That would be our town. I am so happy that we get to have our ward Trunk or Treat on Halloween night so that we can do at least a form of trick or treating on the actual holiday.
See, the thing is, here there is no trick or treating on Halloween. It is ALWAYS the Sunday before Halloween. It is for a few hours in the early evening. When we got home from church on Sunday the kids were just finishing up.
This week as I went into stores I noticed that even though it isn't even officially Halloween yet that the halloween candy is gone. If I hadn't bought it a few weeks ago I would have been out of luck if I wanted the Halloween bags of candy.
I have no idea why they don't celebrate Halloween on Halloween here and even more than that why they celebrate in on Sunday. It makes more sense to me to do it on Saturday night if it is going to always be on the weekend.. but oh well.
Like I said, we get to go to Trunk or Treat so we luck out!!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Halloween preschool
Today was our Halloween celebration in preschool.
I finished putting together Abi's Little Red Riding Hood costume last night. It was a lot of fun to make. I found the cape at Target real cheap and it was a kids size but too long so I was able to cut a foot off the bottom and then re hem it, added lace to the hood and then used the extra fabric to line the basket and for her sash around her dress.. I got it in Target while in Utah with my mom and sister and my sister surprised me by buying the little sparkly red shoes for her while we were there. So I used the white dress my sister gave me all the way back when I was pregnant and the new items to make this cute costume.
She really loved it. I was hoping she would wear it since she didn't want to try it on a few weeks ago but once she had it on today and saw the lace I added she was so excited. It made it so much fun.
In preschool we made stand up witches, big skeletons, and haunted houses. We did a lot of halloween stories and flannelboard games and played Halloween Bingo. It was really great and Abi and Alisse (cute little Cinderella) had so much fun together.
I finished putting together Abi's Little Red Riding Hood costume last night. It was a lot of fun to make. I found the cape at Target real cheap and it was a kids size but too long so I was able to cut a foot off the bottom and then re hem it, added lace to the hood and then used the extra fabric to line the basket and for her sash around her dress.. I got it in Target while in Utah with my mom and sister and my sister surprised me by buying the little sparkly red shoes for her while we were there. So I used the white dress my sister gave me all the way back when I was pregnant and the new items to make this cute costume.
She really loved it. I was hoping she would wear it since she didn't want to try it on a few weeks ago but once she had it on today and saw the lace I added she was so excited. It made it so much fun.
In preschool we made stand up witches, big skeletons, and haunted houses. We did a lot of halloween stories and flannelboard games and played Halloween Bingo. It was really great and Abi and Alisse (cute little Cinderella) had so much fun together.
Preschool and Good Mail
We were going to go on a field trip for preschool on Tuesday but it didn't end up working out so instead we did some games and stories and songs, spent a lot of time doing Halloween dancing and we went on a walk to the park. We got these Halloween sugar cookies in the mail from my mom. It was so nice of her to send them but they didn't make the trip so well. We still ate the pieces and the girls enjoyed a pile of cookie pieces.
Park
Last week while on one of our driving sessions we took the opportunity to stop at a park to play. Doug rarely gets to be at the park with Abi so she was loving it. Doug took her on everything and spun her around on the spinny toys. Of course right after the one pictured she just about threw up. Then she stood up and walked away falling every few feet.
Playing catch up: Last week
Last week we learned the letter T in preschool. On Thursday we made letter T trees to decorate with leaves we punched out of fuzzy paper and apples that we had painted with. The vision I had was of a big apple tree with the fall leaves falling off... but its not quite how they turned out. But, you can't mess with kids creativity.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Thursdays Thirteen: My 13 favorite things in the last week
1) Re-reading Dracula by Bram Stoker in honor of Halloween- I started it again last night to cap off the perfect day we had yesterday.
2) Reading The Tale of Despereax to Abi last night. After bath and scriptures we went into her room and she got in bed and I read the first three chapters of this book to her. It is not a picture book. She laughed at all the right places and sat still for the entire time. It was such a joyful moment.
