Night Eyes 2014

I scored a great deal on Night Eyes tickets this year when Hy-Vee had their one day sale. I will definitely remember to look for that again next year!  I also picked up Rea's costume last year after Halloween when costumes were 75% off and CHEAP.  Another score!  I'm just happy that she still wanted to be Minnie Mouse a year later, ha! 

We went with some friends and had a great time...

Such a fun tradition!

Pumpkin Patch Fun!

Reagan and I met Annette and Kelli at a local pumpkin patch on Thursday night.  I love that this pumpkin patch is close to home, free admission and perfect activities for Reagan's age.  She rode the pumpkin train, got to see and pet animals, loved playing in the corn pit and picked out the perfect lil pumpkin for her and daddy to carve.

Finished product!

Sunday Funday

We had a busy Sunday planned with family pics in the morning and a birthday party in the afternoon.

My friend Karin met us at Yellow Banks Park for some early morning pics. The scenery was perfect and even though it was a tad chilly, Rea had some great smiles. And loved sitting in Karin's rocking chair- thanks again Karin! Can't wait to see the final touches.

Pre pics:

After pics:

Our neighbor girl's 2nd birthday party, so fun with Minnie!

Happy Sunday! Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Observation Week

Usually the blinds are closed on the windows of Rea's dance and tumbling classes but last week was Observation Week- where all the parents could squeeze around a tiny window and watch/take pics of their child in action.  We missed dance class observation due to conferences but I was able to snap some pics of tumbling. 

It's funny because dance is what she excels at - she can memorize the routine quickly and do the moves...but it's not her favorite.  Tumbling class is her absolute favorite and is the class that she struggles the most with.  I know she's young and it'll take time to learn the hand stand and cartwheel. I guess I should just be thankful that she loves going and has fun! 


The pic quality isn't the best but I needed a few pics for my memory....

Let's dance!

Reagan participated in her first Rhythamette's dance team performance tonight. 

It was so cute to watch all the Littles. She loved swirling her pom's and did great dancing on the field.  A tad chilly once the sun went down but she didn't mind.... what are the odds she sleeps with her pom's tonight?

Firsts~ Conferences

Tonight we had Reagan's first parent-teacher conference.  As someone who LOVED school, I was so excited for this- to hear the stories she doesn't tell us. To see your child through her teacher's eyes. We got a great report!

So I don't forget in years to come (who are we kidding, a month or two?!) some highlights:

She is kind to others and uses her manners, she is a rule-follower and likes to get confirmation from the teacher that she is doing the right thing, she does a great job of raising her hand and since she is one of the older kids in her class, likes to help the other kids who may be struggling (although not in a bossy way, her teacher assured us).

She is only 1 of 3 girls in the class so recess is a little harder- her teacher said she is shy on the playground but Rea has never really liked crowds.  She can count to 40 without mistakes, knows all her letters/sounds and is the only one in her class that can differentiate between upper and lower case letters.  Her teacher is going to start working with her more one on one to help push her in reading/phonics since she said she is definitely ready.  That was fun to hear being a huge reader myself! 

Her teacher said the main thing is that Rea loves being at school, learning new things... and especially loves the cooking segments!  We heard all about their class adventures in applesauce making from Rea so this didn't surprise me. 

She has done a great job of working on writing her name and now we are just focusing on fine-tuning the uppercase/lowercase letters.  All in all, a great report!  So naturally we had to celebrate with Menchie's after dance class.  Hope every year's conference is this much fun!

One of her first pieces of artwork:

Thankful Thursday

My thankful list this week...

Lots of pumpkin spice coffee to get me through the work week after being off on vacation.

A chilly forecast that goes perfectly with my new (on sale and with a coupon!) down winter jacket...

A healthy, happy baby girl who was so excited to get back to dance and tumbling classes!

A highly anticipated girl's night out with my besties this weekend!

My doTerra Essential Oils diffuser!  Honestly kids this is my very first August/September/October without a major sinus/ear infection.  I give all the credit to the OnGuard oil I use in my diffuser. I run it daily in our kitchen and I don't care if it is the placebo affect, it's working!

October is my absolute favorite month of the year and I can't wait to experience all the fun things we have planned.  Two girl's night outs planned, Cheer Clinic for Reagan, family pictures, Reagan's first school conference, three friend birthday parties, two pumpkin patch visits, Night Eyes, Reagan's friend and family birthday parties, visiting her classroom on her birthday and Beggar's night!  So much fun to be had! 

Happy October my friends!!