Halloween 2011 - part 1

This year we thought we would try something new.. and old, but in a new way.
We traveled out to our local pumpkin patch the Friday, and again on the Sunday before Halloween. On Friday evening it was too late to really enjoy much except the sunset, but we made the most of it.

M made it all the way to the top of the tall hay pyramid all by herself!

 On Sunday morning, the prospects for activities were much better and we had Grandpa R.L. with us too!

We had talked about maybe attempting the pony rides but decided to play it by ear because we've attempted such activities in the past and let's just say... it didn't go well. 

This time, at the mere sight of the pony rides, M was all excited. We were still tentative because she was totally ok last time too, until the realization that ponies are in fact much bigger and snorty in real life than in books and pictures.

So as we walked up and eyed the situation we were ready to distract with "It's ok! Let's go jump in the bounce house and leave this nibbley-lipped hairy warhorse of a pony behind, along with all the related terror!"

 But.. the freak out never happened, and she got to ride a real horse, not just a pony, and then immediately wanted to do it again. 

We obliged. Because we could. Because there was no screaming in bloody panic like last time. 

This time it was all about capturing the moment for the ages.. and the internet.

There were also other fun things, like the aforementioned bounce house (you don't bluff with that), and some pumpkin eating pigs. 

Nitro the pig... powered by pumpkins.

It was a much more successful trip than times before..

I'll post about the actual Halloween day next!

Rewind... Nevada City Classic

Like many topics, I've been meaning to post about this since summer!

It's been a long time goal of our BZ to not only ride in the Nevada City Classic, but to finish - and this was his year! By riding his butt off, he was able to upgrade from a category 3 to a 2, which means he is able to ride with a lot of big names.

The race is held on Father's day every year and this year we made a day of it!

M made friends with the other race orphans

She watched closely to try and see her daddy.

BZ was able to finish with out crashing! Here is a little snapshot of the race.

It's nearly impossible to see BZ - he's like a flash!

After the race we all had a nice picnic in the park - it was reported to be a perfect father's day!

This weekend, between home improvement and baby showers, I was finally able to take my dad to the roller derby.  This time the bout was in a sports complex in the industrial section of a small town, a venue I had never been to before
On the way there, my father said "Doesn't it feel like we're going to a fight club?". I think that pretty much describes the back alley feeling of the whole thing.
The place turned out to be ok but I did wish that there had been cotton candy available at the snack bar. There is just no substitute for that. As an adult I feel that it is my right to have cotton candy at every chance, and roller derby should be one of those chances.

Starting the first Jam - waiting for the whistle.
Deis Irea and Alethal Weapon as Jammers

Anyways, I lost a buck to my dad betting which team would win. I picked the team with my favorite jammer -Quick Fire. I like her because she is very quick, but also because she's small but can take some pretty hard hits.
However, dad's team also had a star jammer, La Lucha. She is undeniably fast and can squeeze through the pack like she is covered in butter. I'm pretty sure that is exactly how my dad likes to envision her. Best of all, she is quite a showman (show-woman?) on the rink and fun to watch.

Dad and La Lucha

What really brought his team to victory was their defense- a really strong and talented pack. Dad picked it out during practice.
We're going back next month... maybe I'll bring my own cotton candy this time.

Keeping Our Cool

Oh, and we've been swimming a lot.

The goggles are a new thing... and ridiculous.
Ridiculously funny.

Let's start with Preschool

I know it's been a while... and there is lots to blog about....but I have to start somewhere.
M started Preschool this week and it's gone really well. She gets to take a bus to and from her school and I can work in her classroom a day a week, which is super fun.
Mornings are a little rough, not because she doesn't want to get up but because she CANNOT WAIT for the bus to come get her. On the second day of school, the first thing she said to me when she woke up was "Is the bus here?!". It quickly turned into tears and we had to reach a compromise.

This is the compromise.. after she gets dressed, she can sit and longingly look for the bus out the window.

Mostly she watches the kids walking to the school near our house, but it buys us 5-10 minutes of non-tear filled time in the morning. I think it's a good deal for all involved, especially Chubby (the bear).

Two Faced

We've been practicing our happy and sad faces, and just like a 4 year old, Maryn was able to produce both with in seconds of each other.

For the Record

A friend reminded me to record some of the fun times.... so this is for daddy (at the Mt Hood stage race) and for all the grandparents, and for anyone else out there who needs a reminder to come visit.