3)Re-decorating our downstairs and adding the playroom to our family room. We also put our movies back in there like they used to be. It's more crowded now but I really like the change.
4. Having a sitting room again... here's the old playroom. Since this picture we have hung a painting over the couch and added a few things. It is so peaceful to sit in there.
5. Put out all the halloween and fall decorations. This is a new one I made. I was not thrilled with the way it turned out but I think it's cute enough to put out.
6. Started working on our Family Home Evening board. I have always wanted one so I purchased the wood quite a while ago when Hobby Lobby had a sale and I got our sister in law to make the lettering for me. I spent the last two days painting it and then last night I put the lettering on. I didn't notice until I was done that activity is missing a t but I don't really think it's too big of a deal. Now all I have to do is wait for Doug to drill holes in the little name squares so I can paint them and put on the names to hang from the posts with ribbon.
7. Yesterday when Abi and I went to McDonalds to cash in our free small yogurt parfait coupon we got while on our vacation. Abi loved it. I got a drink and worked on pencil puzzles for an hour while Abi played. It was so nice.
8. I finally finished my cake platter I made at the Girls retreat. I had finished the painting in Utah but now it has ribbon around it!
9. Ate dinner at the table set with Halloween and Fall decor... I am such a geek but I love this time of year.
10. Finally found Halloween colored m&ms. We looked at four stores before we found them. I knew they would look so cute in my pumpkin bowl.. unfortunately a bag of M&M's seems like a lot but it didn't quite fill up the entire pumpkin.
11. Played at the park last night with Doug and Abi.
12. Made an appointment for brunch at the American Girl Cafe in a few weeks when my mom is here. I can't wait to go there again and Abi is so excited!
13. Watched a cheesy Halloween movie while sharing hot chocolate and caramel apples with Abi. This is something my mom and I have done the last two years so this year I did it with Abi. I love creating and keeping traditions.
2) Reading The Tale of Despereax to Abi last night. After bath and scriptures we went into her room and she got in bed and I read the first three chapters of this book to her. It is not a picture book. She laughed at all the right places and sat still for the entire time. It was such a joyful moment.
3)Re-decorating our downstairs and adding the playroom to our family room. We also put our movies back in there like they used to be. It's more crowded now but I really like the change.
4. Having a sitting room again... here's the old playroom. Since this picture we have hung a painting over the couch and added a few things. It is so peaceful to sit in there.
5. Put out all the halloween and fall decorations. This is a new one I made. I was not thrilled with the way it turned out but I think it's cute enough to put out.
6. Started working on our Family Home Evening board. I have always wanted one so I purchased the wood quite a while ago when Hobby Lobby had a sale and I got our sister in law to make the lettering for me. I spent the last two days painting it and then last night I put the lettering on. I didn't notice until I was done that activity is missing a t but I don't really think it's too big of a deal. Now all I have to do is wait for Doug to drill holes in the little name squares so I can paint them and put on the names to hang from the posts with ribbon.
7. Yesterday when Abi and I went to McDonalds to cash in our free small yogurt parfait coupon we got while on our vacation. Abi loved it. I got a drink and worked on pencil puzzles for an hour while Abi played. It was so nice.
8. I finally finished my cake platter I made at the Girls retreat. I had finished the painting in Utah but now it has ribbon around it!
9. Ate dinner at the table set with Halloween and Fall decor... I am such a geek but I love this time of year.
10. Finally found Halloween colored m&ms. We looked at four stores before we found them. I knew they would look so cute in my pumpkin bowl.. unfortunately a bag of M&M's seems like a lot but it didn't quite fill up the entire pumpkin.
11. Played at the park last night with Doug and Abi.
12. Made an appointment for brunch at the American Girl Cafe in a few weeks when my mom is here. I can't wait to go there again and Abi is so excited!
