Bball Ben

If this little baller had his way, he would never wear anything besides this shirt. 
Even though it's getting too small and too seasonally inappropriate. 
He's lucky we're having record high temps this halloween week!

She's stuffing blocks down the back of his shirt.

Kids come up with the best ways to entertain themselves....

 Or to try and distract their parents.

But I think she could've gotten away with pretty much doing anything to Brian that she wanted to, since he was watching sports on TV, which means he's basically a goner.

The family that costumes together....

Brian is such a good sport. I didn't even tell him our Saturday morning plans til late Friday night. The Halloween Hustle at Sugarhouse Park! I did some advertising for them so I got my entry comp'd. Early this morning I woke Brian up with, "hurry, put on this pumpkin suit." And he didn't grumble at all! Just went along with it. Love him. Love my costumed babies. Love running races. Don't love that I've been eating way too many treats, and Halloween hasn't even happened yet! Ugh. Better keep up the running!

Rarrrr

That angry grimace is actually very real.
She doesn't like this costume.
Why?
She's a four yr old girl.... all she wants to dress as is a fairy.
Or a princess.
Or a ballerina.
Ideally a fairy princess ballerina.
But when we gotta dress super warm, those don't cut it.
It's not hard to get her to cooperate though...."Hey Brianna, wanna go to a Halloween party? Then wear this."
And she quickly complies.



This plush fuzzy costume = $4 yard sale find a few months ago!

Trying to fatten her up

Poor little Courtney has gone through a growth spurt- only going UP, not out. I can see her ribs and tailbone protruding, she's so lean. No bum at all. Wish I could transfer some of mine to her!
Spoonfuls of peanut butter mixed with granola and dried fruit should help, right? Any other toddler-fattening ideas out there?  Never had to deal with this before!
Of course she's still super healthy - rarely gets sick, lots of energy, good temperament, sleeps well.... So maybe I'm making a problem out of something that's not a problem?

Butterfly faces

Sister Twins

My girls:  pink shirts, pink pants, pony tails, paying attention.

Bennett:  Running around the toy store like a little wild man, only willing to join in during the marching and activity songs. 

Early morning letter practice

Bennett is usually the first one up every day (besides Brian, who has started running a few miles at 5am!). Our girls sleep in a little better (though Brianna rarely stays in her own bed to do it). So Bennett and I have our QT waiting for the sleepyheads to emerge. He loveslovesloves to be quizzed on letters, so we use our Scrabble Jr and Bananagram tiles to practice. Consequently, while Courtney is a little better at talking, Bennett is the alphabet champ.

Indoor Chinese Fire Drill

Courtney is NOT supposed to be sitting back there with Brianna.  I want her sitting in the captain's seats next to Bennett, in her rear-facing carseat.  Of course she and Bennett are over 2 and they could be forward-facing now... but why not keep them safer?  As long as I can recline their seat far enough back so they have leg room, we're keeping them rear-facing and more protected from the possible consequences of my stereotypical Utah driving skills. 

So how has Courtney escaped her spot?  Well we keep an extra seat there since we often have company - Brianna's playdates, Cousin Lily sometimes, and just last week, my friend Erin and her little boy. It's a pain to take it in and out, so we leave it there.    But Courtney and Brianna have become increasingly buddy-buddy.  It's sweet - they really enjoy being together  (most of the time. It's a best-of-friends, worst-of-enemies thing). Sneaky little Brianna will take any opportunity to get out of her seat, unbuckle Courtney, get her into the back seat, and buckle her in.  Not even joking.  All while I'm driving and not paying attention very well.  It's happened twice now.  I tried to reprimand Brianna, and she pretended to fall asleep. Cuz I'm the boss like that. 

Night of the Running Dead 5K

Just heading out for an average night on the town. Where I hunt down humans to devour their flesh.

 

Pretty to me!

The camera on my phone is terrible. And the frame options are terrible. And my photography skills are terrible.   So why would I post this attempt to improve a shoddy camera pic?  Cuz in real life, Brianna looked absolutely beautiful in her little summery dress and big pink headband bow.  Sometimes she's absolutely strikingly gorgeous to me.  It was one of those moments. And now I won't forget, no matter what the pic quality is!

Carrie concert no-go

Here's a pic from the Carrie Underwood concert.... that I didn't go to....

H So I was really bummed a couple days ago when our car died and we missed preschool, had to get a tow, and spend a bunch on a new battery. But while at Burt Brothers, I entered their drawing for Carrie Underwood concert tickets.... and I just got a phone call.... I WON!! AHHHH! So cool! But Brian's outta town...and there's those three small people calling me mom... so I chose to give this to some deserving friends - Brianna's sweet Little Ninja Preschool teachers, Kaylene and Jen. They had an awesome night out! So happy for them! And this whole episode will only further my addiction to entering all contests everywhere.

Hill rolling