Maggie is a 6 year old

We can hardly believe it, but Maggie is 6 years old!  This year Maggie opted out of a party, instead she wanted to go to the American Girl store downtown.  The weekend before her birthday Andy and I were able to take Maggie downtown on the train, out to lunch and then on a mini shopping spree around the store.  We dropped Molly off at my parents first thing and then headed to the train station.  Maggie had never been on the train before so that in itself was quite fun.  We made it downtown for lunch and headed to the Cheesecake factory...Maggie wanted to go somewhere "fancy."  After lunch we headed to the store...Maggie was set on getting McKenna, the girl of the year, but they were all sold out...we avoided a meltdown by quickly distracting her with all the other things available in the store.  Maggie settled on Caroline, one of the new historical dolls with some accessories.  It was such a fun day, especially to spend with just the three of us.  For Maggie's actual birthday we kind of just hung around the house, nothing big.  I made a strawberry cake per her request and then we opened presents.  By that evening Maggie had a fever so she went to bed pretty early.

Santa Train

Chrissy had invited us to go to the Oswego Santa Train in a couple of weeks.  When I went online to register the Friday was all filled up.  The next day would be Maggie's birthday so we didn't want to plan it for then and our Sunday is already planned for.  We knew we wanted to try something because the mall has just become chaos...so I did some searching.  There are several Santa Trains in the area.  One out in Sandwich, one in a Aurora at Blackberry Farms and another in Waterman.  With the weather they way it has been we decided to give the Santa Train in Waterman a try on Friday...we didn't have any other plans so why not.  It was an experience...fun, but an experience.  Waterman is a small, very small, very rural town west of Sandwich.  We picked up dinner so we could eat early and then headed out.  We decided to take the train ride first since we had arrived before Santa's arrival.  The little train took us around to see a whole bunch of lights and what not...then we waited in line for Santa to arrive...there was free popcorn and hot chocolate that helped pass that time.  There were only three families in front of us so by the time Santa arrived it was long before Maggie and Molly got to have a little chat with Santa.  Maggie told Santa she wants a Barbie dream house and Molly wants an umbrella...it was different, but fun and totally 100% free.  We got to take our own pics...free train, free popcorn, free Santa pic...can't beat it!

Thanksgiving and Pizza

Thanksgiving seemed to be a little more low key this year.  The food was as good as ever, but there were fewer people which was just fine, but definitely a different feel from what I remember as a kid.  Grandpa wasn't able to make the trip this year.  It was the first Thanksgiving, that I can remember without him.  Shay, Derrick and Grace spent Thanksgiving with Derrick's family and Sally and Chris were still in Cedar Rapids.  The day started with football, Andy played and had fun.  We helped my mom get some things ready for the relatives that were making the trip, Mark, Janet, Jon, Sherry and my cousin Matt.  After a nap we headed over to Andy's parents house.  The Voller house was a packed house.  Andy's parents hosted again this year and everyone was able to make it over.  Fortunately we were able to visit with almost everyone before we headed back to my parent's house for a small and quiet, very delicious Thanksgiving Feast. 




Soon enough Friday came along.  We stuck around the house getting our usual weekend chores done a day early and then headed back to Naperville.  Sally and Chris came in for Pizza Night, a Larson Family tradition that will continue as long as we have an oven to make pizza in.  We were joined by Shay, Derrick and Grace along with our friends that we are closer to than most of our own family...so I guess along with more family including Chrissy, Dave, Lucas and Layla.  Pizza was made and eaten, kids played, adults chatted and reminised...more pizza was made...fun was had by all!





It was different, but fun.  It doesn't matter who was able to make the trip or when they were able to came.  What matters is we were able to have time to spend with family.  We are so thankful for all that our family and friends do for us and Thanksgiving just gives us an excuse to remember and remind them of that!  Thank You!

Character Counts: Caring

Maggie's school does Character Counts which focuses on different pillars of character.  We got a letter in her backpack mail letting us know she had been chosen from her class to earn an award for "caring."  Maggie was so excited, but most of you all know she is such a mother hen and to be recognized for that is such an accomplishment.  There was an assembly which Andy attended to see Maggie get her certificate!  Way to go Maggie!

National Boards

Well I never posted about this earlier in the year, but it is something worth posting.  About two years ago Chrissy, Lesli and I (along with another coworker Shelley) began the lengthy process of completing our National Boards.  This endeavor required video taped lessons, planning preparation, a lot of writing, classes, countless hours at the library, editing, crying, lots of paper, a timed assessment with six individual prompts requiring six individual responses and lots of support and reassurance from our family and friends because without them it would have been impossible to even attempt.  Last weekend the results were posted....we did it!!  ALL of us did it which is an amazing accomplishment...I am incredibly proud of these ladies, including myself!

Trick or Treat

Halloween for Maggie started off with a parade at school followed by a Halloween celebration.  Molly was able to wear her costume to Rosa's and have a celebration of her own with her little lady friends there.  Then we all met up at Nana and Papa's house.  We fueled up with a warm bowl of chili...Maggie and Molly licked their bowls clean and then could barely contain themselves.  Of course we all struggled to keep up, but it was Molly who was the most impressive.  She literally ran from house to house.  We made it up and down Falcon Drive in just under a half hour.  We warmed back up with a pumpkin sugar cookie and then headed up with a load of candy...all in all another successful and super fun Halloween!

Fall Fun

Since I am behind I am just going to lump everything from this month into Fall Fun!  With Andy coaching cross country it seems as though fall comes and then goes away so quickly!  That didn't stop us from getting our fill of fall activities.  We picked our pumpkins, had fun in the leaves, carved the pumpkins, and lit them up in preparation for Halloween...





















Happy Halloween Eve!!