This year was Ada's first time doing the official trick or treat thing.  We did Boo in the Zoo, which was a huge hit with our girl.  Then Jeff went to the hospital the weekend right before halloween.  I was hoping like crazy we'd be home, and not miss this time with Ada.  He has released on the 30th....only to be readmitted a week and a half later...for a month...hence this post in December.  Ada had a blast.  She went as Fancy Nancy, which if you don't know is a character in a book series of the same name.  You must become knowledgable in Fancy Nancy if you have a little girl.  It's a cute book, and it teaches vocabulary...fancy vocabulary.  How else would a toddler know words like fuchsia and merci?
When it came time to go around the neighborhood, she followed the lead of our neighbors kids the first couple of houses, but had it down pat soon enough.  She had a blast!  She asks to go trick or treating at least once a week now.
Now we anxiously await Christmas.  It has taken us a bit more than usual to get into the spirit this year....and honestly, I don't know if Jeff is there yet.  Our house is decorated, though, not as much as usual.  We still have three trees inside.  We decided to forego the tree with antique ornaments, both for time sake, and preservation.  Two year olds don't understand aged ornaments.  Our "family" tree's lights went out in multiple spots so it didn't make it up.  We used the tree designated for the Coke ornaments in its place, so we do have our family ornaments out, and the coke ones stored away.  As we've made our rounds looking at lights with an adorable girl, who says, "Looka dare mommy!" at nearly every house, we've decided we need to add more color next year outside.  So we're still making plans for projects.  We are eager for Jeff to gain strength and energy so we can again began our never ending projects around the house.  First one...sprucing up the fire pit.
We hopefully will have a good week ahead.  Jeff's energy seems zapped easier than ever the past few days, and evening brings issues with intestinal pain.  He's still adapting to a new way of eating, and processing food.  I pray that those issues don't put a damper on celebrations.  We hope to be enjoying time with family this weekend, baking a birthday cake for Jesus, going to church, and then Santa's visit on Christmas.  I ask that you keep praying for Jeff's healing and recovery, and for a healthy new year for the Mildes.  I hope you all have a joyous  Christmas, and a better than ever 2013!