This and That

So Ryan is off to Minnesota today...actually he's probably already there...enjoying the weather I'm sure. Lucky him. He's there for business and of course some shopping at the Mall of America (just kidding, we all know Ryan hates shopping). Luckily, he'll be back tomorrow night...I think I can manage by myself for a couple of days.

No real news to report. Ryan took the girls to get pumpkins last night and they have been obsessed with them ever since. He bought four big ones and then the farmer gave the girls each a little one to keep. They have been dragging those little pumpkins everywhere. Haley has hers wrapped in a purple feather boa and has it sitting next to her watching a movie at this very moment...I kid you not. And at one point she told Morgan to sit down because her pumpkin couldn't see the TV. And earlier the two of them spent about an hour sitting on the porch cleaning the four big pumpkins. They brushed them with little brooms and wiped them with some baby wipes. They said they were getting them ready to be carved. It's going to be a sad day when it gets all moldy and gross and then we have to toss them.

Of course the girls are pumped for Halloween. Haley gets to wear her costume to school tomorrow. I pretty much have everything ready for them...they're going to be ballerinas. I just have to finish sewing some ribbon on their ballet shoes and then they're good to go. I just hope they don't freeze Halloween night...it's going to be on the chilly side.

On the pregnancy front...I have been very very anxious to feel this little one move! I'm approaching my 16th week so it is possible. I try to lay really still at night and really concentrate on feeling something...but no, just tummy rumbles. It's such a nice feeling when I start to feel the little kicks, it gives me a piece of mind throughout the day. I'll try to be patient.

First Snow of the Season

Really, it's more of flurries...but it still counts in my book. Kinda early for snow...I think. And as you know, I can be kind of a Winter hater. But in all honesty, I don't mind a cold stormy day once in a while. I'm a person who loves staying at home...I know, lame...but I do. I have tons of things to do, or can do, okay, should do...so I'm never bored. I love hanging out in sweat pants and skipping my make-up and pulling my hair back in a pony tail...just being comfy. Unfortunately, I can't do those things everyday...Ryan may get concerned. So when a stormy day comes along...I love it...I can hang out in the house all day, guilt free!

I also love this time because I can pull out all my comfort food recipes. I love dinners that have to cook for hours in the oven, or sit in a crock pot all day, or simmer on the stove. I love the smells that waft though the house and the cozy feeling it brings. Tonight is just one of those dinners...Ham Bean Soup, it has to sit on the stove for a couple of hours...and it smells so yummy. Plus, I plan to make homemade bread to go with it! Wow, I'm feeling and sounding very domesticated right now. Watch out June Cleaver!
The view from my porch. My little baby tree looks so pettily without it's leaves. Brrrrr!

I think the dogs love this time of year...they get to come into the house more...spoiled dogs!

Morgie and little Jett having some play time. They were being very cute together!

Fun Run and Random Photos

Haley's school held a 5k Fun Run at her school this morning...actually, I really don't think it was 5k at all, but I won't tell the kids that. Basically it was a fundraiser for the school. Haley got some donations from family this week and in return she had to complete the run. And depending on how much money was donated the kids get raffle tickets for a big drawing afterwards. Haley was super excited all week about it. And then when she found out that Ryan got the morning off to run with her...that was just the BEST!

She did great, held Ryan's hand the entire way. Morgan and I cheered her on. And at one point I didn't know where Morgan had gone...and then I realized she took off running with the kids. I had to chase her down. I would have ran with her but I had my little nephew in the stroller...and that probably wouldn't have worked out so well.

After the run they had the big raffle. Haley ended up winning two prizes!!! A digital camera and a football. WOW! The funny thing is she has been wanting a camera for a long long time. So, she finally got it! We've gone over all the rules when using it (because it's definitely not kid friendly) and she has already taken loads of pictures (that will be another post I'm sure).

Ryan with the girls after the run.

So I'm also including some random photos from this week.

This is something Morgan insisted that she wore to pick up Haley from the bus.

My little nephew comfy cozy in the stroller on one of our walks.

I know Haley's eyes are closed but I still love this picture. They take bags on their walks to put their "treasures" in. "Treasures" usually are leaves, cools rocks, sticks...and sometimes bugs.

Painting pumpkins. I think I'm gonna have two lefty's.

Funny story.

Haley has been having some attitude issues lately, and I'm trying really hard to get it under control. She has a tendency to become very demanding with Morgan when she comes home from school. She wants her to play a certain way, yells when she doesn't, so on and so on. Haley screamed at Morgan for something and I put Haley on chair in the kitchen to calm down. Well, she didn't...screaming, and screaming, "MOMMY...GET ME OFF!!" over and over. Just being down right mean. Oh and by the way, my little nephew is hysterical! He's laughing up a storm in Haley's expense. So I'm just doing laundry...ignoring her. I was standing right next to her chair pulling out clothes from the dryer...I turn my back to Haley to pick up the basket when all of a sudden Haley smacks me on my butt yelling "MOMMY LISTEN" really loud. I couldn't believe it!! I whip my body around to face her with the meanest face I could conjure up...and I wish I had a picture of what Haley's expression was on her face. Priceless!! It was a cross between pure fear and utter regret. I had to really concentrate not to laugh...it was tough. She immediately says, "I'm so sorry." to me, but I still sent her up to sit on her bed. We talked about it later, after I composed myself. I know I should be furious, but sometimes, it's just not worth it.

Update to the last post.

We just got back from having dinner at my parents house, and they gave me the BEST news EVER!

THEY'RE LEAVING THE HOUSE OPEN....NO RENTING IT OUT!!!!


