Shrek

Last weekend we went to see Shrek the Musical!  It was fantastic!  The performers are so talented and amazing.  We love to see their shows!  Unfortunately, Cora got the stomach bug the night after the show:(  She had a rough few days after that.  But at least we got to see it!  Can't wait for the next one!

The girls loved it!

The Gingerbread Man!

Humpty Dumpty!

Great talent!

Donkey!

Shrek!!

Madelyn Turns 7!

My sweet niece Madelyn Grace turned 7 on Sunday!  Friday before her birthday she had an "Almost Sleepover" with some of her closest friends (and cousin!)  Cora had a blast!  She didn't want to leave when I came to pick her up!  On Madelyn's real birthday she got to invite a friend to go up to DC to the American Girl Store.  And who did she pick?!!  Drumroll please...Cora!  I love that they all love each other so much.  Their cousin bond is amazing!  Cora got to spend the night at Nana's, so she was very excited about that!!  I was working, but here are some pictures that I got sent during the day!  Happy Birthday to my sweet, caring, beautiful, creative, and giving niece!  She amazes me with her kind heart every day!

Getting Felicity's hair done!

Happy girl!

The dolls got their ears pierced!

The 7 year old!

The girls with their dolls!

Enjoying lunch!

What a fun day!

Random pic of Cora and Josh that I love:)

My babies



Cora at Alexandra's 5th birthday party at Maymont!

Cora's Pumpkin Patch Field Trip

For some reason, this blog never posted...here it is late...!
Last Friday Cora went on her very first field trip...the Ashland Berry Farm!  She was SO excited to go.  I had to work so Sam decided he would be the chaperon!  They were both excited to go.  Sam was in charge of Cora, Meredith, and little Sam.  He said it was a great group and they had a great time!  He sent me pics throughout the day...

On the bus!

Enjoying the hayride!

Got her pumpkin!

Picnic Lunch!

Mrs. Bouton's class!

Looking for pumpkins!

Sam enjoying the hayride!

The group!

U of R Football Game!

On Saturday we braved the rain, wind, and cold and headed out to the U of R Football Game! Tailgating was fun and not too cold, but the game was brutal!  It got a little chilly watching the Spiders!  But we all had fun, especially the kids.  It could be 20 degrees out and they would still be running around having fun, as long as they're together!
Here are also some random pics of Cora on Pajama Day at school (Echo Lake got 100% PTA membership so they got an extra Pajama Day) and of Josh writing his name!  Boy oh boy has my little guy made strides lately.  His speech has exploded and he amazes me with his speech every day. I feel like three is his magic age and everything seems to click!  He loves preschool and he loves his speech class.  I am so proud of him!
Side note-Cora had her parent teacher conference today!  Mrs. Bouton said she is extremely sweet and well behaved.  She is right on target in every area of learning.  I am so proud of my sweet girl.  It is amazing how much she is learning in school, especially with her reading.  It's unbelievable!
To sum it up, I'm so very proud of these two.  What a great start to the school year they have had!

Pajama Day!

"Joshua"

Staying warm in Daddy's arms

The kids

Kelly, Alison, and I.
We have been friends with Alison our entire lives!

Love this picture!

Halloween at Nana and Pop's & Josh's Parade!

Every year Nana and Pop's neighborhood hosts a little Halloween parade and then everyone goes trick or treating.  They do this before Halloween and we look forward to every year!  The McGuire and Nolan kids decided to do a theme this year!  They were all Wizard of Oz characters!  We had The Wicked Witch of the West (Madelyn), Glenda the Good Witch (Cora), Dorothy (Ellie), The Cowardly Lion (Josh), and a Flying Monkey (Holden).  The kids had a GREAT time!  Pop was out of town for work but Nana did a great job hosting!
Today Josh had his Halloween parade at The Gingerbread Cottage.  He was the cutest Cowardly Lion and kept waving to me the whole time.  Cora had been in this parade for the past three years, and now it was Josh's turn!  I always love watching them! 

Sweet cousins

Nana and her grandchildren!

More sweetness

These girls really do love each other

I couldn't resist taking pictures of their sweetness!

The witches!

The group pictures!

My beautiful Glenda

Here they go!

So happy and excited!

Near the end but still happy!

My Cowardly Lion!

Some of his little class

So sweet

Such a happy little guy!

Fall Fun!

This past week we have done lots of fun fall activities!  We have been walking around Echo Lake enjoying the beautiful fall leaves.  Cora got to wear her Hokie Jersey for Jersey Day at school and she loved it!  I took a Friday off and got to go to her class for their Fall Activity and help out.  I love visiting her classroom and enjoy helping out.  We also got to go to Echo Lake's pumpkin palozza!  The kids got to dress up and they had a great time!  There was food, dancing, games, and much more!  We have been staying busy and loving fall!

Loving Echo Lake!

My fall babies!

Jersey Day!

Fall Activity!

My little Hokie

Cora and Lillian's class made a bee for the pumpkin contest!

Ready for the palozza!

Having fun with Lillian!

We also went to a pumpkin palozza in Innsbrook.
Posing with the VCU Ram!

These girls are too much!