Fall Carnival

Last Friday night our neighborhood elementary school hosted a Fall Carnival. They had crafts, food, games, and several bounce houses. 

For the twins the bounce houses were the big draw. One bounce house in particular was an obstacle course. Now the bar for bounce houses has been set pretty high and I'm not sure the twins will ever settle for simply bouncing again.

Then this is the face that happens when you realize the bounce houses are being deflated.

To fix this face, we stuffed it with a cupcake and then painted it.

Butterfly and Tiger

Thanks to my Mom for all of her help at the carnival and buying tickets for cupcakes and face painting. We had a blast!

Boot Season

I love boots and one of the joys of being a mom is getting the kids cute boots. This season, I may have gone a little overboard.

This would have been a great shot if Connor wasn't in constant motion and turned out blurry
(couldn't get them to pose together again)

Connor is the tough one to buy boots for because he has super cute, chunky feet. When I was shopping last month I came across some boys UGGs. Since they fit I snatched them up immediately.

Connor's boots

I love his boots, they're so cute on and fit great. Totally worth it.

At the same store they had UGGs for girls too. Of course the girl's were more expensive, but they were so adorable I couldn't pass them up. I let Chloe pick the color and she's crazy about them and tries to wear them all the time. The best part are the bows on the back.

Chloe's boots

So you think I'd be set on boots, and we are. Except, purple boots are great but a brown pair would be more practical. So I ordered two pairs from Amazon.

Chloe loves the ankle boots with the pink flowers. Not as excited about the taller brown ones, but I love them. I may get the adult version.

See Kai Run "Louise"

Timberland

Participating in the 2012 Komen Race for the Cure

Shelley, Wendy, Sandy & Karen at a previous Race

We're participating in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure this Saturday, Oct. 20th. I've done the race with my Mom, off and on, for years. We participated before she was ever diagnosed with breast cancer and we'll do it again this year now that Mom is a 9 year survivor.

For the first time I'm going to bring the twins. We'll have to start in the back with the stroller, but we're not really there to compete, so that shouldn't be a problem.

Chloe with GiGi and Connor with me

It's an inspiring day and I hope it's something the twins can enjoy with us too.

If you'd like to make a donation to help with funds for breast cancer research and services for women, please use the link below:

Donation Page

Super Heroes

A fire engine and firemen are visiting the kids' school this morning. I thought it would be fun to wear their Wonder Woman and Superman shirts from Aunt Wendy.

Seriously, you wouldn't think it would be that hard. The first challenge is to get Chloe to ever agree to any outfit. She likes to look through her closet and pick out what to wear herself, which lately is a dress, something with butterflies and maybe her boots. She requested a "pretty dress" and after I explained to her the fire engine would be at school and we could wear our super hero shirts she totally agreed, since that's perfectly logical.

Connor doesn't usually give me a problem with clothes in the morning, but for some reason he decided he wanted to wear the Wonder Woman shirt instead of Superman. Which is fine, he can wear the Wonder Woman shirt, just not when his sister is already wearing it. After a mild breakdown, we agreed on Superman.

Another morning accomplishment is Chloe letting me comb her hair, sometimes we just go with the bed head look. I even talked her into pigtails with Wonder Woman matching red hair clips, but then halfway through she rebelled and we only made it out with a one-sided pig tail.

As we're heading out the door I ask the twins if I can take a picture. Chloe is totally game and gives me a super smile. Connor gives me a super tantrum.

The List

I've had a few ideas running through my head lately of things I need to get done. So like any efficient person, I made a list.

1. Work out: start by walking, running, anything, just start
2. Update budget
3. Dog food
4. Search Getty images for royalty-free pictures of messy, happy babies for work
5. Buy a light blue shirt for Chloe to go with the brown corduroy skirt that has blue, green, and pink flowers. Or take the skirt shopping to find a matching top.
6. Buy Connor something too. He notices when Chloe gets new stuff. Consider Spiderman slippers from Target
7. Eat less in general, but eat more fruits and veggies
8. Buy green Velcro for the belt of Chloe's rose Halloween costume. Also figure out how to put the Velcro on or sew it or something without messing up the belt. Probably just ask Mom for help.
9. Figure out the rest of my rose gardener costume for Halloween to go with Chloe's rose. I have rose gloves, shears, and gardening boots, but what clothes should I wear?
10. Research elementary, magnet, charter, and private schools in Dallas. Need to determine education plan for twins before they turn 4 so I don't ruin it for them.
11. Make separate list: Christmas shopping
12. Oh yea, make separate list: Thanksgiving
13. Buy some Fall clothes. Although I don't want to commit to any new clothes until I lose some weight. See items #1 and #7.
14. Figure out how to get this blog onto the www.SwanAndOn.com URL I got. It shouldn't be that hard. I've done it for other people's blogs why can't I figure this out for my own?
15. Via #13 #1 and #7, drink less wine. Although this list makes me want to pour a glass and throw the list away.
16. Milk, we always need milk

BRCA Test Results

A few weeks ago, at my last OBGYN visit and with the doctor's advice, I decided to take the BRCA gene test to see if I was at a higher risk of developing breast cancer. See previous post here.

Only about 2 of 100 adult women are likely to have the BRCA gene, and as it turns out I'm not one of those two. Good news!

Since my Mom and both grandmothers had breast cancer, in the back of my mind I've always assumed I'd probably get it too. The results of this test provide a bit of lightness. It's not a foregone conclusion that I'll get breast cancer and that's really nice to know. I'll still be diligent about screening, but I feel better about the idea that I may never get breast cancer.

However, what's even more important to me is knowing this is good news for Chloe too, since I didn't pass along a gene that might also put her at higher risk.

Now the only thing left to learn is what this test cost me. Some, most, or all of the cost will be covered by insurance. Even though I have the test results, I still don't know what I'm on the hook for.