Halloween - more than just a day!

Halloween before kids is a blast!  Ryan and I have taken part in our fair share of the debauchery that is adult Halloween fun.  Memories of over-flowing red solo cups, karaoke and endless dancing make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.  Sigh... one day we'll get back to that, but I know it'll be a while and you know what?  I'm ok with that.

Halloween with Keira is all of a sudden filled with innocent excitement & a little bit of magic!  We certainly milked it for all it was worth.  The holiday wasn't just one day, we celebrated all week long!

We kicked the week off with a couple craft projects.  They were 50% off at Michael's over the weekend.  I think I spent less than $5! I love a good bargain, especially when it fosters some creativity in Keira. 

She spent some time coloring her friendly witch's mask...

And then we put this pumpkin together...

I was surprised that she wanted to bring it to bed with her.

"Awww... I love pumpkin." she said as she cradled him in her arms.

On Wednesday, the costume wearing began!  At school she's a rarity.  She goes 5 days a week, so technically she's a part of two classes - the MWF class & the T/TH class.  With that said, she gets to celebrate everything twice!  

School festivities included a parade of costumes & a special treat.  I put her in the pirate costume my grandma sent from Hawaii.  She loves pirates so it not only turned out to be the perfect fit in size, but in personality as well.  

Unfortunately, she woke up very upset so her attitude Wednesday morning was less than ideal and it shows in the picture. Grumpy pirate!  Luckily, by the time I dropped her off, she snapped out of it and had a great day.

The next day we sent her in her Elsa pajamas.  Hey, it looks like a costume!  I added some pearls, so as not to appear like a lazy parent who didn't change her daughter out of her jammies!  I even tried to give her a side braid just like in the movies..

Finally, Friday arrived and the actual day was here!  It's Halloween! This time around her attitude was one of excitement. She even posed for the camera.  She certainly rivals Keira Knightley's beauty in Pirates of the Caribbean, don't you think? Guess she's living up to her name!

I was really impressed by the detail on this costume!  The laced neck line & bell sleeves, the loop to hold her sword, the bustled skirt and triangle hat... I wanted one for myself!  

Keira loved her sword!

Argh!

We invited a few friends over to go trick-or-treating with us.  We had an adorable Lion...

a handsome little Tin Man...

a beautiful Bee & her Bee Keeper!

Together they made the cutest little group of trick-o-treaters in the neighborhood!

Some year's Halloween feels more like summer, but this year, it felt like winter!  It was cold and sleety, and unfortunately the sun set a lot sooner than usual.  Still, we were determined to head out with the kiddos.  

Earlier in the day we reversed trick-or-treated with Keira at the TV-station.  She gave a piece of candy to everyone she saw.  All of sudden she was on the receiving end, so we had to coach her and the other kids a little on how it's done, but it didn't take much. 

Memories of last year came back to her & the others caught on quickly.  This year, she was actually able to say "trick-or-treat" in the cutest little voice.   

Nothing brings you more joy on Halloween than to watch your children's faces light up when they're given a handful of candy to add to their bucket. They were cray-cray adorbs!

After just a couple of houses, the darkness came making the sleet and wind a little less bearable.  Don't feel sorry for them though, they got more than enough candy!  We headed back to the house.

Last year, Keira could have cared less about the candy she collected.  It was more about the collecting than the eating.  This year, however, she cared and remembered!  

Immediately after she finished her dinner, she picked a lollipop out of her pumpkin bucket to eat.  My parents enforced the one-piece-of-candy rule when I was a kid.  I tried it and failed... she may have gotten two or three!  

We paid for it later.  Keira didn't fall asleep until after 10:30PM.  It was a long Halloween week indeed, but boy was it fun!!! We can't wait until next year!

Sky Top Orchard

October's been flying by so quickly that I began to think we'd miss out on getting to Sky Top Orchard this year.  Well, we made it... too late to pick our own apples, though.  All of the trees have been picked clean, but there was still a lot for us to enjoy at this beautiful orchard in Flat Rock.

