making a come back: TOFW

It would possibly be more fun to skip ahead on the blog updates to Christmas, but if I actually go in order it may get done faster.

We have had the most busy fall!! There were literally 2 days we didn't have somewhere to be in November.  Sure most of it was our choice - that's just how it worked out and then of course December adds even more excitement with the Holiday's, having dental surgery, and then breaking the computer- so it seems the blog got put on hold for a couple months.

Anyway, back to November:

Time-Out for Women was is San Marcus (40ish minutes away) in November and there was a group of ladies in our ward that was planning on going. I've heard lots of great things about the event and was really excited to go for a fun girls weekend!

It was kindof tricky and a little dramatic working out the details but I'm glad it worked out.  It was really nice to be away from the kids for an evening - it was for sure a recharge weekend.

I will say I was a little surprised by some of it as well.  I'm not really sure what I expected, but it was very apparent that this is a "for-profit" event, put on by the company Deseret Book, NOT "the church"; half of the conference center was a bookstore.  Which, living in Texas and not having many LDS bookstore options was nice, just a little surprise.

I also thought it was a little funny how one of the speakers gave a talk on media and how it effects our lives, and how much time we spend on devices and how terrible they are and take away from our family. BUT WAIT before you turn them all off or be sure to like, tag, tweet, post, upload about tofw!! I just thought that was ironic, and a little annoying.

But really though, it was a great conference.  I'm not as set on traveling to Dallas next year like some other women in the area, but I'm glad I went.

South Texas Maize

We've heard great things about South Texas Maize so this year we decided to check it out.

 

They had this big bubble thing called the corn popper.  It was bouncy and took the girls some serious warming up, but they wanted to go back again. Kinda like a trampoline, but not quite as bouncy and lots bigger :)

The maize was pretty cool. Pretty different than the ones I went to in Utah: The corn is a hybrid, meaning it doesn't produce actual corn, which is why its still green (aside from the fact that its still 80 degrees) and really tall. Then they double plant the corn in the pattern for the maize. This extrememly convenient!! Mostly because we weren't tripping over corn stumps all day and we could take the stroller through the maize. LOVE.

There were three different 'maizes'. One was really more of a 'path' (only one way to go) but they had boards up along the sides and you could read the story. It was cute.

Then the actual maize was broken up into two parts. The other thing I thought was really nice was before you start you pick cards. There's about 10ish different themes and they range in difficulty. There are numbered markers throughout the maize that correspond to the questions on the card(s). Then the answer you choose tells you which way to go. For fun, we choose several 'themes' and headed in to 'get lost'.

Rylee loved holding the "map".  We searched for higher ground :)

It was nice to have two different parts of the maize so we could get out and play a bit before we finished up.  They had this giant tubing slide (they had an even bigger one - the entire hillside, but we decided to not pay the extra cash to try it)

They had the little bucket ride, a big hayride, pumpkin patch, food vendors, and even helicopter rides (we passed on those as well :) )

We even let Miss Kelsey ride solo (mostly because her sister refused to let her ride with her).  She did pretty good, but slid down towards the end and was lying nearly on her back, but because she was belted in, couldn't get up.  haha. don't worry- she survived :)

We may have found a new tradition.  We went just before lunch time and I'm so glad we did! After a couple hours, the line to get in was ENORMOUS!! So much so that Michael said, if it was that long when we came in, he probably would have turned the car around.  Yikes. And yes, the lines for snacks etc were a little long too, but I'm a succor for kettle corn and fresh squeezed lemonade.  But the farm was big enough, that it didn't feel too crowded inside. It was a fun filled family day!

Fiesta Farms

Fiesta Farms is a little petting zoo/farm not too far away. We went a week or so ago, before Halloween, since they have a pumpkin patch. It was fun to feed the goats (when they weren't jumping on us) and the bunnies. Seriously, those goats can be mean. There were a few outside the fence trying to get the food, Rylee was scared until I said "Honey, they just want the food" She said "Oh, ok, and immediately dropped the cone on the ground." haha. And don't worry, my leg got caught in a head butting battle over the leftovers. Seriously, do they only get fed by 3 year olds??

The girls rode the horses. Kelsey loves animals so much. The lady kept laughing at her.

We went on a hayride.  Someone said "raise your hands" and these two decided that would be a good time to obey.

They also have a playground and a tire swing.

I love this picture.  All three of them holding on for dear life (I wasn't going soft on the pushes) with their heads leaned back just laughing and laughing.  carefree.

Did I tell you I have plans to put a tire swing in the backyard? Hopefully in the near future :)

This video of Kelsey riding the horse.

It was a fun day at the farm!

