Fashionistas

One of the most exciting things that has happened this past year was me turning 30. 

HA! Oh gosh. That definitely was not that exciting. My trip was exciting, but for some reason....I have had a hard time thinking that people can no longer describe me as "a blonde woman in her twenties."  I'm in my thirties. 30. 

Ok, I'm done sulking. 

But, seriously, one of the most exciting things??? Daniel's brother and family moving back to our state. But, not just our state........4 buildings over from us. YES!!!!! One of my absolute besties (I have a fondness for that word), Kristen and I went from texting throughout the day to being able to "stop by." How awesome is that? 

And now, all four mini Milburns are in the same area. LOVE. IT. 

A few weeks ago, we got to spend a fun-filled morning with our sweet nieces. 

We did Halloween crafts......

See her pretty necklace? 

And Miriam's......

We played dress-up, which...despite Aubrey's look on her face, she is TOTALLY into. She points to earrings, necklaces and crowns and knows exactly what she wants to wear. 

We may have had a few meltdowns. But, with all that estrogen in one room, really......what else could you expect?

We had a dance party......(as soon as I snapped this picture, I knew it was going up on the internet somehow. Awesome.)

We laughed.....

a lot......

a whole lot.....

And we had a fashion show. Now before you view the first minute of this highly dramatic clip, please be prepared to laugh out loud. I have no idea where Miriam gets it.

Ok....maybe I do. 

Take Two

Ahhh....pumpkin patch redemption.

 It was beautiful weather. No hats or winter coats needed. No red cheeks stinging from the wind. It was....nice.

It started with a leisurely ride on Daddy's back.......

And then we reached the patch. I'll give you two guesses what Miriam was pretending to be as we stomped through the fields seeking out the perfect pumpkin.

I'm sure you only needed one......

Eve found hers!

There's no such thing as the perfect picture. 

I'm fairly certain that the ones I see of every member looking at the camera and smiling are photo shopped. 

A successful trip to the pumpkin patch 2012 was accomplished! Only a few more things to cross off the Fall checklist before I turn on the Christmas music. 

Oh. *sigh*

Today was one of those days (although moods were vastly improved from yesterday) where I just know, had I been followed by a woman pregnant with her first child, she would have said to herself, "I definitely don't want to be a mom like that."

Because, seriously......I just couldn't get it together. From the get-go. My hair? bleck. Didn't cooperate and I wasn't patient enough to try at all harder.

Went to the freezer to pull out some muffins for a quick breakfast for the girls and amazingly...they were gone! I don't know how that happened! I mean, I baked a lot. A LOT. And then I only let the girls have one twice a day week. Ok....I may have gotten lazy and indulged them with muffins slightly more often than necessary. They are just so easy.

Then after rushing around brushing teeth, wiping tushies and putting shoes on, we walked out the door only 10 minutes late. The minute we step from the house, the FREEZING cold wind races down our hallway and blasts us in the face. Winnie the Pooh would call this a blustery day in the hundred acre wood.  Ignoring my gut, (you know the one that says, "hmmm.....you may not have dressed your children warm enough for this weather.") I rush to the car among exclamations in whiny voices of  "I'm cold!" and hope that the car warms up quickly.

 As I am on my way to Miriam's school, I think.....this is a pretty cold day for her to go to the pumpkin patch. Oh! Did I not mention that it's field trip day? Oh. *sigh*

9 AM. We're officially late. And I'm at my third red light.

I am also starting to have some anxiety at not having volunteered for the field trip. I went to the last one and really didn't want to go to this one. But, in the light of recent news events, I can't stand the thought of Miriam going to a pumpkin patch with 30 kids without Mama. I contact Daniel and he says I should just go then.

Running into school, I tell Miriam to wash her hands while I talk with her teacher. She doesn't.

I explain to Miriam that I am going to come with her to the pumpkin patch. YAY! She's excited. I also explain to her that I didn't volunteer early enough, so I probably won't drive any other kids and will just meet her there. She doesn't like this and insists she rides with me. I talk to the teacher again and work it out so Miriam will ride with me.

Next, I rush home (careful not to speed through the residential area that I got a speeding ticket in LAST week....that's for another post.....) and run in the house to get socks, shoes, warm coats and hats. I get back to school just in time. Sad. I didn't. I was actually late AGAIN. Who is late for the same school twice in a day?

I get Miriam and buckle her in and try to calm her down because she's crying that none of her friends are riding with us. Seriously. Sometimes having a four year old is like living with someone with dementia. I wonder how many times I can repeat something without literally going insane.

We drive to the pumpkin patch on the ONLY road into town without construction and....what??? There is a car accident. We're late. Again. Oh. *sigh*

But, we didn't miss it. We found her class. And it was fun. Even if my nose was turning black on the end from frostbite.

This was their "smiling" pose. 

Eve doesn't really go anywhere without her baby doll. So, she came with us to the pumpkin patch. She may have been a little cold. 

Miriam tried the corn maze. 

While she tried to find her way out, I marveled once again at the gorgeous place we live. 

Oh hi, Miriam. Didn't I just see you walk past here? Need help? Oh, you just want to pretend to be a horse and stay trapped in the corn maze forever? Surprise. 

It. Was. Cold.

Eve is in this one. Trust me. Oh...and that's Eve's hat on my head. She had a hood. I didn't. 

When we got home, Miriam had a blast with the massive pile of mittens and hats I dumped out madly searching for matches on my way out the door. 

I love that she put these on her feet. 

Goof. 

And that was our first Fall trip to the pumpkin patch. Hopefully next time we will be a bit more enthused. And warmer. And calmer. And maybe a bit less "frazzled mom". 

Oh. *sigh*