Ariel and Belle

This was the girls getting all ready to trick or treat.  What a fun way to spend a weeknight! 

Halloween party

ML got to wear her costume to school today.  As I mentioned before, Gigi made these beautiful costumes for both girls.  This is her sweet class as they are doing circle time.  We are so blessed by this teacher, our school, and our class. 

After circle time they did a beanbag toss and prepared for their feast.  I am so glad I could pop in and take a few photos. 

 

 

 

Pumpkin carving

This year I finally got both girls to put their hands in the pumpkins.  This year we carved Mickey and Ariel, which probably comes and no surprise.

 

As Matt said here we are carving and notice the girls are no where near.  :)  They turned out so cute we decided to wait to photograph them until it was dark.  Then the camera was dead and then they were rotten.  Oh the joys of warm Halloweens!

More retirement pics

I missed a few photos from the weekend that were on Matt's phone.  It was a little chilly this morning and we rushed out to the fountain to take a few quick pictures.

The family shot

Retirement reception

Gigi's retiring from her position at the church.  There was a reception today between some of the services and a lot of wishes from the children of the church.  The kids quickly found a quiet corner to camp out in and eat some of the many goodies.  They were all fantastic while we chatted for 2 hours.

 

Long after the other kids finished, ML remained eating every bit of cookie, sherbert, and fruit she could manage.  Granpda sat down to keep her company.

 

Afterwards, we went to lunch and then home for a few snapped pictures of all of us. 

I think that I love getting ready for the pictures more than anything.  We had to ditch the chairs so that Gigi and grandpa didn't topple over, but something sure was funny....as it always is with these shots. 

The girls have made it clear that now that Gigi is retired she will come and see us more!  We can't wait.  Congratulations Gigi!

Gigi's house

We went to Gigi's this afternoon for a reception tomorrow.  She bought pumpkins for the kids to decorate with markers.  I love all the concentrated expressions I captured!

ML and AG have been talking all week about the sleepover with their cousin.  They will likely giggle into the wee hours, but what fun it will be.  I love that there are cousins to enjoy these sweet times with.

 

Halloween party

Our sweet friends invited us to join them tonight for a Halloween party.  The girls were soooo excited to wear their new costumes that Gigi made.  AG could hardly wait to get dressed.

ML slept until the very last minute and because it was going to be a late night, I let her.  We got this sweet shot before we ate.

 

Then we wree off for the fun.  A live pony, a band, face painting balloons and LOTS of dessert.  The girls had a blast.

 

And lastly, a picture with our dear friend.  Thanks for a wonderful time Miss Stacey!

 

 

Acorn cleaning

ML and I tried to tackle some of the acorns that are strewn across our driveway and porch this morning.  She was cracking me up with the tiara.

 

Apparently, it was quite exhausting work though.  She was zonked in the middle of the floor after being left alone for about 3 minutes.

 

Cowboy day!

AG's version of cowboy day.  We were so upset to have outgrown our cowboy boots! 

Crazy day

Today AG was supposed to wear crazy hat, glasses and socks to school for red ribbon week.  When I picked her up she said it was for "free drug" week.  She cracks me up!

Just for fun

My little cupcake!

Field trip

I mentioned before that I was going to chaperone the zoo field trip.  I had these three sweeties with another mom.  We had a great time!

Wine with Friends

A few months ago a high school friend asked if I would like to tour the Hill Country wineries with her.  It sounded like so much fun, but it's not the easiest thing to coordinate.  And as with the best laid plans, they don't always go off without a hitch.  Still, I am grateful for the time away, the laughter and the wine.  Thanks for the idea Jen, and for putting up with me while I was under the weather.  We need a "do over" soon!

Custom costumes

Gigi offered to make the girls costumes this year and I was quick to agree!  They turned out adorable and the girls were so anxious to try them on.  She arrived today with the costumes so that I could have a girls weekend.  Thank you Gigi!

Zoo day

 Morgan Leigh and I can go to the zoo anytime.  She was so upset to find out I was going to chaperone a field trip to the zoo for her sister though.  So we went today with a friend.  We arrived in the midst of a bunch of field trips.  I always hit those days!!