Halloween Decorations

We decided to put up a few Halloween decorations outside this year. We have a couple neighbors who decorated a lot and we had to walk by and check it all out every day. Kelsey would point and excitedly grunt and say "boo!" and Rylee and I would take turns saying what our "favotie thing" was.
Anyway we did our own upcycling and made some stuff. Exhibit A: Halloween sign. kinda fun.

Exhibit B- Milk jug skeleton named "clickety clack". I remembered my home ward making these for rs night once, so I looked up a template. Next year maybe we'll have a skeleton couple :)

Exhibit C: Dollar Tree tombstones? got it.

Exhibit D: paint toilet paper rolls

Exhibit E: Jack 'o lanterns. Rylee requested a pumpkin witch. Kelsey says "oooh" so a ghost was fitting {she also has the best high pitched witches cackle} I kept with the Little Mermaid theme, and Michael went for the bat montage.

Remarkably, we had even more milk jugs left over so we made ghost faces. It was fun. Rylee really liked helping make these, though she does not like the "mad one".

Hope y'alls Hallween was wonderful and safe. We got loads of candy; seriously, every house gives you a handful so after a few houses, the girls baskets were full and we went to friends house for a party the rest of the night. perfect.

Introducing: The Litttle Mermaid {cast and crew}

Background: About a year ago Rylee really started getting into dress-ups and our collection started to grow. At a yard sale I found an Ariel costume for $2 and thought that was a perfect dress-up.  Ariel is Rylee's favorite "princess" {and therefore Kelsey's as well}. A few months ago the subject of Halloween came up and Rylee immediately said she wanted to be Ariel . . . . .  .and the theme started to grow.  

Here's the little ones:  Ariel and Flounder. Rylee will say "Flounder is Ariel's best friend"  and it makes my heart melt a little bit. We got a wig for Rylee but there was no way she was going to wear it all night, so we settled on hair paint.  I thought it turned out pretty good.  Our ward's trunk or treat/ chili cook off was 2 weekends ago :)

I kindof felt bad. The whole family theme was based on Rylee and I did the least for her costume {I did have to sew the sleeve back on just before we snapped pictures. . . . .that thing has been well loved :) }.  

Kelsey aka "Flounder". Yet another costume that makes more sense from the back :) Hers was the first I finished and I was really tempted to wake her up at 1am to try it on :) Good think I didn't because she hates putting on this outfit. silly girl. She must not have figured out how twirly a circle skirt can be. Though, I really think she's just mad that she's not Ariel.

It didn't take long for Rylee to convince her Dad to dress up as King Triton. It made her so happy! She would say "Daddy's going to be a mermaid!! and I'M going to be a mermaid!" and "King Triton is Ariel's Daddy, and Daddy is MY Daddy".

The wig didn't stay on all night but he made a valiant effort :)

Let's be honest for a minute: Halloween is mostly for children. And the girls will DEFINITELY be getting more use out of their costumes; but my costume is AWESOME! It pretty much made the theme. call me selfish. whatever ;)

It was so much fun to make.  After I'd finish or think of another detail I'd get so giddy.  You don't even want to know how many times I've sung "Poor Unfortunate Souls" around the house.  And the looks and smiles the girls gave me were even more encouraging. 

I mean, seriously? look at those eels: "Flatsom, Jatsom, now we've got her boys, the boss in on a ROLL!"
And the necklace "It won't cost much, just your VOICE!"
And did you notice there's suction cups on the underside of each tentacle? and they vary in sizes? Once you've get going, its hard to stop :)

"Don't underestimate the importance of. . . . .BODY LANGUAGE, HAH"

"they say a girl that gossips is a bore." . . . . . "pathetic"
"Do I help them? ..... yes I do." And in case you were wondering, yes I was in character most of the night.  And got a few requests, and several people to sing along with me. "life's full of tough choices, itn't it?"
-Funny story: the night I finished putting the 'skirt' together and the character started to form, mind you Michael was out of town and the girls were in bed so I'm working alone all giddy wanting to show someone and again its the middle of the night so I can't hardly send picture messages to even those who would appreciate it and Rylee happened to need to use the restroom (at 1 am).  I help her sleepy body to the bathroom and as she's sitting on the toilet (eyes strained from even just the hall light) and I say "wanna see what I've been working on?"  And pull on the tentacles. haha.  She looks up squinting and grins! "those are Ursula legs!"  After a little pause she says "Mom, I think you need a different shirt"  apparently my bright yellow pajama shirt wouldn't cut it for an octopus.

And finally, the whole crew together:

I even got the car in on some ocean attire :)

Halloween is so much fun! Good thing we get a lot of opportunities to dress up this week too.

I've been wearing my witch shoes and spider web or witch stockings to church all month and the nursery (and young women) have loved it :) As we were getting ready for the party Michael asked me "what are you going to do when Halloween is over?" "cry." :)