Pictures of the Week

Cousin Hannah joined Molly and Lindsey to
create Halloween decorations for Molly's
room since she is planning on having
her own Halloween party in her room,
October 1st. David trained his girls well;
they LOVE Halloween!
















First fire of the season. The Alexander
family joined us for the fun.















First and last time our house has had fresh
pinestraw put down by a professional who
really knows how to "fluff" the stuff. For
what it cost, I thought it was worthy
of a picture. :)

















The girls found the lamby bag and once
again made it into a hat. Not quite as
cute as when she was 2, but still got
a big laugh from Lindsey.







































After bath this week, we told Lindsey
to go upstairs and get her pajamas on.
This is what she decided to wear to bed
(for 3 nights in a row) despite having
plenty of clean and comfy pajamas to
choose from.



















Dinner anyone? Our naked chef
preparing chicken.




















Rocker Lindsey wearing purple lipstick and
having a moment of modesty.

Meet Holden David Miller

We're excited to welcome Holden David Miller to the Cerra side of the family. Holden arrived September 24th and everyone is doing well. The girls are very excited to meet him when we go to Virginia for Thanksgiving.

Check out Holden's blog at www.holdenshappenings.blogspot.com









Rob with baby Holden









Erin (David's sister) with her sweet boy

First and Last Bus Ride

The next day, we tried the bus again. At 3:30 p.m., when the bus hadn't arrived, I figured something MUST have happened AGAIN. I called the school and they assured me nothing was wrong with bus 43, and it should be arriving any second.

It did arrive a few minutes later and Molly got off the bus with a big smile. I felt certain this would be her new mode of transportation in the afternoon.




















Once she got across the street to where all of her friends were waiting for her, she told them she WAS NOT riding the bus again! The bus driver was "a meany weenie" and "yelled her head off" and it "hurt her ears" and that she might ride the bus again when she got into first grade.















By the time she was telling David her tale of riding the bus, she decided she wouldn't ride it again until she was in High School. Guess I better find a carpool to join - looks like I'll have pickup duties for many years to come.

Bus Disaster/Adventure

Molly was excited about Kindergarten but what really sealed the deal for her is when she found out she could take a bus rather than having to do "carpool like in preschool." On the third day of school when we told the teacher Molly would be riding the bus home, her eyes bugged out of her head. Based on her reaction and suggestion, we waited 3 more weeks until the buses "started to run on a more regular schedule."


The big day arrived for Molly to ride the bus home - I made sure we had plenty of time to get to the bus stop, Lindsey got her bike tires all pumped up and she was ready to go as well. We were right on time at the bus stop; 3:00 p.m.

We waited, and waited, and waited - all in the blazing South Carolina sun, of course. At 3:30 p.m., we were STILL standing at the bus stop and I was in freak out mode.

Rather than do something that makes sense, like call the school on my cell phone, I called my friend Elizabeth to call the school. She called me back to let me know the bus had broken down. At this point I felt certain that Molly was hot, scared, and was probably getting yelled at by some mean bus driver for crying out for her mommy. I had Elizabeth to come and stand at the bus stop for me (in case the bus did show up) while my other friend Crystal picked me up to go look for the bus along the bus route.

We were off and spotted bus 43 on the side of Mallet Hill and just as we were doing an illegal U-turn, the bus pulled off. Madison was in the back and ready for the bus chase.

The bus passed our stop, but we kept on following it even though Madison assured us she could see no kids on the bus. After trying frantically to get through to the school on my phone, the secretary called me back and let me know the kids had never even gotten on the bus and had been at school, safe and sound, the entire time. I asked her NOT to put Molly on the replacement bus, and we went to the school to pick up Molly. Crystal's SUV was not quite the ride Molly was looking for, but it was better than risking another bus fiasco!

Elizabeth finally got to leave the bus stop, Crystal finally got to go home, and Shelly finally got rid of all the kids she had to watch while we were running around like maniacs trying to find Molly and her bus. And what did we do when that night Molly asked to ride the bus again? Like fools,we said SURE!

Air Show - Shaw Airforce Base

Lindsey's First Day

Today was the first day of school for Lindsey. I had my first day of Mother's Morning Out as well so David took her to school. Last night I told her she could pick out anything she wanted to wear. I anticipated some type of t-shirt and shorts combo but she made me so proud, and picked out her orange "my favorite color" lion dress. Of course I was thrilled because as her mother, I think she looks absolutely adorable in sweet smocked dresses and big bows!







Since Molly started school, Lindsey has asked every day when she gets to start school. She is so excited to be going to "Molly's old school."















On Wednesday, we had an orientation at school and the teacher told the kids they would have "show and tell" on the first day of school. They could bring in anything they wanted as long as the item could fit in their back pack. That ruled out taking Daddy, but "pappy" sure would fit. She took "white pappy" for show and tell. We at least got it in the washing machine last night so it was somewhat clean looking and was void of the usual funky pappy smell.












Heading to the car to go to school. It was an extra special ride since her Daddy was taking her and she got to ride in the booster seat.










Signing in at school - she has to find her name and put it in the box. David said Case came running over to help her.

We didn't get much of a report about the big day. She did say she made a frog but she forgot to bring it home. In the next breath, she said she didn't even go to school today. That's our Lindsey....

Oh, The Drama!

Molly + Tired = DRAMA! And, today was no exception. After playing in the yard with Lindsey and some of the neighborhood friends, Molly wanted to paint. It's Thursday, it's been a long week, and I simply wasn't up for a paint party. Upon the news that no one would be painting, Molly fell apart...Molly style. There was a piercing scream, large tears rolling down her face, and for an added touch, I was told she would "NEVER draw me pictures at school ever, ever, again." I was calm. Told her to go inside and sit at the table to start homework. She calmed herself down, I started making dinner, and it appeared she was hard at work making lower case a's. Silly me. Instead of being presented with a paper of perfect little a's, I received this picture from my little Molly girl. Do notice the heart around Daddy's name and the X through mine. I guess I should be thankful she can't spell much more than Mom and Dad at this point!
Just another day in paradise....