Halloween Preview!

I know we have a good two weeks before all the little trick or treaters will emerge from their houses in search of candy galore! However, Halloween at our house starts when we purchase our costumes. The girls love to play in their costumes and by the time Halloween arrives Ella's shimmery outfit will be shredded in parts and Lucy's outfit will have peanut butter and jelly stains! So needless to say the fun started this weekend at the Hardister House when the girls picked out their costumes.

Ella picked out her costume all by herself. She first found this wonderful "muskateer" mask and it was a must have! She wore it all around the store in search for something to pair it with! Her dress even lights up which she is extremely excited about. What is she you may ask? Well friends according to Ella she is "A Fairy Muskateer." We love it and of course this is SO ELLA!

Lucy knew that she wanted to be Jessie from Toy Story before we even arrived to the store. At first we thought they were sold out and couldn't seem to find Jessie. Lucy was in tears and very sad. Then I found one! Yeah!!! She is so PRECIOUS in her Jessie outfit!
These two girls love to dress up and can't wait for Trick or Treating!

An Outing with Auntie Amy and Wonderful Grandmothers

A few weekends ago I had the pleasure of entertaining 2 of our cousins, Charlie and Wylie. We had a sleepover, which surprisingly went very well with 4 children!! Charlie bunked with Ella and Lucy and Wylie camped out in Lu's room! We also went to Edventure here in Columbia with Ra Ra and Gran Sandy. Thank you Ra Ra and Gran Sandy for being with us! Edventure was amazing as always! Let me invite you to come along on our visit to Edventure...you know there is always a little drama when you have all this crew together!!

This was our first stop as we entered the museum! Meet Eddie! Eddie is actually a "jungle gym" and the kids can climb and explore in his body. Small tunnels or better known as "the colon" lead to his belly where you will find what he ate for breakfast (pancakes and eggs) Eddie is enormous and you can go ALL THE WAY UP! Now first let me tell you that Auntie Amy is EXTREMELY claustrophic. I cringe when I have to ride the elevators at the hospital which I do daily. I ran off a subway with Jay while we were in route to our Honeymoon because that is how very much I freak out in small confined spaces (at least Jay knew this fear before he married me or he might have been a little shocked by my rapid escape from the subway)!! So, even though I love all these precious little children I could not bear to go explore in Eddie! But no worries Gran Sandy and Ra Ra were there to save the day and take the kids exploring in Eddie and down all the slides. Ella Grace and Gran Sandy actually climbed to the very top. Go Gran Sandy!! Charlie's first stop was Eddie's colon. HAHA!!

After what seemed like an hour we finally got most of the gang rounded up to continue our museum exploration. First came down Wylie! Then Lucy and Ra Ra (mom this picture is pricelss) Where is Charlie???? Got em... Finally after getting everyone out of Eddie we are ready to go. Gran Sandy and Ella are still on their hike to the top of Eddie! You go girls!!!

Next stop... The PIG!!

Oh yes! A Child Size Piggly Wiggly Grocery Store ready for lots of little shoppers! I got so tickled and what the "gang" shopped for. Please take a look! Wylie was just happy as you can tell. Very much in her element!And Lucy as well! Charlie must know his mama likes to buy "cheese" at their house. Please note the sausage biscuits as well! Hiliarious. I laughed so hard. And of course Ella Grace was preparing for her party as usual. I think she may be the next Paula Deen! My sweet Ella! Always up for a party and a making new recipes!

Now this post could get extremely long being since we saw many things on our day at Edventure. We explored in a fire truck and Charlie got to slide down a fire pole! We danced and played musical instruments! We milked a cow, played on a John Deere Tractor, and played restaurant. However, I would like to highlight just a few more things that made me laugh hysterically! First..... "Yo GABBA GABBA."

Yes friends this is Charlie on TV who just discovered he was on TV. I was outside waiting to capture the moment he discovered he was on TV. And No this was really not a YO GABBA GABBA exhibit, but it is all I could think of seeing him dance around on the TV. Of course I couldn't stop laughing at this being since YO GABBA GABBA was our household friend for quite some time!!!!

Next ...

I captured Ella Grace and Wylie giving a new hairstyle to a member of the African tribe exhibit! Hiliarious. I just about wet my pants! Ella Grace is seriously talking to the manequin about her hair just as if you were getting a hair consultaion!!! Goodness Children! Let's learn about history here not hair do's and make-up!

And last but not least, another memorable moment was...

when Captain Charlie's boat went waaaay of course. A brief moment of a pleasant attitude which was lost at sea!! (a minor meltdown)

And finally you know it is time for your outing to end when your 5 year old daughter is giving you the "hand."

Thank You Ra Ra and Gran Sandy for being with us and helping me with the "gang." I couldn't have done it without you! I had such a fun day with all my favorite friends!

What are you going to be for Halloween?

I couldn't resist posting this when I came across the picture! To all the children big and small Lucy Anne wishes you great luck in your search for that perfect Halloween Outfit!

Have Fun Girls! I can't wait to reveal very soon what Lucy and Ella have chosen to be for Halloween this year! They are too funny!

Ella's First Field Trip on the Big Yellow Bus!

Ella Grace went on her very first Field Trip to the Zoo this past week! I was able to meet her there and we had the best time! The excitement from the

Kindergarten Class was tremendous! I have never seen so many children so excited to ride the big yellow bus and even more excited to run into the zoo looking at all the different animals! A great time was had by all! So glad I got to share this special day with Ella Grace! Ella Grace is always up for an adventure and being there seeing her excitement was so much fun for me!

Goodnight!

We have a king szie bed, but yet somehow still get kicked out of our bed by a one handed ghost
that looks a lot like my sweet Ella Grace.

And her sidekick, her partner in crime, Lucy Anne

along with the entourage of blankets, stuffed animals, and pillows. Sweet Dreams our little loves in our bed. We are going to sleep in Ella's bed!

Love Mommy and Daddy

Lucy's Turn!

This week Lucy Anne had her very first Dentist appointment! She has watched Ella have her teeth cleaned twice, and last time she seriously cried because she wanted "her turn." She was very excited and she did great! We practiced on how to open up really big for the teeth cleaning!
Lucy picked out Strawberry Toothpaste!

After it was over she got lots of stickers

and a treat bag!

I was so proud of my little Lucy for being so brave and I love her precious smile!

The Kindergarten Bob!

I took Ella Grace today to get a new hair "do" We love our new bob style! The girl is over bows

and say that ponytails hurt her head during rest time at Kindergarten. A simple solution..the bob! When our hairdresser made the first cut I questioned for a moment what we had just done.

However, we are all very happy with the finished hair-do. Most importantly Ella bella LOVES

her new hairstyle, or maybe she is just excited she can wear her hair down everyday!!!