Pumpkin Patch :)

First United Methodist Church in West Monroe Pumpkin Patch 2008

Ashley age 14, Brooke age 7, Jarrett age 3, Me age ? (you'd like to know. HaHa)

Ashley and I had to work it. We have loads of fun doing that. Here is her acting silly. She was also my photographer b/c I was busy with customers.
Awwwww look. Her friend Micah (preacher's son) came and hung out with us to make our time more fun and that he and his brither did. They are cool kids. I like Ashley hanging out with them and their Mom is super strict. (I like that even better)

Jarrett proved he's an upcoming man by testing his strength on almost all of the pumpkins.

He also played a McDonald's toy and called it his Nintendo DS. Seth asked if I was going to get him one for Christmas (he doesn't have kids can't you tell). Of course I told him no, not for many years.

They laid in the sun on the hill. I had told Brooke not to get grass stains on her new jeans so you won't see any pictures of them rolling down the hill. I guess she thought that qualified as a no no today.

Awwwwwww.


Awwwwwww only to know what is going on in her mind. Doesn't she look so serious?

Jarrett had a blast lugging around pumkins. By the time he left with my hubby (2 hrs later) he had a wagon full we had to put up before we closed.

Brooke wanted to use the wheelbarrel instead of a wagon.

And of course we took pictures.... pictures.... and more pictures.... Thanks to Ashley

Ohhhh How did that one get in here? Please don't look at my hair. I fix it at 5am and by the end of my workday I put it behind my ears and of course it isn't fixed anymore. And this is what Brooke calls my "Hot Hair" bc/ I parted it differently.

All in all we had a blast!!!! Ashley attended youth from 6-6:30 and helped me close. She had cheer practice at 7:15pm and couldn't be late. So what happened? A large group from another church showed up a little after 6:30 and we finally had to tell them we had to close @ 7pm well after dark. Mosquitos tried to carry us off. Luckily I had some OFF in the car. Tonight we are going to carve our pumpkins we got. I got a large one for a jackolantern and a small one for Jarrett to paint or put stickers on. Brooke is going to help me carve the large one. I'll try to put pictures of this tomarrow. Oh and Dad check out my new addition on the side under the Girl Scout events. It is the cheer schedule you all need. Love you all!

Brandi

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My loving Second Child- Brooke!!!

Here is a picture of her selling Candy & Magazines for Girl Scouts to her KK. Her awesome KK bought tons of candy & Brooke a magazine. You don't realize what they haven't experienced until they ask about it. Brooke thought she would get one magazine, but she is super excited to get one a month addressed to her and only her. That is soooooo coool in her 7 yr old mind. Oh to be young again. Ahhhhh!!!!
Here is what our family looks like in Brooke's mind. We are all dressed alike so that must mean something to her. Also we are all smiling.... which I love!!!! Isn't it cute?!?
yeah I got my problem fixed for pics as you can see!!!!! I love when you type in your problem and within 5 minutes someone emails you the solution. Now aren't I computer savey????? (spp?- I'm not about to try spell ck b/c of the prob it caused last time so you'll just have to laugh at my mispelled word. Ok Not to loud ok I can hear you.)

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picture problems. Ughhhhh

Sorry everyone. I am having blog problems. My pictures have stopped loading up properly and my counter has stopped working. I don't know what the issue is. I am not that great with computers. I may ask my brother-in-law what's up and see if he can help. Or I'll ask Mel's Jessi who helps her with her blog. Oh well. I'll try to get this fixed asap so you all can see pictures of the next girl scout meeting.

Brooke funny: Her KK (who we all love) was telling Brooke that college was like a big sleepover with your friends in the dormrooms and how fun college is to talk it up to her so she'll keep in her head that it is fun and something she wants to do. Well when we got in the car Brooke asked if she would get conduct marks in college for being bad. I had to laugh b/c she would be the type to get them too. I told her no, but it was b/c she would be a grown-up and she wouldn't be bad. Don't get me wrong she is not a bad child just a very active one who likes to test her limits with ya. So far this year we have only had 2 bad weeks. (Which are minor like- talks in line, talks during class, etc.) I'm not minimzing what she doesn b/c she knows if she gets a conduct mark then that day she is grounded from anything fun. If she has a bad week then she has a no-fun weekend and if it doesn't straighten out form that then she gets a spanking.

