Fall Family Photography Session

Love these pics of our family!
Look for them again in our Christmas card. 

Halloween Sneak Peek

 Sassy was promised her Halloween costume if she took good pictures for Ms. Melissa. For the entire photo session she would say, "I'm done now?!" after every picture. When she was "really" done. She got so excited to get her dress. She made us strip her down in the parking lot and put on her dress (she refused to wear it over her clothes). She then wore it to Costco and Meijer and walked around like the little princess that she is. 

It is now "dirty" and she asks to wear it everyday. When I say that it's still dirty, she says, "just go clean it so I can wear it tomorrow!" She is very excited about her very first Trick or Treating experience. She is looking forward to saying, "I'm Leah. Trick or Treat!" 

What a beautiful Rapunzel (or Tangled, as she calls the costume). 

Sassy's Farm Party

 Sassy's Preschool had a Fall Harvest Party last weekend. Sassy was excited to show us her barn. Jelly Boo was excited to see the barn, too. 

 She especially liked the donuts and dancing in the barn. Most of the animals intimidated her, but she did really like the chicken house. She told the random people in there that chickens lay eggs and make nests. There was a barn cat that really wanted to get into the chicken house. Sassy thought it was hilarious. 

 That day, Sassy ate a cookie at the mall, a sucker from a random old lady (funny story), a York Peppermint Patty, and had French Toast from Coney. The chocolate donut was the icing on the sugary cake. Surprisingly, she came home and took a 2 hour nap. 

We love Sassy's school and are so thankful we found a place that Sass loves! 

Jelly Boo's Tooth

Juliet has her first tooth (actually her first 2 teeth now). Leah didn't cut her first tooth until 6 months. Juliet is just rocking out these milestones. I want another baby....this one insists on growing too fast....

Walks

Jelly Boo is too cool for the stroller. She makes me carry her in the sling for all of our nightly walks/duck feeding sessions. High-maintenance. I can't believe I have a double stroller that sits unused.

Pumpkin Patch Fun

 We were pretty excited to select our pumpkins this year. It would be Jelly Belly's first time at the patch outside of my belly. What was even more exciting about the day was that we were going to try going out to eat again. We had been on hitatious since Sassy's 3rd birthday dinner in which no one but Sassy had any fun. 

 The good news? The lunch and that patch were a success. Look at how excited these pumpkin girls are! 

 Leah threw a mini fit before we left because we weren't bringing our own wagon. When we got there, she was happy with the wagon choices, though. 

 While I was trying to get cute pictures of Sassy Mae, Daddy walked off much to Sassy's dismay. She kept saying, "where's my daddy? Why won't we go to my Daddy?" I didn't get the great shot I was envisioning. Thanks, C. :) 

 We picked our pumpkins. We got a fine selection if I say so myself. Sassy was particularly interested in the "teeny tiny pumpkins". 

 Sassy got lots of compliments on her dress. Past season Gymboree. $7. 

 Juliet liked the patch, too. She loves to be outside. 

 We got out annual family picture, too. I like C's cheesy smile. 

 This one is better. 

 Now the annual "Mommy and Me" cornstalk picture has another addition. How happy we are to have Ms. Jelly Boo. 

 Sassy was excited to go home and decorate her pumpkin. 

 With paint. Like an Easter egg. 

 It kept her busy and engaged for over a 1/2 hour. Love it! 

Tangled Hat

Before Sass started school, C and I were concerned with Sassy using the potty at school. New potties have always been a little scary for Sass. 

 We asked her teacher to keep an eye on her at potty time. Sure enough, Sassy wasn't using the potty at school. She would go through the motions, but always tell Mrs. T that she didn't have "that funny feeling". Mrs. T thought that the wording and how earnestly Sassy said that was adorable. 

 We knew a bribe was in order. What does Sass love more than anything? Tangled. We showed her that hat. Told her she had to go at school in order to get the hat. There was whining and some, "I want that RIGHT NOW"s. 

 But...she went to school and went on the potty! She said she felt much better. 

 And she really loves her new hat and even shared it with Little Sissy. Sassy tells me, "after Fall it is Winter and I can wear my new Tangled hat and Santa Claus will come and bring me Tangled stuff". 

Little Reader

 One of my favorite things that Sassy does is "read". She will select a book from her (large) collection and sit down and read. It always sounds like this: "dee-dee, doo-dee, dee-dee, doo". She will look at the pages and just read and read for up to 20 minutes. If you try to read to her when she is "reading". She will stop you and say, "Just let me do it myself!"

 Sassy loves books and reading is usually her first choice activity, followed closely with  coloring. 

 Sassy still gets 2 books before nap and 2 books before bed, although she almost always argues for (and is granted) more. I try to read to her throughout the day, too, but that it is hit or miss with Jelly Boo. As a Reading Recovery teacher I have taught Leah a lot about books. She understands and uses every concept of print I teach in Kindergarten. She would love to learn to read, too, but honestly I am a bit reluctant to teach her. Leah has successfully mastered all letter sounds and hears sounds in words. She "stretched" Rapunzel with me and heard the R-P-N-Z-L. I think that's pretty good! 

Just because....

Just because it's the cutest picture ever.....

Also of note...Juliet survived her SECOND illness. Leah got sick last Saturday....runny nose, cough, low grade fever, major crankiness.... By Monday I was sick. On Tuesday I lost my voice completely and Chris came home from work sick (this has NEVER happened). On Tuesday Juliet starting spitting up after each time I fed her. We all were infected with the "super bug". I took Wednesday off work and Juliet and I rested (Sass was well enough for school). Chris probably needed another day to rest, but trudged off to work anyway. Juliet still has a crusty nose, but is otherwise almost 100% again. I can't believe my baby is 4 months and has been sick TWICE! 

Matching Jammie Girls

Two little girls in matching Gap jammies. They are so warm and snuggly (the girls and the jammies). 

Sassy Cheers!

Leah was really into her pom poms this weekend, so we got down her cheerleader dress up outfit (purchased from Target for 70% off when she was 1 year old). She enjoyed the "twirly" skirt and the shirt which said, "cheer". 

Bath time is the Best time

 Seriously...Chris and I make some cute babies! 

Sisters!

 Leah has been really into playing with Jelly Bean lately. She especially likes to clap Juliet's hands together and tell her, "get those hands OUT of your mouth!" Juliet loves the attention. 

 We had the camera upstairs so I tried to get cute snuggly pictures of the girls in their jammies. I tried for 2 nights, and had no keepers. I did get some extra cute pictures of the girls interacting though. On Friday night/Saturday morning, Leah came into bed with us around 4 am. Juliet woke up, saw her sissy laying next to her, and tried to wake her up. She kept trying to roll over to her and grab her hair. Then she would put on  her super excited scream and smile widely at Leah. I had to take Juliet to another room to calm down and go back to sleep. 

 Look at these girls! It is so fun to see them play! They both love each other so much!