Pre-School Pictures

gotta love the little kid on the floor

perfect

My oldest daughter had her first school pictures last week.  It was so adorable.  All the "Little Lambs" gathered together for a class photo and all the parents stood around with younger siblings.  Between wrangling the siblings and being silly to to get the students to "smile for the camera" it was a hilarious scene.

One Year Bucket

I had these grand plans to create a Trick-or-Treat bucket for the girls.  I found some magnificent ideas in BHG magazine.  So crafty, yet so easy.  Then, while shopping today with my youngest daughter she spotted the dreaded plastic pumpkin buckets.  Now, yes these are convenient and a great size for the kids.  I just had something else in mind.  They were priced right at $1 each.  I couldn't say no to her at that price.  That's when I wished that they were like $100 each, then I could have used that as my excuse not to get them.  My daughter was so happy carrying them to the register.  I added ribbon and some pom poms to help get rid of my creative bug.  My oldest daughter LOVES them and keeps saying "they are so cute mom".  They have been "practice" trick-or-treating with the legos downstairs and have even pulled out the astronaut costumes to add to the "pretendness".  I may add more to them, but for now this is how they turned out.  I am not thrilled, may be they will only be used for one year.

One Year Buckets

Halloween Pre Trick Or Treat Party Inspirations

Etsy

Etsy

Etsy

We are planning on having friends and their little ones over for a "Pre-Trick or Treat Chili Night".  My friend in Michigan had this tradition and I wanted to continue it in our new home.  Halloween weekend will be our one year anniversary of taking possession of our current house.  A super big blessing!  We love our home and the neighborhood it's in.  How better than to celebrate with new and old friends!  I have been researching holiday decorations online and, as always, enjoy crafty ideas from both Etsy and Martha Stewart.  These are just a few images from my inspiration board in regards to decorating our home.  We are working on a tight budget-nearly none for this kind of thing-so I wanted to create it myself.  Something fun that costs a little.  I love the black and white wreath, that is a must!

Turning 29 Again Isn't So Bad

My husband has been truly amazing!!!  He planned a family get-away at a nearby resort.  He packed everything and arranged for the dog to stay with a friend.  He pretty much took care of the girls and even took them swimming this morning without me so that I could enjoy coffee in silence...what??!!!!  Wow, thank you.  Although my husband was truly perfect, I could not say that for our girls.  My youngest daughter slept with me.  Between her torpedo-like sleep habits and her intermittent wails from 1-5 am averaging every 20 minutes-let's just say I did NOT sleep. Then, this morning was a series of one tantrum after another-go figure she didn't sleep.  Instead of enjoying lunch at the Harbor we picked up Chipotle on the way home due the extremely gentle state our children were in.  My oldest daughter did learn to swim under water without any flotation devices at the resort.  This was very exciting!!!!  My husband did the dreaded unpacking when we got home too.  Still wow!  Still thank you!  I will end the night in a free "Happy Birthday" yoga class at a nearby studio.  I look forward to Savasana.  Turning 29 again isn't so bad.

Neuroma shroma

I have most recently gone to a podiatrist who has diagnosed me with a neuroma in my foot.  This explains all the pain and numbness in my foot this summer.  Sadly, I am still in pain and the metatarsals are irritated every time I walk  greater than a half mile.  Aside from missing out on completing my training and the sprint tri's last month I have missed out on a lot of walking in the neighborhood due to the "problem".  I started to feel better (after all it has been two months of nearly no exercise, NSAIDS, ice and rest) so this past week I walked to church, my daughter's pre-school and the park today for some family time, and believe me it is sore now. So discouraging.   I hope that I can get this issue under control before the holidays.  "You need to get back to working out", says the scale and my jeans!