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This is a taste of Halloween 2011 I made due to popular demand by those who love us to see the girls' costumes. They had a blast all weekend long!
(and now we have enough candy to get through next halloween)Gotta love it.

Since the End of School

On Friday, the 27th, we had the 5 Bettencourt boys over to our neck of the woods.  They came by and we all went to ride the trolley stopping for shakes at the Arcade Restaurant in the middle.  Yummy!  Unfortunately, the youngest of the boys, the 19 month old twins were less than impressed with the lask of mobility permitted and thus did a lot of what babies do best to let eveyone else know it.  Even so, the big kids had lots of fun.   Charlotte just loved being with her friend, Christopher (the third of the boys) and didn't even realize that anyone in her company was upset or stressed. Hope to play again soon, maybe at a park where running around is welcomed. 
Saturday, May 28th, was one of those days when there is just too much going on.  The girls and I walked to the park in the heat.  Of course, Madi has to go to the bathroom as soon as we get there.  Sadly, she is out of luck in the public restroom department.  Then more sadness strikes as Kevin phones to report a house showing to occur at 3pm (currently 1140).  This should not evoke sadness, but after you've prepared and shown your house as much as we have in the past 2 years, that's what you get in the realm of feelings.  Also, in the plan today was good naps for both the girls because we had plans to go to the Sunset Symphony at Tom lee Park for hte closing of Memphis in May that night.  And out the door flies those naps.  So the girls play briefly, and then we venture home.  Over lunch, I talk the girls about needing good behavior (what a common term discussed in our home) so that Daddy and I can clean the house.  The new plan is to eat and then have quiet movie time in Mommy and Daddy's bed.  They were great with this.  Charlotte fell asleep within 15 minutes and thus got in the previously hoped for good nap, and Madi, while she did not sleep, was very well behaved.  3 hours of cleaning later, the girls went walking with Daddy and Grizzly and I showed our house to a medical school student and his purchasing-him-a-house parents.  Haven't seem or heard from them since.
Next it was off to the Sunset Symphony. One of our neighbors works for AutoZone and gave us free tickets and to the VIP AutoZone tent with chairs, and tables, food and drinks all night.  The girls good behavior stuck around (there really wasn't tons for little ones to do) as they chatted with our friends, Miriam and Johnny, and danced.  Madi, the non napped kid, faded around 9 and began the plea, "I wanna doe," but luckily accepted the comfort of a parents' lap while we waited for the fireworks, which the girls did love (even though they started at 10pm!).  It was a late night, but lots of fun.
Memorial Day, brought a make up day of work for Kevin and pool fun at the Windsor for the rest of us.  Kevin did meet us there later and I got low census at work that night so we all had a good day.  The girls loved swimming with Nora, even if Xander wasn't really feeling swimming that day.  It is always fun just to sit around with good friends.
Tuesday, May 31st, was our little friend, Noah's, 5th birthday.  Even though he's having a party on the 18th of June, we decided to celebrate with him at the location of his choice...Incredible Pizza!  Of course, I had coupons and discounts handy.  One of the best discounts available is that if a child wears a superhero costume, they get $10 added to their game card...enter our Halloween costumes from two Halloweens ago and some shorts!  The girls and Ian and Noah all had a great time during our 3 or 4 hours of playing and eating.  Happy Birthday, Noah!
Wednesday we got to see our friend, Stacy with sweet baby, Harris.  We met them up at St. Jude just to walk around and visit and it was so good just to see them.  We all miss them lots in Memphis.
Thursday, the girls and I packed up our lunch and swimsuits and headed over to Sarah's mom's home in Bartlett for swimming.  We met Sarah, Max and Myles, and Macy, Avery, Parker, and Carter and had a blast.  Sarah's parents are so nice to let us come utilize their beautiful backyard always.  It always reminds me that even though we don't have our families right here, we are so blessed to welcomed by others. 
Of course, time flew by and I almost didn't realize the time when it was 1:47 and my kids are still swimming in a pool in Bartlett and I gotta get them to another friend's for sitting, change, and be at work downtown at 3!  With luck and cooperative kids, I made it and swiped in at 3:01!
Friday, June 3rd, we were so lucky to get to go see Michael Buble in concert at the FedEx Forum.  It was so great!  It was amazing to see the wide range ages of people in attendance, and in a way just nice that the young to the old could find a commonality.  Even during some of Micheal's songs, I found myself thinking about my grandparents and their generation how they might dance to this. The opening act was even fantastic and received a standing ovation.  They were an accapella group called Naturally 7 would partake in vocal play, in which, as they described, "we become the instrument".  Seriously, if you heard their music you would swear there was a ful band behind them.  Totally amazing! They would totally rock in a TV talent competition.  I wanna get their CD, as they are so talented and a real conversation piece.  Micheal was phenomenal!  I wondered how this concert would be as he is like a ballad singer (even though wonderful) and all. Micheal delivered a totally entertaining show that blew me away.  I was really "LMAO"! (to use text jargin for this generation).  He's hysterical and I loved it so much!
In closing, today's June 4th and while we did not leave for PA as was the plan a while back :( we did pass the time with fun.  The girls and I attended Home Depot's Kids Workshop to build a valet organizer.  The girls really enjoyed this, using hammer and nails and their beloved glue (you know Madi, the messier the better) to build something.  Really fun and free - we'll be spreading the word for sure :)  Next it was to Costco, for some needed items and a bite to eat and then the real fun of swimming at Nana and Pop's, aka Sarah's parents, aka Max and Myles grandparents.  We swam in the 90 deg water from 2pm - 6pm, and Madi feel asleep on the way home at 630pm and remains that same way right now :) 