Jarrett funny: On the bad note.... He said this yesterday when I picked him up from daycare: "I was a little bad today, but I didn't get a note." I said "Oh No Jarrett you aren't supposed to be bad." and he said "I wasn't bad when Mrs. Jennifer got there, but I was bad when Mrs. Susan was there." Of course I counseled him on being good for both teachers and what would happen if he is bad. I also told him I would ask tomarrow and he better be good or I'd tell Dad. Don't get me wrong I do punish him, but when it comes from my hubby it seems harsher in Jarrett's eyes. I don't know why Dad's seem more intimidating than Mom's. But they just do.

Not much on Ashley. She's just staying busy with cheer. She went to her Dad's this weekend so I haven't seen her much. Homework, church, & cheer keep her very busy.

More cheer pictures I forgot.

Ashley & her coach Ginni. She is the best with the girls. They mind her and I think are a little scared of her. But they respect her and don't want to let her down.
Here are the extra cuteeeee cookies I bought from "Tummy Yummy" in West Monroe. I made little gift bags with a cookie and candy in it to celebrate our first competition together. They were really yummy too. Brooke & Jarrett loved them also. But let me prewarn you...... they stain your mouths, which my kids loved.

I found a hotel in Kenner for next month. We can't wait! We are all going down as a family and going to celebrate Jarrett's birthday by swimming and partying hotel style. The kids can't wait and neither can I . I lovvvvvveeeeee to travel.

Jarrett note: On my day off per week Jarrett stays home with me and runs errands and eats out with me. Wellllll we had 2 meltdowns this past Thursday, but I couldn't blame him. The first meltdown was when we took my Dad's birthday present to the post office to be mailed. Jarrett in his 3 yr old mind thought we were going to see his PawPaw which lives in Tennessee. Needless to say when he realized PawPaw wasn't at the post office he threw himself in the floor and cried broken heartedly. I felt so bad for him. He had said the night before "It's about time I see my PawPaw." I guess when he was making my Dad's birthday card he figured we were going to see him. I'd love to plan a weekend trip, but Ashley has cheer every Sat. I guess I probably could take Jarrett & Brooke & leave Ashley with Jason to cart to cheer and back. I'll have to check next months schedule and see if I can snag a 3 day weekend somewhere. I think Mom & Dad are coming down here this Thanksgiving and I'm trying to convince them to fly to New Orleans for Ash's cheer competition & Jarrett's B-day. Wouldn't that be a great suprise for Jarrett. I doubt it will happen though.

The second meltdown was when Blockbuster video store put a Incredible Hulk sign out front and the movie isn't out until Tuesday. He couldn't grasp why I wouldn't let him get that movie. I tried to explain, but he doesn't understand dates and times. He got ok when I let him get some choc covered raisins instead. Needless to say when we got home he took a 3 hour nap, b/c he needed one badly.

Do you want to know what giving a child speed looks like. Give Jarrett 2 fudge rounds and tea to drink. This is what my inlaws did last night while they babysat. My hubby & I were about to pull our hair out as Jarrett was going around in warp speed. Did they see anything wrong with that? Hmmmmm. No. He crashed immediately when he hit the car seat for the long ride home thank goodness. I don't think I could have handled that energy in a closed environment.

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Girl Scout Leaders!!!

I heard the girl scout office is passing out my blog address to give leaders and new leaders ideas. That is great. If you all have a blog also please let me know so I can read your too. I have gone through my blog history and found which blogs are mainly girl scout related to help you all.

See the following posts: April 20, 21, 25, & Princess Party updates in April.

May "Friends R Fun", Sun May 18th, Cheer & Celebration, & Dance Recital Pics.

June Father's Day, & Just Another Day

July Mother Daughter Campout Pics, & Girl Scout Sleepover

Sept Girl Scout Meeting, Girl Scout Shirts!, & Pajama Jam 2008:)

If you have any questions please don't hesitate calling or emailing me @ bnicole19951@aol.com .

