HALLOWEEN

Charis got to have two costumes this year! One for school and one for trick or treating. Just like Kris who also has at least three costumes.
A month ago, I asked her what she would like to go as for Halloween - thinking that she would not know and that I could guide her to something easy to make. But to my surprise Charis answered almost immediately... cookie monster!
I did not want to buy a cookie monster costume but lucky one of Kris' friends had a homemade cookie monster suit from last year for his 3 year old son. It was perfect! But because it was someone's homemade costume, Kris and I did not feel comfortable with Charis wearing it to school - sand playground and cupcakes for the party would not clean off easily.
So she went as Lilo (from Lilo and Stitch - one of her favorites). She was so cute! And she loved wearing it and dancing around.
Then for trick or treating, she of course went as Cookie monster and Kris went as Big Bird. Skot and I helped guide Kris because it was hard to see and laughed at the great reactions that Charis and Kris got from their costumes. One of the houses several blocks away remembered them from last year as Curious George and the man in the yellow hat. We were all shocked that they remembered them.
We went to a lot of houses and had a great time. When we got home, Charis got one piece of candy and we found some Halloween pretzels (what a great idea). Then she gave most of her candy to trick or treaters and Kris' friends. But kept just enough to have one piece for a couple of days.

Carving pumpkins

Kris, Charis and I decided we should carve the big pumpkin on Halloween eve.
Pulling out the guts...
Getting our hands dirty...
Charis carved the inside of the top while she was waiting to help more.
Kris did all of the real carving, Charis and I were just his assistants but without us he would not have gotten to enjoy the baked pumpkins seeds the next day.
The finished product... KONG.
For those of you that don't know both Charis and Kris love King Kong.

Decorating for Halloween

Charis and I did a lot of decorating stuff this Halloween. First we painted the small pumpkins that we got at the pumpkin patch.
She was so excited about it. And we had a lot of fun!
Then we volunteered to bring Halloween bags for school - the kids got to have a party and needed something to bring home treats in. So I thought it would be fun if Charis helped me decorate them instead of buying already decorated ones. Charis and I went to the store to find one more stamp, (I had the leaves, pumpkin and letters) she of course picked a skeleton. She is so her daddy's little girl.
We tried using paint and stamps first but that did not turn out good, so we switched to just stamps.I think they turned out pretty good and we had some fun. Charis loves helping!

School drama or just parent ranting

Charis is way too young to be having real school drama but we are experiencing a little. For example, I found this great jean jacket at a thrift store and the first time she wore it to school, the teachers gave it to another kid and they took it home. And we have never seen it again. I know it is just a jacket but what parent keeps a jacket that does not belong to their kid.
Second, at school everyday after nap, Charis' teachers brush all the kid's hair and put them up into silly braids, side ponytails (like I did in the early 80's) and the worst of it is that they use the same comb for each kid. YUCK!
The last one, and then I will stop my somewhat ridiculous rant, was the day of school pictures. Kris got Charis ready for school and decided to keep her hair down so that she could not mess it up. Pictures were early in the morning so we thought we would have no trouble. However when we got the proofs, her hair had been put up into another silly looking ponytail. I don't know why I care but I do!

Town Lake with Mommy

We need a new routine on Saturdays now that Charis is in school. We both just want to watch movies and play at home. But I want Saturdays to be her fun day with me. So, this Saturday we got up and ate breakfast and then went down to Town Lake. We packed our lunches and ate on a bench. We played on the swings. Charis rode her bike on the walking path. Kris took the pedals off so that she could start learning her balance and steering. It was fun but took some struggling for Charis to learn. She loves it!

We also walked and then watched the boats. It was a great day and so much better than watching movies.

Fat Tire Festival

Kris and Charis went to the Fat Tire Festival.
All I know about it is that there are a lot of bikes and tricks on bikes and a big group that does a slow ride around town.









Maybe Kris will add some more information. Apparently, Charis was a little crabby, but then she made friends with a little girl that she met, and was her happy self for the rest of the time. It looks like they had fun!

Fun pictures

These are just some random small events that I thought we got some fun pictures of but not much to blog about.
Fun shaped pancakes for Charis on a relaxing Sunday morning.
Charis playing in a hammock at Whole Earth.
Family photo from Brad's (Worm's) wedding.

Loving school

These are some great pictures that I had to share of Charis singing and dancing because she was excited about getting ready for school. Some of the songs she made up and some that she learned at school. I wish they were videos but the pictures are still good.
Then she came home with a treat bag because someone in her class had a birthday. And I let her have her first sucker. Her firsts of something are rare these days so I love capturing them. She is growing up so fast.

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!

SEPTEMBER 29, 2008
Charis' first day of school. I think both Kris and I excepted something big to happen but it was pretty simple. We packed Charis' lunch bag and laid out her clothes the night before. We all got up around 7:00. We ate breakfast together, got dressed and then went to school.
Charis finishing her vitamin.
Daddy and Charis leaving our house.
Charis walking up to the school on her own and stopping to play a little.
She was so excited and had been asking to go to school for several weeks. One of the other teachers in the school lead us to Charis' classroom.
She looked around the room for a little bit and put her lunch bag away then promptly asked "where are the kids?". They were outside playing and as soon as she learned this she had to go.
She had no reservations about going to school or us leaving her. Just a kiss, hug and see you later. She is my brave, strong, independent girl.
The school is Town and Country Montessori - it is a PreK through 1st grade school.When it was time to pick her up, both Kris and I went. Charis loved it! She wanted to show us everything she had learned and played with. She did not want to leave.
It was a great first day of school for everyone!