I'm over the moon...I can't even explain how excited I am...finally, the day has come!! They'll be back in a few weeks to finalize some things on the house, so although they are leaving tomorrow, we'll see them again soon.

Such good news...Happy Day!

It's Going Around

My attempt to do everything possible so that my kids DO NOT get sick this year didn't work out that well...well, I shouldn't really say that, I'm sure things could be much much worse. I guess you just can't avoid everything. Something has been going around Haley's Kindergarten class the past couple of weeks and it was just a matter of time that Haley got it. She came down with a fever Sunday morning along with headache, slight cough, and a running nose. She missed school yesterday and today because of it. Actually, she's doing pretty good today, but I wanted to be on the safe side. I'm sure Morgan will be sick by the end of the week...it never fails.

My parents are leaving...for good this time (well, for a while anyway) on Thursday. The house goes back up for rent...I'm bummed to say the least. I was really hoping that it could be left open so they could come and go as they pleased, but they have to do what's best for them right now...I'm just having really hard time excepting that. I know...the selfish child comes out. But it's true...I WANT THEM TO STAY!!!! PLEASE STAY!!!!! I never ever intended to have all grandparents live far away from my kids. I moved here because I was aching to start a family and I knew my parents would be retiring here soon. Well, "soon" has turned into six years. and I realize that they have had their trials and road blocks (my mom's cancer being the biggest)...it definitely hasn't been easy. But I'm still holding on hope that they WILL be here one day for good...NO MORE RENTING! It will happen...one day.

Well, enough of my whining. I've got two days left with them...and I'm going to enjoy every minute of it!!

Maternity Clothes Analyzed

Over the weekend my mom and I went to the mall...our mission: finding maternity clothes for me. I love my sweats, I could live in my sweats, but I fear I'm starting to wear them a little too much and I'm coming close to being a shlumpy housewife. Plus, most of the maternity stuff that I do have are summer type clothes and that's just not going to work for the coming months.

Anyway, it's amazing how in just 31/2 years or so (about the last time I went shopping for maternity clothes) styles have changed quite a bit. I have a pair of maternity jeans from when I was pregnant with Haley...about 6 years ago. They are SO UGLY now...they seriously look like they are from the 80's or something. I think the biggest difference is they lack front pockets, I think that makes a big difference with jeans. Also, throughout the years I've learned what styles work best for me. A lot of women love the below the belly maternity jeans. For me...not so much. They can be alright when you're belly is still little, but as soon as you start to get big they just don't stay up! I always had what I call "droopy drawers" or the dreaded "saggy butt" when I wore that style. Plus, they pinch really tight when I sat down. Not a fan!

My favorite style...the very sexy over the belly jeans. And let me tell ya, they have changed the fabric that goes over the belly. Now they are made of a super stretchy, very thin material that is way more comfortable! Plus, you can roll the material down when you're belly is still little for the below belly look. Who knew?! Well, probably lots of people, but like I said, I haven't gone shopping in a while.

This is the new pair I bought. Not bad, huh?

I know this post isn't the most thrilling...and I'm sure men especially don't find it interesting. But I was excited to find jeans that work for me!

Cornbelly's Maze and Pumpkin Festival

The weather has been amazing the last couple of days, temps in the low 70's...the way early Fall should be! Anyway, my mom and I took advantage of it and took the girls to the Cornbelly's Maze yesterday. I'd never been there before. We got there before lunch and I'm glad we did because it was really quiet for the first couple of hours giving us free rein to do whatever we wanted. It didn't start getting crowded until around 3:00, and then I was terrified of losing my kids. They were like little ping pong balls bouncing from one thing to the next. There was a child size maze made of hay bales. It was completely enclosed...basically tons of tunnels. There were three openings to get out, all the openings were near each other so parents could easily see their children come out. So at one point Haley was in the maze and Morgan was playing outside of it on a playground. I realized Haley had been in the maze for a long long time. I was scared that she had come out and I didn't see her and she was lost somewhere in the mayhem of the park. So after quite sometime I decided to go in and see if I could find her. I had to crouch really low (practically crawling) through all these tunnels (I could barely see it was so dark) calling Haley's name. It was really narrow so kids coming the other direction could barely get through...I was a major road block to them! As I'm weaving my way through the tunnels yelling for Haley I ran into another mother also yelling out for her daughter...so I wasn't the only one who had lost their child in there! Anyway, I finally found her...she said she was looking for unicorns. And then as I was guiding her out she says, "Oh, mom don't go that way! That's the way out!". So she wasn't lost at all...I think she might have been in there all day if I didn't come in after her!

There was a Princess part of the park complete with a castle and dress-up clothes. Of course their favorite was the horse and carriage.

Cow Train Ride

The girls were given pig noses at the Pig Races. They loved them!

My little Piggies!

The main attraction is the massive corn maze at the park. I'm not sure if my mom and I are just bad at mazes or if that truly was a completed maze! We were totally turned around and basically found ourselves going in circles.

"Which Way?!!"

The girls started out strong, super excited to pick the way we all went. But pretty soon Haley started to get really discouraged. At one point she sat on the ground and cried, "We're never going to get out of here!". And yes, she wore her pig nose for most of the day.

We finally opted to ask a "Corn Cop" that we saw on one of the paths for help to get out. I know...lame. But when you have a crying child in the depths of despair, it's time to give it up. So he directed us out.

One of the girls favorites (and I think it was my mom's favorite too) was the huge "bounce pillow". It was a big hit!

It wasn't the cheapest outing, but there was so much for the kids to do I think it was worth it. I have a hunch we'll be going next year.