a couple weeks ago we spent a whole saturday up in north ga at stonewall falls & then stoped at a pumpkin patch on the way home.  isabella had a blast exploring the great outdoors.  i sometimes wish she would grow up how i did, with lots of untouched nature outside her back door for her to explore.  the trees were perfect colors the weekend we were there.  our drive up & back was so beautiful - love this time of year!  

we stopped at jaemore farms on the way back for our annual pumpkin patch visit.  they had an amazing corn maze, which we were not brave enough to attempt.  there was an actual pumpkin patch & isabella picked her own little pumpkin, right off the vine.  then we bought more (larger ones) at the farmers' market, along with a couple fresh sweet breads (cinnamon apple & pecan), cinnamon donuts & cider.  i can't believe it's now november with thanksgiving & christmas right around the corner.  we're already getting excited with all the fun activities planned.  now if we could only get our kitchen back to normal, things would be good.  i'll explain later . . . . long story.  

enjoy the beginning of your holiday season!  

isabella was 'saint isabella' of france - the patron of sick people - for 'all saints' day at her school yesterday.  the whole school had a parade in the morning to show off their beautiful costumes.  mommy apparently wasn't as creative as the other mom's, as my child looked more like a princess.  i'm still learning this pre k thing. ;-)

we kept her in last night, due to a cold, but promised she could dress up in her rapunzel costume & hand out candy to the trick or treaters.  she could put one treat in her own bucket every time one came to the door.  she was thrilled & didn't know she was missing out on anything.  our little princess still had a blast!    

hope all the little ones had a fantastic halloween!  

 

~ happy halloween ~

hope you get spooked! 

BOO!



she may be the happiest child i know.  she makes me want to be 'better' every day. . . she's not only  our child, but a huge inspiration.  huge LOVE for this girl !  

. . .  not to mention sister ROCKS an awesome smile !! 

5 years ago today . . . 

. . . don't they go by in a blink

"love is passion, obsession, someone you can't live without.  i say fall head over heels.  find someone you can love like crazy and who will love you the same way back.  how do you find him?  well, you forget your head, and you listen to your heart.  and i'm not hearing any heart.  cause the truth is honey, there is no sense living your life without this.  to make the journey and not fall deeply in love, well, you haven't lived a life at all.  but you have to try, cause if you haven't tried, you haven't lived". - william parrish - meet joe black

 

~ beautiful day ~

last weekend we spent the day at montaluce - a winery in dahlonega.  the weather was perfect & the day couldn't have been better!  

another perfect day for the memory book . . .

~ book recommendation ~

'the kissing hand' 

if you haven't read it or heard about, i highly recommend it.  i recently ordered bella some new books through her pre-school & this was one of them.  we read it for the first time tonight, but it turns out, she was already familiar with it, as mrs. elder also has it at school.  it's quite appropriate with all the changes in her life right now.  if you're looking for a book to help with a child's separation anxiety, this is perfect.  we actually do something very similar - we blow kisses to isabella, she catches them & tucks them under her shirt close to her heart, to pull out later to kiss her face with when she needs them.  sweet, sweet story . . .   

'don't cry because it's over

smile because it happened' 

love, love, love this . . .  

so proud of you big girl !!  

~Changes can be good~

things have been crazy around here & it's taken a bit to get used to.  i've been mia for quite sometime due to back to back vacations, family visits & a tiny 3 yr olds first couple weeks of pre-k!!  the typical, so much to share, but no time to do it. ;-)  

now that we are beginning to settle into to our new routine (kind of) i hope to get back on track with my blog updates.  isabella is loving her new school & her teachers ~ mrs elder & miss nicholas.  for those who don't know, isabella was accepted at notre dame academy (catholic school) last april, for the 2011 pre-k 3 fall school year.  the plan is for her to continue on there, as she is grandfathered into their elementary & middle school program.  we knew it was time & we said goodbye to dear miss kelley, who's been her nanny for quite sometime.  she's adjusting well, but there some major emotional times that i'm sure is just due to all the changes.  we are thrilled with the school & can't say enough about the wonderful teachers & staff.  i am so looking forward to watching her grow & thrive in her new school.  isn't she too cute in her uniform??  i just ordered her a cardigan for the upcoming fall weather - can't wait to see her in it!  

be back soon. . .   i promise ;-)