Happy Halloween

The day started with lots of errands.  The kids brought their pumpkins with them and we got a couple of treats at stores *jackpot*

 Then it was naps...so that we could stay up late and get lots of treats.  She wanted to wear her "bones".

After naps, came pumpkin carving!

Olivia was a lot more involved than Mason (who preferred to play with his trucks and rocks).  Olivia drew the faces, did NOT like cleaning out the inside, and punched out the noses and eyes.  

Some friends visited, and then we waited for it to get dark.  And it was taking a long time.  A really long time (I caved and gave into a calming electronic time). 

  But, the kids were SOOO excited and sometimes that means a lot of extra energy.  

So I had my "treat".

The kids went outside to play in the yard.  

My lawn ornaments :)

Checking out the pumpkins - it's getting dark!

Finally it was time!!!  

Needless to say the kids had a BLAST.  Olivia was eager to go to every house and Mason knew exactly what was coming and where to put the candy.  We made it walking through our whole court plus an additional five house.  

Mason's costume was the winner this year.  Almost every house answered the door laughing and calling all other family members to check him out.  Too bad he had no idea what it was ;)

Then we arrived home to check out the LOOT!

(looovin Olivia's face!)

 And this is how you eat candy after an exciting night!

But we weren't done yet!!!

GRANDMA AND GRANDPA WERE ON THEIR WAY!!

Last House.

Phew - that was a very fun night!

Fall Fun

Today the kids had a fall festival at school.  And here is the sneak peak for tomorrow - May I present: Garden Gnome & Flamingo

 Olivia's 3's Class

 Mason's Toddler Class

It's a Trashy Day

notice our beautiful blue skies - I'm sure a stark contrast the East Coast

Grandma and Grandpa are supposed to be here right now, visiting for a week+.  Until, Hurricane Sandy disrupted those plans :(  Thankfully they were able to get their flight rescheduled for Wednesday. We are thinking about all our Eastern friends and family today, stay safe!!  

An acquaintance posted some pretty good Hurricane Advice...we still all have pretty vivid memories of our two week no power Hurricane Ike back in '08.   Generally speaking, it wasn't the actual storm that was awful...but rather the aftermath.  

"Hurricane tips for my friends. Fill everything (tubs, empty water bottles, milk jugs with water). Spend money on matches to relight pilot light if it goes out, horizon milk boxes that you don't refrigerate and WINE! Get out the board games, and girls...make sure your birth control is refilled! Lots if babies are always born in the gulf coast after these types of storms! Seriously, remember wine and birth control. That's it. Be safe!"

Tunnel

If...you happen to be in our house and can't find Mason.  Please look for a blue blob.  He spends a good portion of his day under this blanket.  He doesn't say anything or move or play around.  He just sits.

After awhile, I usually ask "Where is Mason?"

His reply?  "In Tunnel!"

Naps

Oh this little girl is getting so big.  In fact, she is almost done with her naps *gasp*.

She still falls asleep 2-3 times a week.  Generally on the days BEFORE she goes to school, I hope that she doesn't nap because she's ready for bed at 7pm and then gets a solid 12+ hours of actual sleep before the school day.   If she does nap....then she's generally not ready for bed until after 8pm....and if she has to be up earlier, then she doesn't get enough sleep.  Recently, I've been letting her play quietly for awhile and then getting her to hang out with me.

I have to admit that I was a little anxious about losing that time, however for now...she just stays in her room and plays quietly (reads books, play with stuffed animals, has rest time).  I'm realizing that it's not that "scary" to have this extra time with her.  Since she is older, we will watch a show together, or we'll do something just the two of us, or she'll have ipad/computer time.  As the kids are getting older and not needing me so much, in return, I don't need the break as much as I used to.

And then there is today, I'm putting her upstairs for a "nap",  I'm leaving the room whispering, "I love you and have a nice rest".   Her reply?

"Have fun Mommy"

lol!!

Yes sweety... I do enjoy nap time and will have fun :)

Foto Friday

those curls!

Duckin' Around

Gridlock

Woof!

Backfire: Halloween Costume

Note - I thought it would be cute if Olivia was a garden fairy for Halloween.  Her, not opinionated brother is going to be a garden gnome.  Just picture his stoic face ... and a gnome costume.  Perfect, right?  And how "coordinating" for them both to be garden related...bla bla bla.   It started awhile ago...

In September:

"Hey Olivia, I saw this really cool halloween costume.  What do you think about being a garden fairy.  Look, you can wear these wings and have this wand.  We'll see if Ms Lauren will make you a tutu."   She agrees. 

In October:

Then one day she demonstrates her almost 4 year old opinion and says, "I want to be a mermaid". 

Honestly, I'm actually happy that she has an opinion and wants something different; however, I'm a little over this mermaid costume.  It's worn ALL. THE. TIME.

So I mention, "Yah, but we can be mermaids any day we want.  Let's try to be something different for Halloween."

Nope....mermaid it is.

