Halloween

This year, I finally was able to have my way and do a family themed set of costumes.  Since Jeff's work always throws a Halloween bash, as does our church, and I know from experience that I feel stupid if I don't dress up - I figured we may as well!  The trick was going to be finding a costume that was almost regular attire for Jeff.  When I saw a darling Little Red Riding Hood Costume, and then an adorable wolf costume for Jonathan - I was pretty sure I could convince Jeff to dress up as the woodcutter and then I could be granny.  The result was pretty great if I do say so myself.  Friends on Facebook LOVED it!

And here is a better picture of Little Red Riding Hood.

....And the wolf. (He wouldn't always leave the hat on.)

I spent a little more than usual for this costume.  But I figured, you always have to find a costume and the cheapo ones are like in the $30 range.  So I thought I could spend a little more, get something good quality, and then Mary could use it as a dress up.

Here is Mary with all her loot!  She didn't even do all the cars at the trunk or treat and still came home with a bundle.

We had a great time at the ward Trunk or Treat the weekend before Halloween.  I don't know if the sugar is to blame, but typical for us, Mary started getting sick the following week!  I was so bummed for her!  She had to miss preschool that whole week including her Halloween party.  The actual day of Halloween she was mostly better, so I took her around the neighborhood and she got to trick or treat.  Also the day before, she seemed almost better, so we went to Jeff's work Halloween Bash.  It was a little too soon probably, as she regressed a bit the next day.  But she had fun, so I think it was worth it.

You know something is up when you start seeing your kid randomly fall asleep when they don't normally...

Jonathan followed suit, and I had some very sick babies for a week or so.

 Here, they are both fighting over Momma.

But all in all it was a fun Halloween, and a beautiful Fall.

The kids and Daddy help rake the back yard.

Mary swimming in the leaves...

Mary Turns 4!

In October, Mary turned 4 years old!  Four seems like such a big age!  And Mary, at least, is like a little adult in her ability to communicate.

I didn't let Mary watch many movies or tv for a long time.  And when I did, I wanted to make sure they weren't too scary.  But Mary has come upon the perfect age to enjoy many Disney movies - and quickly loved many of the Disney princesses....First Cinderella, then Rapunzel and Merida, Ariel, and now Elsa (but her birthday happened before Frozen came out).  Anyway, even though she hasn't seen all the shows, she knows all the princesses.  And I decided that this would be the first year that she could have a big birthday party with friends.

I had hoped that all the little girls and boys would dress up as the assigned character I gave them - and they did!  (I had called all the moms to see what costumes they had already in their closets.)

So we had a princess themed birthday party for Mary.  We decided to have it at Lollipop Park.  One, because it is Mary's favorite place.  But Two - our house was still mostly a disaster zone with boxes still unpacked.  Mary chose to be Merida.

I think it was a good party.  I was certainly happy with all the friends who came and their generous gifts.  But Lollipop Park was loud and crowded and Jeff said he wasn't sure Mary was very happy during it.  But I hope she was....I did the best I could.

Here are some pics! (Sorry they are all cell pics - and some are quite blurry).

Mary and Rachel (new friend)

Isabel (Mary's newest best buddy that she spends a lot of time with)

Delaney and her mom, Jacqui enjoying the tea cups

From Left to Right:  Thomas (Flynn Ryder), Rachel (Tiana), Jonathan (Super hero), Nadia (Ariel), Melody (Belle), Mary (Merida), Lauren (Snow White), Sigmund (Prince Phillip), Gemma (Sleeping Beauty), Isabel (Cinderella).  Not pictured:  Delaney (Rapunzel), Harper (Snow White).  We also had several older siblings show up - which was great.  

Mary opening her gifts.

I spent most of my time chasing this little guy....

Happy Birthday Princess Mary!

Mary Starts Preschool (and Graduates)

It seems awfully weird to be posting about Mary starting preschool on the VERY day we had preschool graduation.  But what do you do?  I just do what I can....

Mary started preschool this year with Miss Leigh's Busy Bee Preschool - an in-home preschool in Highlands Ranch.  I had already signed her up before we moved and I wanted to keep her where I felt good about.  So we drove to Highlands Ranch every Tuesday and Thursday this year.   And Mary had a great year!  She was one of just 7 kids.  And I think that it was a pretty awesome preschool.

This is Miss Leigh.  She came to our house before school started to meet Mary.

Of course Mary loved her right away!

Here is Mary on her very first day of preschool.  Isn't she just adorable and beautiful?  I posted these pics on FB and so many people said she was a spitting image of me.  That made me feel happy.

The commute wasn't bad.  We had a routine.  Drop Mary off, then go on a walk with Jonathan along the trails by Miss Leigh's house, stop at the playground and play, walk back to the car, and head over to the grocery store for my weekly trip.  Sometimes there was time for another quick errand too.  Thursdays were a similar routine.  But instead of going to the grocery store, we would go to story time at the library.

Here is Jonathan doing his favorite thing at the park - swinging!

He loves the slide too.  This slide was the perfect size for him.

I just want to take a tangent here and tell you how wonderful it is to live in Colorado where it is warm and I am able to go outside with my kids almost year round.  I do lots of different things to try to stay in shape.  But walking outside pushing a stroller is just good for the soul!  I love being outside and seeing animals and people, hearing the birds, being in nature and in the sun...  It is good for mental health and really too is a pretty darn good work out.  I have to tell you though, that the Highlands Ranch trails are so great too because of all the hills.  Parker trails (at least the one I've been on) are pretty flat.

At story time holding his egg shakers.. Too cute yes?

Anyway, so that is how we spent much of our time this year.  And it was fun to listen to cds in the car with the kids (favorites were my choir practice cd - Ilay specifically, and Frog and Toad soundtrack), and be able to have one on one time with Jonathan.  It worked out well (well except for when Jonathan would fall asleep on the drive home - ARG!)

And since this post is all about Mary and her preschool, I will just go ahead and post pics of her little graduation.

Here are all the kids in Mary's class with Miss Leigh.

Here is a photo taken THIS week of Jonathan at our park we always went to (Toepfer Park).  He has grown quite a bit I'd say.

 Okay, back to the graduation...
Enthusiastic Mary!  Also with buddy, M.

Mary and Miss Leigh.  We love Miss Leigh!

Daddy came to Preschool graduation too!

Jonathan stayed home with Grandma Bonnie.  But here is the rest of us!  She looks so big in these photos.

It's been a great year!  Went by fast!  One more year of preschool and then off to Kindergarten.

Fall - More Adventures with Stephanie and Sigmund

Okay!  Onto Fall!

Fall is such a fun time of year.  We enjoyed several fun outings with our friends Stephanie and Sigmund.

Miller Farms
You may remember that we went the year before to Miller Farms and it ended up being super cold!  I hadn't planned well, and poor Mary really suffered.  This year I was bound and determined to be prepared!  But it ended up being rather nice.  We had fun with Stephanie, Sigmund and Mike (Stephanie's hubby) who also came along.

There sure are lots of fun things to do besides the picking of vegetables!

The Denver Aquarium

That is a BIG fish!

She takes care of her little brother.  : )

Check out this sweetness.

 The Stingrays

Plains Conservation Center

This was kind of a bust.  But we still had some fun anyway.