Pumpkin patch

ML's school sets up a pumpkin patch every year and we have been itching to get down there.  The girls were excited to see them arrive yesterday and we couldn't wait to get there today.

 

 I snapped quite a few and couldn't choose my favorite.  There were some moms that said, how come our girls didn't do that....I've been there!

 

 

 

 

 

Puzzles, numbers and yellow

ML is obsessed with puzzles.  Most days she is content to constuct them herself.  She is fanastic at puzzles and even if she requests your help, she doesn't really need it.  Still it is fun to sit and watch her brain work.  This number train is one of her favorites.  She recognizes most of her numbers and can do one to one correspondence really well.  As we left Hobby Lobby yesterday I also heard, H-O-B-B-Y-L-O, wait mommy I'm not done.  It took me a minute to register that it was Morgan Leigh doing that and not Anna Grace (who was at school!). Way to go big girl!

On another note entirely, we were sitting on the sofa reading last week about Cinderella.  She asked why her hair was yellow and I responded that that was how they color blonde hair, isn't that your color?  She said, no, my hair is blonde.  Just blonde and I said it's kind of yellow?  She said ok with a sigh and under her breath said it's just blonde.  It totally reminded me of the conversation with AG about the color of a school bus being yellow and not orange!

Sweeties

Here is my sweet girl.  She will not participate until her friend arrives....

Sharing

Last week, the girls slept in the same room because of our guest.  They also quietly played until 7:45 and Matt and I thought maybe we've discovered a trick.  So we tried again.  This was the scene.  And it did work, they let us sleep in again!

 

But apparently it was exhausting too.  They both fell asleep on the way to Costco. 

So Matt stayed in the car and I quickly ran in to gather a few things for the week.

Costco naps

I think most days if left strapped into a car seat for 20 minutes, ML would nap.  She won't let herself sit still enough at home to actually fall asleep.  So this afternoon we tried to squeeze in a trip to Costco.

Matt got to roll the windows down and sent my in solo.  Good thing there wasn't a huge list!

Hopscotch

  

Today was a perfect afternoon for some hopscotch. 

Stretching

We meet a friend for Stretch 'n Grow on Tuesdays (when I don't forget).  These girls are so sweet together!

No school!

The girls didn't have school today and so we started with a special treat for breakfast.  Cinnamon Rolls!

 

We also figured out the key to sleeping in on the weekends....letting them sleep in the same room!

 

The girls were so excited to wear their new vests in the "chilly" weather.  We were off to the museum at their request, and then out to lunch.

 

Daddy almost took the day off and instead decided to come home on time.  We loaded up scooters and tricycles and headed to a park with lots of sidewalk.

 

Matt started texting one of my friends and she kindly said we should pop in and see the tractors that have invaded their yard.  Matt crawled up onto the couch with the kiddos to explain what they were doing.  In truth, I think he enjoys the tractors just as much as they do :)  It was a fabulous way to end the day.  Thank you Mere!

 

 

 

 

Presents

When Gigi gave ML this outfit for her birthday she said I don't know about the tights.  But they were perfect for a day like today and sooo stinking cute. 

Recipes

One of my birthday presents from my mother was hand written recipes.  One is from my grandmother for "crispies" which was my favorite growing up.  I got to choose the ones from my mother and had a hard time just picking one, so I did two.  I've had them for months until a friend suggested how to hang them.  (Thanks Mere!) 

Crafting

Nonna and I took the girls to Joanns today and wondered what we were thinking.  It was crazy busy.  The girls each got a craft though and we put them together this afternoon.

It was after lunch, but ML insisted she wasn't finished yet.

Arboretum visit

Nonna convinced us to try the Dallas Arboretum today for an exhibit.  There are several Chihuly installations throughout the gardens.  ML is less willing to pose than her older sister and I realize it every time we visit something like this!  It truly was amazing.

 

Here are Nonna and V with Morgan Leigh.  She insisted on sitting in the stroller rather than on the rock or someone's lap.

 

The Sun is behind my head.

And lastly, ML and I inside of Cinderella's carriage in the pumpkin patch.  I must say that Morgan Leigh was a trooper the whole way through.  She complained towards the very end that she might be getting a blister, but other than that not a word.  She didn't like it when the tour groups caught up to us though.  :)  What a fun way to spend the day!