Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

Sophia woke up from her nap just in time to get dressed as a tiger and go see GG at her house. GG got Sophia and her cousins a little Halloween treat.

Here are all the Uffens side cousins...We have a pirate, mermaid, tiger, Anakin Sky-Walker (don't know how to spell) and Darthvader! Sophia was scared of Anakin's mask because it looked so real..kinda freaked me out too!
We rushed home to meet the Brown cousins at our house. Here we have muscle man, a monkey, a frog, and the cutest tiger. I think it's skill to get all the young kids to pose with a smile.
But just as fast as we could pose them, just as fast they were done with the whole picture thing...Notice muscle man is already gone....haha. Hollie and the kids went with us to "trunk of treat" at the church building. The parking lot was packed with cars and the kids got loaded up with candy. Trunk or treat was perfect for Sophia and the little guys because they didn't have to walk too far. And it didn't rain, yah! Notice Sophia is dragging her pumpkin bag because it got so heavy with candy (that TJ and I have already devoured into!)

Mommy needed a picture with the tiger too!

We were done about 7pm. Sophia had to check out her goods as soon as she got in her car seat.

We ended our night at Gamma and Papa Uffens house to eat chili and corn bread.

And yes the treats aren't over. Gamma, Papa, and Aunt Nancy gave her some more goodies!

October Fun!

Pumpkin Patch

Sophia had her first field trip to Hunter's Farm to pick out a pumpkin with her class. TJ took off work to be a chaperon. It was raining and muddy, but they made the best of it. Gotta love rain boots and coats!

When you ask what kind of pumpkin she got she says, "a lil' one and daddy got a big one!"
Pumpkin Painting/Carving
Sophia's school was having a pumpkin contest and obviously Sophia couldn't carve her own so I had her paint it instead. She painted it black all by herself...I just did "blob" patrol. Then we turned her pumpkin into a...BAT!

Then it was time for daddy's big pumpkin...She helped scooped it out a little, but then kept saying, yucky! TJ did a good job carving and actually got into it (Halloween is not his favorite).

TA-DA!!! Frankenstein and a bat...By the way she one the BEST PUMPKIN AWARD at her school!

My School Fall Festival

Okay so I have to give a little background on her costume...Sophia decided she wanted to be a tiger so she could "ROAR!" at everyone. I knew she wouldn't keep anything on her head or face, so I decided to make the costume quite simple. And yes, I wanted to try to sew it. I've never really read a sewing pattern before so I had my mom help me. I swear those are written in a different language. Well, I made the skirt first. It went fast and it was easy for me. Then I started the shirt. It was a size 4 pattern so I knew it was going to be too big. As I started sewing the neck my mom and I noticed that it was going to be way to big, so my mom helped me cut it down (okay well she did). It was all finished and Sophia had her costume party on Thursday, so that night I just had this little feeling to try the shirt on. WELL...let's just say it didn't fit over her head and she has a small head, hahaha! I called my mom laughing and thought "this is why I don't sew, ha!" I got the good ol' scissors and cut a slit in the back and WA-LA, it fit over her head. I guess this is why people buy their Halloween costumes. Never-the-less, she is still the cutest tiger, I am still proud that I sewed it, and it's a great story to tell.

Sophia was a little timid at first with all the people and costumes, but she warmed up. We bought some tickets, so she played some games. She got to toss bean bags into the ghost. Sophia style was to walk right up close to it and drop it in!

She also helped me during "Trick-or-Treat Lane!" She got the hang of it. She would say "trick or treat" and help herself to the bucket of candy we were suppose to be handing out to the kids, haha!

I signed up to do a game in my room, so I decided to have the kids play pumpkin bowling at the "Pumpkin Alley". Here Sophia is ready to roll her pumpkin down the lane. I think this was her favorite game:)

After our bucket of candy was gone, Sophia was on the hunt for more. She was practicing for tomorrow night with my best teaching buddy.

Perfect photo op! Sophia posed by it, but obviously on this shot she turned a little. Then she was perfectly posed and even saying "CCCHHEEESSSEEE" with a smile when...MY BATTERIES DIED, ahhh! So that was it for pictures.

Other highlights from the festival: cake walk (we won!), ring toss, shooting basketballs, cotton candy (but Sophia doesn't like it), and more.

MORE FUN TOMORROW!

Terrible Twos???

Okay we're back...We have been busy, busy and I have not been motivated to blog, but now that we're in our new place and the Internet is hooked up we are ready to go...I thought I'd share with you the naughtiest night of Sophia's life...

So we met my mom at McDonalds (not my favorite place) so she could play with her cousins and as we were getting ready to go the fun started. I told Sophia that it was time to go and she responded with, "No want it!" as she runs away from me (yah, that's not going to happen). I snatched her up and go to the car. This is where the fun really starts...As she is stiff as a board I am trying to put her in her car seat. She is crying and throwing herself from side to side. I am using all my force to keep her down in her seat. With all the thrashing around I am staying quite calm but using a firm voice when all of a sudden she SLAPS me in the face. I think my mouth dropped as I am trying to process what just happened. As I'm processing she looks at me again with that, what are you going to do about it? look and does it again. "OH NO YOU DIDN'T!!!" My initial reaction was to beat my child, but I thought that wouldn't be a very good example of not hitting. We had the whole not hitting talk, etc etc and when she got to Gamma's house she sat in the "Time-Out" chair to have some thinking time. She said sorry and gave me loves...pheww, are we staring terrible twos already??? Bring it on...

