Happy Halloween

Trick-or-Treating this year was so much fun! Arya couldn't have been more excited. She had been practicing saying trick-or treat and thank you for days, which she did at most of the houses we visited. She didn't walk, but she ran from house to house. She was thrilled that all these different people were giving her candy. Arya was dressed as a 50's girl and Sophia was Minnie Mouse. Mackenzie went with some of her friends, she was dressed as dancer. We went around the block, which was enough for the little girls. After we were done Arya and Sophia helped Grandma A. pass out candy. It was a fun night for all!

Lyra

We went to get a 3D ultrasound of Lyra. She had a big audience. Both Grandmas were there along with Mike, Marcia, Mackenzie, Sophia and Arya. The little girls were excited to get to see Lyra, but I don't think they really understood what they were seeing. The grandma's had a hard time too. Lyra wasn't too cooperative (I hope this isn't a hint of days to come) She had her hand over her face most of the time. We did get some good profile pictures of her.

Zoo

We went to the zoo today. We have been wanting to go for a long time, but it has just been too hot. It really wasn't all that cool, but we went anyway. Arya and Sophia loved to see the different animals Sophia wanted to see the giraffes and Arya wanted to see the monkeys. We got to see both. They also liked to see the goats, they had to go around and brush every single goat, twice! On our way out we took a ride on the Merry Go Round. Both girls took really good naps after our trip to the zoo.

Rock Star

Mike decided to get the new Guitar Hero. This one not only comes with a guitar, but drums and a microphone too. Arya has always liked to play the drums in the stores. Once we got them home, Mike set them up and Arya turned into a drummer. She even tested out the microphone. Not only does she play like a rock star, she has the attitude. Arya thinks the drums are hers. She doesn't want to share. She doesn't like it when anyone else plays her drums. We are going to have to get extra drum sticks since she will allow us to play with her.

Pizza

On Wednesday night I decided to make pizza for dinner. Arya now wants to help out with just about everything. She had to help me make out pizza. She did a nice job too. She helped me spread the pizza sauce, put on Mike's pepperoni, and sprinkle on the cheese. My little chef was

very proud of her pizza!

Painting Pumpkins

Arya loves to do art projects. She especially loves to paint. I don't always love the mess, but I do love the fun she has and her adorable

finished projects. Today we painted paper mache pumpkins. She is starting to take

such care with her work. It amazes me how big she is getting.

Swimming, Summer 2008

Arya loves to swim. She spent many evening swimming in our backyard pool. She would have like to have gone every night, but we probably went at least 3 times a week while it was hot out. She went from being able to glide a few feet under water to being able to swim, flip to her back and float then flip over and keep swimming most of the way across the pool. She also loved to jump off the side of the pool and dive and get things off the bottom of the pool.

Arya has been taking a dance class for the last couple of months. She loves to go. There are 5 little girls. Arya is learning how to follow her teacher's dirctions and how to wait her turn along with the many new dance moves she comes home with. She will do something new and say "my teacher said to do this." My mom and I saw these cute little tutu's on the internet and looked at how to make them. They are super easy and they look adorable. Here she is showing us some of her ballet moves.

Mother Nature's Farm

We went to the pumpkin patch On Sunday. We all had a wonderful time. There was a lot for Arya to see and do. She spent a while trying to pick out the perfect pumpkin. Even though they were all very, very small she didn't want to pick any of them up, she said they were too heavy.

We got to go for a little hay ride around the farm while we were there. Arya likes to go for rides. It is a good thing we'll be going to yet another farm in a couple of weeks and they have a hay ride too.

They had a hay bail maze that we got "lost" in. Arya kept on asking "How do we get out of here?" We did eventually make it out of there and she was very excited. She didn't want to do it again.

One of the reasons we went to the Pumpkin patch this day is because the Arizona Herpetological Society was there. They brought Tuesday, the alligator, which Arya would actually touch for a second. They also brought out a huge tortoise, some lizards and snakes we could see and touch.

At the Farm

We went to Moo Moo Palooza at Superstition Springs Farm. They have a yearly day of fun at their farm. We got to feed some goats and a turkey. We went on a hay ride, a favorite of everyone. We also got to pet a couple of baby cows. Arya was also excited because she got to walk like a big girl, I didn't bring the stroller, it's too hard to push in the loose dirt. Arya's favorite thing at the farm was looking at the cows. Sophia liked the chickens the best.

Pumpkin Shirts

Family Fun Magazine had cute pumpkin shirts in the October issue. I decided it would be fun to tye dye them for all of us. The girls liked wearing their matching shirts.

Dominoes

The girls were watching a Blues Clues where they saw the characters using dominoes. I don't have any dominoes so the girls improvised and used the big blocks we had to set up and knock down. Arya really enjoyed this activity. She carefully set up her blocks in a row and when she was done. She got super excited to knock them all over. She did this over and over and over again.

Playing at the park

It is finally cool enough to play at the park in the mornings! We have been waiting for cooler weater for 4 months, and it is finally here. Mackenzie is on fall break, so all the girls to go and play. They all had a lot of fun going up and sliding down. Arya finally became brave enough to go across the wobbly bridge on her own. I am so glad to be doing things outside again, even though I am tired and feeling a little icky. We are looking forward to many more park play dates.

Playhouse Disney

Arya, Sophia, Mackenzie, Cheryl and I went to the Playhouse Disney show. Arya was so excited to go to a show. All day long she asked when we were going. She even had to wear one of her Minnie Mouse t-shirts. When we got there and found our seats, we still had to wait 15-20 minutes for the show to start, such a long time for a 2 year old. Once the lights went down, Arya's full attention was on the stages. She couldn't take her eyes off all of the characters. She had so much fun! On the way home we talked about the show a little bit and Arya said she had to tell daddy about it when we got home, which she did. It was past bed time when we got home and I told her this, she didn't believe me. She said, "It's not bedtime silly mommy." She was asleep as soon as she laid down in her crib.

Going on Walks

Just about everyday Arya and I go for a walk around the block to get the mail. She has decided lately that she has to take a baby with her. She picks one of her numerous babies and either gets a cart or a stroller for her baby and off we go. She likes to stop along the way and check out different flowers, bugs, pinecones, birds, and anything else we see along the way. She is going to love going for nature hikes once it cools off.

Lunch with Kristina

Today we went to Oak Tree Elementary School, where I used to teach, to have lunch with Kristina. It was all Arya talked about this morning. The entire drive there she was asking when we would get there. We picked up McDonalds and got there right before the kids went to lunch. Arya was a little shy at first, but opened up quickly. She had Kristina's whole class of third graders singing "The Itsy, Bitsy Spider," and "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." She also showed them her Bunny Hop. We had a fun time. I am sure Arya will be asking to go back really soon.