Over the weekend, we threw Greta a surprise party! I've never thrown a surprise party for my kids and in the words of Greta, "I want one every year!" So it was a hit! Greta's birthday isn't until the beginning of next month, however her birthday lands right in the middle of our month long trip to Mexico and we were in Ecuador for her birthday last year. I really wanted to make sure she feels loved and remembered.

I invited a bunch of her friends over and we made pizzas and ate cake and the kids played. It was pretty low key and pretty exciting at the same time!

I love you Greta!

Happy Halloween! I love dressing my kids up for Halloween. It's a lot of fun! Greta is a nutcracker, but perhaps looks more like a circus ringmaster. And Holly is a native American. For photos, Maeve was first a butterfly because she has flat out refused the necklace and hat for her costume. But, she was so pliable with a sucker in her mouth that I decided to try it and she allowed me to dress her! Very exciting! I made Holly's dress, embellished Greta's and I made everything for Maeve besides the green jammies. 

Conor had just gotten home earlier in the day (he spent a week in Chicago!) that I took photos and all Maeve wanted was him! So cute. Love how everyone looks and we are already dreaming up costumes for next year, as we do!

For our church's trunk or treat, Conor was an off-duty cop (that mustache!) and I was a lumber Jill.

Greta ran her last XC race last week. She qualified for the all-city race and she did great! After the race, I asked her if anything any said along the sidelines helped her run faster, thinking that maybe one of my coaching comments I yelled to her as she ran past me was inspiring. Man, did I eat a piece of humble pie! Greta said that she liked it when some of our friends (who she loves) cheered for her at the end was the best and that helped her to speed up. It was a moment of great learning for me! I saw her three times in the course of that mile and each time I told her to run through the pain or pass those girls or speed up you're at the end. And I should've just cheered for her. Simple as that.

Well despite me, Greta did awesome and I really hope she keeps to running throughout her life.

Greta has only one more soccer game left in this fall season. It's been really fun to watch her play. She's on a new team this year (yay for carpooling!) and it's been a great learning experience for her with an awesome coach and fun friends.

About two blocks away in Manito park is the prettiest little patch of purple Lupine flowers. I really wanted to capture some shots of my sweet daughters with them before this crazy heat withered them away. I think we made it there on one of the flower's last days, they were looking wilted. But I think I caught some okay photos anyways? Maeve wasn't too impressed with having her picture taken and she lasted about 10 seconds but I guess that's just how it goes with a little one her age. Managing expectations over here! Anyways, these three girls... they are so much work and so amazing. I love having all daughters!