Finding Her Inner Monkey

When I wasn't working I didn't like the weekends as much. I felt like the rest of the world retreated to their own families, and I preferred the hustle and bustle of the weekdays. Now, I LIVE for the weekend. And while I sat on the kitchen floor this morning with my camera, Peyton provided the entertainment. Maybe it's time for gymnastics....

Pushing her limits. She'd climb up and then shout, "Mom, me monkey!"

Yes you are.

Healthy Teeth and the Gabba Gang

Guess who had their first trip to the dentist this week? It was Libby's idea. After reading some books about the dentist, and knowing other kids who've already gone, she pestered me to make and appointment and so I did. She told me that she'd be the first to have her turn and promised to be an example to her little sister who might not love the idea. But, when the time came, look who was the only one who would sit in the exam chair....

They did both have their teeth examined, however, and both were given the thumbs up for clean, healthy mouths. Both chose a princess toothbrush afterward.

Later that night....

Yo Gabba Gabba came to town on Monday, but we'd already decided we weren't going to take the girls to see the show. School night, expensive etc. But, I got home and got online to see if there were tickets left and when I saw that there were, I couldn't not go. Letting things go is not my strong suit. I knew the girls would LOVE it.
We didn't tell them where we were going. Instead we just told them to put their shoes and coats on. We were going somewhere, but it was a surprise. In the process I discovered that if, in the future, I'd like them to move faster, all I have to do is tell them we're taking them for a surprise. If I'd only known earlier.... Anyway, we walked into the lobby of the Hult Center and Peyton yelled, "MOM! YO GABBA GABBA!!!" There were kids in costume, adults in costume and an excitement you could feel.

First, we ran up and down the stairs while we waited for the doors to open.

Once the doors opened....

We found our seats....

....and put on our D.J. Lance Rock glasses....

....and waited.

....and waited. And reassured the girls that the show WOULD start.

The curtained opened, the music started and our girls FREAKED out. Not in a good way. Libby jumped into Shane's lap, Peyton clung to me and yelled, "MOM! I HAVE TO GO POOOOOOOOOOP!" The Gabba Gang literally scared it out of her. I tried to convince her that she could wait, because after all Babe, these tickets cost Mommy and Daddy lots of money. And you were supposed to love this. It's Yo Gabba Gabba. You love these guys. They don't scare you. Remember Muno and Brobie? Let's stay and watch them. Wanna? You can probably guess who won. We went to the bathroom and she did not produce what she promised.

Anyway, we made our way back to our seats and by intermission the girls decided they were having fun. The lights came up, there were balloons to play with and Shane took Libby to the lobby to buy himself a beer her a cookie.

By the second half of the show they abandoned the safety of our laps and threw caution to the wind to dance in the isles with the other kids.

Getting funky with their bad selves....

On the way home, everyone was tired.

I'm including this picture for those who knew me as a kid. Look at the stance here. Genetic? For sure. This is the exact pose my family would mock me with as a child. This was my move when I was mad and my family would imitate me, setting me off further. She's even got the lips right. Keep it up, Peytie. Hold your ground, Babe. I'm with you.

Airborne!

I went to Target last Thursday and thought I'd look around their Halloween clearance isle just to see what was left. I got some killer deals on some costumes the girls can dress up in year round. The turtle is actually a costume made for a big dog. But, it was three bucks, so who cares?

I also got some dry erase markers for their easel and their calendar. Now, if I could just get them to keep their clothes on....

Peyton chose this lion costume (also three dollars). It had to be washed in the first hour of wear though, because it's hard for a cub to keep her tail out of the potty when doing her business.

You and I both know it. This is the cutest cowturtle you've ever laid your eyes on.

My kids are big climbers and jumpers. Usually at the expense of my slow and steady heart rate. And it always seems they have the most energy at bedtime.

Peyton looks on as Daddy makes the girls their own fishing rods.

The weather today is cold, but dry. A nice change, and it gave us the chance to spend some energy outside.

Seat drop!

Tickles.

All smiles.

Trick-or-Treat!

I'd have put pictures up sooner, but this was conference week. Conferences went well, though it's always a great feeling when they're done. So, I'm rewinding to last Sunday, Halloween....

In an attempt to figure out how to put curls in Libby's hair, I did this to my poor Peyton. She didn't mind, though. Still, it wasn't quite the outcome I'd hoped for, so my little Annie went about her trick-or-treatin' with straight hair. I did curl it with a curling iron, but the girl definitely has her momma's hair, so the curls didn't last.

I think Libby was happy to let Peyton be my test subject.

I spent some time sorting through the girls' clothes last week and had to get a picture of Peyton in such a cute (and girlie) outfit.

My mom grew this pumpkin in her garden. Isn't it cute? I know I'm not the first to think of this carving, but given our ranking and the color of the pumpkin, I couldn't resist.

Getting ready to trick-or-treat....

At first Peyton refused to wear her hat saying it was, "too hot", so I gave her some antennae by putting in pigtails.

Our own Sandy

Peyton loads up in the car, stinger and all.

First stop, Mark and Amy's house....

....where Ella Boo was busy carving pumpkins with her mom and dad.

Second stop, Lynn and Ken's house. My friend Lynn and I taught together, though she's retired now. That's Lynn in the alien mask, with Ken behind. Peyton was asleep in the car.

Next, we had dinner with Dave and Becky and then set out to trick-or-treat in their neighborhood. We did the same thing last year, but only made it to one house. This year we had along our secret weapon..... Michael. He was ALL about the trick-or-treating and our girls followed with gusto. There's no doubt in my mind we made it to as many houses as we did because Michael was in the lead.

Pounding the pavement

That's one happy Buzz Lightyear....

This is James (aka THE celebrity among the toddler set) that lives across the street from Dave and Becky. Also, father to a child in Libby's class. When Libby first saw him on the street she said, "Mom! It's the Yo Gabba Gabba guy!" If you have small kids, I'm sure you know Yo Gabba Gabba. So you can appreciate then how James SO looks the part. The best part though, is that he'd open the door and yell, "Yo Gabba Gabba!" So great!

Checking out their loot

Our last stop of the night was the Nelsons where our Ella Boo was gettin' her quack on. Are you kidding me? Look at that little duck.

Quack quack! Bring on November!