Basketball Cheer

Vera participated in the cheer clinic once again.  They spent about 4 hours on a Saturday preparing, and then showed off their skills at the basketball game that evening.  Vera had so much fun.  Since then, she has been doing cheer moves constantly.  It so reminds me of my sister Mandy's days of nonstop cheerleading moves. 

Trick or Treat

Halloween sort of snuck up on me this year, perhaps because we were so busy.  We organized these costumes at the last minute.  I only had to buy a few accessories for Vera's costume.  Otherwise, everything was around the house, or a second-hand costume.  

Vinners was elated to be a puppy.  I prayed that the costume fit when I got them out, because I knew once he saw it, he would insist on wearing whether it fit or not.  Thankfully, it worked perfectly.  I hadn't planned for Annie to wear the dragon costume, but she was excited about it, and truthfully, it worked out really well.  Trick or Treat was really chilly this year, so the warm fleece with a hood was perfect!

We went to my parents' on Friday evening, and it was crazy as usual.  The kids actually played quite nicely in the basement that evening.  Though everyone had their moment, all in all, the kids were very good!

So many wiggly spooks!

Papaw handed out the treats...and then promptly encouraged sugar and rough-housing.

We made only a few stops at Versailles' trick or treat; it was really chilly! Later, we made a visit to Grammie and Papa's.  Grammie wasn't feeling well, so we had a quiet visit, and didn't manage to take any pictures.  Mindy's girls were also there, and had cute costumes as usual.  I got to meet sweet baby Brinley for the first time, and she was as sweet (and tiny!) as ever!  The kids made a haul-in of candy, and Vera enjoyed a Halloween parade and celebration at school.  Fun times all around!

Annie is 2!

Annie had a simple, but nice birthday this year.  The trip to the pumpkin patch sort of served as her birthday gift.  We made owl cupcakes to take to Patty's house, and we ordered an awesome owl cake for at home.  No birthday party this year, but still fun memories at home singing happy birthday and blowing out candles.  Like always, receiving birthday cards in the mail is also a fun highlight for our kids on their birthdays!

Look "whoo's" turning two!

Friends at Patty's house.  L to R: Sophia, Zoe, Annie, Parker & Vin.

Birthday ice cream and a few quick pictures before bed on Annie's birthday.  I had Parent-Teacher conferences, so we didn't get to do much to celebrate Annie's special day.

We pretended like the next day was really Annie's birthday and celebrated together at home.

A few days after Annie's birthday, Grammie and Papa stopped by with a birthday gift.

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Right as Annie turned 2, she changed a lot.  For us, the most noticeable change was her speech.  She just exploded with her vocabulary, speaking in phrases and really communicating.  (Her speech is actually better than Vin's at this point.  She can pronounce sounds very well, even the hard sounds like f and s.)  She knows all of her immediate family members by name.  When she says Vince's name, it sounds like "Wince."  So cute!  When I ask her what her name is, she says "Aah-nee" and when I ask "Annie Who?"  She responds, "Annie Pie."  I love it! 

She has to do exactly what her brother does.  If Vince stomps his foot, Annie also stomps hers.  When Vince goes outside to play, so must Annie.  If Vince takes his socks off, Annie will too.  When someone brings out something to eat, she responds, "I some."  When Vince has a toy, Annie will attempt to take it right from him.  I cannot believe how much she has to be like Vince.  They also have plenty of fighting moments, but that's typical sibs.  I know that won't end anytime soon.  Because of her monkey see, monkey do, Annie is learning her alphabet, colors and shapes just as Vince is.  Amazing!

Annie's favorite thing to play is babies.  She's really showing an interest in feeding, rocking and holding her babies.  This is nice to see, as Vera never really took to playing babies.  Minnie Mouse is her favorite stuffed animal, and the Minnie book is also her favorite. 

One Annie-ism that I have to document is when we ask Annie to show us her eyes.  She raises her eyebrows and makes her eyes big and still.  We laugh and laugh at her expression.  I've attempted to capture a picture or two, but it just doesn't do justice to how she responds when we ask, "Nee, show us your eyes." 

Annie is still sleeping in her crib, though I am quite confident she could climb out if she wanted.  I've seen her with her foot on the top rail of the crib.  But, she's completely content with the crib, so we will use it for as long as she's willing.  We had a short stretch where she refused to lay down at night, so we put her in bed with Vera.  She laid right down and slept all night with Vera in the big bed with no troubles.  But, we went back to the crib only for convenience, especially at nap time.  I don't foresee the transition to a big bed to be difficult.  Annie goes to sleep like a dream.  She no longer uses her pacifier.  (Honestly, that was really easy to wean.  She didn't much notice it was gone.  She's way more attached to her blanket.  If we took away the blanket, I think we'd have some troubles at bedtime.)  We just give her the blanket and tell her night, night, and as long as the house is somewhat quiet, we don't hear another sound from her. 

Though her personality is shining bright, according to her growth charts, she hasn't grown much in the last 4 months.  Since April, she's grown a mere 1/2 lb.  At her 2 year well-check she weighed 24 pounds, placing her in the 14th percentile for weight.  Her eating habits seem to be really good in my mind.  Annie is always the last one done at suppertime.  She's slow and steady, but isn't picky or finicky at all.  More often than not, she's the best eater of the 3. 

Annie Pie, you may be small, but you sure are mighty.  You have your daddy right where you want him, he has a soft spot for you.  And, though you're the youngest, you know how to defend yourself.  Oh, and you sure are ornery!  I know your second year will be full of the same!  Love you big much, Annie Girl!

The Pumpkin Patch

On the day of Annie's actual birthday, I had Parent/Teacher conferences and Vera had CCD, so we weren't able to fully celebrate her birthday.  (Have I mentioned that we've had a crazy busy fall?)  I planned a day to Lincoln Ridge Farm the weekend before her birthday.  It was a perfect day.  The kids were so well-behaved.  It wasn't overly crowded, and we had great weather.  It was well-worth our drive there.

Annie did not enjoy this tunnel slide like we'd thought.  Her face was full of fear the entire way down.  #parentfail

These jumping pillows were the highlight of my day.  Watching Vince run from one end to another was like watching him walk on air.  I took a video and I laugh and laugh every time I watch it.  If he would've fallen, he would've really hurt himself because his little legs were moving so fast as he ran and ran.  Typical Vinners who never, ever thinks of the "what ifs."

Annie was just a little too small for them.  Vera was so good about helping her give it a try.

Crawling through this corn tunnel was right up Vince's alley. 

Annie didn't care to crawl through, so she excitedly watched for her siblings at the end.

This is their famous pumpkin tree.

Duck races were a hit.  Vince spent quite a while in this area.

The windmills along route 30 were a backdrop all day.  The kids & I found them to be pretty intriguing.

Annie spent a good while in the corn crib while the older two raced ducks.  She wasn't so sure about it.  Vera had fun making "corn angels" and burying herself.

These little pedal carts were cool, but they were so hard for Adam & I to pedal.  The gear ratios could've been better.  We got quite the leg workout!

The fruit farm has an apple tree that was planted from a seed from one of Johnny Appleseed's apple trees.  Pretty cool!

I think I can speak for everyone in saying the highlight of the day was taking a hayride to the pumpkin patch and picking our own pumpkins.  The pumpkins were of all sizes, and the kids loved finding the perfect pumpkin.  These pictures turned out so well!

What a great family day!