Yay for toddler parades

Yesterday Jane's school had a little "Pretend Party" in honor of Halloween, which included a parade. When I say parade, I really mean groups of toddlers standing on the stage for one minute and dozens of parents snapping photos. It was hilarious. Here is Jane during her minute of fame, dressed as a ballerina.

Yay! Good standing everyone!

And here is a wobbly video I took. I was ducked behind the end of a pew so Jane wouldn't see me and start crying, hence I am very far away from the subject matter. I suspect only the grandparents will watch this riveting footage. If you'd like to skip it, here is a summary: Enter toddlers (like herding cats); Cue photographers; Applause (Jane claps for herself); and scene.

Please notice the baby Princess Leah, back left.

Terrible photo, but can you tell all the kids are holding
hands as they walk back to their classroom? Precious!

Side note: Jane just woke up from her nap, and I can see her on the monitor bouncing her stuffed bunny along the railing of her crib and saying, "Hop hop hop." Video monitors are the best!

Happy Fall from Tennessee

Maw Jane and Paw Richard wish you "Happy Fall" from the Ellington Agricultural Center! 

Seriously, though, the Ag Center has been such a fun resource right here in our new neighborhood. Last weekend they had a "Music and Molasses" festival that was really cute. Lots of local farmers and craftsmen turned out to share their talents. Jane got to see molasses being brewed and even taste some.

No thanks.

 There were lovely figurines to purchase.

I shouldn't make fun... my child has a mullet.

This awesome yellow line was a big hit.

The best part, however, was the stable full of Metro Police horses, whom you can visit any day of the week! They are so cool, and they even have their names above their doors, which I think is cute.

Oh, and there is a pretty cool old tractor, too.

What's the goodbye version of "Howdy"? If I could think of it, that's what I would write here: "________!"

Daddy made a big door

Well, we owned this house for ten weeks before tearing down a wall. It was so fun and exciting that we had to stop ourselves from attacking another one! So here it is, the first step in reviving this old sixties ranch.

BEFORE

Here is the original den, complete with some of the old stuff
that was in the house when we bought it.

And here is the original breakfast area between the
kitchen and den.

AFTER

Happy to see the wall go,
but kinda sad to lose the pocket door.

More room to run!

Next step... painting the panelling and, yes, the pink kitchen... and possibly opening up another wall somewhere. So now that we have caught the project bug again, we revisited another old pastime: going to Home Depot on a Saturday night. As if that wasn't bad enough, this is how our poor child was dressed:

Yes, she is wearing a diaper, a sweatshirt and sneakers.