Trunk-or-Treat

How cute is this little girl?  Thanks Jill and Aaron for my outfit!

Caroline picked out her own Halloween costume this year; she chose to be a fish.  She had her heart set on being this fish once she had her eyes on it.  I kept trying to talk her out of it, but finally I decided that she is a BIG girl now and can make her own decisions.  Thanks to my Mamaw for working all day on Saturday to add layers of sequins.  My Mamaw is the kindest, hardest working person I know.  Thanks MaMaw for your help.

We started off early at Trunk-or-Treat.  I took lots of pictures, but below displays Caroline's highlights for the day.

Caroline amazed at all the people at Trunk-or-Treat

Caroline's first Halloween sucker; thanks Aunt Karen

Her favorite Trunk of the day...well, does a boat count as a trunk?

Momma's girl...got those hands on those hips:)

Jill painting a butterfly on her face.  She was so proud of her butterfly.  She was highly upset tonight when she glanced in the mirror to see her butterfly has disappeared. 

This family gets the best costume in my opinion.  Jelly Fish!

And the famous cake walk.  Thanks to Brooks and Peggy for letting Caroline stay in the game each time.  She just enjoyed walking around on the different numbers. She never knew you could win a cake.  Ha!

The best gal anyone could ask for....Peggy

Blake, Ashley, and Lexi

Baby Blake

Emmerson as a mermaid

This next picture is for Peggy and Matt.  I cooked!!!! My new goal is to cook a meal on Sunday and Thursday.  That is a huge goal to set, but I have made it through the first day.  I will conquer Thursday! I also decided that Caroline enjoys raw, cold squash.  She ate an entire squash while I was cooking the meal. 

After dinner Jensen joined us and we made the treats for Fall Ball at SCDC.  The girls had so much fun....and enjoyed a little chocolate.

Jensen and Caroline

Starting our treats

Letting the treats dry

Ready for Fall Ball Tomorrow! 

I have felt like the best mother lately.  Thursday I got to go with Caroline to Story Time at the library and tomorrow I get to go to her Fall Ball at school.  It is the little things that some may take for granted, but I have been so appreciative to get to spend my extra days with Caroline.  I hope she remembers all the fun and love we have had together.  I would not trade it for anything!

I-Phone Pictures of Our Thursday

We knocked off a couple of our to-dos today, and tomorrow I plan to CLEAR the list!  We stopped at the post office this morning to mail a little something special to a special someone in Kosovo.  Then we dropped off the aviation shirts at the library and checked out story time.  Story time for pre-k has moved to Thursdays so we plan on making this a weekly event. It gives me great joy to be able to take my child to story/craft time at the library.  This working part-time business is wonderful.  I feel like a much better Mom being able to spend more time with Caroline. We have a beautiful library with great activities for children and families.  Makes me proud!

Next we stopped at Wal-Mart and check out these sippy-cups we found.  They are adorable!

I was in the craft section today looking for supplies to finish Caroline's Halloween costume and I took my eye off of Caroline for one second.  I turned back to find a huge stack of beads.  We laughed so hard; thank goodness those did not fall:)

 The picture below was a taken at Jill and Aaron's reception.  The professional pictures will be coming soon. 

Tomorrow is yard sale day...wish us luck!

Komen Race for the Cure-Little Rock

Susan G. Komen fought breast cancer and throughout her diagnosis, treatments, and endless days in the hospital, she spent her time thinking of ways to make life better for other women battling breast cancer instead of worrying about her own situation. Moved by Susan’s compassion for others and commitment to making a difference, Nancy G. Brinker promised her sister that she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer.
Though Susan lost her battle with the disease, her legacy lives on through the work of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, the organization Nancy started in her honor. Komen for the Cure is the global leader of the breast cancer movement, having invested more than $1 billion since its inception in 1982. Komen’s promise is to save lives and end breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality care for all and energizing science to find the cures.

The Arkansas Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure was incorporated in 1992. Since its founding, the Arkansas Affiliate has held 18 Komen Races for the Cure ® in downtown Little Rock.
The Komen Arkansas Race has had 18 races and has distributed more than $11 million throughout the state, funding grants and educational programs which have provided support and information (focused on early detection) to thousands of Arkansas women and their families.
The Race provides an opportunity to honor breast cancer survivors and to remember those who have lost the battle. Of the money raised through the Race, 75 percent stays in Arkansas to fund educational programs, while the remaining 25 percent funds national research grants.

Today I had the honor of walking with ladies from the 238th and 77th Brigade from Camp Robinson along with 46,000 other women!  That is right 46,000!  How amazing is Little Rock!  I walked my first 5k this morning with a breeze and loved every moment. 

Me and Sonya

 

238 spouses from Camp Robinson

77 from Camp Robinson

The Starting Line.  Women had already finished the race before we even started taking steps.

