Natalie's haircut

Well, it happened.  One of my children gave themselves a haircut.  When I was little, I cut Allison's hair and hid the evidence under the pillow.  At least Natalie came in the kitchen and told me that the knot that had been in her hair earlier in the day was no longer there.  I am just heartbroken over the whole thing--6-8 inches of curls, gone.

That morning she had an appointment to remove a virus/bumps from her back (molluscum), and this was her hair pre-cut

We have had amazing weather this week, so we have spent many afternoons at the park and outside!

sweet brothers!

Natalie had some sort of goop in her hair that caused a huge knot this day, and while I was cooking and washing dishes, she came in and said "Mom, that knot isn't in my hair anymore."  I figured a teacher had brushed it out during school.  Well, when I went to stick them in the bath, this is what I found

She had taken my eyebrow scissors (thankfully they are very small) and snipped her hair up near her eyebrows.  I suppose it could have been worse, and this face was pretty hard to stay mad at.....

I didn't want to make a big deal about it and make Natalie feel like her hair didn't look nice, but she did tell me she wanted her hair "like is was at the park" and asked me to "tape it back."  I had to trim about 6-8 inches of curls off, and I haven't come to terms with how much older she looks with short hair! :(

Sweet girl!

Misc:
I left my job at the law firm a couple of weeks ago (long story: hostile work environment and differences of personality), so as a perk Luke has been staying home Tuesday and Thursdays.  As I mentioned in the previous post, Luke is obsessed with wearing Natalie and James's shoes.  This one morning he started out putting on Natalie's pick high heels.  Well, he is a typical boy because he chose comfort over style--he quickly kicked these off when his chubby feet wouldn't completely fit in.

He then went and found a pair of Natalie's flip flops that fit perfectly

But James's cleats still remain his favorite

Another new job opportunity: I will start work at an oil and gas company Nov. 23rd!  I interviewed with this company previously but accepted the position at the law firm, and I'm very excited!  Brad and I went and had a celebratory lunch at Brasserie 19 this past Friday

Happy Halloween!

Halloween has become one of our favorite holidays.  Our neighborhood LOVES Halloween and goes all out---lots of blow ups in the yard, spider webs in the trees, and trick-or-treaters galore.  The past two years we have gotten together with five or so families (Jordan and Ashleigh Davis, Rachel and Edward Brady, Kandi and Jordan Handle, Meredith and Bill Coursey, and Stacey Patterson) and gone trick-or-treating, and this year we hosted everyone before.  It rained a lot that day, so we had to stick the kids in the street for a picture.

We managed to get all three kids together for a picture; however, shortly after Luke followed me around pulling on his costume saying "Take off! Take off!".  He spent the party in his diaper and tennis shoes.  Also, please notice that his hat won't buckle because his head is so big.

I was super proud of Natalie's peacock costume because I made it!  I think this is the first dyi project that I have completed start to finish.  I'm bummed I didn't realize that the feathers would blend into the ivy.

I love Natalie in the background looking out of the door in this picture.

I'm not sure where James developed his love of all things Star Wars, but despite my best efforts, I could not get him to dress up as anything but Darth Vader. (notice the naked baby of the party)

Somehow my mom managed to get Luke back in his costume for trick-or-treating, and we kept him happy by feeding him candy.

Sweet kiddos, and a fun night!

Alabama game and pumpkin carving

Brad and had plans to fly to Tuscaloosa for the weekend of the Alabama v. Tennessee game.  Our flight was cancelled, so we drove the 9+ hours instead.  It was an exhausting, but fun weekend.  Our good friends Ryan and Kathleen and Elizabeth and Bentley were in town, which always makes for a good time.  Our seats were fantastic (thanks to Kathleen's dad who is a TN Senator) but right in the middle of the TN section.

Pumpkin carving is a Nix tradition that I love.  I don't love the gooey insides, but I do love how excited these kiddos get.  James wanted to count each pumpkin seed, and Luke was as happy as a clam to just kick his ball around.  Natalie, true to form, wasn't particularly fond of the gooey insides.  James and Natalie drew their pumpkin faces---pretty good, if I say so myself.

Some random, sweet pictures:

James takes a baseball class once a week at Tanglewood park, which just happens to be the Bush's neighborhood park.  When they are in Houston (and not in Maine), the Bushes go to the same church and service as we do, and they usually sit about three rows in front of us.  Barbara routinely walks her dogs at Tanglewood park, and we have seen her the past two weeks.  On this particular day I had parked next to the handicapped space (not actually in the space), and her Secret Service had me blocked in.  I so wanted to get a picture of Natalie with Mrs. Bush, but I resisted the urge to bother her. I did snap this.

My amazingly talent friend, Amanda White, took these pictures of the kids.

Have I mentioned how obsessed--obsessed, I say--Luke is with wearing Natalie and James's shoes around the house? They are the best!