Halloween 2012

Is there any parent out there that doesn't enjoy some of the halloween candy after the kids go to bed?  If so, I am impressed with your will power!

As I indulge in some of Julia's candy, I thought a timely blog post would be good.  Our day started with getting things ready for Oli's Harvest Party (cannot call it a Halloween Party anymore because you might offend someone...not sure who?).  And then off to daycare for Tyler in his costume and preschool for Julia.  The day ended with more fun trick-or-treating the neighborhood. 

A fun fun day!!

Julia's preschool friends ready to 'parade'.

This is Adelle.  Julia LOVES Adelle.  It is remarkable how kids are 'attracted' to other kids so easily.  Guess it is no different than adults but it is so blatant in a two year old.  They were fast friends and seem to play together 90% of the time at preschool.  I happen to think that her costume was the best one I saw all day!

Teacher Kym's friendly witch socks and shoes - cute!



We do pay for heat, promise.

Julia has started wearing a 'night cap' to bed...she says her hair wants it to be 'nice and warm'.  Oh, the Santa pj's...yeah, she has been wearing them since last xmas. 



Oli has followed her lead.  With the hat, not the santa pj's.

Pumpkin Carving

A halloween tradition - pumpkin carving!  Oli was really into it this year but Julia's 2 year old tendencies didn't lend to this activity.  She was not willing to stick her hand in the icky pumpkin and since we use power tools to carve the pumpkin, she couldn't really participate in that part.  All to say that within about 10 minutes she was looking for another activity.  Good thing Brett and Oli pushed on through to finish our 3 jack-o-lanterns.

Sketching out their jack-o-lantern faces.

Tyler was more into it than Julia.  He hung out entertained the whole time. 

Halloween Parade 2012

This afternoon was our neighborhood's Halloween Parade.  I co-chair the event's committee for the neighborhood and this is one of a few events we put on.  It was pretty low key and all about the kids in their costumes and 'parading' the downtown Kirkland buisnesses.  Super fun!  

I'm proud of how Julia's home-made costume turned out.  What do you think?

The 'big' kids! No pun intended. Our sumo wrestler friend had only 2 small issues, 1 when someone (maybe Oli?) pulled his battery pack off and 2) when he tripped over the neighbor's puppy (because he couldn't see his feet).

The little kids!



Pearls

Pearls…  A cliché moment…I’m getting dressed up for a date night last week and my daughter wanted to wear high heels and a necklace too.  Here she is in my heels and Nana’s necklace.  Apologies for the naked pics...she loves to paint and instead of dealing with the stains, we have her take her clothes off and so very often we never get them back on her. 

Brett and I both shook our heads thinking that before we know it, we will be looking at picture similar to this as she gets ready to walk down the aisle. 

Look at her admire herself...priceless.

Oli's 9th Birthday Party

Playing catch up here…Oli’s 9^th birthday party was at SkyHigh, the Trampoline place in Totem Lake.  He had 15 kids there and they did some major jumping, bouncing and playing.  There is an open trampoline court, a dodgeball area and a very popular jumping pit. 

A photographer’s challenge…limited light and very quick kids.

Check out how high kyle is on the far right

Julia's Hero

Let the chasing begin.

This place sure tired them out!

Phineas and Ferb cake.  He chose it because it was unisex since he was inviting his two girlfriends – Grace and Parisa.  Grace is to his left.

And then the sugar kicked in.

Jackson is a friend of Oli’s but also of Julia’s.  Sweet kid.

And Jackson’s mom is a friend of mine. 

We are noticing so many changes with 3^rd grade.  A couple highlighted at his party….parents are comfortable leaving their kids for parties and now it is the custom to open the gifts.  It surprised me that for years now the gifts get taken home.  Other changes are noticed at school and sports…consistently higher expectations across the board. 

A day of Firsts

Tyler surprised us today by rolling over from his tummy to his back.  I had set him down and a moment later looked down and couldn't believe he was on his back.  I flipped him over and he did the same thing 4 more times in a row and loved all the fanfare he received!

And why stop there?  Tonight he was a bit fussy and sucking on his fingers as I was trying to get dinner ready.  Without giving it much thought I gave him some avocado in the little mesh bag.  4 months is pretty early to start any solid foods but boy did he like it! 

The video is long but there is a special guest appearance at the end who is also enjoying her food.

Julia is a Fish!

Boy are we the proud parents of a swimming 2 year old!  We'll let the videos speak for themselves.

 

 

 

A day sail

We took advantage of Oli having no school last Friday and went out for a day sail.  It was a beautiful fall day with not quite as much wind as Captain Brett would have liked.  However, the conditions allowed for a nice calm ride which boosted my confidence, Julia’s comfort with the boat and gave Oli the ability to thoroughly check out the boat.