Halloween Part 1.

The Playgroup Family Halloween Gig.

Our playgroup has not ony doubled in the past year, but now they are all walking. We went from 5 to 10. That leaves us 5 moms pretty busy. But we still figure out how to girl talk.

Clementines.

Liv is surprising all of her classmates tomorrow with Jack-O-Lantern Clementines.

Overheard.

Mom, your nickels look extra dark today.

What do you mean, Liv?

Your Nickels (pointing to her forehead).

Oh, do you mean Freckles?

Yeah.....

pumpkin carving.

The thought of carving pumpkins makes me feel giddy inside....It was one of my favorite nights of the year growing up. I can tell the girls enjoyed it just as much. They were extra giddy, as well.

Charlotte was super excited and couldn't contain her self or hold still. I put the pumpkin on her highchair and she flailed all of her limbs for over 15 minutes and kept pouncing on it. Liv drew the faces, cleaned out the messy gook and pushed out the facial features.

We can't wait to light them out front!

Seeds drying overnight...Can't wait to bake them tomorrow.

tough cookies.

Within the past 24 hours, I realized how tough my little cookies are.

Charlotte- She was up for 2 hours last night upset. I kept bringing her into my bed hoping she would settle and fall asleep. Whenever she would cry, I would put her binky in her mouth (knowing that isn't the answer-but desperate). Every time I put it in, she would rip it out and forcefully throw it at me......I was insulted but it made me chuckle.

Olivia- at the park today Liv and Lucy both found a bow on the floor at the same time (the kind that are in a big bag for like 2 bucks at the dollar store for gift wrapping). They faught, screamed, cried, squealed, all of the above. You would have thought they were having a custody battle.vvLiv was cranky because she fell asleep in the car on the way to the park. That didn't help matters.

These girls are starting to fight alot like siblings (so I am in for it when charlotte can talk). I mean they were so angry and upset with one another, that I was speechless. They both wanted the bow to bring it home to their daddies. This carried on for about 10 minutes. Then lucy was super nice to let liv have it because she discovered a new ribbon that she could turn into a bow. Liv came home and made Lucy a thank you card to thank her.

Awww, they both resolved the situation pretty well.

Look at what I did....

Yet another school project that Liv is proud of.....

Charlie alone time.

While Liv was at school, Charlie enjoyed mommy time....

What a cutie!

I will have to take a better picture, but you can tell I cut her hair a little. She likes to wear a barrette on the top and it looks like a real hairdo. CUTE!

Cookie Monster.

This week consisted of a few rough nights between the cupcake dress, my paranoia of paint fumes, and a snotty/coughing cold being passed around the fam. And the days have changed a bit since Charlotte is now on two feet. Not only does that mean I am following her around more, but it also means that Miss Olivia has to learn how to share every single toy she has (bc charlotte is following her around). Sorry for the lack of posts......

PS. I cut Liv's hair this week and she is getting so many compliments. It looks super cute and makes her look so mature..... I look at her and just can't believe how big she is getting. I will have to take a cute picture to post (she has been hiding from the camera lately).

Cupcake dress.

Last night after I put Charlotte to bed, I decided to organize Liv's drawers. Since I let her dress herself (those of you that see her, can tell), she has a lot of trouble finding what she wants (which means her clothes end up on her floor). I put all of her summer stuff away (so we don't have to argue once again about wearing her white shorts to school). I also put any 2T's floating around so Charlotte can dip into to them in less than a year.

I came across this cupcake dress that my mom and I got at the shore. It is super cute and funky. The fabric is pink with brown cupcakes.

Liv saw me take it out and wanted me to leave it out on her dresser for the night so she can put it on first thing in the morning.

What I didn't realize was that first thing in the morning meant 1:30 AM!!!!! She came into my room and kept sleep walking and begging and chanting "I WANT MY CUPCAKE DRESS!" She did this until 3:30. I drifted off to sleep at 4, then Charlie cried out to quench her thirst at 5. Today I am a ZOMBIE~ Reminds of what life was like this time last year.

Needless to say, Liv woke up for the morning around 7 and put her Cupcake dress on....She pranced around all day with it on....She also had a few extra tantrums today due to her lack of shut eye.

I had a few tantrums myself;)

We got a walker.....

Charlotte took her time in venturing on two legs, but she is not looking back. Everyday she is able to double the amount of steps she can take. Right now she seems to take about 25 and then either fall or take a rest.

On the move.

