Wrapping up October

My office celebrated Halloween on Friday with trick-or-treating, a chili cook-off and a costume/decorating contest.  Some of the costume highlights: Cruella DeVille, Honey Boo Boo, the evil queen from Snow White, cards and dice, Candyland (HR always has great costumes and decorations), Flo (from the Progressive Insurance commercials), Larry the Cable Guy and a group who dressed (and danced) like they were from the 70's.  We had a lot of participation this year and that always makes it more fun.

Speaking of work, I am in transition once again.  But I think it is going to be a good thing this time.  Going from quoting/sales back to underwriting.  Expert Underwriter to be more specific.  I am no expert, but I am thankful for the underwriting part.  The perks (or what I have been told):  limited phones and NO SATURDAYS!  I was moved to my new desk today but it will be a few weeks before I take on any new responsibilities (they are hiring my replacement (plus 1) and he/she will have to be trained and self sufficient before I can make the switch).  Our busiest time of year is fast approaching (tax season) so this could not have come at a better time.    

Ellen is pretty much off naps.  She tires out quickly at night so we just make sure she goes to bed early.

We had Trunk-or-Treat at Heritage Elementary Friday night.  It was cold!  Ellen was not happy that we made her wear long sleeves and pants under her Merida costume - not authentic! - but it was the only way.  We quickly made the rounds and then headed home.  It was that cold.

Ellen went on her first ever field trip on Monday... Lucky Ladd Farm in Eagleville, TN (we went for the first time a few months ago and she was excited to go back).  She got to ride the bus!  It was a chilly day but we put her in lots of layers.  She brought home a cute little pumpkin.  Phillip was hoping to be a chaperon but it didn't work out this time.  [I am coming to terms with the fact that I am going to miss the majority of Ellen's school related activities.  I am making every effort to "be there" but the sad fact is, I cannot usually be there.  It hurts.  I don't know any other way to say it.]

Boosterthon is this Friday, November 2nd.  It is a "fun run" fundraiser.  You ask friends/relatives to pledge a dollar amount for each lap your child runs.  The max is 35 laps.  We wanted to get Ellen on the board so we pledged $1 a lap.  My parents, Kendra and David also made a pledge.  Ellen will be pleased.  She was sad that her name hadn't been called out in class (yet) to indicate she had received a pledge.  She's been brainwashed but it's for a good cause.  I think.

Phillip had a chili cook-off today at work.  He named his chili "Winner".  Based on that alone I didn't think he should win, but if he had brought home the $50 prize I wouldn't have been mad ('Lil Toot, made by the CEO's secretary, ended up winning).  We made chili in the crock pot Sunday and it was so good.  He used the exact same ingredients in the batch he made for the contest.  I tried to get him to submit our leftovers but he said that is something the people I work with would do.  He's right.

Lilly is finally allowing solid foods to be put in her mouth.  She still gives us a disappointed, somewhat confused look but no more fake choking (which sometimes led to real choking).  She likes Gerber Puffs and is doing surprisingly well with Cheerios.  She is definitely showing more interest in table food.  Sidenote:  Lilly's front two teeth absolutely kill me.  She is so cute! 

We had Trunk-or-Treat at church tonight.  I only got a few pictures of the girls.  We were rushed for time so it was basically a throw this store bought costume on over your clothes kind of thing.  I was disappointed but we had fun and that is what matters most.  We have a ton of candy leftover (plus Ellen got a pumpkin full of goodies).  As we were deciding what to do with the excess, it hit me... I am sending a big (huge!) bag of smarties to school tomorrow.  Mrs. Fielder regularly requests them in her newsletters - she gives them out as treats/rewards to her "smarties".  This should keep her stocked for a while.

Merida

 My little flower.  Lilly held on to this package of fruit snacks all night.

(costume courtesy of Grandmother)

Hannah, Willa and Ellen

I didn't open the box

Happy Halloween!

As good a place as any

A few things to remember

Lilly is as enthralled with George's cage as she is with the remote control (she's also partial to the dog's water bowl).

Lilly's excitement to see Ellen every afternoon.  Phillip picks up Lilly first and then they go get Ellen.  As they walk out to the car Lilly makes sure Ellen doesn't leave her sight.  She kicks her legs and squeals.  Phillip says it is very sweet.  Funny story... one time when I picked up Ellen, which is very rare, the SACC worker at the desk looked at me and then looked at Lilly and said "Are you here for Ellen?"  When I said yes, he said he didn't recognize me but he recognized the baby.  She's famous!

The kindness of Lilly's teacher.

Ellen's outgoing answering machine messages.

Watching the cooking show with Ellen on Saturday mornings (Pioneer Woman's show on Food Network).