Look at how much Keira's grown in just a year!  She's shot up 6 or 7 inches.  She still loves pink!

 

I was looking forward to letting Keira play in Sky Top's large playground of slides, swings & club houses.  Last year, Keira was too little to play along side the big kids but this year I was sure she'd enjoy it more.

And she did for a little while, but her nose had been running and being outside didn't help!  Baby girl just wanted to be held, so we switched gears and headed to the tractor ride.  

It's 2 dollars per person, including the little ones.  It takes you through most of the farm.  The property is large so if you don't have the time to walk it or have a kid a little under the weather, this is the way to go!

 

Part of the reason I love Sky Top Orchard is the panoramic mountain view!  It's called Sky Top for a reason after all.  You can see for miles and the color this time of year is just beautiful.

Wouldn't you love to live in this house with that porch?  All you need to do is open a popular orchard.  Eh, simple enough.

 

Chickens, sheep, goats & peacocks call this barnyard home. We had no idea about this part of the orchard.  Maybe next year we can explore this area little more.  Keira did love seeing the animals from a distance.

  

 

After our tour, we headed to the main building to get what we really came for - apples & donuts!

 

 

The line for the apple donuts was not as long as I had anticipated.  Last year we waited for almost an hour.  This time we only waited for fifteen  minutes!  So here's the deal... if you want to pick your own apples come earlier in the season - late September, early October.  If you're in it for the donuts and don't mind buying a bag of pre-picked apples come towards the end of October!  They actually remain open until December 1st, so if you haven't made it you have some time to make the trip.

It was about this time that Keira really started getting sleepy.  Her poor nose was so red! 

 

She couldn't help but take a little catnap on daddy's shoulder as we waited.  I quietly snapped a family photo.

 We got up to the front and there they were - hot and fresh, the best donuts ever, a once a year treat!

 

Not only are these donuts delicious hot and fresh, they are also good the next day, so we got two dozen!  One dozen was not nearly enough last year.  Each dozen is $9.  It's a little steep, but hey, I totally get it.

 

We also got a small bag of Fuji apples for $6. I'll be making a pie soon!

 

Oh, by the way, they only take cash or check.  We didn't come prepared so we had to pay an extra fee to get some cash out of their ATM. Note to self.

 

Under the circumstances we decided to head home, but as soon as we were on our way we opened the first box of donuts. 

 

 I don't think we even made it out of the parking lot!

Even Keira perked up enough to get a bite! 

Yum!

Keira starts Preschool!

It seemed like this day would never come, and then it came all too quickly!  Ryan and I started looking for a good preschool when she was a little over a year old, so we had been anticipating and preparing Keira (and ourselves) for this day for quite some time.  We finally settled on Around the Son, which is a part of Skyland Methodist Church in South Asheville.  Not only is it a Christian school, but we had more than a few friends give it raving reviews, it's close to our home AND they provide early drop off.  We both work, so this was a huge need for us and an answer to prayer.  As soon as we found out they added 8AM early drop off, it was a done deal and because of Ryan's ever changing schedule we made her full time, five days a week, 9AM to 1PM, and 8AM when need be.  Based on how well it's gone so far, we are very happy with our decision! 

School started the day after Labor Day, Tuesday September 2nd.  We decided to spend Labor Day weekend in Myrtle Beach visiting Ryan's sisters for one last hurrah! It was the perfect weekend to end the summer... to mourn, err, celebrate the end Keira's baby years and the start of her school years. 

As soon as we got back, we started preparing for her big day!  I wanted her lunch to be special and fun, mostly so that she would actually eat.   I found this elephant sandwich cut out at Walmart.  I also have a puzzle cut out and when given the choice, Keira chose the elephant. I put cream cheese on both tortillas and put a piece of ham and cheese in between to complete.  It's one of her favorites.

She also got some veggie straws, a bell pepper and some cut up grapes.  Keeping this up 5 days a week is going to take some creativity!

