Happy Halloween! 2014

We're not from Kansas but we are from Kansas City. When she saw that Toto was a part of the costume, she was set on being Dorothy. She had seen a new animated version, which is totally different + bits of the old one so when I found the DVD, we watched the full movie this week. The shoes, witches + monkeys really had her interest. I thought I would make her costume like I did last year when she wanted to be a rat, bear, Maleficant + a list of others but I figured I would save myself some time + purchase one at Target. Plus side, there have been no other Dorothys this far south.

 We ultimately chose the one with sparkles because a Halloween costume has to have a little glitta ;) I couldn't find the right shoes because the ones available just didn't have the same appeal the original shoes had. They had a heel + sequins with lots of sparkle. I had the idea to get an old pair of tap shoes at a kid resale shop + had all the sparkle we needed at home. They click when she walks all the way home! I thought about purchasing a pair pre made online but I knew they wouldn't click. Only problem was she wanted to wear them for tap! She'll dress up tonight for trick or treating + we will paint pumpkins + make treats today. She wanted wolf cake, whatever that is. She will probably dress up tomorrow for a Day of the Dead celebration downtown which will be a first while here in Texas. Have a super ghoul day!

Tickets to Ride

She is such a pro now. I'm thinking about signing her up for "lessons" to learn to ride. I use the term loosely because it's basically just pony riding for her age. There is a place close to us that offers lessons so I'm looking into it. She is fascinated by horses, large + small so she will jump at the chance.

We went to an annual pumpkin patch for the third year in a row since moving to Texas. Even though it was an autumn day, with the sun it felt like summer. Eternal summer here. I knew this year she would be more active + probably want to do the moon bounce so I dressed her in jeans + boots for riding, instead of a dress for the occasion. It ended up being perfect for the time frame we were there which was late morning but once we left, it got really warm so we booked it home to relax + cool out in the AC. Yes the air conditioner is still blaring in October, almost November. Halloween is this Friday + she is ready to go. She had a library party yesterday + gets to dress up in her costume for dance but I don't see much getting done with easily distractible 3 + 4 years olds. Still, can't wait to see all of them dressed up. She loves her dance group + will talk about them by name + hasn't stopped talking about dancing in her costume. Looking forward to this weekend's festivities + making little memories for her.

October Camera Roll

We had a super simple week + I feel super good about it. I usually have a "school schedule" for her during the day + sometimes not everything is accomplished. I try not to get bummed about that because she's a smart kiddo + even her play time helps her learn in other ways learning planets + continents can't. I have learned to incorporate her love for nature in a lot of the activities she does. Instead of using buttons, I'll have her count out tiny dinosaurs for math or have her separate + classify them. We have a lot to think about in the next few months as far as her future in schooling. I have always wanted to homeschool but that will all depend on her + if she wants to do. So many questions. I ask her if she wants to go to school + she says no. For now I'm just trying to research programs as well as pre-schools, private school options + school districts while we house search. The next year is going to go by quickly + life is just going to get even more busy.

Kansas City in Texas

Sunshine in October is incredible. It is still strange to not see orange trees but thankful for where we are. Texas has been really good to us + I am grateful for our life here but there are sometimes I do miss KC. Like fall time, with its warm backdrop + brisk breeze, and like today, when everyone in my family will be watching a game + having fun making a memory. The Royals made it to the World Series for the first time in 29 years, if you care to know anything about sports. To be honest, I do not like any sport + I never have. I went to some Royals games as a little girl with my dad + family so there are sweet moments I remember.  There is something a little special about my humble midwest hometown making it big. Baseball is such an American sport + not for everyone but maybe it has been fun watching the games with the mr. + my tiny. It's funny, the things I never did + thought I never wanted to do, suddenly become an exciting thing to share with the ones I love. 

Camera Roll: October Week 3 2014 Edition

Last week was very productive + good. I sorted though her toys + put everything in its place while putting some baby toys up she doesn't use, for now, until she sees them put up + suddenly misses those toys requesting that they all be brought out. Some days, we just pile her toys in bins + put them up to just be out of site the next day when she's looking for the tiniest most particular toy + dumps everything last thing out while we are already running late + then they just get piled back up in ugly messes. I can be messy but I like to be organized, a contradiction I will live with the rest of my life. 

 Monday was her first day back at tumbling after a couple weeks of sitting out. We usually have pretty busy weekends so sometimes we take a Monday + stay in to relax on those mornings instead of rushing out the door. I make library day a priority + dance is a must so tumbling takes a hike some weeks. We are back at it + she loves it. She'll ask which day it is + where we're going + what we have to do for the day because she like to be out in the sun + hitting the road. A girl after my heart. She likes to stay busy during the day + every night is movie night around here which I am totally ok with because it's an excuse sit after a long day of everything. Kids are cool in that way where they are always in the present moment + remind you to stop. There will always be a dirty dish or a load of laundry but there won't always be the time we have now. 

This week seems to be off to a good start too. Fresh coat of laquer on my nails, made banana bread muffins this morning, got her to tumbling + sipping some ice tea while she naps waiting to start dinner. If every day could be this easy....

Pea's photography skills are something I adore. She can focus like a badass. 

Practicing her zombies moves.

These two on a sunny + breezy day. 

Dance, Dance, Dance

She LOVES Lykke Li so on our way to her dance class we always listen to her + have sing alongs. Honestly, listening to music with your kid + jamming out in the car is one of my favorite daily routines. We have an electic playlist of music + it's fun to introduce her to new + different sounds.