Monsters

Tonight we were invited to a fun Halloween party with friends.

Leading up to tonight, if anyone asked Charlotte what she was going to dress-up as for Halloween, she automatically answered, Snow White. Snow White has been on our mind for weeks. The dress, red headband, and red shoes are all set for the event. She's even having her annual Halloween party for a few school friends and the invites also include an adorable Snow White. So, you can feel my hesitation when I pulled out the Halloween outfit from last year, and she jumped up and down saying she now wants to be a pig. She even accompanied it with adorable "oinks". There was absolutely no way I could say no. She was irresistible! I tried so hard last year to even get her to try the pig costume on and she completely refused. But this year, we're in love!

She won Best Dressed Girl's Costume at tonight's party!

Yes, we're so proud of our little piggy!

But also tonight, we've had her first experience for a fear of monsters. She saw a man with a scary monster mask and her heart raced of fear. Justin could feel her sweet little heart beating through her pig costume. The man took off his mask and showed her who he really is, and even though she smiled knowingly, the fear aroused again at bedtime. She asked both Justin and I if there are monsters in the house. After both of us assured her that monsters aren't real, and added more stuffed animals to her bed for comfort, she went to sleep.

Friend's Birthday Party

We were invited to a birthday party today for Charlotte's friend, Rett. They've known each other since Charlotte was 4 months old and have remained sweet friends.

Today was Rett's 3rd birthday party at ASI Gymnastics. We had never been there before but Charlotte jumped right in and LOVED it! It makes me so proud to watch her excited and fearless attitude. Her energy brings so much joy.

She enjoyed the trampolines and running games but most of all, she loved the rope swing and foam pit. She left the party saying that's where she wants to celebrate her birthday. We'll definitely be considering it...

Our Happy Ghosts

I made these Happy Ghosts when Charlotte was 10 months old and we have enjoyed them each year since.

It was important for me, as a mom, to begin decorating for the holidays and this was one of my first steps to establish a love and tradition for the holidays.

Many friends and neighbors have asked me how I've made them and I will say that they are super simple and very easy. Even if your "not crafty", you can do it!

All it really takes is a pair of scissors and fabric.

Total Supplies for 6 ghost:

6 Large non-breakable Christmas ornaments (bought from Wal-mart)

6 white trash bags

6 yards of Heavy white fabric

6 yards of thin gossamer fabric

black felt

Orange/Halloween ribbon

6 Dow Rods

Fabric glue or hot glue

Step 1: Cut fabric in one yard segments so that you have 6 pieces of the thick white fabric and gossamer

Step 2: Take the metal hanger/clasp off the Christmas ornament so that there is an open hole and put dow rod in hole.

Step 3: Place white trash bag over Christmas ornament (used to protect ornament from weather). Then place thick white fabric over trash bag and lastly place white gossamer over that.

Step 4: Tie decorative ribbon in a bow around fabric to make the neck of the ghost.

Step 5: Cut 2 oval shapes in black felt for the eyes of each ghost. Glue them on with fabric glue or use a hot glue gun.

Step 6: Ghost are now ready to put in ground. TRICK or TREAT!

These ghosts are such a friendly addition to our Halloween season.

Pumpkin Carving at the Park

Yesterday, we met our Sunday School class for a pumpkin carving get-together. We had a fun time playing and visiting with friends. They catered pizza and ice cream sandwiches for all to enjoy. The ice cream sandwiches were from a local place, Pokey O's. They were incredible! Two homemade cookies with a generous scoop of ice cream in the middle...yummy!

Charlotte was excited to begin carving until Daddy cut the top off and she saw how messy it was inside. She opted to play on the playground instead.

with Bunny, of course

Her interest peeked once the inside was cleaned out and Daddy began carving out the face.

Such a great helper!

Of course, she had to swing "one more time" before we left.

Our finished pumpkin....

Texas State Fair

The Texas State Fair was a huge success! We had a terrific time.

Our first order of business was to get some fried guacamole and get to the ferris wheel. We were very excited to learn Charlotte was tall enough to ride most of the kiddie rides. She would have stayed on them all day if we had enough coupons.

I love it that this has become one of our family traditions.

A Favorite

This picture was taken while we were walking to the SMU vs. TCU game.

oxox

Dear Charlotte,

I wanted to take time and make a blog post just to you....

My dear Charlotte,

I love you. You are so incredibly fun. I laugh daily at the things you say. Not because you said them wrong, but because I'm amazed at how smart you are. You love making up stories with fun events. Almost instantly, the papers that you laid down on the kitchen floor became your imaginary boat that took us through a river.

Your little mind is filled with so much imagination and creativity. I love that I get to be apart of your adventures. I also love your passion for music. You love to sing, dance, and play any instrument you can get your hands on. You can keep a tune better than any one I know.

Thanks for being so joyful. Thanks for helping me remember to slow down and enjoy the little things.

Love always,

Mom

p.s. You're one cool kid!

Latest things you say:

• I do it, by my self
• When I'm older.....
• I'll do that when I get older
• let me try
• I want to brush my own hair
• I want to go to college

Are you seeing a theme here? No, I did not make that last one up.

Ballet, Tap & Tumble

Charlotte loves and looks forward to dance class each week.

Now that she's over 2 1/2 years old (and potty trained), she has graduated to the "big girl" class. No more "Mommy and Me" classes. I was a little sad seeing how quickly she's growing up, but it's so wonderful to watch her do things on her own too.

She adores her instructor, Ms. Holly.

Ms. Holly is so sweet and has the patience of Job. With 7 toddlers in the class, I'd imagine utter chaos, but that is so not the case. She has their focused attention. All of the girls, and 1 boy, love to do what Holly ask of them. Already at age 2 1/2, they show such pride when they do something pleasingly.

Below are pictures from the previous week. Ms. Holly was out of town and had a substitute, so that is what the name tags are for.

These Boots are Made for Walk'in