Halloween 2010

Maddy and Cady decided a few months ago that they wanted to be characters from The Wizard of Oz for Halloween. Maddy was the first to claim the "green witch" and so Cady got on the bandwagon and decided to be Dorothy.

Today was the big day because, due to some unfortunate coincidences, the girls missed nearly every other Halloween festivity that they could have attended. Last weekend, when we were at the beach, was our ward's Halloween carnival and on Friday, when her class had their party, Maddy had a doctor's appointment. So there was MUCH anticipation heading into today. And on my part, STRESS!!

I procrastinated buying a costume for Maddy so, as of this morning, we had a broom, hat and green make-up but no dress. I thought maybe I could scrounge one up at church but to no avail. So during naptime, I frantically adapted one of my old black t-shirts into a witch dress. I was so worried that Maddy would throw a fit, especially since Cady's Dorothy dress was a glittery affair from Halloween Express! But she was as happy as could be, and didn't realize that she looked like hybrid of Yoda, a cistercian monk and the Wicked Witch of the East! There was more complaining from Cady, who had gotten some paint on her dress while painting pumpkins at her class party.Yay for candy!!

They donned their outfits and headed out to trick or treat with Daddy, returning two hours later with the fruit of their labor! Lots of candy, of course, with a toothbrush thrown in for good measure. I stayed home with Baylee and was ready to hand out candy but we had a grand total of THREE trick or treaters. Thankfully, Cady was home for the last 2 and literally gave them a huge handful out of our now over-flowing candy bowl!

Indian Summer at the Beach

Last weekend, we were lucky enough to sneak away from Spartanburg and spend a few days at the beach (Garden City, SC). We were planning to leave on Thursday evening but couldn't quite pull things together so we got up SUPER early on Friday morning, put the still pajama-ed girls in the car at 6:30 a.m. and hit the road!

We couldn't have asked for better weather in late October. The girls spent all afternoon on Friday and Saturday on the beach, playing, digging, flying our kite and jumping in the water (brrrr!).

On Friday afternoon, Grandma Weezie was able to join us on the beach for a while and then we all went out to dinner together. Then Ray took the "big" girls to the arcade!!! Apparently, the won big playing Deal or No Deal and got a bazillion tickets = a LOT of trinkety crap. I find it ironic that Ray often complains about all the "trinkety crap" the girls have but whenever we go to the beach, he leads the charge to the arcade and gets some more!!

Cady photo-documented some of their "booty"

On Saturday morning, we spent some time with the girls' great-grandmother Tutta and introduced her to Baylee. And on our drive home Sunday, we stopped in Camden to visit my Aunt Louise. I'm so proud of the big girls and how they love these elderly ladies. Seems to me that I was a bit afraid of "old people" when I was their age but they are just so happy to see them and give hugs. It was wonderful to see them both!

Baylee was there, too -- just laying around!!

It was a short but sweet trip ... Farewell until next year, beach!! *sigh*

35 (a day late)

Yep, that's how old Ray is now. Although according to Maddy, who doesn't clearly annunciate the "TH" sound, he is 45.

After a very "regular" day of school and work, we all went out to dinner at Outback Steakhouse to celebrate. Baylee cooperated and slept through dinner. We came home for cake-eating and present-opening. Due to Ray's extreme picky-ness about his cakes, he actually (I'm ashamed to admit this) made his own birthday cake this year. Two days before his birthday. It was, after all, his birthday so he figured he could do what he wanted!! He frosted it too ... and lit the candles. I did carry it to the table though, and led the singing too, so I contributed a little. I have to say the cake was AWESOME!!

Ok, we both had a piece before the actual birthday day.


Ray's motto for the upcoming year!

I think I'll go have some right now.

Lovies

The story of our family would not be complete without mention of the very important "lovies" that are part of our everyday life. They accompany us on every vacation and have traveled to the beach and the mountains with us. They comfort us after bad dreams and boo-boos, and by "us" I mean Cady and Maddy.

Cady's special lovie is a blue-footed bear that Daddy gave her for Christmas 2006, just days after Maddy was born. At the time, there was another more important animal in play, an orange monkey named "Ho Ho" but he was lost soon after we moved to South Carolina in the summer of 2007. At that point, "Teddy" moved up into 1st place in Cady's heart. Cady has been given many other teddy bears but Teddy remains #1!


Maddy's special lovie is a purple bunny that we just call "Purple Bunny" for lack of a better name. He was given to us as a baby gift by a friend in our ward in Virginia Beach soon after Maddy was born. After three years of heavy hugging and lugging on Maddy's part, he is raggedy. Cady calls him gross. Maddy sucks on his tail and has finally stopped using his ears to wipe her nose. Both of his ears have fallen off at different times and been sewed back on. He is the Velveteen Rabbit incarnate. If love and wear could make a bunny real, this bunny would hop away today!

Georgie Porgie

Maddy is enjoying her 3-year old preschool class this year, especially their study of nursery rhymes. My personal favorite is Georgie Porgie and the enthusiasm with which Mad recites it. When she says "and made dem cwy", I just want to eat her up!! Enjoy!

Dad and his five-year-old daughter, a conversation.

Act I, Scene I
Cady enters dining room. Dad utters something to Cady, who promptly folds her arms and furrows her eye brows.
Dad- "Cady, I am tried of that mean look you give me. If you do it again, I'm not paying for your wedding."
Cady- "That's fine because you're not invited."

Firsts ...

We've had some pretty significant "firsts" in our home in the past few weeks.

Our "big girl" Cady started kindergarten on August 9th. She was so excited!!

Bailey enjoyed her first "real" bath, not just the sponge variety.

As soon as we get a "first" sleep through the night entry, I'm sure I'll be blogging a lot more!!