More Sugar

So just a little bit ago, while I was blogging like crazy to catch up, Charlotte came to my bedside and said, "I have to tell you something".
She said, "um, I had a really good day today and thank you for standing outside the show, I had a really good day, and I'm proud of myself."
Need I say more...

Ahhh Success is Sweet!

Today, May 25th, is so different from last May, you can't imagine.  I am referring to Charlotte.  Last May, although better than the previous performance at Christmas, Charlotte, went through her 3 year old end of the year program with her head hung low, carrying her blanket, and without a ounce of participation.  Today, Charlotte, completed the show, participating whole-heartedly.  OMG, words cannot express how glad I am for her!!!
About a month or so ago, Charlotte came up with her "deal".  After watching some footage of her 3 year old end of the year program, she seemd like she knew she wanted it to be different for her this year.  She expressed interested being more like her friend, Jolie, in the show, rather than how she was. She said to me that she planned on participating in the show, but that we, me and Kevin, her mother and father, cannot be there.  Of course, I was like "What?".  I yessed her and then figured she didn't really mean it. 
Shortly after though, she said it again...and again.  I realized that Charlotte wanted to succeed at this, and she was asking for our help.  I figure that at her age, they desire so strongly to please, especially their parents.  It would be only natural that they, the parents, feel to the child the biggest stress inducer or critic.  She was telling me, "I an do this, but I need you to not be there." 
We took Charlotte's "deal" seriously.  We let her be very specific in where we were to be.  She wanted us in the lobby behind closed doors.  We could look through the windows.  She did not want to see us before and probably during. 
So today, we stood behind the closed door and watched her succeed - what a moment! So happy.

Breakfast with ???

