The Year of Michelle

I'll be honest, I don't leave my children often.  Jason and I took a few trips when the boys were little, but I always get so nervous when I do.  Since Hailey has been born, we haven't gone anywhere.  Jason has traveled for work, but I've always been worried about leaving Hailey.  She stays home with me every day.  The beginning of the year, Jason asked if I wanted to go with him on a business trip in November.  I asked my parents if they could come stay with the kids so no one missed school and we were able to get all worked out.  Shortly after that, friends from high school contacted me about a girls weekend in Nashville.  Jason then jokingly deemed 2014 the "Year of Michelle".

As the trip in November got closer, I got more nervous.  He had left the kids and I had left the kids, but together we hadn't left the boys in over 5 years and we had never both left Hailey.  I made 100 notes and 100 phone calls.  I fought back a few tears the morning I left Hailey at school.  To make a long story short, the kids did fantastic.  I worried about my parents understanding Hailey or her getting upset.  I worried about her napping and bedtime.  I apparently worried a lot for nothing.  They did fantastic.  In fact, Hailey barely wanted to talk to me when I called or FaceTimed them.  It made me a little sad.

Jason was traveling for work so we didn't get to spend a lot of time together.  I was able to go with him in the evenings.  I honestly don't know how he does that trip every year (I was exhausted!).  I did get some time to myself and I was able to spend a day with one of my college roommates.  It was nice to get away for a few days.  I did enjoy going to the bathroom without someone yelling "mom" or knocking on the door.  It was nice to eat a meal while it was hot or to choose a restaurant because of what I wanted to eat.  I spent the first day looking around....I felt like I forgot someone or something.  However, in the end...I missed them dearly and was happy to see them when we got home!

Halloween before Thanksgiving

I spend so much time and energy blogging the entire month of October that November seems to get lost.  I just realized that I never shared about Halloween.  I fretted so much about the weather that day.  I was so excited for Hailey to trick or treat this year.  The first year, she was obviously was too little.  The second year, it was so frigid that she was outside for 5 minutes top.  Last year, Hailey was finally walking and I was giddy.  Then the monsoon hit and my wonderful neighbor planned a last minute party, but no trick or treating for Hailey.  This year they kept calling for rain...loads of it.  We decided we were going to give it a try anyway.  Hailey was a trooper.  She didn't use her stroller much at all and we walked a ton.  She would always say trick or treat as we were leaving, but she said "thanks" or signed "thank you" at every house.  My favorite (yes, we had a conversation about manners afterwards) was when someone handed her a candy bar and Hailey proclaimed "No, another one".  The woman gave her another one, but I made Hailey put it back. 

I enjoyed watching my little girl keep up with the big kids.  She had a ball!!!

Two zombies and Doc McStuffins

This is what I saw most of the night....following the girl on a mission

She's a "little" excited about that pile of candy