Decorating

The Pumpkins are being carved and decorated. Ava has her scissors and glue stick working hard.

Later today I'll post the pumpkin patch pictures from Ava's first school field trip yesterday.

When Scissors Attack

Edward ScissorsHands has nothing on us... Apparently all that cutting wore out Olivia... Did you see the missing hair by her ear? Yip, that where all of her beautiful long hair was. And no, sticky tape will not fix this.

Ahh, to give yourself a horrible haircut and then just sleep it off. Must be nice.

Today's new look before school. We are calling it alternative-punk. Sounds good enough. Notice the bangs have been chopped to about a half inch on the top of her head but she did manage to leave a little in the front.

This picture does not do it justice to how bad the cut really is. I pulled the hair from around the back over to this side to give the allure of hair.

How it should look.

This is the new length for now. I cut all the back off last night to here so that it wasn't as noticeable. But really? Who are we fooling here?? If you look on the left you can see some new layers she added to the back as well.

And Ava a.k.a. the one who didn't cut her hair.

Haircut

While creating the last blog post Dave gave Olivia scissors and what do you know??? She didn't cut the paper- she cut her hair. Duh. It doesn't take a genius to know that you don't give a kid scissors and walk away. Now her hair looks bad. REAL BAD.

I guess after school tomorrow she will be getting a new hair cut. I'd post pictures of how it looks now but I'm way too furious.

Awesome

Yesterday we went to Six Flags for their Halloween Madness. The girls were dressed in their Halloween outfits and their energy level was through the roof.

We had to see the whale show. Then we had to see the bird show. Then we had to ride the biggest of the roller coasters that they could go on- The Cobra- where Olivia chose to ride with another girl who was 7 years old instead of her family. Then we just had to see the dolphin show, the butterflies, and pet the sting rays. Yes, these girls know exactly what they want to see and do and they don't waste any time dawdling around. They are missionaries.

Now, let me first back up a bit. It was a warm day, sunny but not hot. I blatantly stated before exiting the truck that we would not be going on any water rides because it would be too cold to walk around soaking wet. Like I need to proceed any farther...

We walked to the whale show after about an hour of being at the park. We sat in the highest of the splash zone areas because those seats typically never get wet. Typically doesn't mean always. So the whale comes out first thing and WOOSH went it's tail and SPLASH went the water all over us. The girls were happy. They got what they wanted but for the next half an hour we were wet. Dave looked as if he peed his pants, my flip flops were gooshy, and the kids- Christ, they don't give a rats-ass they were wet. So we immediately hit the butterfly exhibit to dry off in their humid hot room and away we went. Dry again.

From there we made our way on a few more rides, ate lunch, and went to play in the kids area where all the kids were trick or treating. The girls had a great time, Liv met another girl who wanted to ride some rides with her, and Ava played with Dave in the sand.

So by 7PM when we were ready to leave we made our last stop at the restroom. Ava had already used it a few minutes before so she and Dave waited outside. While Liv and I were in the potty something unique happened. When we came out Ava was holding a GIANT Superman ball. Apparently where Dave was waiting there was a man who had won 3 of these balls. Ava had complimented him on his cool balls and Dave had asked what game he had played to win them. The man said it was a basketball game and then handed the ball to Ava telling her she could keep it. She thanked him and was beaming when we walked up.

So for an entire day we spent a whole $2, had tons of fun, and came home with a huge Superman ball. I think that our season passes totally paid off.

Train Museum

Last weekend we went to the train museum with our friends. This wasn't just any ordinary train museum though. This train took us straight to the pumpkin patch. It takes us where???

The girls with Nick on the way to the patch. They are beaming with excitement.

The stop.

Here we go...

A tractor for hay rides and a bunch of scarecrows started off the adventure.

And the best of all things- a giant two story hay maze that the kids can climb on, over, and into where there's ladders and slides.

Can you say GIANT? Or perhaps, "Dave, I think we are never leaving here."

The gang at the top finally held still for one picture.

When these nice people vacated the tractor we all hopped on and headed for a ride through the spooky forest.

The girls, Nick, Rachael, and Eric.

Ava got her spider painted on her face.

Liv went for the butterfly.

Dave's most favorite part of the whole day- launching pumpkins with his girls.

What a fun day. When you have had enough you hop right back on the train and it takes you back to the station.

All Grown Up

Yesterday Olivia had her very first after school play date. She was invited to go her friend Grace's house for swimming and play. She was so excited to get picked up from school and to be driven to their house. She also drilled us earlier in the morning about the fact that Ava and I were not going to be there. What a big girl. She wasn't scared, she didn't ask for me, nothing. Not.a.thing.

When I picked her up a few hours later I was told that Olivia played with Grace and her two sisters very well. She used her manners, was very polite, and loved playing dress up. That made me feel really good that she had a great time and she was respectful of someone else's home when I wasn't there to watch her.

So enough about her- I was a nervous wreck. I worried all week about her being alone at someone else's house and what if something happened. My mind goes right into child molester mode and protecting my kids from any and all harm. So I did ask Olivia where she changed into her swimsuit, did anything happen that we've talked about that she needs to tell me about, did anyone ask her to keep any secrets... you get the gist. She said, "No Mommy, I know no one is supposed to touch me or ask me to touch them, and I know if someone does that I yell, bite, scratch, and scream for help."

Wow, she is listening. I'm so proud of her.

I feel better now getting that first time away at someone other than family's house out of the way. It was a great experience for her and it gave Ava and I a few good hours of hanging out together. We went to McD's to play for awhile. She met two boys and played for an hour with them. Then we did a little shopping, ate lunch, played in our backyard, and then it was time to pick up Liv. It was a really wonderful day all around.

And since we just don't have enough going on I did a quick height/weight check.
Olivia is now 45 inches tall, 43.5 pounds, has a BMI of 15.1 or 49%.
Ava is now 41.5 inches tall, 42.0 pounds, has a BMI of 17.1 or 88%

Planet Savers

You would have thought Dave had taken the girls to a theme park or somewhere extravagant but it was simply the recycling center. They go every Saturday. They drop off all the bottle and cans that have been collected throughout the week and everyone comes home with cash for their piggy banks.

Ava can barely reach the slot to put the can in but she does get it in.
The proud collector.
Olivia is enjoying herself as well.

The recycle man helped the girls out and posed with them for a picture.
The ticket that turns into cash and the proud little workers who earned it.

Thanks Dave for being such a great dad and teaching the girls the importance of keeping the world clean, respecting our environment, and taking the time to show them how to achieve this by recycling. They love you for it and so do I.