This video seems to focus on the wipe outs and not the accomplishments. Charlie has been taking a few steps here and there. Standing on her own for 10 seconds or so, then falling or sitting down. Ry came home about an hour early today. We all hung out and watched the Phillies game. This video is only 3 minutes, but it sums up what we did for 2 hours......I didn't get lucky enough to catch on film Charlie's 15 steps in a row. SHe did it about 5 times. Something just clicked with her. This morning at 10am she was doing her normal spiderwoman-self (walking the perimeter super quick to get around). She is a different girl tonight. She was super duper happy (I think bc she got two good naps).

(For the past week I have been experimenting going from two to one nap. I don't think she is quite ready for that. We had a pretty long week with lots of whining and eye rubbing.

The girl likes to sleep. I can't complain.)

Outfit for the week.

For the past three weeks, Liv has started a new trend. She picks out an outfit on Monday for school.....Then she wants to wear the same thing for the next three days. When she takes it off at night, she puts it on her dresser for the next day. Luckily, we haven't been outside so her clothes have been staying fairly clean.

She used to wear 5 outfits by 9am......now she has shifted to the other extreme. My washing machine is happier.

(after typing this I am realizing that it is pretty gross that I let her wear the same thing multiple days in a row)

a cow dressed for halloween.

painting nude.

target.

Another first....I have avoided target icee's until now. But since it is one of the out and about "junk foods" charlotte can enjoy, I let the girls get them (Charlie's cup is only a quarter full-I did not get her a large;) Sorry the pic is so blurry, I need to clean the slime and crud off my lens.

Go, Phils!

First Happy Meal.

Now fast food isn't something anyone is proud of......But today was a first.....and I am proud! Charlotte ate her first hamburger and french fry happy meal from Burger King. I did some research and she can have the hamburgers from McDonald's and BK's, but now McD's fries because they use milk in their seasoning.

So we went to BK. I was a bit disappointed that the bun has sesame seeds on it so I had to give her just the patty with no bun. (we don't think she is allergic but we were told to avoid until a further age)

But she LOVED the fries! And it felt so wonderful for both of the girls to be eating the same thing. Lately, I have been running into trouble with separating their foods and Charlotte not moaning for what Liv has. At home, I usually just feed the family with allergy safe stuff (but is it pricey!). Going out to eat is a challenge....

The best part of the experience........was that Charlie got a kid bag with the fun games on it and the toy inside. She felt like such a hot shot!

party pics.

Can I press "pause"?

Lately, I have had a strong desire to press PAUSE. Hold onto this moment....Not move forward. My life has reached a point where I don't want to move on. I love every moment of being a mom. Even the moments that would test anyone's patience. I love every ounce of these little girls. I look at Liv and barely see the baby she once was. I hold Charlotte at night and don't want to let go of these precious moments of rocking her while she gazes up at her mobile. I know the future holds many fun adventures, but I am in love with this one.

Field Trip (aka pet store)

This is one of about 30 pictures Liv took at the pet store.....site seeing.

Charlie, LOVED the fish. uhhhh, uuhhhhh, UUHHHHH, UUUUUHHHHHHHHH, UUUUUUHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! (her grunting escalating with excitement)

Park Day.

Liv acting like she is 15. Hanging out on a tree stump with her friends....

Charlie, using the slide as a treadmill.....climbing, climbing, getting nowhere. (but having loads of fun)
Charlie with one of her boyfriends, Josh (sorry scotty, colin, connor, leo, and charlie)

Great Gram and Great Grandaddy Visit.

She got a Taylor Swift Barbie....;)

Footage of Party. (pictures to come)

Happy 4th Birthday!

My sweet, little girl turned 4 today. As soon as she woke up, she had this special little twinkle in her eye. She was on top of the world. She knew it was her very own special day.... She kept telling me how excited she was to wear the birthday crown at school and a big number 4 necklace. As soon as she woke up, Ry and I gave her our present. A REAL acoustic guitar. One that will make her feel like a rock star. It is pink and suits her just perfectly.

Then Ry and I walked her to school. Mrs. Tyler made a fuss. We went home, put Charlie down and waited for Meem and Jeep to come. They got here just in time to go get Liv from school. As soon as we got there, we peeked in the room and saw Liv her with crown and necklace on.

We went to Suburban for lunch, then came home and opened some presents from Meme and Gpop. She got a scooter, a coat, and a basket full of Dr. Suess books. FUN!

She is looking forward to a weekend of Birthday attention.......well, earned, too!

On a mission....

Today I have spent the day calling every rite aid on the Main Line to try and find this dang princess camera that Liv wants to get with birthday money...........My rite aid sold the last one (she has been eyeing it up for the past 2 months).