Halloween Fun Part 2

Landen's preschool Halloween party was today and I was on the little committee that put it together. Everyone knows how much I love putting parties together and this one was no different. The kids all looked adorable and I'm pretty sure everyone had a great time. The snack part was my favorite...we melon-balled peeled apples and stuck lollipop sticks in them. The kids were able to stick them in caramel and cover them in sprinkles...Voila!...bite size caramel apples. A huge hit! I'm pretty sure Landen ate about 6 of them in less than 5 minutes. :) Here's photos of Landen and his prechool class...



The kids also sang some songs for all the parents and siblings who came to join in on the fun...

Landen Pre-k Halloween Party from Melissa Alcorn on Vimeo.

Landen thought his first classroom party was lots of fun!

This evening his school also had Curriculum Night for the parents. The teachers talked about a typical day and what/how the children are learning. We also got a chance to talk to the teacher about how Landen is doing in school. We heard about how he loves to write his letters, play with his best buddy Trevor (and is slowly branching out and making friends with the other kids), he still gets very embarrassed when he makes a mistake, and likes to help the other kids with their letters as well. Go Landen! Tonight really made me feel good about our decision to send him to this school since I know he is getting a really great start to his education!

"Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song, and I'll try not to sing out of key..." The Beatles

Baby Bump Update

I am just about 22 weeks along now. Time is flying isn't it?! I'm just past the halfway point and just got some exciting news. The wonderful doctor that delivered Landen and Lana is back in town and has opened his own practice! Yippee! He had stopped practicing locally after I had Lana leaving me bouncing between 3 different doctors, all with not so great experiences, and all leaving me very sad that my former doctor was not here. Well now he's back and in January my new insurance will cover him and he is willing to take me on then even though I'll be just a couple months away from delivering. My first appointment with him is already set for just after the first of the year. I really couldn't be happier and I feel a huge sense of relief. YAY!

As far as pregnancy goes...all is well! Inside baby moves a ton with some very noticeable elbow and knee jabs. The baby also lets me know if I've rolled over too far onto my belly when I'm sleeping by giving me a proper kick in the side. Landen has been able to see and feel the baby move and tells me daily that he loves the baby so much. Heart melting. Lana asks to feel the baby and also kisses my stomach but still gets a bit confused as to where I am keeping this baby. She'll rub my leg, or tush, or ribs while saying "baby" and giving me a sweet smile. I'll take it. :) Neil and I are also almost set on names for inside baby. The only downside nowadays is the many many strangers' hands on my belly. I've never been a fan of this and hope the stink-eye I give these people helps another preggo not get the "belly rub." I guess we have to take the bad with the good, right?

Well here's recent pictures of me in all of my big belly glory!
21 and a half weeks along...


"Keep your hands off my baby..." The Beatles (haha)

Halloween Fun Part 1

This week has been full of fun Halloween activities for the kids.

On Wednesday, some of the Java Mamas and our kiddos headed over to the library for a special Halloween story time and costume parade. Landen was very happy to get to see some of his friends from the group since we've been a bit too busy to make it to play dates. Here are the Java Beans in full costume:
Landen and his best buddy from the group and preschool...

This is the only little friend Lana knows by name and asks for but when they are together they hardly interact. Like in this photo. :)



I should point out that the little pink princess in front just so happens to be Landen's very first crush. A few weeks ago Landen was playing with the airplanes she got him for his birthday and he told me this:
Landen: "Mom, it was really nice of Alex to get these airplanes for me. I think next time we go to the store we should buy her some princess stuff because I'm pretty sure all girls like princess stuff. Is that a good idea?"
How cute?!
Then Wednesday when she came in dressed as a princess Landen pulled me aside to tell me a secret in my ear which was:
Landen: "Mom, I was right she does like princess stuff!" :) :) :)

He was also very sad after that when she refused to talk to him, until we pointed out that she had no clue who he was since he was sporting his mask the whole time. Mask came off, they talked, he was thrilled. Aww first love!

