Nutcracker

We invited both Grandma's to join us in Hailey's first experience at the PNB Nutcracker.  Hailey did a good job spreading the love and taking turns on each of their laps, holding their hands, etc.  Me, I was chopped liver... she didn't even want her picture taken with me.  Which is pretty common when she's with them, but it was still hard not to take it personally.  When we asked what her favorite part was she said, "all of the different houses" (we think she meant the scene changes.)  I'd say it was worth the weeks of anticipation for her.  I was expecting to have to leave before it was over, but we made it through the 2 hr show.  We liked how she danced in her seat, waving her arms around like the ballerinas.

a peek from the week(s)

playdate with June & Hailey - (H likes to think she babysat June)

 a lot of father daughter bonding

 celebrated 98 years with Great Gpa Ross

 made this little beauty

 there's always time for dress up

 Santa Train with The Lord's

lots of smiley face snacks

 and we welcomed an unexpected house guest who we call "elvis"

a few notes:

• H might be part gremlin - we can't give her sugar after 6pm
• Santa's helper living with you & watching your every move apparently isn't enough to help produce good behavior
• One visit to Santa is plenty
• Don't expect a 3.5 yr old to keep gifts a secret

the tree

Joe always wants the tallest tree, and even though it's not as tall as last years it's still 12ft.  Grandma & Poppy stayed the week with us to save on his commute to work up north.  We took advantage of them being here and got our tree early.  Joe was just hoping he would get some help carrying it in.  They not only did that, they strung all the lights which is mine & Joe's least favorite part.  That just left the trimming which Hailey loved this year.  She had a pile of non-breakables and they all ended up pretty much on one branch.  She had quite the opinion of where all the decorations went this year, I keep finding things moved around to her liking.  

turkey day

mexico

go here for a slideshow of our week in Cabo.

trick or treat

baker, hailey & brooklyn's halloween weekend

another slide show of this terrfic trio...

visit from the hunters

This fun family spent a long overdue weekend at our house.  Hailey & Cal were inseparable playing everything from dress up, house, hide & seek, to cars and football.

We intended on taking the kids to the game until we found out it was 7:30pm.  So they got to stay home with the funnest of baby sitters.

This is what Cougar Football Saturday looks like with the littlest of cougs.

field trip

Hailey's first preschool field trip was to The Farm at Swan's Trail.  It's a toss up which pumpkin patch was better, I'd say it's a tie.  I think this one might be more popular... they were expecting 900 kids to come through today alone on field trips.  They definitely have a great set up for group tours.

We started the tour with a hay maze through a barn which lead to a slide upstairs.  Then we visited some animals and got to pet the cutest kittens.  Next a was a wagon ride to the pumpkin patch where each child got to pick a pumpkin to take home (Hailey chose a white one).  It ended with snack time where everyone got a popcicle.  Once the tour was over we went with a few others to the hay barn, corn 'sandbox', duck races, and a pig show!

craven farm

I did some research this year and asked all of the preschool Mom's what their favorite pumpkin patch was; Craven Farm was the winner.  We met the Lord's + Gma Patty early Sunday morning and just beat the crowds.  There were so many pumpkins to choose from!  Hailey found a perfect plumply dumply pumpkin and I'd say a good time was had by all.  Hailey has her preschool field trip tomorrow at a pumpkin patch so I'm excited to compare.

fall birthdays

We had a joint birthday celebration for Gma & Gpa Hinton at their house.  The kids were in charge of dinner, Grandparents were in charge of grandkids, and grandkids were in charge of being cute.

i spy

On the two days that I drop Hailey off at school I'm always so excited to ask her about her day; what did you play with?, did you make any artwork?, what is the letter of the week?, what did you have for snack?... I like details!  Go ahead, call me nosey.  It's just hard for me to not know what goes on inside her little world for the 2 hours that I'm not with her.  I think she kind of holds out on me though.  An Au Pair from Germany, Malina goes every day with twins Dexter & Nicholas.  You could say her, myelf & Hailey hit it off right away, she's really sweet.  On the days that I haven't been there she's been snapping pics of Hailey and sent them to me last night.  I love this!