Pre-Halloween Festivities

Wow, I feel like we didn't even need to trick-or-treat on Halloween this year with all the events we had leading up to Halloween!

To kick off the week, Miley got to wear her costume to her dance class.  I was a mom fail and forgot to bring my camera, but thankfully my friend was able to catch a couple pictures on her phone.  Don't let Miley's face in the group picture deceive you....she looks miserable, but dance class is probably the highlight of her week!

That night, a grocery store up here, Byerly's, had a whole Halloween shindig going on.  So my mom and I loaded up the kids (I would have never done it on my own, while Cameron had school, so thank goodness my mom was here to give me the extra push!).  It was so much fun...it was indoors, so it was nice and warm, they had a DJ and a dance area, and booths set up around the whole store to hand out treats.  And not just little pieces of candy.  My kids walked away with chips, apples, oatmeal, milk, apple chips, Mountain Dew (not sure who had the brilliant idea of handing out Mountain Dew to kids!), Teddy Grahams, and then of course, a few pieces of candy.

One of the few Halloween things Cameron got to join us for this year was carving pumpkins (darn school!).  In fact, he was pretty much the lone pumpkin carver, because obviously our kids aren't too helpful at this point, and I had just sliced my finger open on a can right before.  He did a great job, and got our three pumpkins carved just a couple nights before Halloween.

The last of the pre-celebration was Miley's party at school.  I got to help out at her party this year, which was a lot of fun.  Instead of dressing up in her bumblebee costume, she wanted to wear the Minnie Mouse costume that I wore when I was her age, so it was fun to see that come full circle.  :)

Seriously, with all of these thing going on before Halloween, who needs Halloween anymore!

Say Cheese!

I have to say, I am pretty pleased with school pictures this year.  Sure, they're still school pictures and have the typical school picture look, but at least Miley is smiling at the camera!  :)

Jumping for Joy

I am WAY behind in this blogging thing....but things have been pretty routine around here.  I feel like I am just making it through the days and running from one place to another and trying to keep up with everything going on.  Between Miley being in preschool three days a week, dance one day, trying to make it to the gym, and having Cameron be at work and taking 4 classes (yes....FOUR!) this semester, blogging has kind of taken a backseat.  But I am going to try to catch up!

A few weeks ago was a crazy week because Cameron had class on Monday and Tuesday night, then took off early Wednesday morning for a work trip.  He got back Friday afternoon, and after not seeing us for most of the week, he decided we should get out and do something fun, so we decided to try an indoor trampoline park nearby.

It was a great way for kids to get out some energy, although it would probably be a little more fun if they were older.  That didn't stop us from having fun though...and Cameron and I sure enjoyed trying to catch some funny jumping pictures....

It was so nice to get out as a family after a full week of being a single mom!

Sneak Peek...

...of some of the awesome pictures from our trip to the Oregon coast this summer.  Wish I was there now!

Snapshots

A week ago, my good friend and next door neighbor, Nicole, was kind enough to take some pictures of my kids.  She is trying to build up her photography portfolio, and potentially start a business out of it, so I was happy to let my kids be some test subjects!

I love the pictures we got, but learned a few lessons...

1. Don't expect a 19 month old to sit still for anything.
2. Especially when you are at a park with a lake.
3. Don't be surprised when it is near impossible to get a picture of said 19 month old and a 4 year old together.
4. Don't bring a favorite toy to try to use to get them to look at the camera.  Instead, they will want to hold toy in 95% of the pictures.

Overall though, we definitely got some cute pictures (and there is definitely picture overload in this post)!

(Second) First Day of Preschool

Today was Miley's second first day of preschool!

We are so excited to get a schedule going again.  She loves going to school, and while I love my daughter more than anything, it is nice to have a little time with just Landon and I, where I know she is in a wonderful learning environment

Last year, Miley went to school on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.  This year, she is going in the mornings and is three days a week, on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  From just this first day, I have to say I think I will like the morning schedule.

She was thrilled to go back.  She has the same teachers, some of the same kids, and just knows the routine at this school.  I am so excited to see what kinds of fun things she learns this year!

And because I had to jump on the bandwagon, and do the Pinterest-inspired cliche first day of school picture with a little sign, here is Miley on the first day of preschool, 2012.

Why am I not surprised she said she wants to be a princess when she grows up?  :)