Trick or Treat!

Well, she did it.  Ryan put on her costume (with a little coaxing from her neighbor friend Ameila and maybe a Skittle bribe) and actually got into the hang of it.   She and Ameila hit a whopping 6 houses before they called it a night to return back to the firepit to check out their loot.   Lucky for us Ryan was more interested in the glow sticks than the sugar so her Halloween hangover should be minimal.   Reese was a trooper her first time out seeing as 6:45 is her bedtime; a few tears, a few laughs and our cow was out cold early.

Discussing strategy with Ameila

 These husks are getting old....

 An elephant loose in the wild

An unhappy cow

 Working the firepit

 Pre-Halloween meal for energy

Practicing for the big day

After a few dry runs, Ryan has the whole 'trick or treat' thing down!   Now we're just taking bets on whether or not she's in the mood to put her costume on tomorrow.  If all else fails, we'll go with our backup costume:  an opinionated, stubborn toddler.

Another day, another head band...

We have lift off!

So Reese has been crawling for awhile now but as of the last few days, she is really crawling - across the room style...  And if that's not enough, my not-so-much-a-baby-anymore is pulling herself up in her crib, furniture, people, anything she can get her precious little hands on.

Not only am I saddened at the speed in which my baby is growing up, I'm also very saddened that I will really need to amp up the floor cleaning, and man, do I hate cleaning floors.

WWF wannabes.....

These two sure do like to wrestle.....that Reesey is going to be one, strong chick - she can hold her own.

It's always a proud, special moment for a parent when your toddler perfects a quality choke hold.  Kleenex please.  

 Gotcha Reese - you're not going anywhere! 

 Is it bad that Dad just kept snapping away despite Reese's pleas for parental interference?  Even Ryan has that look "really dad, you're not going to jump in here?  Mom would be all over this."

Bye Sugar!

So this tempting little dandy is prominently displayed on our staircase.  Of course the Skittles were purchased back in '07 (remember that when visiting), but this is besides the point.  The point is that Ryan, of course, has discovered this gem and likes to try and sneak a handful while unattended.   Suffice it to say, the last thing Ms. Ryan needs is a mouthful of sugar so she is not allowed to touch the 'candy'.  Occasionally, when all is silent in the world for a tad too long, you might find her rushing to get a fix.  Nothing says 'busted' like a handful of Skittles bouncing down the stairs for the house to hear.  The other day I found her here and all I had to do was give the infamous parent look for her to promptly say in the most angelic voice created "bye candy, bye sugar"

 Those evil people have thwarted my plan once again.....

Cereal junkie....

Ryan has been digging cereal lately and of course not the healthy kind --- she has a penchant for Golden Grahams and Captain Crunch (can't say I don't blame her).

 I can only imagine this was my daughter ordering around sweet Ella - god only knows the specific instructions she was giving.  

While we're at it.....a special thanks to Ella for coming into town for a weekend to keep Grant sane company while mom was out of town for a week.