Pre-Halloween Fun

Finally, A Smile!

We had a very busy day today, full of Halloween fun. Anya had her preschool parade and party at 12:30. The kids marched around, sang songs, & repeated rhymes they had learned. Anya did a great job singing, and doing the actions to the songs/rhymes! Ally also enjoyed herself, she was dancing around, and copying whatever the kids would do. So cute!

Later we went to Josh's squadron party for more trick-or-treating, and a potluck dinner. Anya loves to go to social functions, and talks to anyone that will listen. She didn't want to leave, of course. Ally loves to be around people too, and was being cute all night saying "Boo!". I had fun today, no doubt, but I'm glad this day is over. I was the one dressing/undressing kids, making all the food for the parties, and trying to squeeze in laundry/packing for a trip to Grandma's tomorrow.

The Fighting Falcons!

Trunk or Treat

On Sunday evening our church had trunk or treat which is just like trick or treating, only it's done in the church parking lot, and people hand out candy from their cars. It was fun, but very cold and blustery. There were a lot of kids, and lots of Hannah Montana costumes. I determined that Ally knows too much about candy for a 1 year old, she always went right for the M&Ms. The next morning Anya decided to open all her candy to see what everything was, I found her sitting in a pile of candy wrappers! It was funny that she wasn't eating the candy, just piling it up. I hated to throw all that candy away, so I did what any good mother would do... I ate it. Oh how I love Halloween!

Ouch!

Yesterday I somehow fell on the stairs, just a few steps, and broke my big toe! We had just gotten up, and I was carrying Ally when it happened. I think I just missed a stair, and then the next thing I knew I was on my knees on the landing. Luckily I held onto Ally without even a wobble. Since we just got up, I had little girls and a whiny cat waiting on me for breakfast. So I had to take care of everyone before I even got to sit down, and take a good look at my throbbing toe. Then I got everyone dressed so we could go to the doctor - not at all what I had planned for my day. :( The girls were cute though, copying me, and putting ice on their feet. Now I just wish it would stop hurting.

To Cut or Not to Cut?

I've been trying to decide what to do with Ally's hair for awhile. I thought maybe I'd let her hair grow out without bangs, so I've just been using a clip to hold it out of her eyes. That was working, mostly, except when she would take it out, which was way too often. Then it looked terrible! So that was my dilemma, but not anymore. While the girls were staying at my mom's, she cut Ally's bangs. I'm not sure exactly how I feel about that, but in my mother's defense, she is a hair stylist. I guess I should be glad she didn't give her a perm!

Mommy Who?

The girls made it home late last night. Anya was excited to see us, but Ally wouldn't even let me hold her. She was clinging tight to Grandma, and would turn her head whenever Josh or I tried to talk to her. Grandma had to put her to bed while I watched, hoping she would allow me to help. Luckily this morning it's back to the usual Mommy's okay, but Grandma is great, relationship that we have when my Mom is around.

Waiting for my Babies

The girls have been at my mom's house since Sunday, and are on the way back home tonight. I can't wait to see them! This is the first time I've been away from Ally over night, and the first time away from Anya for more than one night. They did great at my mom's. They played with their cousins nonstop, Anya went to story hour at the library, and had a sleepover with Ashton. I just hope Anya's excited to be home, when Grandma's around Mama is second rate.

Spiders

Happy Halloween! These lovely spiders are helping us decorate. Anya calls them our friends, I'm not so sure, but I still haven't gotten rid of them.

The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly

Josh was out of town working over the weekend, and I was home alone with the girls once again. Here's some of the good, the bad, and the ugly of the weekend.

The Good - We had a fun time playing at the park. We had an all American McDonald's picnic, and then fed the geese the leftovers. We started by harmlessly feeding a couple of geese, but then they just came up out of the pond swarming us in all directions. The geese/ducks were everywhere! I was a little worried that they might start pecking us, so I grabbed Ally and we ran for the playground. The girls thought it was great fun, and Ally kept wandering back to the pond. At the playground, Anya found some kids to play with, and Ally got to try out the big kid swings. They didn't have any baby swings at that particular area, so I tried to put her on my lap and swing, but that didn't cut it. She had to do it by herself.

The Bad- Ally has a cold and was whining me to death! Also it was my Sunday to teach Anya's 3 year old Sunday school class, and due to my lack of organization, it was a mad, not so fun, dash to make it to Church.

The Ugly - Anya rebelled at bed time all three nights Josh was gone. She's been testing us for the last couple of weeks already, but I guess since Josh was gone she decided to push harder. She threw the worst temper tantrum I have ever seen. It was horrible- kicking, screaming, the works! I'm still trying to figure out what is going on with her. She seems to be going through separation anxiety (At 3?). She is super clingy with me, has to have a night light, and wants her door open now. On the bright side, Ally slept through the whole thing.

Tree Hugger

Here they come!
Ally kept climbing up, she my monkey

Ally was very serious about holding on

Panties Everywhere!

Ally is obsessed with panties. She empties Anya's drawer out frequently, and carries them around the house. She will sit and try for a long time to put the panties on. Sometimes she gets one leg in, and often wears them on her arms, or as a hat. Anya helped her one day, and Ally was so proud and happy to be wearing panties, even if it was over her pjs! Ally's big ugly doll that she got at a garage sale is also wearing panties now too.

Cookies for the Troups

I like to bake. You might have figured this out already since this is my second post about cookies. I made these Halloween cookies for the troop mailing at our church. They send boxes of goodies each month to members and friends that are deployed. I thought the cookies turned out well, and the girls enjoyed eating the broken ones.

Grandma's House

Here's some pictures of our quick trip last weekend to Grandma Apple's house.

Anya & Her Cousins

Ally being silly in the baby bouncer.

She managed to crawl under the toy bar and was just chillin. I can't believe she fit.

Ally looking cute, ready for church

The Babies

New Baby!

I have a new niece! My brother Ryan and sister-in-law Karen had a baby girl on Saturday, October 4th. Her name is Emilia Genevieve. She weighed 8 pounds, 7 ounces, and was 20 1/4 inches long. Everyone is doing well, and big sister Ella is doing a great job keeping watch over the baby. We were lucky enough to be visiting my mom for the weekend, so I got lots of pictures.

A few hours old,

look at those chubby cheeks

She has tiny, but long and skinny feet

Welcome Home!

Meet the Cousins!

Anya had preschool today. She always has funny things to say when I pick her up. Last week she asked a boy to marry her, thankfully he said no. Today she said she has a new boyfriend, so I guess she's moved on. :)

Cookie Monster

The girls and I made cookies the other day, and while I wasn't looking the cookie monster, a.k.a. Anya, ate the kisses off 8 cookies! Ally had her fill while we were unwrapping the kisses, she was banned from helping after eating her 3rd kiss.

Kindermusik

Ally is taking a Mommy and me class at Kindermusik. It's only 30 minutes once a week, but she loves it. She has been groovin to the music ever since she was a little baby. I'll try to get a clip sometime of her dance moves.