See you all at all of the very fun Girl Scout Events!!!!!

Mrs. Brandi

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Cheer competition in Bossier City, LA

Yes Take a real close look at her eyes. It is pure glitter and it was exptremely hard to put on. Especially at 4:45 am!!!! You can imagine the grouchiness at that time of the morning. She thought I was making her look ugly. Needless to say I had to do 2 other girls eye glitter b/c the coach loved Ash's eyes. Ha Ash!!! I did do it right. She also didn't want her hair too poofy so as the hairspray was drying she smooshed it down making it look like a hair net. Yeah A hairnet. And when we got there the coaches were poofying everyone's hair up. So next time Ashley has to have it poofy. This involved sleeping in sponge rollers. She didn't mind though and it made my job alot easier fixing it in the am. Yeah sponge rollers here we come. Doesn't she look cute though.

Here is them at the beginning of their routine getting in position. I couldn't take good pics b/c the movement was throwing my camera into confusion. Santa I need a more complex camera like all of the other mothers. They could get great shots b/c their camera zoomed in alot closer than mine. They also had really complex & expensive looking camera. This in all of the teams that competed in Ashley's division.

This where they heard that they won......... 3rd place. Ashley said her coach cried and said she hasn't had a team place in 2 years. All of their hard work paid off. They worked their tails off all week and all night Friday night.
See those gorgeous glowing smiles!!!! They had a blast and can't wait for our next competition in.... Kenner, LA. (Next to New Orleans.)
We will be taking the whole family to that one since it is on Jarrett's birthday. We will try to find a hotel with a swimming pool so the kids can swim and we can celebrate his birthday in style.

Oh yeah I also had to buy a $22.00 picture. I know. I couldn't resist. I did resist the DVD, but only b/c they offer that at every competition. I'll get one next time.

Girl Scout news: The mom & me was cancelled. They will try to reschedule for the spring. Whoever paid will receive a refund from the office.

Thanks,

Brandi

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Is anyone busier than me?????? I doubt it.

I feel like I run a marathon each day. We are out Powerhouse for cheer 4 days a week and this week add a Booster club meeting today @ 3:45pm and expedition @ 4:30pm. Then Ashley & I have to go pick Brooke up from Spearsville. Oh well we'll have some Ash & Mom bonding time doing one of our favorite activities together- singing in the car. Next week is an equallt busy week and weekend. Thursday I am having my esophagus stretched (ughhh), Friday night I have to set up for a 4 family garage sale at my great friend from works house, Saturday am- garage sale for Brooke & I. She loves to sell cookies and water or punch. This is a great use for all of the cookie dough I had to buy last year from fundraisers. Our garage sale proceeds will go towards our Girl Scout Savannah trip that myself and both girls will be going on next year. When you have 3 in girl scouts it gets kind of pricy, but very much priceless in my book. I wouldn't trade that time of ours together for the world!!!! Sat pm is a sunday school potluck supper with kids included. Should be kinds stressful & fun in the same boat. Sunday it is off to Ashley's first cheer competition. Oh I almost forgot I have to pick up the cookies I ordered for Ash's cheer group from Tummy Yummy Friday sometime before they close. I'll add pics of these and everything later. The next week should be ok, but the week after that busy busy busy..... Oct 24th- Troop #3029 meeting at my house, Oct 25th- Ash's troop meeting at my house & a mandatory Girl Scout leader training all day at the GS office for me.

Our next troop meeting will be fun and interesting. We will have an opening ceremoney, Juliette Low birthday ceremony, eat supper, make a swap, do a skit, hear the Juliette Low story, and work on our Daisy center. I will also pass out the Brownie Bingo pages. Yeahhhhhh. Parents you will love these and those of you did this last year know it was the bomb!!!!!! Brooke walked around trying to find chores to do all day long everyday. I loved it!!!!!