So on a last minute whim, I decide to take the girls to Davis Kidd Booksellers Breakfast with Belle Event.  I was torn, but figured Kevin had to be at Saturday school (agh), and they are wanting to go and be brave and have fun.  We got up and got all dressed like princesses.  I was accompanied by a Belle Madi and an Ariel Charlotte.  The event was to start at 8:30am, so we were on our way at 8am.  This is early for a Saturday event for the Sanders to attend so no small feat.  We met up with our friends, Katrina, Elena, and Annie Shook.  All of us ctually on time, we purchased our tickets upon arrival. 
We were seated in the cafe, entered into a raffle for Beauty and the Beast Show coming in June, given a craft and were waiting for Belle when they annouced that the buffet was open.  So we ate - although had some waiting when food was burned and needed replenishing.  The girls were having fun just being together, but they as were Katrina and I, were beginning to wonder, "Where's Belle?". 
They next announce to move over to the storytime area.  "So much for Breakfast with Belle, maybe she's just going to do the storytime?"  We get over there only to be informed that Belle is NOT COMING!  All the kids were like,  "huh, what?", while all the moms were like, "what the ****?"  They announce some raffle winners, had a representative from the radio station read Beauty and the Beast, took a group picture and said that when Belle can come we could come back and take pictures with her.  Some people were beginning to leave, when I looked at Katrina (still stunned) and said, " We're gonna say something, right?"  We decided for me to go complain and her to stay with the kids.  I said my piece and got us full refunds without struggle, but I am still bother that they didn't offer it upfront to the group.  People should not be put in the position that they have to speak up for the refund that is due to them. 
Later that day, Katrina and the girls came over for dinner and playing.  Katrina, who is on Facebook, commented about the Davis Kidd posting she had been following about the morning's event.  I learned and saw that the group picture had been posted on Facebook...with my two children and hers on it.  I am not even one Facebook! Do you think I want my children on there without even my knowing or permission? I am so disappointed becasue I do so love this bookstore and a smaller local neighborhood bookstore.  However, a heated phone call must and will be made in the AM!

Big Girl Furniture!

Kevin did not attend the Windsor's birthday, becaue it conflicted with the picking up of the girls' new bedroom furniture.  OMG my kids are graduating to big girl furniture - it can't be.  We are done with two toddler bed and a changing table making up their room and moving on to a dresser, mirror, chest of drawers, nightstand, and twin bed with headboard, footboard, and trundle!  Annndddd, the set is beautiful!!! I found it and discussed it with Kevin.  We weren't really prepared to get all this, but he finally said, "do you really want it?"  And me, the one who has trouble parting with big money, answered "kinda yes".  Honestly, I know that when I was a little girl, as tomboy as I was, this is exactly what I would have wanted in my room. 
Kevin and our neighbor friend, Jason, went with his big pick up and a Uhaul trailer and picked it all up and when we got home there it was in their room and their nursery, even though still painted, was no more...
The girls and I stopped on the way home and picked up not one, but two, comforter sets.  One that they really liked (oddly enough it was like a teen/college set) and one that I didn't love, but thought matched the furniture best.  I am having trouble deciding, but know we'll figure it out.  Just wanted to make sure we had some sheets!
All I can say is it's lovely, but very different when I enter my girls' room.

Fifth's Dz. and Birthdays - What a Combo

So first thing Saturday morning, Dr. Benaim, our pediatrician, called.  She had just seen the cell phone message.  She apologized that she just now had seen it, but stated that she rarely looks at her cell after Friday comes to a close until Monday, and that in the future I should call her house number and proceeded to give it to me.  If you think that is amazing (as I do), just wait til you hear what I tell you next! 
I explain the situation of how a week and a half ago Madi was diagnosed my Dr. Montgomery with right ear infection and placed on Omnicef, 6/10 days into the drug she complained in the night of left ear pain, she was seen by Dr. Higginbotham and changes her to Biaxin, 2/10 days into that drug she emerges with this rash, i call the MD office and Dr. Benaim changes her to ZPak, same drug family...ughhhhhh whew.  She said ok so I need to see you.  You can come to my house, East Memphis?
So at 10am, me and the girls were on our way to Dr. Benaim's home to ring her door bell and be seen.  Crazy!!!   This actually worked out really well because at 11am we were to be at the Windsor's house in East Memphis for Nora and Xander's Birthday party.  We walk into Dr. Benaim's house and she is certain that Madi has not experienced a drug reaction, but rather has Fifth's Disease.  She is certian.  I love this doctor and really never question her. (she apologed for prescribing the ZPak acknowledging that she did not know of the change to Biaxin).  My first words are, "Isn't Fifth's very contagious, cause we are one our way to to a birthday party full of kids".  Luckily, we could cotinue with our plan to attend the party of our beloved friends, because we learn that the virus is not contagious once the rash is out (it is during the 3-5 asymptomatic days previously that it is - go figure).  Ok so we have to deal with rash for the next 2-6 weeks. 
Nora and Xander's party was a success.  The kids played and jumped in the jump house.  We all ate and had fun as usual.  Unfortunately, it was unusually cold that day so there was no swimming - even though Charlotte was willing if other were  :)