Harvest with Papa

EVERY night, Mya wants to read "Papa Book."  This is a book she picked out at the bookstore herself.  It's a book entirely about tractors.  When we first bought the book, we talked about how Papa has tractors on the farm.  Since then, it has become a favorite of hers in which she refers to as "Papa Book."  We read it at naptime AND bedtime. 

Mya and I went to my parents' farm a couple of weekends ago (Dadda was in Vegas with his buddies!).  On the way down, it was anything but pleasant.  She screamed for the last hour of the ride.  The majority of the screaming consisted of, "PAPA!  PAPA TRACTOR!  NEIGHS!  PAPA HOUSE!"  Who knew my dad was such a celebrity in her eyes? 

Needless to say, when we arrived at the field for Mya's combine ride, she screamed with excitement!  She LOVED seeing the combine, cart, and beans.  She was a bit hesitant as we climbed her up the steep steps to the cab of the gigantic combine.  She was pretty much in awe the entire ride. 

Mya gets ready to help Papa harvest the soybeans.

Look! It's PAPA!!!







Stanley Who?

I have to admit, up until last year, I had never seen a professional hockey game! However, being married to a crazy sports fan, a season ticket holder, and living in the city of the #1 hockey team, it kind of makes you become a fan! I enjoyed watching the games and loved seeing the Blackhawks win the championship game (on TV...not in person.... yes, probably the only season ticket holder to never actually go to a game!)! 

Matt was SUPER excited to learn that season ticket holders got to take a photo with the Stanley Cup!  We headed to the city after Mya's nap on Sunday and waited our turn to meet Mr. Stanley.  It was a bit duller than we had imagined, but it was still pretty awesome!

I Ain't a Professional....But....

My sister is going out of town during her "planned" family photoshoot with her usual photography.  So, she asked me if I would take some pictures of her family while the leaves were still beautiful and hadn't all fallen. I was excited to get the chance to "practice" my photography. BUT....REALLY wished I had taken that class I keep talking about!  I really don't know what I'm doing when it comes to the settings, lighting, poses....heck....I just really don't know what I'm doing!  However, I stole some poses from our family photoshoot and went for it!  I have to say, I don't think they turned out half bad! Here are just a few.... and one of the little Miss Mya! She was my assistant!

My Little Model

We got Mya's 2 year pictures taken a couple weeks ago.  These pictures always stress me out!  I worry about her outfit, our outfits, the weather, her hair, my hair, etc....etc...etc.....  However, I am always pleasantly surprised by the outcome.   Here are just a few of my favorites!

Go Bears!

Who knew the Bears would be having a winning season so far?!?!  Perhaps it's the special cheerleader they have rooting for them! 

Robe

Twice a year I look forward to the Growing Cents of Style consignment sale in Barrington. I have absolutely no shame in admitting than one person's garbage is my (Mya's) treasure!  This sale is where the rich, hoity-toity Barrington Moms bring their "gently used" kids clothes, shoes, and toys to consign.  My sister and I go to the sale together, arriving early in hopes of being first in line!  The feeling of accomplishment I feel when I leave is the best feeling ever!  I feel like I've cheated the system!  I get namebrand clothes for usually under $5.   This year, I got multiple pairs of striderite shoes from anywhere from $5-$10...these are $50 in the store!  I also got a new Petunia Pickle Bottom baby bag for $35.... selling for $170 online!!!  I also got a Graco double stroller for $20 (everything is half off on Sunday)!  The ladies working gasped as I checked out! New baby bag and new baby stroller....all set for baby #2......someday!

One of Mya's FAVORITE purchases this sale was her new robe! She has always been fascinated with my robe.  When I get out of the shower, she always grabs my robe and hands it to me. So, when I saw this precious pink robe for $2 I had to buy it!!!  It was love at first sight! She loves it!!!  It is my secret weapon to get her out of the bathtub to go to bed! 

Mommy:  Mya, do you want to get out and put on your robe?

Mya:  Yeah, Momma, I'm cold.

I tie the robe, she double ties it (twists the belt) and off she goes running to her bedroom to get dressed!

Fall Festivities!

I hesistate to say that I love fall because I know perfectly well what comes AFTER fall.... WINTER!  But, I really do love fall days filled with football, pumpkins, and falling leaves!  Just spending the days outside with my family inhaling the cool, brisk air is so worth it!

 We spent Saturday morning at Goebberts Pumpkin Farm.  This place was crazy! I had been there about 4 years ago. I remembered the sea of orange pumpkins and sweet smell of kettle corn and apple cider.  But, what I didn't remember, was the zoo they also had!  I was expecting a petting zoo with goats, sheep, and maybe even llama or two.  But, I didn't expect to feed a giraffe from our very own hand, see 2 bears and a tiger roaming around a tiny little cage (I am TRYING very hard not to be bothered by this), and see monkeys swinging from branch to branch!

We all loved seeing the giraffe at our eye level!  The giraffe would come right up to us and eat from our hands.  You can't tell in the picture, but there was also a baby giraffe a couple feet below!

We were feeding a llama from a small plant shovel.  The llama's neck was cranked backwards so he could reach our food!  Mya was unbelievable brave!  It was so unlike her!

Daddy had the brilliant idea to go into the corn maze after other people came out and wished us "good luck".  We got about 100 feet in and decided it probably wasn't a good idea!  Trust that I have been lost in corn above my head before....not so fun....especially with a 2 year old!

Mya stood like such a big girl so we could measure her each year we visit the farm! She was just under 3 feet. 

 DORA!!!!!  Mya had lots of hugs and kisses for her!