The Finish Line

Thursday Fun

 We were creative around the Ritchie house yesterday...it only takes a little bit for us to be creative.  If you know me, then you know I do not have a creative bone in my body, but me managed to complete a few fun activities.  Sutton and Emma Kate send Caroline a chalk set so we made a few princesses.  Thanks Campbell family!  Then it was on to complete Caroline's homework.

Caroline's homework is due next week.  Each child is to turn a pumpkin into his/her favorite book character.  Caroline adores the Clifford series;  her favorite book is Clifford the Small Red Puppy.  The pumpkin looks orange in the photo, but it is actually painted red.  We used felt for the facial features and made the stalk of the pumpkin into the tail. 

We have 6 things on our to-do list today and I am determined to get them completed today.  Off we go!

SCDC Pumpkin

 Caroline has started decorating her pumpkin for SCDC.  Next week they are to bring their favorite book and pumpkin dressed as their favorite book character.  I will wait and let you know Caroline's finished product tomorrow. 

 Also....I went to check the mail today and I am one happy girl.  We got a postcard from Daddy!  The postcard shows the life in Kosovo and the location where they fly doctors and patients.  Caroline and I are taking turns admiring and holding the postcard.  We are beyond excited!  You can always have email and skype, but nothing replaces the love of a handwritten letter.

Farmer Week at SCDC

 This week is Farmer Week at SCDC.  The children has been coloring farm animals, reading farm books, creating farm scenes, counting farm animals, and more.  I had to share today's creation because it cracked me up.  Caroline is so proud of it....take a guess.

Did you make a guess?  These are baby chickens.  Caroline told me one is awake and one is sleeping.  The third one that is missing is a huge deal around our house.  We searched for it all over last night.  After much debate, I asked Caroline is we could make the third one again, but the answer was no.  She had to find that baby chicken that was missing.  The baby needed her Mommy she said.  Well it is 6:30 a.m. and I am up looking for that baby chicken. For all of you that know Caroline, you know how compassionate she is for babies and this broke her heart last night.  I think we might have to make a trip to school today to try to find her baby chicken!

Komen Race

Months ago Matt signed me up for the FRG leader for the 238th.  I moaned and groaned a little, and internally complained about the time and effort involved.  Well, little did I know that playing a role in the FRG leadership would lead me to have met so many new friends and be bound by great support.  I have met some wonderful people and this weekend we are completing the Komen 5k race together as a group.  The picture above is of the shirts that Tricia had made for us.  I am very proud to be supporting the 77th and 238th this weekend in the Komen Race.

October- Week 2

 October has been another wonderful and joyful month for us girls.  This month we have dedicated to celebrating our friends and others.  If you want to try to catch us for a second at home...good luck.  We have been keeping the roads hot.  I had a moment tonight so I thought I would catch you all up on a few of our highlights from this past week.  Caroline and I decorated our pumpkin; we now have glitter everywhere....but it was a lot of fun!  You should have seen us two!

 Caroline has been a traveling bug.  We went to the doctor's office again this week for drainage and coughing.  She was put on an inhaler for one week to help with her cough at night.  For a few nights I dreaded the sleep time, due to coughing.  I hope we are on the downhill slide. Thanks for the dress MiMi!

 We been to three birthday parties and two showers already this month.  I did snap a picture at Brittany's baby shower.  I really miss the good times at UAMS.  I will always hold great memories and laughs with my hygiene friends.  Brittany's baby is a little boy and will be named Jack Mason.  Please pray for a healthy and smooth deliver late November.

 And speaking of special...I got to spend a special weekend with my friend Jill.  One of my good friends married one of Matt's good friends. We are 1 for 1 in the match making business, so we are going to stop while we are ahead.  Jill and Aaron got married this weekend.  And guess what...I forgot my camera.  I snapped a few pictures when I got home.  I am certain the photographer will have a website to view.  Gorgeous wedding! 

 And look what I got to come home to....my baby girl!  I missed her so much this weekend (and she missed me too)

That is a quick catch-up of our week.  The next few weeks get even more busy, but busy is good when you have a husband that is deployed:) I hope you all have a great weekend.

Caroline's Story

Caroline is telling the bedtime stories nowadays.  

Scott Pumpkin Patch

We went with some friends to the Scott Pumpkin Patch today and Caroline had a blast!  The 30 acre pumpkin patch is family owned and includes a farm and pear orchard. You can watch the pig races, hop on a hay ride, stop by the petting zoo, ride the wagon carts, pick a pumpkin, shop the produce market, enjoy the duck races and more.

After the pumpkin patch we went to Cothams Mercantile for lunch. Cothams was built on stilts in 1917 near the river bank.  It has served as a mercantile store for plantation owners, military commissary, and a lockup for local law violators. If you find yourself in Scott, you need to mark this off your list.