Ellen consoling Lilly with "honey, honey, honey" (her voice and the way she says it).

Ellen learning to read.

Phillip texting me pictures of an empty sink and dishwasher as proof he emptied and reloaded the dishwasher (can't argue with that).

Chunky baby legs in tights (specifically Lilly's chunky legs in tights).

Ellen is a Mommy's girl.  Big time.  "How about we all go.  Except Daddy and Lilly."

Now that's a kid with a head in the 100th percentile!*

Lilly had her 9 month check up yesterday (she was officially 9 months and 11 days old).  They checked her iron (toe prick) and she got one shot - the first half of her flu vaccination.  She is doing great!  We go back in 1 month for the second flu shot and then again in January for her 1 year check up.

Length - 29 inches (89%)
Weight - 21.5 lbs (91%)
Head Circumference - 17 inches (36%)

We have always relished in the fact that our children (as infants) have smaller, more proportionate heads than some of their peers.  No offense to those big headed babies out there.  You're still cute.

Chunky?
Yes.
Big head?
No.

*Phillip, regarding one of Lilly's classmates

She just started eating "solids"

My 50's Girl

Heritage Elementary is celebrating the 50th day of school with a 50's themed day.  Ellen has had poodle skirt on the brain ever since it was announced, that one detail really stuck with her, so we called Nana to see if she could make one and get it to us in time.  Spoiler alert: she did and the package arrived Monday (she also sent new clothes for both of the girls - Thanks Nancy!).  It was love at first sight.  Ellen was so happy this morning, "I have been waiting for this day", she was willing to pause for pictures (I was hoping for more real smiles and little less posing but I'll take what I can get).  To fit in with the theme they are having a sock hop (with music from the 50's), a bubble gum blowing contest and Coke floats.  And as a special treat, Phillip is going to eat lunch with her in the cafeteria.  An all around fun day!

Had to throw these in the mix.  Loving on Night Night.  Reminds me of how sweet my little girl is and reminds me that she is indeed just a little girl.

You look like a monkey and you smell like one too

Our fall break travel plans fell through so we are enjoying an extra long weekend here at home (Ellen had a half day Friday and there was/is no school today or tomorrow).  The girls and I decided it was the perfect day to go to the zoo.  It was Lilly's first time and the first time in a long time for me and Ellen.  It was a beautiful day - hot but not summer hot (I can handle fall hot a lot better than I can handle summer hot).  We saw all of the animals (I think), rode both the train and the carousel, played in the gift shop (Ellen had to beat on every single drum on one of the displays) and spent a lot of time at the Jungle Gym.  We had fun but I must say we sure did miss Phillip!

 Living the dream

 How exciting!

 Wilderness Express

 Alligator Cove

 I like that Ellen still waves and says hi to the animals

 Slowly wearing down

 Lilly's first carousel ride (she was so tired!).  She was watching the operator as he gave instructions.  Do we have us another rule follower?  I hope so.

 Lilly was so worn out she laid her head down to rest as I made her bottle.  She crashed on the way home.

 Nashville Zoo has the best playground... and this only part of it.  Lilly absolutely loved the padded Tot Spot.  She laughed and giggled like never before.  Pure joy!

Not sure what we are going to do tomorrow and I kind of like it that way.

Lilly

Lilly wiggles during diaper changes, "sings" herself to sleep, reaches out to us when she wants to be picked up, crawls around like she owns the place and pulls up on anything and everything (and anyone).

Lilly is curious, happy, bouncy, smiley and loud (in a good way).

Lilly has a sunny disposition, 4 teeth, a baby mullet, beautiful blue eyes and a tendency to scream when she doesn't get what she wants.

Lilly likes taking baths, her pacifier, being held, rocking with Daddy, playing with Ellen, riding in shopping carts, typing/banging on the keyboard, Gerber Puffs, standing up in her crib, scratching surfaces with her sharp little fingernails and putting things in her mouth (will this ever stop?).

Lilly doesn't like having her nose wiped, getting pajamas on after her bath, being put in her car seat, waiting on dinner or being quiet in church.

Lilly is in the beginning stages of playing peek-a-boo, clapping (so cute!), chasing the dogs (and going after their bones), taking things from Ellen (with persistence) and trying to climb the stairs.

She also likes the iPad!

(From 2 weekends ago, hanging out with one of her favorite people)

Fall Festival at Riverbend Nurseries

 Donkeys!  Ellen brushed them but she wouldn't ride them.

 Lilly wasn't afraid

 Someone was having a case of the Mondays

 Corn maze

Tractor pull

Pumpkin painting

 Quintessential Lilly

Face painting

She just missed

Not pictured: Ellen diving in the corn pit (literally).

