Christmas Tree!

We put up our Christmas tree a little earlier then usual this year on November 25th, but I had seen so many people who had placed theirs up already and I really wanted to get into the magical spirit that this seasons brings too. 

We definitely do not have the traditional decorations, I really do not like green and red, so of course our tree is a mixture of different ornaments, elements, and colours...and I love it!

Loralai helped me set the tree up, and then other than a few key pieces,  she basically decorated the entire tree herself {its a small tree}!

Christmas gifts are almost all bought! 

2012 Christmas Card

I am so excited about our Christmas card this year! Instead of just getting it printed as a picture I got it printed through Vistaprint and was able to get it printed on the front and back! 

Front 

Back

Only 20 days until Christmas is here! 

Crazy little Lolo Antics...

Loralai lately has been coming out with the funniest little things lately, here are some of my favourites....

"For real" {said in a way that she is either asking you if your telling the truth, or that she is indeed telling the truth}

"Just one more than done" {I honestly believe that Loralai would be an excellent negotiator, this is only one example of what she says to try and get you to do something, or let her have more of something. I am going to say that I normally breakdown and give in (really whats one more... right?)...man she is good! lol}

"What the" {as in what the heck! Yes, I will admit that this is one of my favourite sayings, but how smart of her to leave out the only part that may get her into a little bit of trouble. Loralai also uses it very wisely in the correct context that would warrant a what the heck!}

Christmas Card 2012 {Sneak Peek}

So last Sunday we trekked out to my favourite trail for a Christmas session with Loralai. I am so thankful that she is so cooperative! Carrie joined us, and the three of us had some fun coming up with poses and just enjoying the gorgeous weather for a November 11th. 

Here are some sneak peeks of some cards that didn't quite make the cut for this years card. 

I decided that this year I wanted a Christmas card that was printed on the front and back, so I found a deal on Vistaprint. I ordered the cards on Monday and they have already been shipped so hopefully they should be here by Tuesday or Wednesday! I am excited (and a little nervous) to see how the cards have come out since I have not utilized Vistaprint for photographs before...fingers crossed! 

Here are some of the outtakes of the day! Enjoy and I cannot wait to show you the final card soon! 

My little singer

Loralai likes to make up songs! They are always in the same tune, and it is always sung in a rocker way! I think that it is fantastic that she makes up songs, and I really believe that through song it is easier to maybe express how you really feel. 

Here are some of her most recent...I wish that I had taken the time to write them down in the past! 

1. I walk, I walk to school

School rocks

school never goes away

school never goes into na na na nothing

2. I am shy, and I don't know what to do

shy or not, why or not,

everything rocks and do something

3. Witches fly on the broom sticks

in the air, and mom's don't know what to do

Haha they are cute and a little silly, but she is being creative, and I am trying to instil thinking out of the box. So keep them coming, I am definitely being entertained! :) 

Pre Halloween Fun 2012

At Loralai's dance studio they were getting into the Halloween spirit and all the little dancers were allowed to wear their costumes! Last year Loralai was the only one that didn't wear something stereotypically girly she was a firefighter, but this year she was suppose to be a girl superhero, but at the last moment she decided to be a witch after seeing the costume at Home Sense.  So before dance class we headed over to the dollar store and picked up a cool witch hat and a broom to match her costume. 

After dance class and running some errands with Loralai still wearing her costume, I decided that we needed to find some fun Halloween activities in our area, so online I went. It was raining, like it has been for what feels like forever now, so this limited our activities to those indoors, I stumbled across a Halloween event at small local mall. We went there thinking that we were just going to visit the haunted house, and participate in the costume parade, but when we got there we discovered that she could go trick or treating at the stores in the mall! It was so fun to see all the little ones running around so excited to each store. They also had snakes and an owl there for the kids to look at and touch. So the day ended up being really fun! 

Here are some of the pictures from today! Look at her excited smile! :) 

 I then made this timeline for my FB page. 

Loralai's school picture - proof

We got back Loralai school picture proofs this week and we have decided to go with image 2! Look at how adorable she is! 

They have an option to order a CD, how great is that?! This way I can upload it to the blog, FB, send  it through email to Loralai's Grandma Maggie in Florida, and make as many prints in as many different sizes as I please, there is no restriction! This makes me happy! :) 

Pumpkin Patch!

We went to the Chappell Farms pumpkin patch on October 8th. Even though the activities are the same as last year, Loralai had a ball playing in the jumpy castle, feeding the animals,  going through the corn maze, hitting up every stick your face through the hole picture thingy, climbing on top of the hay bales, and of course riding the tractor and picking out her own pumpkin! 

The pumpkin patch itself was kind of disappointing since they had a bad crop year, but we did stumble upon a really good pumpkin! The best part of the day was when she made Grandma Brenda crawl through this tunnel in the corn maze! :) 

Here are our pictures from our fun fall day! 

This is my favourite picture! She looks like a little model :)

JK September Update!

So last week we had Loralai's meet the teacher, visit the classroom, & school BBQ. It was so amazing to watch Loralai in her new school life, she was so excited! We had the chance to get a glimpse at some of the projects and activities they have been busy working on so far in September. 

Loralai enjoying some of the BBQ's activities! The grade 7 & 8 students helped run the games, one of them even painted this cute butterfly on Loralai's cheek! They had this basketball free throw game, and she got 2 baskets! She is going to be like Mommy and go to free throw competitions I just know it...natural talent she is! :) 

Classroom Rules! 

Daily schedule! 

Add caption

Daily prayer! 

If you take a look at the multi-coloured baskets in behind Loralai that is where they keep all there work, pictures, and their communication book (this is the folder that she takes with her to and from home each night). Look how adorable she is showing off her work! 

We like to eat...

but like many families we are on a budget. I was doing a little research online, and the common theme in mostly all the sites was menu planning. This way you are heading to the grocery store with a plan of what you are going to eat for the week, and then you only get what you need to make those meals. It makes your shopping trip more efficient, and you save money by not being indecisive and up buying what you really don't need.  

So I made us a menu planner...

I added some of our family basic's which are items that have on hand all the time, the pink highlight on the weekday breakfast and lunch is to distinguish Loralai's meals! :)