Tessa - November 2011

Yesterday you and I were just chilling (read: I was napping while you watched a movie) on my bed while Logan was at school, and at one point you got right close in my face and smiled at me and said, "You're my best friend, MOM" in your funny little way.  I loved it.  I still remember when Logan told me I was his best friend, and it melted my heart just the same to hear you say it.  Maybe more because I know Logan will most likely always tolerate me to some degree as he hits his teen years, but there will be times you DEFINITELY won't.  So as I sat down to think about what to write this month that was pretty much the thought that dominated my mind.  I can't even think of anything else funny or cute or annoying that you did this month, but I did want to make sure to remember to write that down.

I have pictures this month though!  Yay for holidays and mom remembering her camera on a trip for once!  Dad had been gone for most of the month to Texas on a detail, so were excited to have him come home so we could carve our pumpkins.  Grandpa Hillier donated the pumpkins he grew in his garden since the ones from our garden were all shrively when it was time to carve them.  You adn I worked on your pumpkin and I asked you what shape you wanted all the features to be.  Well, you kept saying "circle" every time I ask.  Why don't you think about how hard it is to cut out a circle in a pumpkin with a steak knife?  So you only got one circle eye because after that I was pretty good at persuading you to go with easier shapes.  I guess we'll have to get the fancy kits next year so you can get what you want.  You also told me you wanted your pumpkin smiley, so I did my best with a smiley face too.  Dad had you and Logan pose on the couch with your pumpkins and told you to make scary faces.  This is the "scariest" one we got, and it was only because I finally told you to make a grumpy face.  Your grumpy face is scary - your scary face is just funny.

See, this is you making a "scary" face, but there is a better view of your smiley pumpkin.

I had a deer tag this year so we decided to take Grandpa Hillier up on his offer to go to the DWR Fish Lake cabin since it had been redone (read: hopefully mouse-free).  You got to hang out with grandma and Logan while I went hunting with grandpa and dad, and we got to do a little exploring down by the lake and the spring that runs past the cabin.  We didn't see any bucks, but you made sure to ask me every time we came back, "Mom, did you get a BUCK?"

I spent a lot of time asking Logan what he wanted to be for Halloween, but I have to apologize and say I didn't give you much choice.  I am really hoping to stay away from the "princess" rut as long as I can, so as we were watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse one day I had a brilliant idea to put the idea in YOUR head that you wanted to be Minnie.  It worked, and you were just happy as a clam to go as Minnie, though I did hear you tell people from time to time that you were going as Minnie Mouse princess.  That works too I guess...

You've even got the mouse teeth look going on for you in these pictures.  Can you tell you were excited to go?

I have to say I think you make a dang cute mouse.

We only  hit the trunk or treat this year since I figured if we went around to friend's houses they would just be out getting candy themselves.  Then we found out your dad had his lip cut open at work and was heading to the ER before coming home, so we called it a night.  You didn't get a whole lot of candy, which was fine with me since you and Logan spent the next couple days constantly asking if you could eat it.  I was pretty excited when it ran out, and I might have helped put a dent in it too.

I love how much more fun holidays are with you guys around, and you are at the best age for it too.  While Christmas and Thanksgiving always stress me out, I am trying my best to remember to focus on you guys because I know that these fun years of wanting to dress up cute and believing in Santa won't last very long.  I DO hope though, that you will always consider me one of your best friends even when you outgrow the rest.

Love you Mush,
Mom