13. Watched a cheesy Halloween movie while sharing hot chocolate and caramel apples with Abi. This is something my mom and I have done the last two years so this year I did it with Abi. I love creating and keeping traditions.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Our week in photos
Last Saturday we decided to take a little trip to the pumpkin patch I went to last year. Doug had never actually gone with us to do this. Abi's first Halloween my mom was visiting and we went to one down in Illinois while Doug was at work and last year my mom and dad were here and we went to this one on a weekday as well. So, this year we decided to go on a weekend so he could be there. I have to say that it isn't quite as much fun on a Saturday. The place was packed. We still had a good time though and picked out one pumpkin. I plan on getting a bigger one later that we can carve but there weren't any that spoke to me.
So, Doug was mowing the lawn while Abi and I got ready. I thought it was very cold outside so I dressed Abi like this:
She is wearing a wool-like dress over a black turtleneck and black jeans as well as thick socks and big boots. I was wearing a sweater. Then we went outside and realized it was a really nice day and we were going to die unless we changed. We hurried back in and changed into normal jeans and a polo shirt for me and a long sleeved tee shirt for Abi. Abi was really excited to get to the pumpkin patch and liked looking at the little displays they have. Her favorite was Dora.
She also enjoyed the park there.
She had picked her pumpkin out within about a minute of arriving and I was carrying it around most of the time we were there but then she found this little baby one and wanted it too. Of course she posed with it and about 1 second later threw it on the ground. I handed it back to her and told her if she threw it again then she couldn't have it. She would only get her other one. Then it was thrown. It went back to the pile.
Here she is with Daddy proudly displaying the one she really loved that she did get to bring home.
Sunday night we were entertained by 'Pirate Abi'
Tuesday and Thursday we had preschool. This was the first time we held it since we got back from Utah. The letter this week was B. On Thursday they made 'B Bees'
Thursday afternoon we met our friends Emily, Gabe, and Garrett at a nearby park. I did not know the park had a sand box but I guess it's never a good idea to take your kid outside to play in a white sweat suit anyway........ She got so dirty that even she was anxious about a bath when we got home and she realized she still had sand all over her.
She really loved playing with Gabe again. There was this big rock to climb on and she really liked sitting up on top where she had a great view and was up higher than mommy.
So, Doug was mowing the lawn while Abi and I got ready. I thought it was very cold outside so I dressed Abi like this:
She is wearing a wool-like dress over a black turtleneck and black jeans as well as thick socks and big boots. I was wearing a sweater. Then we went outside and realized it was a really nice day and we were going to die unless we changed. We hurried back in and changed into normal jeans and a polo shirt for me and a long sleeved tee shirt for Abi. Abi was really excited to get to the pumpkin patch and liked looking at the little displays they have. Her favorite was Dora.
She also enjoyed the park there.
She had picked her pumpkin out within about a minute of arriving and I was carrying it around most of the time we were there but then she found this little baby one and wanted it too. Of course she posed with it and about 1 second later threw it on the ground. I handed it back to her and told her if she threw it again then she couldn't have it. She would only get her other one. Then it was thrown. It went back to the pile.
Here she is with Daddy proudly displaying the one she really loved that she did get to bring home.
Sunday night we were entertained by 'Pirate Abi'
Tuesday and Thursday we had preschool. This was the first time we held it since we got back from Utah. The letter this week was B. On Thursday they made 'B Bees'
Thursday afternoon we met our friends Emily, Gabe, and Garrett at a nearby park. I did not know the park had a sand box but I guess it's never a good idea to take your kid outside to play in a white sweat suit anyway........ She got so dirty that even she was anxious about a bath when we got home and she realized she still had sand all over her.