At Ash's troop meeting we will have a bonfire. If this works well I will plan this for my other troop soon. I want to try it out on the older girls first. Can you imagine 13 younguns around a fire for a couple of hours? I will need lots of parental helpppppppppp. HaHa. You all know I love the adult interaction along with the girls. We need to plan a Mom's night out with for our troop. Maybe my oder girl troop can do this to earn a badge or something and we all can go see a movie or go out to eat. Who doesn't need a Mom's night out with the girls? I do.

Oh yeah let me post some SingStar pics from my house. Can you guess who also loves this game? I'll give you a little hint. This person also loves nascar, trains, and frogs..... Hmmmmm....

Don't you just love the seriousness & consentration on his face. It was toooo cute.... Oh yeah and Brooke is a tough competitor. I had to try hard not to lose everytime. You know as a mom I had to let her win some of the time to keep her spirits up, but I also wanted her to not be a sore loser. So far she isn't. She just tries harder next time.Well I better go for now. Hopefully you all have a great busy week too.

Brandi

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Pajama Jam 2008 :)

My daughters were super excited. We went to the mall early to eat supper and be there in case any of the girl scout workers needed our help.

Here is Troop #3029!!!! Paige, Sarah, Brooke, MaKenzie, Abbie, Katie (upper row) LeAnn, Kailey, Emily, Anna-Kathryn, & Hannah (bottom row)

Here is there funny picture. They were so excited it was hard to keep all of that energy contained. Big thanks to the mom's who helped me!!!!!Speaking of the mom's who helped me. Oh yeah & Ashley was a tremendous help as well to me and the whole girl scout office gang. (Dana, Ashley, Sherry, & Jennifer)

We had a row full in the movie with one mom on each end. Dana & I opted to help with the setup while the movie was going on. My other mom's said we made a good choice. The movie made them really sleepy.

We had one casualty of the movie. She was out even before the lights went out for the movie, but she woke up and was raring to go have some fun afterwards.

After the movie we all ate one of our favorite foods....... PIZZA!!!!! Aren't they cheerful for 1:45 in the morning?

Next we had our troop picture made. Oops I forgot to get in it. Sorry you guys. I was too busy taking pictures to think about getting in it.
Next we lined up for our cheer and pajama contest. I still don't know if we one anything. I have a mandatory girl scout meeting tomarrow night and I'll ask then.

Here is them doing the cheer.

After our cheer we got pampered a little bit by the Kappa Delta girls and Mrs. Celia from the girl scout office. The girls lovvvvved this part.

Here they are showing off their nails.

Next we headed on down and buggied at the line dancing station. Mrs. Sherry had a blast doing this!!!!! I think Sherry & I needed this to help keep us awake. I didn't take a picture of the scavenger hunt b/c I'll be honest with you I don't care for it. It was a very stressful time for the nonteacher me. But not for Mrs. Sherry. (Thanks a bunch!!!! I promise you are a life saver!!!) She jumped right on in and got them to follow me (motherduck- ask your girls what this means.) and not run around the mall with us chasing them. Poor Mrs. Jennifer had a sprained ankle. Hope this wasn't too rough on ya.

Next we headed to our well wanted beds. Ashley was asleep within 2 seconds of her head hitting the pillow. You go girl!!!!

The other girls ....... told ghost stories.

.......Shared funny girl stories

.... some of us even slept. I even had some not fall asleep until 30 minutes before we had to wake them up. I bet their mom's appreciated me. Oh I forgot the one's who didn't want to sleep their mom's were with me. HaHa.

Here is the longest walk of their lives..... They didn't want to get up and then we had to have them walk to the front of the mall so their parents could pick them up. Did I fail to mention this was at 5:30 in the morning?

Awwww here is how we handed them off to their mom's. Sleepy eyed and not fully awake.
But all in all we had a great time. I can't wait until next year's Pajama Jam- Mall Lock-In. The girls had a blast and I hope you helper mom's did too. Girl Scouts is alot of fun. My daughters and I loved all that we have gotten to participate in. We would never have been able to have a baslt sleeping at the mall and lots of other things if it weren't for the awesome workers at the Girl Scout office. We look forward to many more fun times with ya!!!!!!!

Love,

Mrs. Brandi

Troop #3029

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