This, That And The Other

Well, what have we been up to lately? We've been enjoying all things fall and the upcoming Halloween holiday, and of course we've been dealing with the regular day to day stuff like school, errands, appointments, etc.

 Briana's school district had conference week last week, so B got out of school an hour early each day. B's conference went terrific. She is right on target (a bit above even) and socially and behaviorally she is doing awesome. Basically, there isn't really anything specific to report. She's a rock star ~ that is all. ;)

Bri's school hosted the book fair last week too. So after B's conference, Doug, Bri and I went to the fair and bought a few books. The librarian told me to fill out a small form (since we bought books) and put it in a raffle to win 4 free tickets to Zoo Atlanta.

I kind of giggled to myself because I rarely (and I mean rarely) win when it comes to things like this ~ lottery tickets, raffles, drawings, etc. I filled the form out anyway and stuck it in the fishbowl thinking I wouldn't hear anything else about it.

This past Monday afternoon, Bri got into the car and told me that the principal pulled a name out of the fishbowl during morning announcements. Her name (and mine) was called!!! Well, how about that? She (we) won! I guess she is my good luck charm. ;)

She was so excited...

So what else is going on around here?

We've been decorating for Halloween (we love Halloween)...

Mei Mei absolutely loves the little Halloween characters I have displayed. She loves to lay by them and hide in between them...

Our outside is all decked out too...

 And speaking of Mei Mei, she is still my little shadow :)  ...

The weather in GA has been beautiful lately. Cool with no humidity. Last week, I sat on the back porch and Bri decided to play (on her own) the huge Jenga set she and Doug made a couple of months ago. This is how tall it was before she started...

Getting taller...

Up to her neck...

At this point, she got stuck and couldn't move anymore. Time to put it all back...

We are still rocking and rolling in soccer. Bri is still so happy ~ at both practices and games. Life is good in rec.

Last Friday night, the girls had a game. The team did awesome (Bri played well but seemed a little off her game that night). The girls won 7-1...

I call these girls (the three in front including Bri) the "original 3." They have been playing together for over 3 years (since U6)...

 End of game congratulatory tunnel...

Bri missed her Saturday game because her friend Maisie turned 10 that day. Yes, I said 10!!! How is that possible? Maisie had a super fun party (more on that in another post)...

And Sunday, we went apple picking up in North Georgia (I'll devote a post to this too)...

It was super crazy crowded at the orchard, but we had a good time. We usually go picking in Sept, but it didn't work out this year. Thank goodness we went last weekend because the pickings were already getting very slim. I don't think there will be anything to pick this weekend!

It's been nice because Doug has been in town. He didn't travel anywhere last week and this week, he had to drive about two hours away one day, but it was just for the day.

As for me, I have been battling some lower back problems lately. I've had lower back issues on and off for the past 15 years. At the end of June, I tweaked my back pretty badly. It goes "out" more often than it should now. And it is painful when it does ~ very painful. So, I finally have an MRI scheduled for next week to find out exactly what is going on ~ so wish me luck.

Hope you all are enjoying the fall weather. So excited for Halloween to come. I'll be posting Bri's Halloween costume soon!