It's only October!!!

I am sure many of you have heard of the "nor'easter" hitting the East coast. Completely unexpected! It really is crazy. It isn't even officially winter yet. The snow started around noon and we have already seen lots of tree limbs fall because the snow is so heavy and most of the leaves are still on the trees. We are praying for protection over our home because one of the trees to the side of our house has already had several limbs fall. You can see the pictures below. They are forecasting for the snow to continue through the middle of the night.

October activities...

I am still here, just a little behind. October has been a BUSY month, but enjoying a week of reprieve from all the activities. October included PaPa & MeMe visiting, two parties to celebrate Brayden's 4th birthday, our church turning 100 years old with a big weekend celebration and now our church missions convention taking place. All exciting things, that I am blessed to have and share in.

We took our little Brayden bear for his 4 year check up yesterday. He is not so little anymore. He now weighs 42 lbs and is 43-1/2" tall. In comparison to other kids his age he is still at the top of the charts ranking in at 97% for both. He got a thumbs up from the doctor along with 2 shots. :( He was a brave boy though and only cried for a second.

Below are some pictures from his second Cat In the Hat birthday party with the rest of the James family. We enjoyed Green Eggs and Ham sandwiches for dinner along with another Hat birthday cake. I am for hire if you anyone needs a Hat cake. We played pin the hat on the cat. Opened lots of fun gifts including a McDonald's gift card, Star Wars Playskool hero toys and a toy piano. Brayden had fun being with his cousins and big sis. They each got a Cat goodie bag at the end of the night.

PaPa & MeMe visit...

Dad and Mom came to visit last week. We did a little bit of everything playing, helping PaPa fix things, celebrating birthday's (PaPa's & Brayden's), mini trip to Boston to visit my Grandma, a stop for an amazing Lobster Roll and Ice Cream, shopping and just being together.  We enjoyed our time with them.

Grandma Prather

This past weekend while my parents were visiting we took a 2-day trip to visit my Grandmother who is living in a nursing home right outside of Boston. It has been 8 years since she has seen Sarah and she has never met Brayden. It was so special for the kids and myself to be able to see her again. 

Today You Are You...

Today you are you,

That is truer than true,

There is no one alive,

Who is youer than you!

-Dr. Seuss, Happy Birthday To You! 

Happy Birthday to Brayden! Our little bear turned 4 years old today.

This year we are celebrating with "Cat In The Hat" per Brayden's request. We had a mini party today with PaPa & MeMe while they are here visiting us and we will have another party next Monday night with the rest of our family. 

Brayden's day started off with a trip to church where he celebrated with friends in his Sunday School class and a box of his favorite D&D Munchkins. Next we went to his favorite playground and enjoyed a bagel. Later in the afternoon we opened presents and had cake and ice cream. I made the "Hat" cake, with help/advice from my Mom and Sarah. I was pretty happy with how it turned out considering I have never done a cake like this.

He was excited about all his presents - Spiderman Pj's, slippers and underwear, a Nerf gun, Tron figure, Lego Star Wars DVD, Star Wars Lego set, Star Wars shirt and money.

Sarah drew the "Cat In The Hat" picture freehand. I think it was really good. She loves doing special things like this to help decorating for parties.

A Special Prayer

Every night Jason or I pray with Sarah and Brayden when we put them to bed. When I pray with Brayden I always ask if there is something he would like to specifically pray for and tonight he said "I want to pray for Jesus to come into my heart". Nothing could make me and Jason happier than to hear our children say they want to ask Jesus to live in their heart and be their Saviour. I know seeds are being planted in Brayden's life to know Jesus Christ in a greater way. Tonight was only the beginning.

Fashionista

Last Saturday I took Sarah shopping for some new school clothes. She was so excited, this girl loves shopping! She likes to call herself a "Fashionista". I was excited because Brayden stayed home with Daddy, which makes it so much easier to focus on shopping. Cayla, her BFF, joined us for the day and even picked up a few things.

We had a GREAT day! I said a little prayer before the day started, patience and good deals, which we had both of. The first store we found 2 pairs of shoes for $10 each. I knew it was the start of a good day. Five stores and 5 hours later we had some cute outfits and were all exhausted.

I am learning to be patient in the shopping process. My little girl is no longer a little girl anymore and at 10 years old she has her own taste and style and wants to make some of her own choices. Here is where the learning comes in for me, learning when to let her make her own choices and learning when to say no. I know the learning and letting go is only at the beginning stages with my kids, but this particular day I think I did great.

These are some of the pictures from our day and some of the outfits my Fashionista picked out.