Trick or treat!

Tonight was Halloween.  Meaning it was time to trick-or-treat.

Grace and I tried to practice with Faith today but she just looked at us like we were crazy.

We dressed Faith as a fairy while Grace wanted to be a pink princess.

And then we were off!

When we arrived at the first home, Grace knocked on the door while Faith just observed.

After the kind lady gave both of them candy, Faith realized the potential and turned her heartbreaking smile on.  And got extra candy from that dear lady.

And Faith was ready to hit the next house.  And the next.  And many more after that.  In fact, by the third house Faith was running up to the doorstep and banging on doors while saying "Teez! (Cheese!)"  before Grace could even ring the doorbell. 

Faith may not have understood exactly what was going on but she knew she was getting candy and that certainly excited her.  Both Faith and Grace made out like bandits tonight especially considering we only trick-or-treated one street.  After we got home, Grace said so sweetly "I had so much fun trick or treat tonight.  Can we do it again tomorrow?"

Camping indoors

Grace has really wanted to go camping but the weather just hasn't permitted it.

When plans go awry...improvise!  

So we set our camp up indoors.  Marshmallows and all.  And we absolutely adored it.

Taking a nap all by herself

Faith really wore herself out today.

She fell asleep on the sofa while I fixed her a mid-morning snack.

There's nothing more precious than watching sweet innocence at rest.

Grace's dance class Halloween performance

Parents were invited to dance class today for a little Halloween performance.

All the girls dressed up in costumes.  Grace was a fairy.

And they danced the "Monster Mash."

They were the cutest monsters I've ever seen!

They also danced ballet.

Which is Grace's favorite.

I just love watching my little girl have fun doing something she loves.

Blakeley State Park

Today we took the girls, Chloe included, to Blakeley State Park.

And we had a grand time exploring the old Civil War battleground.  Just a bit of background:  The Town of Blakeley is one of the oldest in the state of Alabama and Fort Blakeley was the site of the last major battle in the Civil War.  Not much remains of Blakeley's past except for a few mounds and an old cemetary.  Nature has reclaimed her. 

But the grounds at Blakeley are simply beautiful.  We stumbled upon this old oak tree and spent most of our afternoon near it.

I put both girls on a low branch.

And David swung the girls round and round in circles.

Until they just couldn't be swung any longer.

Then he tossed them in the air as they squealed with delight.

After a dozen or so times, his arms finally started to give out.

So he held our girls back in the tree and rested his arms.

And there we discovered this little bug.  I have no idea what kind of bug he is, but he has a heart on his back! Isn't it adorable.  For a bug that is.

We had an exceptionally nice day today and I can't wait to go back to Blakeley State Park again sometime soon.  Weather permitting, I hope we can camp out next time.  And ride our mountain bikes.  And make smores.  But we'll be sure to pack all food away before dark.  Blakeley has the largest black bear population in the state after all - and you know bears love marshmallows!.

A day at the park

We took the girls to the park today for a little bit of fun.

Grace and Faith were so excited to play there with their Daddy.

At first, Faith was a little unsure about going down the slide.

But then we discovered the swings!

And once Faith was in one, she wouldn't get out.

Big sister Grace had fun pushing her little sister around for a change.

Both my girls are growing up much too fast.

Dress up party for the girls. Date night for us.

Tonight is date night for me and David.  Meaning parent's night out at our local gym.  They watch the kids, entertain the kids, and feed them from 5:30 until 11:00.  We're excited!

Since Halloween is right around the corner, the gym is having a Fall Festival for the kids.

So Grace wanted to wear her princess dress.  Faith just wanted to be comfortable.

Both girls are really excited to go party at the gym.  And David and I are excited to have a real date tonight!

Another day at the beach

Grace and Faith were really excited to go back to the beach today.

Like the sweet sisters they are, they held hands as they walked along the beach.

Until they saw the seagulls.  Then they took off after them.

Grace may run faster

But Faith is better at sneaking up on them.

Then the girls had a good time walking along the shore.

Looking for seashells.

Grace found several keepers.

And she quickly filled her pail.

But Faith found quite a few herself.

Although she was more selective about the ones she wanted to keep.

She took her prize over for Grace's inspection.

And together they admired all their treasures.

Then Grace and Faith put each one back in their pail.

Then they walked along the shore some more.

Until a rogue wave came out of nowhere.

And drenched my youngest.  So we headed inside to dry off and warm up.  But it certainly was a fun filled morning!