October

Wow, I have some major catching up to do. I will start where I left off... October.

Allary's preschool class went on a fun field trip to a local pumpkin patch/farm with lots of fun activities for the kids.




We went to see the witches at a fun shopping village with some friends.

Jason was doing a lot of shows that required him to stay overnight up north. So, Allary and I went up and stayed the weekend with him a couple of times and had a lot of fun just enjoying the hotel, the pool, and a change of scenery. On one such occasion, Allary and I headed to the zoo.

Halloween

I'm a little behind on getting our Halloween pictures posted. We had a fun holiday. Allary and I made a cute haunted house...


We painted pumpkins. I like painting them instead of carving because Allary gets to do more of it herself, as there are no knives involved, and they last longer. (Also, Jason was not around and I did not want to deal with the yucky mess of carving.) I thought our pumpkins turned out cute.


We went trick-or-treating in the freezing rainy weather. And yes, even I got into the spirit of things.

That's one of the cutest ballerinas I've ever seen. :)

Even with the weather being so uncooperative, I'd say she made out pretty well...


We also had a family party at my brother's house with yummy treats and spooky games. This next picture is Allary being made into a mummy.


And, Allary and Megan being mummified together...

Goodbye to Kota

After much deliberation and stress and guilt, we decided to sell Kota. If we were ever to have a dog, she was the ideal dog for us and I feel bad that it just didn't work out. I like the idea of having a dog, but apparently not the actual having and cleaning up after a dog. I could not get over feeling like my house was not clean because of the dog, and it was seriously stressing me out. She was cute, smart, sweet, and loving. I did not think I was that emotionally attached, but I cried my eyes out the day we sold her. I think it's hard to not get attached to some degree when you pour so much work and effort into caring for a cute little something. I will say though, that very night after we sold her, I started steam cleaning the carpets with my sister's steam-vac and thereafter spent a full week in a blissful cleaning stupor. I figure anyone who gets a thrill out of staying up until midnight to thoroughly clean the carpet is simply not a dog person.
I do miss her a little, but mostly I feel relieved. And, mostly I feel bad for Allary. A cool mom gives her kid a puppy. An evil mom gives her kid a puppy, lets her get attached, and then takes it away. Allary has been doing a lot better than I thought she would. She was sad (and mad at me) the day we sold her, but has rarely mentioned her since. Maybe she won't need therapy after all. :)









I bought Kota a funny little Halloween costume quite a while ago. Allary was very upset that I sold her before Halloween, not giving her a chance to take the dog trick-or-treating. So, we dressed Kota up in it and took some pictures before she left. Allary was also in her costume that day because it was the day of her preschool Halloween party.





I tried to give Allary lots of time with Kota the morning before she left. I asked Allary if there was anything she wanted to do with her one last time (besides the Halloween costume). She said she wanted to take her for one more walk.

I planned it so that the family who bought her came during preschool. I thought it would be best for Allary and them that way. I didn't want them to have to walk away with the puppy with Allary crying. Turns out, they had to walk away with the puppy while I was crying. Oh man.
These photos still rip at my heart. "Okay Allary, it's time... say goodbye."

Now, don't pass judgment on me for teaching my 5 year old the power of retail therapy. I took her to Target after preschool and told her she could pick anything she wanted. Within reason, of course, but I know her and I knew she wouldn't pick something that extravagant. Although, I felt so horrible, if she would have asked me for the moon, I would have found a way to get it for her.
This is what she picked out and she has been thrilled with it.

The Aquarium

Jason actually had a day off (well, half of a day anyway) in October and so we decided to spend the afternoon at the Aquarium.

I know you can't see it very well, but there is a tiger shark behind them.

Allary was very nervous of the stingrays. She liked to watch them, but didn't have much interest in touching them. She did finally barely touch one as it went by and I was proud of her for doing something that scared her a little.

The penguins were cute and fun to watch dive in and out of the water.


Did you have any idea that an emperor penguin was this big??? Good thing the chances of running into a wild emperor penguin are slim because I would freak out!



The Princess and the Frog.... :)


Below is a fun little video of the penguins. I know Allary's expression doesn't show it, but she loved watching them.