/2 hours. Ben was supposed to go, but he was sick and the doctor thought that he had swine flu and a sinus infection. So, Ben had to stay home.

After all that, Gabe seems to have very few allergies and they are very mild. But, that could change as he gets older. And, Carissa's results won't be ready for another week.

Cornbelly's

Over my fall break we decided to pick a place with a corn maze and other children's activities around here and go to it. The kids and I have never been to a corn maze before and we wanted to try it. So, we decided to try going to Cornbelly's, and it was a lot of fun. We watched the pig races, and we went on some rides, inflatables, and they kids dressed up like a princess and knight as well. The kids had a great time and have asked to go back several times since going there.

Jog-a-thon

Today, was the jog-a-thon fundraiser for Carissa's elementary school. Family is welcome and encouraged to come so Gabe and I both stayed at the school when we dropped Carissa off, and we ran in the jog-a-thon with the kindergarten classes. Gabe got a tummy ache from running, (I think because he had just barely finished lunch) so we didn't run the whole length of the race. They had the kids make a loop in the neighborhood and then head back over for the rest of the race, so we cut out the loop part of the race and caught Carissa on her way by us. Then we all finished together. Carissa did a wonderful job and she ran most of the way, when she met up with us she slowed down for a little bit. But, she must have felt better pretty quickly, because she wanted to start running again. After the race was over the school had popsicles for all the kids, and Carissa enjoyed hers in the shade with some of the other kindergartners. Then Gabe and I got some pizza from the concessions there and headed to my parents' house to rest and cool off. I was so hot. And, yes Gabe ate a full lunch, did the run, ate a popsicle, pizza, and a fruit by the foot before he was told that he had enough for lunch. And, the doctors still mention how small he is too me and make sure that he is eating well.

Soccer

Carissa and Gabe are both doing soccer for their first time now. Carissa had a practice on Friday evening and then they both had their first games today. Gabe's coach decided that since they are all preschool age kids that they could just get together and practice for about 15 minutes before the game starts on their game days. So his first practice was right before the game. Carissa is on a kindergarten team and her game was scheduled before Gabe's. She did a great job, and we are very proud of her. She didn't get to the ball very often, but she did a great job keeping up with everything. And it was also pretty obvious that some of the kids on her team had played soccer before. Gabe's game didn't start until noon, and then due to some miscommunication the game didn't really start until almost 12:30. Take a bunch of 3 and 4 year olds who are tired, hungry, and hot (it was about 90 degrees) and who really aren't quite sure what they are supposed to be doing and that describes a lot of how that game went. However, I have to say that it was really cute watching them when the game first started. Two kids went off after the ball kicking it while the rest of both teams stood around in two groups facing each other and looking completely confused. Then the coaches got them all going. Also you had kids wondering off the field during the game to go see their moms only to have their moms send them back. Gabe also did a really great job for his first game, especially considering the circumstances. He really went after the ball a few times and I got one picture of him and another kid going after the ball that I think was a really neat picture.

First day of school

Today was Carissa's first day of kindergarten and Gabe's first day of pre-K. They are both going to the same elementary school which is close to my parent's house, since my mom watches them when Ben and I are at school or work. I like both of their teachers this year, and I think that it should be a good year. Also, I think this class will be a much better match for Gabe than the one he was in last year for a few months. This year we got the kids their first school backpacks, and they were both very excited about the backpacks. Then this evening we went to the orientation for Carissa's and Gabe's first time playing soccer. We got their schedules for games/practices and uniforms. All the uniforms are so big on the kids, especially the pre-school age kids. But, they are very cute.

Camping and the Surprise

We decided to go camping with my dad, Josh, Alyssa. And, Josh and Alyssa each brought a friend with them too. We went up on Thursday, and we found a nice big camp site for all of us and got settled. Carissa and Gabe were both very excited to be going camping even though this was their second time. And their first time was two years ago and only for one night. While we were getting the camp set up Alyssa said that my dad had a surprise for the kids/us but she couldn't tell us what it was. Then when we finished getting set up my dad brought out two small helmets and gloves for the kids to wear. The kids were excited about that and we thought that was a very nice surprise. Then my dad opened up the trailer which was carrying the motorcycles and ATVs, and there were two little ATVs for Carissa and Gabe. They each got there very own matching ATV, helmet, and gloves. And, they love them. They rode the camp site in circles as much as they could, and we took them on some short rides on the dirt road. Carissa has a little easier time driving than Gabe, because she is bigger but they both did really well. They even learned to start their ATVs on their own. We went camping until Saturday morning, and they both got a lot of time riding in while we were there. Pretty much all Carissa did or wanted to do was eat or ride. On Friday right before lunch time I was out with the kids on a short ride with the ATVs, and I told Gabe that he needed to slow down because our turn was coming up. But, he went right passed me and turned where he was supposed to. He was going pretty fast, turning and going down a bump. He rolled the ATV right over, and I stopped and went to check on him. He cried and said that it smashed his leg, but he was fine after a couple of minutes and his leg was a little red but it didn't even bruise. As soon as he stopped crying he asked, "Why did it do that?" So I told him that was why he was supposed to slow down before he turned. And, he got back on the ATV and rode it into camp. By the way, he was well covered when he rolled-he had on pants, socks, tennis shoes, t-shirt, jacket, gloves and helmet. Carissa and Gabe both did wonderfully and really enjoyed camping. A favorite moment of mine from our trip was Gabe and I looking at the stars together. He was amazed by how many stars he could see and they were all around us. He told me that he could see shooting stars, and that the stars that were still were just resting. We had a really nice time together.
I tried to load 2 videos of the kids, but this is all that loaded right now.