The Grand Finale

So the grand finale to the perfect weekend was better than I could have ever imagined. Dallas in the fall is the best. Dallas in the fall with a two year old that lights up the world is perfection. I have had the most perfect weekend enjoying my family, watching Mollie blow down the street on her new trike, watching her glow in her painted mermaid face, watching her show off her mani/pedi, watching her tell everyone she is a mermaid fairy princess, watching her ride a pony twice and help carve pumpkins, and most importantly watching her RUN, and I mean RUN from house to house with all of her little friends, leading the pack, to yell "trick or treat". (And she didn't stop there, I had to go into the houses to pull her out :)

Halloween is the new favorite Hanratty holiday. Ryan and I both said this is the most fun we've ever had and put that little girl to sleep at 9pm with the biggest smiles on our faces as we listened to her say "I love you, good night, see you in the morning" as she came down from her sugar high.

Here is the little one doing her practice round at our house before we joined her friends and set out on the old neighborhood.

Very excited to confirm that the candy we spoke of was in fact a reality!

Can't wait until next year pretty fairy. And I believe you had enough candy to hold you over until then :) Happy Halloween!

Gearing Up

Mollie geared up for trick or treating by testing out her new wheels in her fairy costume with her treat bag, then hitting up the neighborhood pre-trick or treat Halloween party. The sugar started there, and didn't stop for the rest of the night. Who needs pizza when there are juice boxes and pounds of candy! We were having fun, but didn't realize that the best was yet to come!

Happy Halloween (and Christmas)!

Well, we gave in to the tractor of all tricycles. When you see this thing in action, you can't pass it up! To cap off what has been my favorite weekend in months (yay for Dallas in the fall!!), after conversation and coffee outside with friends, then brunch and bellinis on the patio, we made our way to the fancy bike store. To no one's surprise, we left with the Trikster (If she doesn't go to Juilliard, she might want to be a triathlete)!

Mollie in action on this baby is no joke. It is fantastic! Happy Halloween pretty girl, and Merry Christmas present :)

Test drive -
Bringing her home -

And what makes it worth it -

Ponies and Jac O Lanterns

2o10

2009

Another flashback. We had our second annual pony ride, pumpkin carving evening with the Kuchler's. Last year was Mollie's first time on a horse and this year it was like old hat. She loved it so much she rode twice.

She also cuddled chicken (the zoo keeper told us he bites after she pulled away)...
and rode the exciting train that we thought would never end.
Then it was back on the horses (yes, his mane is a rainbow. sorry horsey)...

before back to the house to decorate/carve pumpkins.


CHEERS to Halloween tomorrow! We are officially ready!

The Weekend of Fancy

Halloween weekend continues with Mollie's first balloon sculpture and face painting. Unlike her mani/pedi, she went right up to the chair and told the artist she wanted a "purple mermaid princess". It was actually beautiful! Then we enjoyed a family brunch on the lawn and some live music by a chicken man?

Pleased with the results!

And at last, Mollie up on stage honing her performing skills!

Special Girl's Day Out

What mom doesn't dream of doing this special outing with their little one?! We got a tip for free Halloween mani/pedi's for the little ones, so headed over with our friends. After getting over the initial shock that someone was trying to cut her toe nails (a grooming practice she avoids at all costs), she was very excited to have pink nails and toes. The highlight of the entire event was picking out the color!
Cheers!

She got my two year old to sit still :)
Both girls checking out the beautiful results...
And a happy girl at home showing off her fingers and toes!

THE BIG RECITAL!

Crazy day, Part II

The day I have been waiting for. The big recital for Mollie's favorite activity - DANCE!

The very professional dance school Mollie is attending (neighborhood YMCA) opened their halloween festival with their 2 - 5 year olds putting on a performance last night. It was the least formal recital ever, which was why I was sitting on the floor two feet from Mollie trying to capture it on video. The bets were flying on whether she would run over to us the minute she saw us, actually dance, or just stand there. The latter happened in performance #1. We never saw the result from song #2 coming. Mollie was doing all of the moves (Juilliard here she comes), and then the kiddos surrounding her starting belting out the chorus, and... (if you can stand my ametour videography... trying to watch and tape at the same time)

Note the quick end to the taping... I had to go and grab her from the dance floor as this happened...

Of course, we hit the YMCA party directly following and the trauma was quicly replaced by tootsie rolls and a huge smile. "No go home mommy, no leave party!"

Later when I asked about the recital, she told me, "mama, too loud", but this morning she asked for "more dance recital". You have the love the resilience of a two year old! So proud of you big girl. You were fantastic to watch in your recital. Can't wait for years more to come!