Ghouls at Grassmere

Witches, Heroes, And Nemo…OH MY! Halloween is the time for dressing up like someone or something you love. Recently, I volunteered at the Grassmere Zoo in Nashville. At my job we get 2 days off work a year to volunteer somewhere so I got a day off work too…SCORE. Earlier this year I volunteered at the zoo for Ice Day which was awesome because they stuffed us with ice cream all day. I already knew that the other community service day I wanted to do was the Ghouls at Grassmere. I have heard such great things about it and who wouldn't love being at the zoo while little kids run around on sugar highs in adorable outfits while the parents chase them. There were some pretty awesome costumes but I had a few favorites. Nemo, Doc McStuffins & Lamby (2 sisters), and a storm trooper (StarWars nerd in me) won in my personal costume contest. I think I might've been bias though because I love Finding Nemo, Doc McStuffins, & Star Wars. I know I am a complicated person lol. 

Anyways, the zoo encourages it's volunteers to dress up too, so of course me and my friend Ashley took on this challenge. I debated for weeks on my costume this year & finally came up with something that I love & can do myself without having to buy a $50 costume that I'll only wear once. I decided on…*drumroll*...Katniss Everdeen. I liked the idea because of what she stands for in The Hunger Games. I have to long dark hair, pants, shirt, and boots. I borrowed the bow & bag from Ashley. I bought a mockingjay pin that was a key chain but we worked into a pin & a windbreaker for cheap since I couldn't find any brown faux leather jacket in my size. I scoured the stores and found nothing, nada, zip. It must be a hot item this year. 

After waiting in traffic for an hour & half, we finally made it to the zoo. We got posted at the 3D maze table where we just gave the kids and parents 3D glasses and got them back at the end. Not anything hard, but having to stand in 30 degree weather for 4 hrs straight with no chairs wasn't ideal. I can say they were super busy & they were trying to hand out hot water with dash of chocolate hot chocolate as fast as possible, but nothing seemed to help the numbness. I think I got a little loopy from the lack of feeling in my toes and fingertips. I wore 2 pairs of socks (only because 3 pairs wouldn't fit in my boot) and I still couldn't feel my feet. It was definitely a COLD COLD night and some kids were running around with shorts on or very little clothing! Come on parents…I mean really, are you sure you didn't get her outfit in the adult section of the Halloween store.

The night was a huge win for me, even though it took an hr to get my toes and fingers to normal. I got to see adorable kids chasing each other in funny costumes, Nemo shaking his booty fin about killed me, and we had a little dance party all our own when I got a little loopy. I was disappointed that only 1 kid recognized me. He looked at me after he came out the maze and yelled "You're Katniss!" I grinned and told him that he made my night. Thanks little Wolverine! Given I didn't have my bow on my because the zoo doesn't want us to have anything resembling a weapon, but hey wolverine caught on to the costume.

What do yal think about my costume?

Hope yal have a Happy Halloween!!! 

Pumpkins are Everywhere!

It's time for Halloween! Halloween is only a few days away, can you believe it?! I love Halloween time because there are pumpkins everywhere, candy up every aisle, adorable costumes, and family events around evey corner. I have to say buying pumpkins is probably my favorite out of them all. they are great for decorating & adding that POP of color. I do love the carving tradition though and I was excited because Raleigh can experience that this year. So after a couple trips to the pumpkin patch & the local store for pumpkins we finally had enough pumpkins to carve out some orange beauties and decorate my porch. 

This was our first trip to the patch.

We were in the pumpkin patch & heard rain coming so we all bolted under some trees. It lasted only a little more than 5 minutes but there we're lots of kids crying so it felt like longer.

She was also wearing her cute Halloween outfit, but she decided to pee through it in line waiting for the hayride. That trip wouldn't have happened if her uncle Tanner wasn't sweet enough to come with us since Koby had to go to work early.

We did get to go back with Koby the next Sunday for a birthday party. I had never heard of a birthday party at a pumpkin patch, but hey kill 2 birds with 1 stone. It unfortunately had to be the busiest day they had had all year...Joy. Extra long line and more screaming kids because they can't have candy...yay *eye roll*.

