First Snow Fall

For all those people who couldn't wait for summer to be over............

I hope you're happy. Give me a 90 degree day any time!

Kinetic Sand, Build A Bear & Gender Reveal

Since I had babysitting duty, I decided to break out the kinetic sand for Lincoln to play with while Melissa went to the doctor.

I couldn't believe this kept him occupied the whole time Melissa was gone. The last time we played with kinetic sand was when Bruce was here playing with Violet - maybe 2 or 3 years ago. If you put down a large sheet, it doesn't make that big of a mess.

When Melissa and Violet got back we headed off to Build a Bear. I'm a sucker for coupons - not the $1.00 or $.50 off. But give me a $10 off coupon and I'm there.

Violet has been wanting the purple unicorn ever since Build a Bear ran out during the "Pay Your Age" bargain day.

Build a Bear offers a special Birthday Bear during your birthday month. You pay your age (and we didn't have to wait in line)!

But Lincoln couldn't pass up the dinosaur Build a Bear and I couldn't pass up the bargain of paying $3 for a Build a Bear.

The reason I was babysitting Lincoln was so Melissa, Jamie and Violet could find out the sex of the new baby. It's a girl. I believe the baby is trying to intimidate me by doing hand to toe exercises in this photo. I don't think I'll ever be able to touch my toes again let alone hoist my leg over my head! By the way, the baby is due March 28, 2019. We'll see how close the doctor comes to that due date!

Chiefs Football and Tailgating

I don't usually go to Chiefs games because I don't like cold weather. My friend from high school was visiting Kansas City from Florida so I thought it might be fun to go to a game.

Another high school friend has been tailgating before the Chiefs games since I can remember and he invited us to tailgate with them. I've never experienced a tailgate party before. From what I could see, it's a bunch of avid Chiefs fans grilling everything from biscuits and gravy to bratwurst and drinking as much as they can before having to pay $12 for a beer inside the stadium.

Some even go as far as to bring decorated cookies to munch on while waiting for the game to start. I was so glad the weather was unseasonably warm for a late October game. We might have started the tailgating in jackets, but ended up in t-shirts.

KC Wolf even made an appearance near our seats.

The best part was meeting up with Michael for the last quarter of the game. Now he's an avid fan. Screaming and yelling and booing along with the rest of the crowd. I still prefer to watch the game from the comfort of my living room couch. No crowd, no noise and no traffic congestion to get home. By the way, the Chiefs beat the Denver Broncos 30-23!

Hardwood Floor - 1; Violet - 0

What we can only conclude as an accident, Violet became part of Teresa's "Stitches in the Chin" club.

While balancing between the couch and the chair, Violet took a bad fall hitting the new hardwood floor and wound up heading to the hospital for stitches.

Teresa may hold the title for most times with stitches in the chin (3), Violet and Lincoln have both had their turn. Must be a gene on our side of the family that's floating around.

Headband Craft Project

Every time I go to JoAnn's, I use my 50% off coupon and buy some type of craft project for Violet to work on when she comes over.

Our latest project was making three headbands. If you notice the package says for ages 5-95. Between the two of us, we're still under 95!

My job was to hold the headband while Violet wrapped and glued the ribbon around it. Sometimes I went too fast for her. Other times I was too slow. I'm not good with the craft stuff but I try.

I had a few other crafty items like these rosebuds Violet added to jazz up the headband. We may be able to start making headbands for weddings and dance recitals. I'm pretty sure all the ornamental decorations will fall off if Violet wears these for any length of time. Beware if you see these items posted on Etsy!

Premium Outlet Mall - St Louis

As if I didn't have enough shopping at the Osage Beach outlet mall, I headed to St Louis to meet Michele for another day of shopping.

This outlet had so many more or my favorite stores. These are just the stores I bought stuff from. It doesn't include the ones we just browsed through.

My haul was a little bigger this time. Don't judge me. Some people love shoes and some people love purses. I happen to love both!

Let's not forget about Violet and Lincoln. They scored big with jackets, fall clothes and pajamas.

Michele even bought a few things this time. She was waiting outside the Columbia outlet waiting for me. Michele doesn't mind if you're running late. She always has her sketch book ready drawing anything that's in front of her. I think I'm through shopping for awhile. I know Christmas is right around the corner but I'll go back to online shopping. It's closer and I don't have to wait in line or dodge other shoppers.

Pumpkin Patch

While Michael and I were at the ballgame, the Taylors made their yearly trip to Carolyn's Pumpkin Patch.

Ever since Violet was born, she's had her picture taken in the giant rocking chair. And each year she gets a little braver. This year Violet and Lincoln had to jazz up the picture and stand up in the chair.

Picking just the right pumpkin for carving can be a little intimidating, especially if the pumpkins are as big as you are.

I wonder if Violet took this picture. She's getting pretty good with a camera. Yeehaw!!!