So you don't think my child is totally horrible here are some of her favorites lately:
-Counting to 22
-Singing "It's Raining, It's Pouring"
-Singing "5 Little Pumpkins Sitting on a Gate..."
-Pretty much singing any song
-Counting backwards from 9 (I couldn't believe it)
-Knowing the sounds for the letters a and b
-Arguing with "yes it is or no it's not"
-Telling me it's O-O-October!
-Putting herself in "thinking time/time out" and not budging until I come get her (I know that one won't last)!
She is definitely learning and picking up a lot from her Preschool!! It is very exciting to be a part of her learning:)!

Happy Anniversary and First Day of School!

The first day of school was such a romantic way to celebrate TJ and my 4 year wedding anniversary! I am truly blessed to be married to a man who is my best friend, who makes me laugh, who is hot and who I want to be around ALL the time:) After dating almost 6 years before we were married, we knew each other very well, but here are some things we have learned about each other after 4 years of marriage:

1. TJ snores EXTREMELY loud (I don't even hear it anymore though)

2. When TJ throws up it sounds like he's dying

3. TJ can't handle it when I make a scratchy sound with my throat

4. I can't handle it when TJ grinds his teeth

5. TJ is my heater...he loves it when I put my cold feet on him (hehe:))

6. I am more of a tight-wad when it comes to money

7. TJ can make me laugh, even when I want to be mad

8. We both pee with the door open

9. TJ is horrible at guitar hero and dance, dance revolution (I kick his butt)

10. Having a daughter is so much fun and we love her very much!

TJ and I weren't going to give gifts because we spent a lot on our bikes for the triathlon, but when I got home from school he surprised me with my favorite flowers (4 Gerber daisies=4 years), balloon, and a gift card. This picture is also for my mom...Every year since kindergarten I get my "first day of school" picture taken, so here it is this year mom, haha!
I love him to "INFINITY AND BEYOND!!!" (Toy Story 2 was the first movie we saw together, so that's been our little saying).

PEE FOR REAL!

This might be too much information for some, but it's very exciting to us...Sophia went "pee-pee" in her potty for the first time tonight (once again we're just being very casual about it and letting her try it when she wants to for right now) !!! I think it was my going back to school present:) p.s.- For anyone who is following Sophia's "school" time...It was her best day today! Just a little whimper when I left..said "mommy back" throughout the day, but once reassured she continued to play with no tears.

YEE-HAW!

TJ and I love the fair...Good ol' local fun! We entered a dahlia in the fair (thanks to my dad) so that we could get in free everyday. We ate dinner there almost every night...expensive and fattening, but worth it! (I know we're big dorks)

Sophia got a flower balloon in the pavilion and I enjoyed getting all the free stuff haha!
The animals are always a favorite. While walking through all the big animals Sophia had to be carried. She kept saying, "get me" or "scare me," but liked talking about them. The zebra is one of my favorites. Check out the "Zedonk" behind him (half zebra/half donkey).

Our good friend Kimberly came with us one of the days. Kim and I thought this guy was pretty hot, but Sophia thought otherwise, haha.

Yee-haw...RODEO!!! Sophia loved this (I think because the animals were farther away). She kept pointing and saying, "LOOK!" in her excited voice. She was quite the clapper and cheerer. I had to join her too:)

Talk about getting chills?! "I Am Proud To Be An American!"

Hold on! 8 seconds!

Family shot...

TJ has a new calling in life...to be a RODEO CLOWN, hahaha! This was their little "half-time" show. YMCA!

Until next year...

We Survived 2 Full Days

"Phew!" We got through 2 full days of Sophia's new "school!" Today and Thursday I had teacher days, so I wanted Sophia to go all day then, just in case she needed me I could escape out of my meetings! First of all I have to wake Sophia up to get ready in the morning (which I hate), but I do get an extra 20 minutes in the car with her. When I dropped her off Thursday morning, I was a crying mess all the way there and as I walked in. I tried to be "STRONG" mama, but wasn't doing a very good job. Sophia whimpered and wanted her blankets, but settled down. This morning I held it together a little better, but Sophia cried harder. Lots of reassuring of "mommy will be back!" Both days went better than I thought...not perfect, but better. She went through crying spurts throughout the days and asked for me about every 40 minutes, but the crying did not last more than 15 minutes. Both days when I went to pick her up, she would see me, then start crying...pretty funny! Here is her cubby:

Sophia did lots of art. She painted, made a name tag, and a bookmark for daddy. She loves putting on stickers.
Ms. Shelby (teacher) is VERY POSITIVE and fills out a "Toddler Times" for each child telling the parents about the kids day. It reports on their behavior, naps, potty, meals/snacks, activities, and comments. I appreciate that even though I make Shelby tell me everything when I get there anyway. TJ loves it too! Plus Shelby took pictures of Sophia on her cell phone all day and texted them to me! It was wonderful getting those pictures while sitting in oh so wonderful meetings!
Sophia enjoyed playing with the magnets. During the 2 days, she also: played with marbles, went on a walk to see the chickens, picked apples and blackberries, played outside in the swing, read books, painted a picture, made a bookmark, played in rice, made a fort, etc. Busy, busy!