She really loved playing with Gabe again. There was this big rock to climb on and she really liked sitting up on top where she had a great view and was up higher than mommy.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Wednesday night at our house... random thoughts
Does anyone on Earth re-arrange their house as much as I do? Seriously. Doug and I are trying to de-stress and simplify some things. We talked about the state of our house. I don't feel relaxed when it isn't tidy and yet picking up after a 2 year old and 31 year old constantly (not to mention myself) has me frazzled- so, after some great advice from his mom the other night we have chosen certain areas of the house that are the most important to have perfectly clean all the time and the rest can be done when there is time or on my strict schedule (meaning that since my schedule has Tuesday as the day to clean the upstairs bathroom it doesn't get done until then even if it needs it unless I have some time when I FEEL like cleaning it... I don't think that will ever happen.) Also, this means not picking up the toys throughout the downstairs and Abi's room every 15 minutes or so because I want it clean. I will let her play to her hearts content and before nap and bedtime we will clean. This led me to some other ideas because of how massive our toy problem can get because of having the preschool in our front room.
We used to have a 'sitting room' in that area. It was a nice, quiet, relaxing spot to visit with people and to sit as a family or read. I decided that since my preschool is very small that we will downsize it. Most of the toys and things will go to the basement to be swapped every few weeks to keep them interesting. This way what we keep up here at one time will fit into the 'family room' off the kitchen. The front room will be transformed over the next few days back into a 'sitting room'. This is also so that it feels more relaxing when we come in through that door.
That said, I re-arrange all the time. I know Doug thinks its funny how he can come home and have everything changed without his knowing it was even going to happen. I was talking to my mom about this today and I told her that I blame her and my dad!! It's that Navy Brat blood in me that keeps me from being able to settle. I have to constantly be changing my surroundings and if that isn't moving into a new state/city/house than it must be done by the re-assigning of where the bed is or the way the tv faces. I realized that come next summer when we will have been in this house 2 1/2 years (assuming we will still be here then) it will be the longest I've ever lived anywhere. Yes, it's true. I have NEVER lived anywhere longer than 2 1/2 years. In My Life. The funny thing is that most places were much less than that. It was fun though. I enjoyed the adventure so I will embrace now the adventure of furniture 'moving'.
While I have been doing this I have been watching the final debate of McCain and Obama. It was crazy. I didn't think McCain came off as eloquent as I have seen him in other debates/interviews but I think that has a lot to do with how everyone told him that he needed to take the gloves off with Obama. I don't think he was comfortable doing that... just my opinion. I still prefer him though. Watching them I just know that I agree with so much more of McCains platforms than Obama's. I do think it is important though to keep an open mind when watching these kinds of things so I did that- and I'm still for McCain. I kept thinking that if I was somebody who owned an insurance company I would really be sweating right now. I know a lot of them are probably pretty corrupt but not all of them and I have a feeling they are out of business if Obama wins.... the good along with the bad. AND I have to say that although we make nowhere near that quarter of a million dollars a year- I don't think that people that are successful should be punished for it. Why should you have to pay more just because you make more?
How is that fair? I will always believe that it should be an across the board percentage. Like tithing. If you are making 10,000 a year or 500,000 a year and you are paying the same percentage of tax the rich person is still paying more but it makes it fair. Anyway, that's what's going on around here.
Oh and a bit of news... in case you didn't know Doug's mom was called to our church's General Young Women's Board recently. I think that is really cool. She will be great at it and a huge asset to that program.
We used to have a 'sitting room' in that area. It was a nice, quiet, relaxing spot to visit with people and to sit as a family or read. I decided that since my preschool is very small that we will downsize it. Most of the toys and things will go to the basement to be swapped every few weeks to keep them interesting. This way what we keep up here at one time will fit into the 'family room' off the kitchen. The front room will be transformed over the next few days back into a 'sitting room'. This is also so that it feels more relaxing when we come in through that door.
That said, I re-arrange all the time. I know Doug thinks its funny how he can come home and have everything changed without his knowing it was even going to happen. I was talking to my mom about this today and I told her that I blame her and my dad!! It's that Navy Brat blood in me that keeps me from being able to settle. I have to constantly be changing my surroundings and if that isn't moving into a new state/city/house than it must be done by the re-assigning of where the bed is or the way the tv faces. I realized that come next summer when we will have been in this house 2 1/2 years (assuming we will still be here then) it will be the longest I've ever lived anywhere. Yes, it's true. I have NEVER lived anywhere longer than 2 1/2 years. In My Life. The funny thing is that most places were much less than that. It was fun though. I enjoyed the adventure so I will embrace now the adventure of furniture 'moving'.
