The Busy Holiday Season & Reflections From The Past Year

The holiday season seems like it has been busier than others. I have definitely been slacking in the blogging department. Part of it has to do with the whole facebook thing. It can really take over a person's life. On to the Bowman house. The kids just finished their gymnastics session for the year. Since Preston is such a strong little man we signed him up. Geoff and I knew how strong he was but I think he really impressed the instructors. He can do a sitting pike on the pummel horse, jump into the vault from the springboard, and of course pull himself up on the rings and do flips. Paige is doing great as well. She is mastering her cartwheel in and outside of the gym and becoming quite the gymnast.

We are definitely ready for the holidays. We will not be visiting Santa this year. Paige and I saw him in November in Amish country and I have never seen her more terrified. The kids have enjoyed decorating the tree and making cookies. They are really into the Christmas spirit and eager for Santa to arrive.

Geoff and I are thankful for so much this year. We have two very healthy and wonderful children, we both have great jobs, a roof over our heads, food on our table, and loving family and friends. This year, I have had time to reflect on the way our country has been living. There are so many people struggling to make ends meet every day. We tend to take for granted the simply things in life like having a car, so that I do not need to take 3 bused to get to work. Having the opportunity to send my kids to school, going out to dinner, and buying that special item my kids might want when we go to the store. What a wonderful year we have had. We are so blessed!!!

So which ever holiday you celebrate, the Bowman family are wishing you, a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkan, and Happy Kwanzaa. May the New Year bring you great joy and love!!!!

Baking Cookies, Preston loved the rolling pin
Tons and tons of sprinkles!

Picking out the tree

Who says little ones can't voice their opinion

Paige and Preston are such huge supporters of Barack Obama. Paige loves watching him on TV and Preston refers to him as "Mama Mama". We were so excited to see that he won. What a historic event. I am so happy the American people saw more than just the color of his skin. We believe in Change and Change is what we need. I am so proud and so happy to tell my children that yes, you can. You can be anything you put your heart and mind too. You can be a doctor, an astronaut, and yes the next President of the United States. I am so hopeful for the future however I wish so many people that are not with us today, could have been present. I am happy this happened in my lifetime and in my children's lifetime. Thank you America

Halloween

We had a wonderful and busy Halloween weekend. On Friday night, Cousin Kaleigh had a Halloween party for all of her school classmates and invited Paige to attend. We had a wonderful time and ate lots of yummy treats. We also played games and did crafts. We hurried home to trick or treat in our neighborhood. The kids loved it. They were troopers and were out for about an hour and a half. Then we rushed over to Mamo and Papa house for a neighborhood cookout. We roasted hotdogs and smores and had Hot Coco with all the neighbors. It was very busy and fun. Then on Saturday, our neighbors had a Halloween Party. We took the kids with us. I didn't want them to wear the same costume so they dressed as 50's kids. They looked so cute. I even twirled Preston hair in the front to give him a curl. He didn't like that too much. Geoff and I dressed up at Don King and Laila Ali. It was a hit. I love Halloween but glad its over. That was one busy weekend.

Don King and Laila Ali
Our 1950's kids

Preston as Lil Frankstein and Paige as Abby Cadabby

Carving our pumpkins

Emergency Day at COSI

On Saturday, the kids and I spent the day at COSI. In the wake of the Hurricane Ike and all the damage it did to our city, COSI decided to partner with other organizations to have Emergency Day. The kids got to explore the inside of a Med flight helicopter, an ambulance, firetruck, a bomb command ctr, and the highway patrol. We knew Papa would like that. We then went inside to have some fun. The kids got to go to every area. Thank goodness, I bought our sitter Courtnee with us because I would have lost and left a child there. The kids loved kidspace and Preston loved the turtles. They also liked ocean and Progress (mommy's favorite). All and all we had a great time and a very busy weekend. I had to hurry and rush home so we could have our much needed adults only night out.

Sorry these pictures are so out of order

The kids in "Progress" at the 50's diner
The kids in "Ocean" playing with the water
The kids in "Progress" riding a carriage
"Please take them away officer"
Med flight Helicopter
Preston just couldn't make it home. I am seeing a pattern
Preston playing doctor in Kidspace
Paige trying out the crutches
Before we left I decided to get them some popcorn and an icee, however they had their eyes on something else.
Preston in Kidspace

Boo at the Zoo

On Friday night, Geoff and I decided to take the kids to the zoo. We don't get to the zoo that often and Paige has been asking to go. They had Boo at the Zoo with various trick or treat stations. The kids got the see 2 brown bears up close and a tiger. After a while, it got very dark so we really couldn't see the animals. Good thing, mommy bought a season pass. We will be able anytime we want.

Hay Maze


Pooped from the excitment of the zoo
The drive home
Abby Cadabby is ready
Lil Frankenstein is ready too


Paige kept asking if this was real

Happy Birthday Papa

Sorry I am a little behind. On Oct 12th, we celebrated my dad's 62nd birthday. All my parents neighbors came over to celebrate the big dinner. My sister and I got him a Cleveland Browns jersey, which he swore brought them good luck over the win against the Giants. Not sure what happened last weekend.

Go Browns!!!!!!!!!!!

Pumpkin Patch

Yesterday, my mom and I decided take my brother's girls and my kids to the pumpkin patch. It was one of the best pumpkin patches I have been too. There was so much for the kids to do and it was a wonderful fall day. They had a camels, goats, and chickens, a corn pit, corn maze, face painting, and lots of things to climb and swing on.

Faith, Preston, Gabby, and Paige
The corn pitThe corn maze