After the library I took the kids to Neil's work for some "reverse trick-or-treating." We took candy to all of Neil's coworkers in costume. Very good lesson in sharing the oh so coveted sweet treats!


Stay tuned for more Halloween fun!

"If this is love you've got to give me more..." The Beatles

Ducks, Geese, and a Pretty Fall Day

It hasn't been happening often this year, but we have had a couple (seriously only a couple) really beautiful days to enjoy the outdoors. Last week was one of those days. The kids and I postponed nap time to head over to the park to feed the ducks. Right after I told them what we would be doing Landen who loves bread immediately asked "Can I eat some too?" and Lana stuck her hand out and begged to begin giving me this picture. Landen with his "please" face and Lana impatiently reaching for the bread...

One bite for the birds, one bite for Landen and repeat...




There are these beautiful red bushes all over town right now. So pretty!

Landen and Sunny...

Lana and her baby...

Bumblebee wanted to take a picture too.


I can just see Lana trying to muster up the courage to go down this slide that is new to her.


Happy on the dino!

It was a bit windy out!

Hope we get more days like this because the kids love playing outside and I love the extra long naps that come after! ;)

"There's nothing shaking but the leaves on the tree." The Beatles

Carving Pumpkins

We made time to make a mess by carving pumpkins with the kids on Saturday. Both kids dove right into them to get the insides hollowed out. Landen was neater and used a scoop, while Lana was a bit braver and went bare-handed. Neil and I helped along the way of course. :)


This is her "up to something" face...

Finished products from left to right belong to Lana, Neil, myself, and Landen. Lana's has these plastic pieces that she hammered into her pumpkin with a tiny little mallet. With the candle inside the pieces glowed, kind of like a Lite Brite. Very age appropriate. Landen used some too.

My family...

Yay for Halloween fun! Happy carving everyone! :)

"Yes you can celebrate anything you want!" The Beatles

Who's Side Are You On?

We had our big ultrasound today! All good news...healthy, active, perfect sized baby! For those wondering, we did not find out the baby's gender. Neil and I talked about wanting to leave it as a delivery room surprise, but come on...this is me we're talking about. You know...likes to be prepared, likes to baby shop, likes to plan ahead Melissa. So I was quite determined to find out the gender against Neil's wishes. Third baby, not my first time at the rodeo, I know what boy and girl parts look like on a sonogram, right?! Well guess what. Inside baby totally took Neil's side and wouldn't even let the ultrasound techie get a peek! Kept his/her baby legs crossed underneath him/her the whole time. So no one knows, not even our doctor! So let the shopping for baby yellow and minty green begin!

Here's the pictures from today's photo shoot!

Baby seemed to be very sleepy with lots of yawns and kept its hands around its face. (Ugh, I hate having to use the term "it.")



Baby face...

Baby feet with toes pointed to the right...

Absolutely adorable I think! ;)

"What you see is me. Tell me what you see." The Beatles

Looks Like Fall!

I'm sure I've mentioned how much I love fall: sweater weather, changing leaves, carving pumpkins, apple picking, slow cooked comfort foods, apple pie, Thanksgiving, (can you tell I'm pregnant), and Black Friday! I love Fall! And this weekend marked our very first fall family activity- a trip to the local pumpkin patch! We lucked out and had perfect weather too!
I swear I'm part of the family too, just usually on the other side of the camera!

Lana and her dada...notice how in most pictures she is holding her baby upside down! She's a very loving little mama. :)

My little pumpkin among the pumpkins!


Look out for the rare blue tiger running around!

My little lady was painted into a flower princess!



Rawr!!

Caterpillar rides!!


Look! There I am! Leaning over like this is much harder than it looks for a preggo!

Me and my babes!

Neil and the littles...

How tall? 3'4"!!!

How tall? How 'bout how patient? Answer- not patient enough to get her height!

Landen decorated his pumpkin!

The artist at work...

It was a really fun day topped off with a trip to the chocolate factory and pumpkin spice lattes! A great way to kick off fall I think!

"I'm sure to fall in love with you..." The Beatles