While I have been doing this I have been watching the final debate of McCain and Obama. It was crazy. I didn't think McCain came off as eloquent as I have seen him in other debates/interviews but I think that has a lot to do with how everyone told him that he needed to take the gloves off with Obama. I don't think he was comfortable doing that... just my opinion. I still prefer him though. Watching them I just know that I agree with so much more of McCains platforms than Obama's. I do think it is important though to keep an open mind when watching these kinds of things so I did that- and I'm still for McCain. I kept thinking that if I was somebody who owned an insurance company I would really be sweating right now. I know a lot of them are probably pretty corrupt but not all of them and I have a feeling they are out of business if Obama wins.... the good along with the bad. AND I have to say that although we make nowhere near that quarter of a million dollars a year- I don't think that people that are successful should be punished for it. Why should you have to pay more just because you make more?
How is that fair? I will always believe that it should be an across the board percentage. Like tithing. If you are making 10,000 a year or 500,000 a year and you are paying the same percentage of tax the rich person is still paying more but it makes it fair. Anyway, that's what's going on around here.
Oh and a bit of news... in case you didn't know Doug's mom was called to our church's General Young Women's Board recently. I think that is really cool. She will be great at it and a huge asset to that program.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Coming Home
We left really early Monday morning and this time Abi did go back to sleep for a little while. It was great. The weather was a little rainy at first but cleared up nicely. The only spot we really worry about is in Wyoming near Laramie where we have had horrific weather in the past but today it was perfect!
Abi's prizes for the ride home were all courtesy of Courtney. She has decided she didn't need all her Dora stuff anymore and gave us many books, videos, and toys so we put a few of them in bags and used them for the entire trip back. The first one, going into Wyoming, was a little handheld Dora game. Abi has never had anything like that before and loved it.
We had some fun playing at a Wyoming rest stop. It was pretty cold but looked the prettiest I had seen this stretch ever look with the fall colors coming out.
We spent the night in North Platte and started out early again the next morning. Abi watched a lot more videos on the ride home but was just as good as the ride out. We were so proud of her. We were hit with crazy rain in Iowa and it didn't stop until we were home. It was insane. No blue sky throughout three states!
Abi was so happy when we pulled into our neighborhood. She started telling us which way to turn and this was the face when we pulled into our driveway.
Upon entering the house she ran to her playroom and threw herself down on the floor saying, "I'm so glad to be home!" We let her play for a couple of hours and then put her to bed in her room.
We are still working on getting everything put away. I was so tired after this trip that I have hardly had the desire to deal with it and we had a lot of errands yesterday. Hopefully by tomorrow it will all be back to normal around here!
Abi's prizes for the ride home were all courtesy of Courtney. She has decided she didn't need all her Dora stuff anymore and gave us many books, videos, and toys so we put a few of them in bags and used them for the entire trip back. The first one, going into Wyoming, was a little handheld Dora game. Abi has never had anything like that before and loved it.
We had some fun playing at a Wyoming rest stop. It was pretty cold but looked the prettiest I had seen this stretch ever look with the fall colors coming out.
We spent the night in North Platte and started out early again the next morning. Abi watched a lot more videos on the ride home but was just as good as the ride out. We were so proud of her. We were hit with crazy rain in Iowa and it didn't stop until we were home. It was insane. No blue sky throughout three states!
Abi was so happy when we pulled into our neighborhood. She started telling us which way to turn and this was the face when we pulled into our driveway.
Upon entering the house she ran to her playroom and threw herself down on the floor saying, "I'm so glad to be home!" We let her play for a couple of hours and then put her to bed in her room.
We are still working on getting everything put away. I was so tired after this trip that I have hardly had the desire to deal with it and we had a lot of errands yesterday. Hopefully by tomorrow it will all be back to normal around here!
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