 

All the weekend fun tired this girl out.  On the plus side, it resulted in a great night's sleep and she was happy and ready to go bright and early.  Ryan prepared her a hearty meal of eggs and cheese.  Breakfast of champions!

After breakfast, it was time to get dressed.  I picked out this adorable polka-dotted Hello Kitty dress that her Anma bought her over the summer. I love it because it has a cute vintage vibe... a nod to the forties.

She was excited to say the least! After getting dressed, she settled down enough... a lot actually, to get her hair done. How could I not put her in pigtails?

Perfection!  It should be noted, she can FINALLY get down off our bed without assistance.

 

An outfit is not an outfit without the perfect shoes!  Army green Chucks... yes, please.  It's her first pair of lace up shoes and while she can be girly, she's definitely a tomboy, making the shoes and the dress a perfect match.

 

She gets a little help from Daddy with the laces! She's not quite ready for the bunny ears around the hole and what-not.

 

She takes a moment to check herself out!  She thinks she's hot stuff.

 

We almost didn't get the photo below!  I totally forgot to make a '1st Day of Preschool' sign.  Luckily, we still had plenty of time to spare, so I ran inside and rummaged through her art supplies and stumbled on a piece of black foam paper.  I grabbed a white chalk pen I use for our weekly menus and tada... instant sign.  I'm glad we got the photo.  The tradition has begun!

Off to school we went!  Five minutes later, we pulled into the parking lot, a little before 9AM as all the other families were pulling in.

They had donuts and coffee prepared for all the parents, but we were too busy doting on Keira to partake.  Next year though, totally grabbing a doughnut to go!  

Keira loves her "pack-pack".  Although she really doesn't need one, she insists on having it, so we put her lunch and jacket in it.

 

Yes, we each had to get our own picture with her!

It was time to say goodbye.  Weeks before this moment, just talking about it brought tears to my eyes, so I was incredibly surprised that I didn't feel like crying at all!  It helped that we had brought Keira to meet her teacher and see her classroom the Friday before.  She was so happy, that I was happy.  

As soon as she gets to her classroom, she grabs a the frog with her picture on it and puts it on the lily pad.  It's to help her realize that school has begun. Keira seems to like her teacher.  Ms. Amy is great!

She's all about it and goes straight to playing.  We barely get hugs goodbye!  Duh, mommy & daddy... my frog is on the lily pad.  School has started.  Our bad. 

 

 

I rushed to work and counted the hours until pick-up.  Ryan could have gotten her by himself, but I wanted to be there too.  We met in the school yard and practically ran to her classroom.  I peaked in.  And there she was, my baby not being a baby anymore!  Eating her lunch at the little table like a big girl, talking up a storm with her new friends.  I could have watched her forever had I not wanted to hug her so badly.

When we got to the door way and let Keira know it was time to go home, she barely moved and continued to eat!  When I walked up and knelt down next to her she said, "I don't want to go home, mommy."

Gah, heartbreak!  Ouch?  No, this is a good thing.  I'm so proud that she has a healthy sense of independence about her.  For most of her life she's been very clingy, crying if I left a room.  Less, than a year ago, we couldn't leave her in the nursery at church without her wailing for us.  She wouldn't go to family if Ryan or I were around.  I was worried that preschool would be the same.  In fact, it was the total opposite.  She is a complete social butterfly now.  I know exactly what contributed to her opening up, but that's worthy of a post all its own.  More to come on her transformation and its cause later! 

I told her not to worry, she would be back the next day and the day after that and the day after that!  Without knowing it, I told a half truth, though.  She made it back the next day, but then got sick with a cold.  Seriously... we had to call her in sick after just two days!  Oh well, such is life and our new reality.  We are praying her immunity builds up quickly.

Here is her very first daily report!  I love seeing what her favorite activity of the day is.  On this first day it was coloring.  Since then we've seen dancing in the hallway, playing with acorns and pretending to cook in the kitchen. Her disposition is always 'smiley face'.  Yeah, that's my baby, I mean... big girl!