Thanksgiving Party

Meredith's class had a special Thanksgiving party that parents were invited to attend. First, we had our Thanksgiving feast (Meredith's was a lunchable) then we decorated fall cookies and made a handprint turkey. I think the mommies had more fun painting the handprint turkeys than the kids did! The kids also were able to decorate and eat pumpkin sugar cookies.

For Thanksgiving we decided to stay in Charlotte, traveling just isn't the same with a child in tow. Especially after the events that unfolded last year after Thanksgiving. Mommy didn't even cook, we went out to a restaurant offering a special Thanksgiving buffet. The food was good, Meredith wasnt! We did an eat and dash-

Halloween 2009

I am happy that Halloween fell on a Saturday this year, Meredith surely was wound up all day! Originally I had planned for her to be a ladybug, however living in the Carolinas you never know what you are going to get as far as the weather. Last minute I ran out for a "cooler" alternative to the ladybug (which included a turtleneck, leggings and vest), considering that most costumes are picked over by 5:30pm on Halloween, I was able to find her a "nice witch" with all parts still attached. Merdith like her new costume and even kept her witch hat on for a short while. Unfortunately, this year, the weather did not cooperate. It literally started to rain right when the kids were starting their trick-or-treating. Meredith and I sat at the (open) front door and waited for the kids to jump out of the car, pop open their umbrellas and run up for some candy. The rain didn't seem to slow the kids down any. Meredith had the most fun rearranging the candy from the big basket to her personal trick-or-treat bag. Our neighborhood committee decided to offer "adult trick-or-treating" this year too. Individual houses were asked to supply "adult beverages and snacks". Our neighbors across the street set up a tent with wine, beer and food....of course there was plenty of candy too. Meredith went trick-or-treating across the street and mommy and daddy did as well. As the night progressed the weather cleared and other neighbors eventually worked there way up the street.
Meredith had so much fun running around with the other kids. She was a live wire, even still today, the day AFTER Halloween.

Harvest Festival 2009

Meredith experienced her first Harvest Festival at preschool. Wow! It was an experience for both of us, I am not sure who was more tired afterwards, me or Meredith? This year, Meredith is dressing up as a ladybug. She does not like things on her head, therefore she is a ladybug without antennaes. There were so many activites, she couldnt decide what to do? She jumped in the ball pit....

and selected a pumpkin to decorate (this didn't go over to well, too many other exciting things to do)...

...and bobbed for apples.....

....and searched for spiders...

...and finally went on a hayride!

She had her face painted with a pumpkin, and somehow stayed still the entire time.

We tried to decorate cookies too, however, Meredith was more interested in eating the candy and cookie than decorating it.

Pumpkin Patch

The other night we took Meredith to the pumpkin patch to pick out two pumpkins, one to carve and one to put our silly witch face on. She had quite a different reaction this year, opposed to last year. Last year she cried as soon as we set her down amongst the pumpkins, she wasn't sure what those big orange things were. Anyways, this year she was running around screaming "pumpkin, pumpkin".

Preschool

First Day of School....Meredith started preschool this fall at the YMCA. She goes M/W from 9-1 which gives me a wonderful break. Sometimes I just come home and veg in my bed ALL BY MYSELF. This is a luxury since I never get to sleep alone or even without being called for in the middle of the night, kicked, hit, etc....

Meredith loves going to school and always has exciting things to show from her day in her green folder. She colors and paints, plays outside, goes to PE, sings along during music, and even has spanish once a week. She has learned "red" or 'rojo" by holding onto Elmo. She has also picked up bad habits, such as saying "stopit". Also, it seems like she has been nothing but sick since she started but I guess she has to build up her immune system some time or another.

First Kiss

Although this took place at Aw Shucks farm it was much too important not to have its own entry. Meredith's First Kiss!!!! We were at the duck racing tables and Meredith spotted her man. First, they started hugging each other and he knocked Meredith down and fell on top of her which she didn't really appreciate. Then they started to hug again and Meredith was rubbing his back.

Then they shared a moment looking into each others eyes......

And then the little boy went in for the "big kiss"......

Aw Shucks Farm

We took Meredith to a maize maze this year to get into the fall/Halloween mood. Aw Shucks is a farm with various activities for children. We bypassed the actual maze and participated in the little kid activities instead. Meme, Gigi and Aunt Susan came with us. First, we rode on a hayride around the property.Meredith got so see some goats, sheep, chickens and a horse at the petting farm. Oddly, she was afraid to touch the sheep or goats but loved seeing the horse.

Meredith also took her turn riding on the pony.
And sliding down the slide......
Aunt Susie even milked a cow, does it count if it isn't a real cow?