Halloween 2011

We returned home from our marathon weekend in DC just in time to carve a pumpkin and get dressed for trick-or-treating.  I'm not so sure Savannah is a fan of the trick-or-treating part of Halloween but she did love getting dressed up in her Cinderella dress.  She has no idea who Cinderella is since she hasn't seen the movie yet but I wanted to take advantage of the fact that her hair is still kinda blondish before she becomes all the brunette princess :)  I don't think she minds as long as she's in a fancy dress.  

pumpkin carving time

time to wash up before getting all fancy

say cheese!

me and my little princess

this is how Savannah does trick-or-treating

she's definitely not a fan of going to strange homes

still a little hesitant even at the 4th house

slowing warming up to the idea

that's a wrap folks. let's head home

taking inventory of her loot

Even though she didn't like the process of getting the candy, she sure did like eating it.  She definitely got a sweet tooth like her mama.

Yo Gabba Gabba Concert

Sometimes I surprise myself.....like when I actually purchased tickets to the live concert of the most annoying children's show on the air--Yo Gabba Gabba.  I even made Grams go with us while she was visiting.  Thankfully it wasn't nearly as bad as I was expecting and because Savannah was obviously having an amazing time I, too, actually enjoyed the show.

all set with her souvenirs

"Foofa, have a seat.  It's almost time!!"

the look of amazement

"Yea! That was a great show!"

 I was surprised at how loud the music was considering it was a children's show but I don't think anyone seemed to mind.  Also one of the things Savannah enjoyed most was all the confetti and streamers that blew out during the show.  Luckily we sat close enough to get hit with it all.  I think it was definitely one of her favorite concerts that we've taken her to yet.  And now her little Foofa souvenir is her favorite bedtime partner.

Marathon Weekend

On October 30, after approximately 16 weeks of training, Oscar and I ran our first full marathon.  Yes, I know what you're thinking and yes Oscar actually did it and lives to tell about it :)  After the random freak snow that occurred during our drive to DC, we woke up to freezing temps before the race.  Luckily we packed appropriate gear but because Savannah was battling a bug, she and Grams didn't get to come out and meet us at the finish line.

fun times in the hotel

Oscar and I went our separate ways before the race so I can't really account for his experience during the event.  All I can say is that he finished with a smile on his face.  I can't say the same for myself.  After doing everything perfectly during training season and not having to deal with any injuries or sicknesses, I fell to knee and hip pain at mile 16.  I'm still not really sure what caused the shooting pains but it totally killed my racing experience.  Prior to mile 16 I was still on pace to finish in under 4 hours but due to the paralizing pain I finished in 4:32 (fyi, I still beat Oscar...hehe).  I guess I should be proud to have fought through the pain to actually finish but I'm still feeling bitter about the whole thing.  Now a week and a half later, my knee still causes me pain when I hit the 4 mile marker.  I had planned to do another marathon in March.....I guess I'll see how this injury plays out.

all smiles moments before crossing the finish line

Marathon finishers

On Monday after the race, we visited the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.  That has to be me favorite of all the museums.  Savannah was in constant amazement looking at all the displays of wild animals and dinosaur bones.

Pumpkin Patch Party

On October 22 Savannah attended the Pumpkin Patch Party at Gymboree.  I decided to dress her in her Rapunzel dress because I knew it would get trashed and I didn't want her real Halloween costume to get destroyed just yet.

She had such a fun time with all the other children and she especially enjoyed being in one of her princess dresses while at the gym.  I've definitely got a little girlie girl on my hands :)

fun times playing in a box

striking a pose 

my pretty little princess

Kindermusik

Savannah and I have been participating in Kindermusik for almost a year now and we absolutely love it.  Despite Savannah's shyness, that for some reason only comes out while in Mrs. Rebecca's house, I can tell that she is having a great time.  I haven't quite figured out why she becomes so attached to me while we are at this class.  Maybe it's being confined to only one room or maybe it's all the loud commotion coming from everyone else.  Either way, I'm hoping that she'll soon break out of her shell and give me a break from holding her.  Trying to jump and dance while holding 30 pounds can get exhausting.  Mrs. Rebecca even commented today about how much she enjoys watching Savannah light up at various times throughout the class.  She especially gets excited whenever instruments, shakers, or scarves are brought out.    

Last semester one of the moms in the class took pictures and finally today she shared them with the rest of us.  Here are just a few of them.

hmmm, I guess the hand chewing occurred back then, too

such a sweet group of babies and toddlers

our youngest classmate

dancing around with my 30 lb weight

she's having so much fun

cute little Waverley

checking out her reflection

notice how Savannah is still in my lap

and now she's hanging on my back

sweet Hazel

the wonderful Mrs. Rebecca with Lila