Halloween and Upgrades!

The month of October seemed to have been the longest month of the year thus far. Maybe its because we had so much going on, but it feels like October first was more like 3 months ago rather than 32 days ago. I am hoping the next two months will go by fairly quickly. I am certainly more excited about 2012 than I have been about any other year in a very long time.

We didn't carve pumpkins this year...as for me personally, I could care less- but as far as being a mommy of two little ones, I feel as though I once again failed the mommy test. Sure, we did some other Halloween/October events. The kids dressed up, we did the trick-or-treating, we went the pumpkin patch (several times). Heck, we even threw in a trip to the carnival, a trip to Houston and the children's museum, several Friday night football games, and who knows what else. I will say, on my behalf, that while we didn't actually carve pumpkins, we did buy a few in which the kids decorated with marker...that sort of counts, right?

Logan got plenty of use from his Super Mario costume...and I don't think we have seen the end of it just because October is over. Landry was a Fairy princess of sorts, and on the actually Halloween night we gave her the option of the tutu and wings or the minnie mouse costume she got from Alexa for her birthday. She chose Minnie Mouse.

The kids had a blast...mommy and daddy were TIRED! I couldn't help but think that I couldn't wait until they were older and I could just drive the car and let them out at each house. However, afterwards, I thought...I can wait - I am not ready for that at all and it will be here before I know it and then I will be wishing that they were small again.

JR and I went up to the studio yesterday where we can pick what upgrades we want for the house. We wont go officially for our appointment for another week and half or so, but we just wanted to get an idea. We made a list of our top upgrades:
~Convert the half bath into a full bath (still on the fence - but 80% sure we are going to do it)..turns out it's $2500 (not $3500)
~Wood floors throughout the first floor of house (except laundry, bath, and 4th bedroom)
~Tile in all wet areas (including laundry room)
~Seperate shower and garden tub in Master bathroom
~Stainless steel appliances
~Granite counter tops
~French double doors for master bedroom

I think thats all...I thought we had a pretty small list of upgrades, unfortunately they are pretty much the most expensive upgrades running close to $15,000. Ughhh! We have a few other minor things in there, but those are the major upgrades. It's not that its THAT big of a deal, its just a little frustrating to know that I could go to Lowe's and pick out the exact same flooring options for about 50% of the price. The same appliances for 75% of the price. BUT I guess that is just the way things go. In fact JR even told me that maybe we should think about just putting in the included carpet, and the doing the floors ourselves later on after we have gotten good use of the carpet. It's a good idea, except for the fact that then we have to buy the flooring (it wont be included in a mortgage), we have to hire someone to install it, and when I move into this house, I want it to be FINISHED...I don't want to have to go back 6 months later and do something else to fix it. I guess it comes down to how much you really want something and being willing to pay for it! And when it comes to the floors, counters, and bathrooms - I guess I am willing to pay for it!