Fun day!

Kindergarten is no joke!

Working on her weekly homework sheet, coloring in a graph

Mrs. Fielder recently introduced 2 additional forms of homework:

1) Classroom Library Program

Possibly replacing the Bookworm program (?) or maybe just to supplement until reading groups are formed, but instead of us reading one book to Ellen followed by discussion and activities (Bookworm), she brings home a folder containing 4 thin paperback books that she reads to us.  We then log whether the book was too hard, too easy or just right.  The folder goes back to school with her every day so she can read the books during what used to be rest time.  The feedback helps Mrs. Fielder [further] determine each child's reading level.  Basically we have the same books from Tuesday to Tuesday, giving her plenty of time to practice.  Practice, after all, does make perfect.

2) Super Hero Sight Word Challenge

Each child is given a list of 10 words to learn.  The words are printed on colored paper and are to be made into flash cards.  Once Ellen can read the words fluently and out of order (to Mrs. Fielder) she gets to write her name on the super hero poster in the classroom (bragging rights!) and gets a treat from the treasure box.  She mastered the first 10 (he, I, a, and, the, you, to, in, it & of) and is now on her second set of words (was, said, his, that, she, for, on, they, but & had).

This is in addition to a weekly homework sheet, Bookworm (assuming she will be doing both Bookworm and Classroom Library) and other random assignments like practicing for the 100 Club.  Also, her behavior calender must be initialed daily and library books are due on Fridays.

Kindergarten is hard work!

-------------------------

Ellen got her report card yesterday.  Straight A's!  Just kidding.  But she is doing well, 3's and 4's and S's.

Another day, another dollar

This month is flying by.  Another week has come and gone and it's Monday all over again.  I woke up thinking, Monday?  Already?  I didn't sleep well last night so I was a little confused.  We had a good weekend but say it with me, it just wasn't long enough. 

We found a few things to go with Ellen's Merida costume (Brave) so that was a good thing.  Now we just need the dress.  Checked back at Walmart but they did not have it in her size.  I specifically went there to look for the costume but I also stocked up on baby food.  I am boycotting Kroger (not the whole store, just the baby food) due to their 5 cent increase on Gerber stage 2 two packs.  That's a big jump.

Ellen went to Willa's Fancy Nancy birthday party Saturday afternoon.  She came home with painted fingernails, her face made up (eye shadow, blush and lip gloss - Phillip said she looked like a clown) and an array of parting gifts: necklace, bracelet, ring, earrings, pink feather boa, crown, pineapple lip gloss, two balloons and a much appreciated piece of cake to go for me.  She had a lot of fun.

Sadly we missed our church Fall Festival this year.  One of my favorite events.  We could have gone but would have arrived late (I had to work) and then it would have been a late night for the girls.  For the first time in her life, Ellen tells us she is tired.  She fights taking naps but is always ready and willing to go to bed at night (no more stalling).  We met up with Matt, Cole and Savannah for a later dinner instead.  Cole and Savannah love Lilly and she loves them too.  They give her lots of hugs, cuddles and attention (so sweet!).  Speaking of sweet, Savannah is, as I have mentioned many times before, still one of the sweetest little girls I know.  Ellen, take note.  Watch and learn.

Lilly fell asleep in worship again this week.  Sometimes she sleeps, sometimes we take her out.  It's all about keeping her entertained.  And happy.  And quiet.  If it sounds fun, it's not.

We worked around the house yesterday but there is still so much to do.  We need the Cat in the Hat to ride in on one of his contraptions and rescue us from the filth.  If anyone can do it, he can (along with the help of Thing 1 and Thing 2, of course - this is not a one man job).

Lilly is very intent on getting her hands on our remote control.  It's silver.  It has colorful buttons.  It looks tasty.  She has a one track mind when it comes to that remote.  And there are two of them, one upstairs and one downstairs (they are identical).  It's like it's meant to be!  She grabs, reaches and even lunges for it.  One day contact will be made but hopefully not on my watch.

The exersaucer is no longer the exersaucer.  It is now the exerpooper.  It never fails that Lilly goes in with a clean diaper and comes out poopy.  One day she had recently pooped when we put her in the exersaucer and wouldn't you know, she pooped again (they put me in here, they must want me to poop).  We laughed but then we cried.

As of the 13th, Lilly is 9 months old.  She has her check up next week.  Excited to see how much she has grown since her 6 month well visit.  We grow them big :)

Ellen is excited to join the 100 Club at school.  She has been practicing counting to 100 and is almost ready to count for her teacher.  Once you can count to 100 without making any mistakes, you're in.  We are very proud of her.

Baby on the loose