This was an exhausting week...Sophia was extremely cranky tonight and was ready to crash (so am I), but we survived (thanks for all the encouraging notes)!!! I'm back to lovin' weekends:)

Back To School

Wait?? Did I have a summer? It went by WAY too fast because it's school time again!!! Every year my mom comes and helps set-up my classroom and if it wasn't for her it would not go as fast (thanks mom:)! Not everything is put up on the walls yet, but here is a glimpse. Last year my theme was Hawaiian and my 1st graders were "surfers," but because I'm teaching 2nd grade this year, we are going to be the second grade Superstars!

This is our Math area:

Here is Sophia being a great little student! She loved playing in my classroom. She would say, "HELPING!" as she pushed the chairs around. In my room my students don't have assigned seats. They get to choose where they sit based on their learning style, whether it be at a table with chairs, sitting on the floor at the low table, or around the room with a clipboard.
Over in the far corner is our literacy area with benches. I also use lanterns and lamps as the lighting to set the "calming" mood.

This is a board to show off their work:

Bare with me as I get a little emotional!!! This year will be the first year Sophia will not be watched by family, so we have been adjusting to her new preschool (we call it her "school" and talk about mommy's "school") a little at a time this week. It is a great place and all the teacher's kids go there. Ms. Shelby (the teacher) does very cool things like: mud day (where they play in mud), Mother's Tea, Christmas program, fall pie making, Picture day, etc). I knew it would be hard leaving Sophia but I had No idea that it would be this hard. I'll just say that the past couple days have been filled with random tears at random times. Yesterday Sophia and I went to play together at "her school." Today I played with her for about 20 minutes and then told her I was going to go to "my school" and I would be back. She started to cry a little and asked for her blanket. Of course I started to cry, so Ms. Shelby took Sophia and went outside to swing. Shelby called 20 minutes later and told me she wasn't crying, but still adjusting. She reassured Sophia that "mommy will be back!" She did a little craft and played some more. When I came back, I snuck in to see what she was doing and she was sitting on the floor with another little girl and Shelby was reading a story to them. She looked like such a BIG girl:)! When she saw me she gave me a sad lip like "How could you leave me?," sat on my lap for 1 minute and was off to play again. phewwww...better than I thought and way better than nursery! We're going back tomorrow and I'll leave her again for just 1-2 hours for consistency. Gamma bought her a cute little backpack to put her things in and to continue to excite her about "her school!" Isn't her craft beautiful???

By the end of the week Sophia will be at "her school" all day because I have "teacher days!" Oh man...even more crying! I am grateful for my job, but can't Sophia come with me to teach???

On Your Mark, Get Set, Go!!!

On Saturday, my Aunt Sarah and Craig (who live in Seattle) invited us over to do a practice triathlon (smaller version of what we're actually going to do), so that we could get a feeling of the transitions and doing the swim, bike, and run one right after another. We met at Madrona park. It was beautiful! You could look out over the water and see Bellevue on the other side! We arrived and Aunt Sarah and Craig had goodie bags for us with different energy items, water bottles, and more...very nice:)

Here we are getting ready to take off on our swim...

Look at that form! I did pretty good tracking myself in the water (staying in a straight line), but my dad and Craig took a little side trip a little off course. Boy was I laughing!!!
Getting out of the water I was a little dizzy, but ran back to my transition area and got ready for the bike...Dad and I are off and ready! It's so nice riding bikes over there because the cars are so polite. There was actually a sign that said, "Bikes have the right away!" Why can't B-town be more like that?

The bike was a nice ride. I don't have clip-in pedals, so I didn't have to worry about changing my shoes. I took a couple drinks, put my hat on, and started jogging (not fast, haha)...Don't worry those with clip-ins caught up to me!

My mom made star "finisher" medals. As we finished the run, the kids put them around our neck. Sophia had mine and put in on me:)!

After we all finished we had a BBQ. Aunt Sarah had her friend make special cupcakes for us to celebrate us finishing in one piece and to celebrate Nolan's (nephew) birthday. Aren't they cute?!!!

Sophia played hard and earned her cupcake.

Here are all the participants. It wouldn't be like my mom if she didn't make us shirts. The T-shirts said, "Uffens, Pitt, Brown....Practicethon"

Doing our "Practicethon" gave me more confidence for our upcoming triathlon and I wasn't even sore the next day. HOLY COW, IT'S IN 2 WEEKS!!!