But I'm not done.  There are many days until Halloween   

At the Mall one week from Halloween:

I noticed from the outside that pottery barn kids has an advertisement for Halloween costumes.  And on the banner are all these little girls dressed as garden fairies and it's adorable.  Now, I normally don't go into this lovely store because I suddenly end up NEEDING every overpriced item.  So I just avoid it.  

But, desperate times call for desperate measures.  As I drag Olivia into PBK... (I believe she was stomping her feet), her eyes are instantly fixated on the banner and we are both checking out those garden fairies.  JACKPOT...it's working!  "What do you think  those girls are doing Olivia?"   

"It looks like they are having a garden party!"  

"Yes it does. Do you want to have a garden party?  We could have one on Halloween?"

"Yah, that would be really fun....and I could be a garden fairy...."  

 (WHOOP WHOOP MOM VICTORY)  

And then, not even one second later, she turns her head around and...

 "LOOOOKK MOM!!!!!!!!!!  ITS A BIRD FROM RIO!!!!!!"  

"I don't want to be a mermaid or garden fairy anymore....I want to be a FLAMINGO!!!"  (and yes, she is now screaming and jumping up and down)   

Oh my.  Yup.  I purchased a VERY overpriced PBK costume.  I always swore I would never do it...eating my words.  Should have just let her be the mermaid.   But when I saw her excitement about this bird, it melted me a little, and if I had to say whether Olivia is more of a garden fairy girlie or a flamingo....  I would go with flamingo.  Every. Single. Day. 

Squawk.

(side note:  now both of my kids will be lawn ornaments?!)

And...

...since I was missing out on 4 days of calories, I indulged. 

Good News/Bad News

Good News:

Sooo....Olivia is better and I'm moving around but not yet back to normal.

Bad News:

I'm not in Richmond, VA

Good News:

We got a groupon early this morning for a new farm in this area that is AWESOME!!  People in the Houston area...must visit P-6 farms.  Fun fun fun.  A cornmaze, cow train, hayride, tons of random fun things for kids to do.  And yes, I did take too many photos...but I wanted you to see the fun :)

  

Bad News:

These are the peeps we are supposed to be with...but aren't

Good News:

WE WILL BE THERE!!!!!!!  NOVEMBER 29!!!!!

SOOOOO excited :)

Foto Friday

these are my girls.

i'm supposed to be there with them.

these were our plans: see joys beautiful new house, late night wine chats, let kids romp everywhere, go apple picking, get pedicures, babysitters and dinners outs, a visit to busch gardens, etc, etc, etc.

instead we are opening windows and lysoling the house...attempting to rid it of germs.

incredibly bummed.

You've Got To Be Kidding Me

Olivia is still rockin' a solid fever, not eating, and her tummy is bothering her.

And I'm sick.

These are our bags....that are packed.  At 3am we were on the phone with united changing our flight to tomorrow.

UPDATE

as the day progressed we realized that traveling was NOT an option.  we've canceled and I'm having a huuuuge pity party over here.  terribly disappointed.

ruh-roh

She's sick :(
It started yesterday afternoon.

And we are leaving at 5am tomorrow for our annual VT Reunion trip.

Hoping she kicks this really fast.

A Simple Question

Today I'm driving the kiddos to school and mention that I'm going to go to the dentist later.  Olivia asks if she is going to come with me to the dentist and I said no, that I'll be going while they are in school.

Fast forward three hours and I pick up the kids from school.  We are in the car and Olivia asks me,

"So, how did the dentist go?"

Maybe that's not a big deal to everyone, but to me...it's huge.  This is one of the first times that I remember Olivia asking me a question, hours later, that had nothing to do with herself :)   It's a real conversation.  Like I would have with Tim or a friend.

I really really like it.

Drinking

She says:  "Look Mommy, I can drink with one hand just like Taylor and Aubrey."

A Perfect Baptism x 2

Today was the day!  Our children are baptized!!  Grana and Grampa made the trip up to be the children's godparents (thank you!).  The baptism couldn't have gone smoother or more perfectly.  We are loving every moment of this day and will have VERY fond memories to treasure forever.

 A huge thank you to the Johnson Family for being apart of this special occasion and taking all our photos!

Pumpkin Patch

Foto Friday

Staying in the Picture

This article has been popping up in places.  

As Lisa Belkin said, "Every once in awhile someone says something and everybody nods.  And this is one of those posts...."

Daddy's Home!

GO HOKIES!!!

It hasn't been the most perfect season.
But we still love and support our team/school!!!

Yup.

She's getting bigger by the minute!

A Vet Visit

A vet visit for Jerry!!!  I had the kids and needed to keep them entertained while I chatted with the vet.  Mason got the ipad to play. 

Olivia got the iphone camera.

Results...below :)

The vet said Jerry was "all good" and "beautiful" ... I think she meant 'handsome'.

What Did You See Today?

because we saw this....

 1 mile from our house....

 as we were just driving down the street....

and no other spectators....
The Eagle.  The Hertel Family.  

Breathtaking!

Gymnastics

Olivia is taking gymnastics on Saturday mornings.  And she LOVES it!

As a "reward" gymnasts ring the bell if they do something well...and so far, every class, Olivia has sprinted over with a huge smile on her face and had the opportunity!