thanksgiving

Ohhh, Mexico!!

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Hallowseve

We decided last minute to go to Andrew's Halloween party on Saturday. My parents hadn't seen Hailey in a while so they didn't hesitate when we asked if they wanted to come up to babysit. I had to work at 5am Sunday so wasn't planning on staying out late. But Joe & I were having such a good time we ended up doing just that. I was regretting it the next morning... let's just say I could definitely feel my age.
(last minute costumes courtesy of Mike Lewis)

The Hinton boys show us their moves Joe was really feeling it... Hailey & "Grandma Donna"
recently Hailey has been on the "what's your name"? kick. She calls Joe's parents, Grandma Nancy & Grandpa John, mine Grandma Donna & Poppy - but on occasion, Poppa Tom. They say the first grandchild sets the tone for the rest... will these stick?

trick or treat

We had a blast this Halloween. It was Hailey's first year trick or treating but you woudn't know it, she was a pro. Our little Tinkerbell wasn't afraid to go up to the door and knock. We stayed back a bit and let her do her thing, coaching her on what to say. She would knock then turn around and look at us with a big smile on her face. At the first few houses she would start to walk right in when they opened the door. And the houses that let her choose her own candy, she would grab a lollipop unless they didn't have any, then she would ask them "where's lollipops"? She refused to go up to the "spooky" houses, especially any that had spider webs. One house she knocked on the door but something started making a spooky noise so she turned around and bailed. She prefered the "nice" or "happy" houses. And despite all the candy she had when we got home, she fell right to sleep without a peep. Earlier in the day The Lord's came over to watch the Seahawks game. We couldn't pass up a photo opp of the kiddos in their costumes. Baby Ryder was the cutest little Tigger I've ever seen.

Joe & I couldn't help but join in on the fun...we wore masks while handing out candy.

halloween fun

This morning we went to Grandma Nancy's school to share in some Halloween fun. Grandpa John joined us as we paraded through the school with all of the students dressed in their costumes. Then we had some treats in Grandma's 3rd grade classroom where Hailey got to sit with the big kids at their desk. One girl in particular loved Hailey and took her under her wing, which Hailey loved! After snacks (lots of candy), singing "pumpkin carols" and a group story we began to line up to head out for lunch, when the fire alarm unexpectedly went off. Hailey kept saying "sirens Mommy, we better hurry!" After the drill we were treated by Grandma to a hot lunch in the cafeteria, where Hailey's special friend insisted on sitting next to her. So there we sat at the big kids lunch table and ate from our tray that consisted of a ham & cheese sandwich, grapes, carrots, broccoli, goldfish, a chocolate cookie topped off with a candy corn and of course a carton of milk. I must say lunch has improved since my school days. It was a half day, so after lunch and a short recess it was time to go home so we had to say our goodbyes. It was so much fun, I don't think either one of us wanted it to end...

"school"

For those of you who didn't already know, I got a part time job @ Starbucks. I've been working the opening shift so that we can avoid putting Hailey in daycare. That isn't always the case though and we've had to find some flexible childcare for her. We have been trying out "The Nest", a drop off play & learning center just a few blocks from my work. We call it "school". Joe has dropped her off both times we've taken her and I can tell it's been hard for him to leave her. Both days she cried, but was easily & quickly distracted by the staff. Today she asked Joe if he would stay and play with her and the choo-choo train... he had to tell her he was leaving and that I'd be back to pick her up. I asked them how she did after Joe left and they said she was fine once she got to working on crafts. When I walked in to get her today she was so excited to see me she could hardly contain herself. After yelling my name with joy, she started crying. Not the kind of cry because she didn't want to leave, but almost like "Mom, why did you leave me... I thought I'd never see you again". It's only going to get easier, for all of us, I know. But for now, it's pretty heartbreaking having to leave her in the care of someone (other than family & friends) even if it is only a couple of hrs a day. At the same time we are excited for her and know it's great for her socially not to mention good training for preschool. But other than the first minute of being there she seems to really like it. We ask her questions and she tries telling us what she did there. The first time she wouldn't use the bathroom for them (for 2 hrs)...so that night I told her that it's OK to go potty for the lady...that she is nice and will wipe her bum for her. She just looked at me and said "OK", and we left it at that. Today on the ride home she proudly said "I went potty Mommy, the lady said yes" (implying that she asked to go and they let her). Too cute!

like father, like daughter

These two love their trains...normally Joe doesn't break this out until Christmas but apparently he couldn't wait this year.