My Shopping Buddy

Well, it's that time of year again...time to buy winter boots (blah)!  Have I ever told anyone how much I hate winter?  Anyway, I had a 30% off coupon at Kohls, so I took Sydney there after dance class.  I happened to be wearing my Uggs that day and the first boots she saw looked just like mine (but fake, aka fuggs), so of course, she wanted the same ones that I had.  I told her no way, no how, not happening because they are not winter boots to play out in the snow and she needs to have winter boots for recess at school.  So I dragged her to the proper section and of course she picked out the most fashionable boots she could find.  They had the nice Totes brand with the hard toe and warm lining...but no....they weren't "cute".  So I caved and spent $40 dollars on boots that probably won't last the winter, but hey....they're cute....and apparently that's all that matters!  So, we put them in the cart and she still was begging to buy these fuggs.  I told her if she wanted them that badly, she had to buy them herself.  And that's exactly what happened.  My lucky kids somehow managed to get money for Halloween (not from me though...candy is enough!), so she spent her Halloween money on these boots...that just sounds weird...Halloween money??  But she willingly forked over the $32 ( I only charged her $30, aren't I nice?) and we were headed on our way....to my section!  HELLO...did you really think I could go into the store and not look for myself?  I have a coupon!!!

So, we walked over to my section and Sydney started running and yelling at the top of her lungs..."JENNIFER LOPEZ".  Everyone was looking at us.  She said, "mommy, you HAVE to get these earrings"  She was so excited that she knew who Jennifer Lopez was.  She dropped them in my cart, but I wasn't going to get them.  Then there was a sale rack and I started pulling out a couple things, but Sydney kept putting things in my cart saying I had to try them on...what a little instigator!  So, we finally made it to the dressing room with way more than I anticipated and she sat there very patiently while I tried things on.  She kept telling me to take my time (she obviously didn't want to go home and go to bed) and she gave me some very honest opinions.  She would say, "eeeewwwww, but that in the NO pile", or "yes, yes, yes, you HAVE to get that."  I guess I have a little fashionista on my hands.  And in case you're wondering...I bought the earrings....they were so cute!

We finally left with way more than I expected, but hey...they gave us $20 Kohls cash.  Now I get to go back and buy more!!!  I think I'll take my shopping buddy....we had a good time!

Conferences

We have completed both of the girls' conferences!  It's always fun (or maybe not so fun) to sit down with the teachers to hear what they have to say about your kid!

Sydney's conferences went very smoothly just like they always do.  She is always a very good student.  She would never do anything to act up at school or cause her to get in trouble (it's a total different story at home).  But Mrs. McGorisk had nice things to say about her and she seems to be right on track with everything, so we are pleased.  Although she is frustrated with writing lower case letters, it is not officially taught until the end of November, so we are all good!!

This is the first time I've ever had a conference for Lizzy.  It wasn't quite the same as sitting in on one for Sydney....what a different kid she is.  She doesn't like to listen at circle time, she kind of stares off into space.  She doesn't like to share with others, she doesn't make a lot of different choices from day to day meaning that if given the opportunity, she will always do the same thing, so the teachers have to suggest that she try different things.  And both of her teachers said with an overwhelming, "YES", that Lizzy can sure defend herself.  None of this comes as a surprise at all. We just like to say that Lizzy has a strong personality.   But in my opinion, she has a fun personality and she is always saying something clever and making me laugh.  So, we have some work to do with Lizzy, but she is a very bright little girl and I'm not worried in the least bit...she's just a 3 year old acting just like a 3 year old!!  And Sydney is 5, acting like a teenager!!!

Halloween

Wow, Halloween used to be just one night.  But now, as the kids get older, it seems as if there are a million activities that actually lead up to the real Halloween.  I think I had to dress Sydney up like 4 or 5 times....crazy!!  She had a schoolwide halloween roller skating party at Bonaventure where she wore her Belle princess dress.  Then, the next day, she wore her Cinderella dress (the one she bought at Disney World because they were sold out of Belle, but obviously we eventually HAD to get her Belle too) to the Enchanted Hike at  her school.  Then, that weekend we had a party at Samantha and Addison's house (Addison is currently in Lizzy's class and Samantha was in Sydney's class last year, but they rock....so we keep in touch).  Sydney wore her Little Mermaid costume and Lizzy wore Strawberry Shortcake.  Fortunately Lizzy only had two Halloween events and she was Strawberry Shortcake for both, so we didn't have all of the costume changes!! Anyway,  It was a lot of fun to have all of the kids together.  They had a blast painting pumpkins and doing other crafts. Well, Lizzy had fun painting the pumpkins, but then she got antsy and decided to play with all of their toys...I wasn't surprised....she loves other people's toys!

And then finally....Halloween night (as if the kids needed MORE candy).  Lily came over to trick-or-treat with us and my mom passed out the candy.  The kids really don't understand the concept of "WALK" as they ran from house to house.  Fortunately, there were  no incidents this year.  Although, Sydney did make a comment which left me completely mortified.  We went to this one house and I didn't go right up to the door with the kids.  So, I was standing close to the street and yelled out to Sydney to make sure she said "thank you" becasue I didn't hear her say it.  And she yells out, "I can't, this house STINKS" (as she running away).  The people who live in this house happen to be Indian so what she was smelling was Indian food.  But, I told her that she can't say stuff like that (but couldn't really get in a huge lecture and she was running to the next house).  Her response was, "but it DID".  So, we'll have to have a bigger chat about how to keep some things inside sometimes.  Fortunately I don't know these people and it was dark outside so they won't remember us, but how embarrassing!!!  And one quick Lizzy story.  We went up to a house and Lizzy said, "trick or treat, I'm thirsty, can I have a drink?"  This was like two houses down from the one Sydney said smelled.  I was like, what the heck is wrong with my kids?  I told the nice lady that she didn't have to get her a drink, but she insisted and came back with a juice box!

Although we had a lot of fun this Halloween...I'm glad it's over!!  Next up....Thanksgiving....yum!  And on the menu....Halloween candy!  We have enough for an army including the 30 pack of full size candy bars that Jerry stopped by with for the kids!

Down on the Farm

Sydney's class went on a field trip to The Real Life Farm in Canton.  FINALLY, now that she's in kindergarten, parents don't have to chaperone.  They can if they want, but it's not mandatory that every child has a parent in attendance.  So, we signed Sydney up and figured she was good to go.  But my girly girl was a little hesitant about going to a farm.  Last year, our trip to the Bowers Farm was not successful at all, as Sydney stood there with her fingers over her nose the entire time...literally.


So, not only was she not excited to go on this trip, but she was even less excited about the fact that one of us wasn't going.  But alas, Grandpa Eliot came to the rescue.  Sydney begged and begged and finally got her way.  So, I had to call the teacher the day before the trip and make arrangements for my dad to go on the trip.  And what do you know...she LOVED the Real Life Farm.  From what I hear, it is pretty amazing.  They got to ride horses, which Sydney apparently loved (they must not have smelled).  They also had a fantastic playground and went on a hayride.  My dad even said that he had fun...despite the fact that I forgot to pack him a lunch...ooops.  The whole trip, he kept sending me text messages saying, "I'm losing strength, I need food.  Oh, but don't worry about me."  Obviously he was kidding, but yes, I did forget to pack him some food.

But all in all, Sydney had a wonderful time (and I got some pictures out of the deal...thanks Dad!).  Maybe next time she will be adventurous and attempt a field trip without one of us.  But then again, I guess I kind of like the fact that she still needs and wants to be with us.  It's only a matter of time before that changes...and from what I hear, it happens pretty quickly!