costumes

Our ward trunk or treat was a couple weekends ago.  Though we nearly filled our loan limit at the library with Halloween books, I didn't really talk to Rylee about dressing up.  I had an idea of what she would wear and was going to leave it at that.

 

Then she became obsessed with this book. And 3 days before the party asked to be a dinosaur.  I debated what I should do and told Michael that if I had everything I needed to make a dinosaur I'd do it, otherwise operation change the 2-year olds mind would be put to the test.

 

I remembered a post I'd pinned several months ago and decided if she had an old jacket that still fit I'd do it. Well, I had the everything I'd need (a jacket and matching/coordinating fabric) I decided to make my sweet girl's dream come true. I showed Rylee a picture of what I would make and that night as I tucked her into bed she was so sad that 1. she didn't have her dino tail. and 2. she wasn't helping me make her dino tail. (I didn't have time for her to 'help')

 I think it turned out pretty cute if I do say so myself!

 When I finally finished and she tried it on she kept hitting all sorts of things as she's turn around. Always saying "sorry" haha.

 You get a little look at our current garden here:

 Kelsey has been rotating between both of Rylee's previously worn costumes. This little gnome kills me.

 I'm not sure what I love most about this picture- loving up on Kelsey or Dino-Rylee getting into character photo bombing the picture.

 **on a side note, I got it trouble for not making a 'tent' correctly with blankets.  Some things only a Daddy can do right.

 I know I'm ridiculous but I couldn't help throwing together a witch costume for Dolly (yes, that is her name).  She's come along to every activity too.

 Here we are headed to the HOA Fall Festival (which was really fun btw - lots of games/treats for kids and plenty of booths and snacks for us). Its been good to have several times for her to wear her costume *trunk-or-treat *fall festival *story time @the library *Halloween night

We've got plans to meet up with friends tomorrow, and who could resist .50 corn dogs?

I feel like I'm on repeat, but the older Rylee gets and the more she enjoys and gets excited for Holidays, the more fun they are for us too. I'm so excited for the rest of the year!

voting

Did our civic duty and voted this week.

Maybe one day I'll live in a state where my vote actually matters (not that I'm disapointed in our state's 'expected' outcome).

 

I was the crazy person that took my two kids to the poll with me.  Well, you know our vote site is the library and we were already there for story time.

 

Rylee kept the older lady in front of us well entertained, as with most parents she went on and on about how she misses when her kids were little.  I guess I understand - Rylee says some pretty hilarious stuff.  Her life is so simple.

 

Rylee asked if she could vote too.

Seriously though, the most important decision she has to make is whether to watch Dora or Super-Why

 

We picked up more than our fair share of "I voted" stickers and met Daddy for lunch at the park.

amusment parks

A couple weeks ago we had some friends invite us to 6 flags with them.  Their employer had the park for a work party and sold discounted tickets to friends.  We couldn't pass it up.

 

 We had a lot of fun, especially Rylee! There were quite a few rides she was tall enough for, as long as I rode with her. (and we were able to sneak her on one she wasn't :))

 The little swing was by far her favorite.  She giggled and smiled the whole ride saying things like "WEEE!" and " I like this!" Immediately after we'd get off she'd say "more more more (while signing) please more?! again?! please, please please!" Who could say no to such manners? We'd go back and forth across the 'road' and ride the little school bus.  She still occationally mentions her gratitude for 6 flags in her prayers and asks if we can go back often.  I wish!

 I did however get a pass to SeaWorld.  We literally live 10 minutes away and its a bit better for smaller kids.  I'm still working on convincing Michael to get a pass as well (the rest of this year is free when you purchase a pass for next year).  In the mean time the girls and I will just have to go during the day.  And because the kids outnumbered me, I didn't get many pictures.  I did get one of Rylee playing with the scubadiver feeding the fish.

Night Out

"National" Night Out was this past Tuesday.  Its purpose is for people to spend the evening outdoors getting to know your neighbors.  I heard the police department especially supports these evenings. The more we know and get involved in the community, the safer families can be sort of thing.  Anyway, our HOA sponsored an event at our park. They had dinner, several booths, and a talent show.  This was my favorite of the activities the HOA has put on - or maybe its because Rylee is older and can enjoy more things. not sure which.

 

A local petting zoo was there giving pony rides (I thought Rylee would be scared, but she LOVED it!!) and they had the CUTEST baby pigs.

 

 There was a face painting booth where the kids could choose from about a dozen designs. The football was 100% Rylee's idea. I pointed out all the cutesy girly things like a butterfly/ladybug/flower but NOPE. she wanted the football :)  Her Daddy was so proud.

 She kept asking to go back and give Elmo a hug.  She was much more hesitant around Buzz Lightyear, I guess I should introduce her to the wonder that is Toy Story.

The police put on a little dog show, explaining all the things they train their dogs to do.  We were able to get the kids finger (and in Kelsey's case foot) printed for our files, and Rylee and I sat/played in a police car pushing the sirens.

Pretty sure the only 'neighbors' we talked to were ward members, Michael had meetings so he wasn't able to stay the whole time but we had fun.

on a side note: Michael was interested (and therefore nominated) to be the landscape commitee chair for the HOA.  He's excited to get more involved.