Fall is Here! Fall is Here!

So, I know my last blog I said I'd have you all caught up "by tonight"...well...maybe a week or so later instead;)

I've just been too busy "hunting in the Jungle with Miles!"

Enjoy;)

 

Actually...The past 2 weeks have been really hard on my family and I. 
My Grandpa Postlewait passed away last Tuesday.  He was 93 and lived a VERY healthy and happy life.  I have been so blessed and honestly could not of had a better Grandfather.  I loved him with all my heart and I sure hope he knew (knows) that.  He truly is one of the greatest people I have ever known.  I think all of my Father's "goodness" come from him and I can only hope to be as wonderful of a person as him.  I have been so sad and my heart is torn.  When I saw him in the hospital last Sunday he told me he loved me.  That meant so much to me.  

Forever in my heart he will be!

Even though it's been tough...I've been very blessed to have my kiddos to keep me company and bring me the biggest smile to my face and much laughter through some of the hardest days.  Once again, I am so blessed to have this job.  Even though it drives me crazy sometimes....I couldn't ask for a "happier" place to be:)  I love them so much!

So speaking of which...let's talk about Fall!

The boys are soo cute coming home from school with all their crafty pictures and paintings.  They are so proud of their art work and I don't think their Mom could love it more:)  I think school is really good for them.  They learn a lot and get to play with other kids their age.  We're going to try to get out to Deanna Rose Farmstead before it gets too cold and maybe a pumpkin patch too!  The boys painted pumpkins for their front porch but unfortunately the squirrels in the neighborhood thought they'd be eat them as yummy treats instead;)  The boys thought this was absolutely crazy!  haha!

Darn Squirrels!

Soo..we will have to try again:)
I'm also going to bake "pumpkin cookies" for them to decorate when I get back from Texas (yes, I'm going on vacation!  Definitely need some "Mandi" time..haha!)  We did bake "pumpkin pancakes" one morning though before school....Thanks to Trader Joe's (that place is wonderful!)  They were delicious and I don't think we could get enough;) I am also going to put together a little "Halloween Surprise" for them.  I hope they will love it! 

So since Halloween is coming up...we've been talking a lot about what we wanted to be.

Owen decided everything from ....

THE BLACK SPIDERMAN (is it a bad sign he likes the 'bad guys'?! eek!)

 To Go Diego Go! (I liked this idea...)

To finally....CAPTAIN AMERICA!

He is pretty "stoked" about being Captain America!

His outfit is pretty awesome on him.

Miles, however, was easier...he's known since day one that he for sure wanted to be....dun dun da dun...

BATMAN!!!!

My lil' gerber baby is going to look so "bad ass!" haha;)

If you can't tell they are REALLY into Superheroes right now.  Must be a boy thing;)

Me, on the other hand...I'm going as

HELLO KITTY!  (fitting..right?!)

 I can't wait..it's going to be sooo cute! :)

So..long story short Fall is truly the BEST time of the year!

Plus, it's my birthday on Friday (oct. 21st!) and I will be in Texas to celebrate.  I cannot wait!

Well, I have a whole list of things to share but I have to get back to the boy's house to watch them this evening.  I think we're making spaghetti for dinner...oh boy! ;)

Hopefully I can blog again soon!  I still have tons to update on...

until then...

HAPPY FALL, Ya'll!!! xoxo

Loves and so many Hugs!
Miss Mandi...the Nanny;)

Happy One Year Anniversary of Nanny Hood!

 "Mommy?!"

Can you believe I started on this lil' journey of "nanny hood" over a year ago already?!
Time sure does fly!  Ben and I have 'officially' been living in KC for over a year now...so crazy.  I have been through A LOT this past year...but I have learned a lot too and for that I am so grateful.  I miss Columbia all the time but luckily I'm just a few hours away and can visit anytime I want:)  I am super thankful for all my loving friends and family for sticking by my side through some of the hardest times.  And I am VERY thankful for the Cockrill Family for coming into my life and helping me find "love" in a job once again:)

So, I have been a TERRIBLE "blogger" so that must mean I'm a GREAT nanny (right?!)
These kiddos keep me sooo busy but I love every minute of it!  There are moments I want to literally pull my hair out (terrible two's and three's will getcha!) but there are even more moments that I want to cherish forever:)  

This past year I have discovered that wine is my new best friend....Cheers!

For Moments like these....

And These....

And on REALLY BAD OCCASIONS...these:

Juuuuust kidding on the last one;)  haha!

I apologize it's been over 7 months since I've last posted so I have a ton to catch up on!  Like, Miles 2nd birthday...our "Wet Hot American Summer" (baby style!)....water guns, slip and slides, new playground, firefly catching, picnic lunches, many trips to the libraries in KC and Jumpin' Jax, awesome Fort making days, Britney Spears dance parties and so on and so forth...oh the looooong Summer Days!  And all the fun in between.  Hang on tight and I will have a whole book to you by tonight:)

Loves and Hugs*but stay away from yucky bugs!*
Mandi

Ps. The very first picture above is actually not quite as bad as it looks like...(although I think it's quite hilarious myself..)  We were safely parked in the driveway with the car turned off!  Don't worry folks...I'm not THAT crazy of a nanny...your kiddos are perfectly safe with me;)

My sidekicks and "homies" for life;)
As Owen says, "I'm not a 'homie'...I'm just a boy!" aww!