The sun was shining right in my eyes and I forgot to bring sunglasses. I have the memory of a goldfish, no joke.

We went to get some bigger pumpkins for carving later. I was very excited to see how Raleigh would react to pumpkin guts. She loved holding the pumpkins but that's not the nasty part. She wasn't sure at first when we started carving then found out how squishy it felt between her fingers and the awesome noise it made when you dropped them on the floor. Aunt Ashley's kitchen was a wreck.

 That's the one she chose for us to carve. 

I couldn't get her to smile for anything. I would've done a handstand if I thought it would've helped.

Hating it. Not a scream of joy.

Loving it.

That is my post all about our pumpkin experience this year. A 1 year old definitely makes it more entertaining than last year. I bet next year will be even better. Raleigh makes our lives more fun and exciting everyday.

Uh...I swear my hubby has more than 1 shirt in his closet.

These are all IPhone pictures since I'm still looking for my camera charger. Sorry for the quality. More to come including our volunteering at Ghouls at Grassmere (zoo). Also sorry for being MIA recently. Our whole family got the stomach bug then we had a lot going on in a short time. I'm glad I finally got a chance to blog. Even if it's just to tell you that I am alive.

Pictures of Our Weekend :)

I had this weekend off so we tried to do a lot with everyone. First, on Saturday I volunteered at the Grassmere Zoo for the annual Ice Day. I got paid since at my job we get 2 volunteer days a year, which is a nice bonus. After lots of ice cream, adoring little kids & their outfits, and playing a game of spot the cute pregnant ladies. It was fun and definitely something I will do again next year. I'm sad though because my little one couldn't make it to Ice Day. She, daddy, and her Uncle Spencer went to the Nashville Flea Market.

We had a small get together with a nice bonfire on Saturday night. Sorry for the grainy quality, I only had my Iphone with me at the time.

Sunday afternoon was a great end to our weekend. We traveled an hour away to the hubby's dad's house. It was a big family get together. I hate that we get so busy that we can't take a day to make the trip to Cadiz, KY. I made plans though to go back again this coming weekend. 

After lots of burgers, smiles, laughter, and snuggles we had to leave for Koby to get to work. I definitely needed some caffeine on the way home. Two of my babies sleeping next to me made me just want to cuddle up and start counting sheep, it also didn't help that I took a nighttime allergy pill (I grabbed the wrong blue allergy pill on the way out the door that morning). If you have ever fought off nighttime medication then you deserve an award because it is not an easy feat. 

Since munchkin was still down when we got home then I got a few minutes to work on Miss Raleigh's new mirror. One more coat & it'll be good to go! I'll post the progress soon. 

Off to get some brackets for my crates then I can post that too. Gotta get my butt into gear. 

Babysitting is tough on a new mommy

So being a new mom definitely takes a toll on your nerves. You can stress out about anything from spit up to sickness to allergies. My newest challenge to overcome is a new person outside family babysitting her.

Raleigh is 5 1/2 months, even though shes a giant & can wear 9 month sleepers, she is still my little munchkin so this was hard. :) She is a good baby, only cries if she's sick, hungry, or tired. It's hard to make a schedule & say goodbye even though you know you'll see them in a few hours. Anyone who says it's easy for someone new to take your little one is wrong. Well maybe if it's your second, third, or fourth then you probably would be jumping at the chance. Heck I know now I appreciate it so much when family & close friends want to watch her while me & the hubby go out for a date night. It is hard though when she's your first & still young, especially when you do not know the person very well. The family was from our church & my husband has known the family since he was a kid so that was helping, but its hard when I, personally, don't know them very well. It is good to expand your babysitter list though, just be cautious about the people you choose.

It all ended perfect for everyone on Sunday night. I talked to the mom on the phone & it just reassured me that she was the right mom for the job. It helps knowing all her kids turned out pretty good too ;) It was a new experience for me & now I know without a doubt that I can trust them with my sweet Raleigh. I loved getting the pictures of her playing with their kids & hearing the stories about the kids wanting to hold, play, & feed her. It makes me happy knowing that other people get as much joy out of hearing her giggling & talking as I do. This experience definitely makes you appreciate the time you have with your little ones. Makes your heart melt when they see you & smile or squeal, because they know mommy is there now.