happy halloween

From our little tiger, which she insists is a kitty cat.

Trust me. There will be a lot of pictures tomorrow. Have fun and be safe tonight!

pumpkin carving

Addison had a fever all weekend. When the meds kicked in she was her normal self, but as soon as the fever came back she laid around on the couch and didn't do much of anything. I was able to get her up Sunday afternoon to carve pumpkins. At first, neither one of them wanted to get their hands messy.

But then Morgan dove right in. She wasn't afraid of a little pumpkin guts.

Addison was hesitant throughout the whole process. I told her not to worry about the mess. A shower was next on the agenda. But remember. She is my child.

See. This stuff is gross.

Daddy was good at cleaning out the pumpkins.

The finished products. Addison wanted to keep it simple with heart eyes and a basic smiley face. I asked her if she wanted some teeth and she said no. I think she was still a little out of it. We had five stencils that came with our carving kit and Morgan picked the level 4 bat. I was a little nervous, but I think it turned out pretty good.

Pumpkin tip from our neighbor, who knows just about everything. Spray the inside of your pumpkin with hairspray to keep the bugs out. Rub the outside with WD40 to keep it from rotting. So far, our pumpkins look fantastic and are bug free.

the pumpkin patch

We took the girls back to the same pumpkin patch Morgan went to with her class. We needed pumpkins of our own, both for carving and decorating. It was a small fight to get Addison out of the house since she couldn't decide what to wear that day, but we made it. Even if she's not in Halloween colors.

Addison crawled through the hay tunnels and took a few leaps on her own.

Cinderella needed help with her carriage so the girls rode the mice into fantasy land.

I think we make a good looking pumpkin. Don't you?

She had a rough morning, but Addison did let me take a couple of pictures. Maybe I bribed her a little.

Then it was time to find the perfect pumpkin. Addison tested out a few before finding the perfect one.

I admit it. There was a little treat at the pumpkin patch. Shaved ice all around.

After gathering $40 worth of pumpkins we headed home. We had some decorating to do.

After 8 years of living in our house I finally have a mantle. It was a 6 month process getting that thing up (mainly because of laziness), but it's up just in time for the holidays. I can't wait to hang stockings for Christmas.

literary parade

Addison was so excited when the note came home from school about dressing up as your favorite book character. She knew right away that she wanted to be Strawberry Shortcake. I lucked out with a Livingsocial deal and got the whole costume for 50% off, which is great since the thing wasn't cheap. But sometimes I don't mind spending money when it means that this is what I see when she rounds the corner. How about that smile!

Afterwards Michael and I went back to the classroom to help with the Fall (they're not allowed to call it Halloween) crafting. Addison waited patiently for her turn to put her stuff away.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Being a teacher is hard work and I have all the respect in the world for them. I would be living on Advil if I was in a class with 39 kids all day. Addison's teachers are pros. They know how to keep things under control and not once did I see them lose their cool. And they're both super sweet. We chatted a little and they thanked us several times for staying to help out with the crafting stations. 

Addison was so happy when she got to come to my station. We made trees and painted the leaves on with Q tips. I was definitely not dressed for painting, but I made it work. Check out her little pigtails. Her hair is just long enough.

I'm so happy that I have a job that allows me to take the time out and do this kind of stuff with my family. This was such a fun and memorable morning for all of us.

look who's reading

I cannot tell you how much I beam with pride when she reads me a book. It is one of the best feelings in the world.

five and a half

My sweet Addison turned five and a half years old last week. It sounds weird saying it out loud. This tiny person has been in my life for five and a half years. It feels like I have known her forever. Like she was always meant to be mine.

She is me. She has my mannerisms, my personality, my stubborness. She is independent, detail oriented and still a little shy. She's also very loving, affectionate and emotional. All of this is good, except when you mix it all together and you get the 20 minute meltdowns because her hair is sticking up in the back. She is so full of life and loves to laugh and have a good time. 

She also likes to steal my phone and take pictures of herself which always makes me smile when I find them days later.

I just love her to death. Today, tomorrow, and forever.

wings & waves

Michael's sister and family are in Florida this week visiting Matthew in Daytona. This past weekend was the big airshow so we went down to spend time with the crew. We booked a room at the Hilton which was center stage for everything that was going on with the show. It was a mad house. Cars and people everywhere. While we waited in the valet line Morgan had a sandwich and Addison guarded the luggage.

The show had just started when we got to our room on the 8th floor. The girls thought it was great to see the planes so close.

After we settled in we walked up the beach four blocks to meet up with everyone at their hotel. The girls loved the planes except for the time when the jets snuck up on us and Morgan's heart was about to beat out of her chest.

Matthew with Angela and Scott.

The earplugs did help a little.

The weather on Saturday was perfect. The girls swam in the pool and played in the ocean with their cousins. I'm pretty sure it will probably be their last water excursion this summer.

That night we went to dinner with the entire crew. The restaurant was right on the intracoastal and it was so nice outside. It felt and smelled like fall.

 After dinner we headed back to the hotel and we could see the ferris wheel lit up from the car. It was a very short walk from the hotel so we decided to go for a ride. I think this was the first time the girls had been on one.

On Sunday we did it all over again. This time the right side of me was a little burnt and it felt 10 degrees hotter. I spend most of the day like this. 

It was fun to go away for a night and spend time with family. A mini vacation not too far away.