Halloween begins

Around these parts, we like to take our time with things. Draw them out a bit. Really savor the festivities, which, given the number of gray days we have around here makes sense. This is certainly true of Halloween, which began Thursday with the annual Pumpkin walk downtown. We don't understand why it's called the Pumpkin walk - there are no pumpkins and there is no specific route to walk. The goal is to acquire as much candy as possible from the local merchants, have a dinner without waiting in enormous lines and make it home without downing half the loot. This year, we were successful on all three counts.

We join our intrepid, costumed heroes with their pumpkins already heavy with candy.


Toddler Wily loved pulling on her ears and Toddler Jeneric just loved being in costume.





The University's Greek community puts on a Safe Halloween event concurrently with the Pumpkin Walk. Toddler Jeneric put the finishing touch on her costume with a quick face paint.



She wasn't much in the mood to roar loudly, but we did manage to get her to say several audible 'trick-or-treats' and 'thank yous'.



Meanwhile, Toddler Wily was overwhelmed, hot (it was over 60° F today!) and really not sure what to make of everything.



Safe Halloween also had a slide, which Toddler Jeneric eagerly attempted. The climb up was slow, and she hesitated for a moment at the top.



Before flinging herself down the slide... rather slowly, in fact.



She went so slowly that the little mouse could wait no more, and started down after her.



Finally, the ring toss, which was definitely not our strong suit!



More Halloween to come!

Siskel & Ebert

It finally happened. Toddler Jeneric chose to watch another movie - instead of Annie. She was very excited about this movie, waiting patiently for the star to make an appearance.


Trying to contain her excitement at the singing and dancing and animatronic birds:



Toddler Wily was not so impressed. She's not yet keen on tv. The computer, well, that's a different story (we use our MacBook to watch movies, so this can create a bit of a challenge).


BTW, do you recognize the movie?

Unrelated but interesting to note, Eric baked some awesome bread on Sunday. Both girls devoured several pieces with dinner.

RIF

Reading is fundamental! We've been trying for ages to get Toddler Jeneric to 'read' to Toddler Wily. On Sunday, she complied, reading Moo, Baa, La La La, complete with snorts and snuffs. Toddler Wily was delighted!

Getting ready for Halloween

Trick-or-treating is just around the corner and Toddler Jeneric is well into the spirit this year. Let's start with the pumpkin carving.

Here's Toddler Jeneric very excited about creating a jack-o-lantern (she's learned all about jack-o-lantern's through the Berenstain Bears).


And here's Toddler Jeneric horrified that creating a jack-o-lantern means carving into the pumpkin with a knife!


And here's Eric, horrified at his carving skills!


What's inside?


Here, let me pull some of that out for you!


No one wanted to pull out the goopy innards, so it was Jenni to the rescue.


Oh and Rrawr!

Interlude

Be careful of the monsters you create! Toddler Jeneric has a hard time keeping her bedroom neat, especially her bed. Tired of pajamas strewn about, Jenni created the Pajama Monster, who eats children's pajamas if they are not put away.

Do you see where this is going?

Yes indeed, every morning and after every nap, Toddler Jeneric is very hyper and concerned about getting her pajamas tucked under her pillow and the bed made. She’s really worried the Pajama Monster will eat her pajamas and will often check on her pajamas to make sure they are safe.

(I hesitate to confess that I also created the Dinner Fairy, who eats your dessert if you don’t try at least one bite of everything on your plate.)

Tea for Two

And two for tea! Eric snapped a few pictures of the girls' first tea party. Toddler Jeneric was quite thoughtful and set aside a cup of tea for Jenni.

Interlude

Some days, you can't help but smile all through breakfast.

What was in your breakfast cereal this morning?

Toddler Jeneric had a very exciting surprise in her cereal one morning!

Leaf Peeping

Michigan is, apparently, known for the fall foliage. We get a lot of visitors from - of all places - Illinois (this baffles Jenni - they have trees in Illinois!). In the spirit of the season, Eric and the girls when on a short leaf peeping journey this morning.

This tree looks pretty...


and this one, too.


This shrub needs to get with the program!


Toddler Jeneric tried her hand at leaf photography. Not bad for an almost 3-year old!


Toddler Wily prefers her leaves one at a time.

Not much Wednesday

Well, the first cold of the season has swept through Wily Jeneric. We're in a tissue lock-down and might be delirious enough to have let Toddler Jeneric cook dinner.



The smell of burnt plastic is going to linger, isn't it?

Vital update!

Toddler Wily emerged from her 1-year check-up with 4 puncture wounds, 1 removed splinter, and a clean bill of health.

The details:
Height: 30 3/4 inches (91 percentile)
Weight: 21 1/4 pounds (51 percentile)

Her weight is a little low, given past performance. Given the amount of walking, running and climbing Toddler Wily's been doing, well, we're not too concerned.

Gratuitous Toddler Wily shot:


Pile on Mama!

Teamwork!

Toddlers Jeneric & Wily recently joined forces to vacuum the kitchen.

Hey Toddler Jeneric! I think you need a different attachment.


Make sure you reach all the crevices.


Toddler Wily, I'm not sure about riding the vacuum like a tricycle.




No, I haven't heard of child labor laws. Why do you ask?

ArtPrize!

On a rainy Saturday, the Wily Jeneric family trouped to Grand Rapids to view a small portion of ArtPrize, the world's largest art prize.

Toddler Jeneric takes in one of the top 10, Field of Reeds. This piece certainly captured one's attention, with the motion and creaking.


The rest of the top 10 are listed on the main page of ArtPrize. We're a little sad we missed the Moose sculpture! Winners announced Thursday.

This was Toddler Jeneric's favorite piece, Light Passes Through It. For Toddler Jeneric, the piece evoked a thunder storm that was mesmerizing. We watched it for 15 or so minutes.

Interlude

Our local grocery store has, at the very front, an animated horse that costs only a penny to ride. Sandy has been out of service for a few weeks, and Toddler Jeneric was eager to take a ride on our last trip. As she was encouraging Sandy to go! Sandy! Go! Jenni asked whether Sandy was a boy or girl horse. Toddler Jeneric replied, confidently, that Sandy was a girl. And the reason? Sandy works!

Celebration!

Toddler Wily celebrated her first birthday in traditional style, with presents, macaroni & cheese and cake.

I like macaroni & cheese (and peas). Aw, my favorite dinner!

Also? I am learning how to mug for the camera!

I also like to feed myself.


Whoops! Where did the food go?


After dinner, everyone sang to me and then there was cake!


I really liked the frosting...


And for those who couldn't be here to celebrate, whip up a batch of your favorite chocolate cupcakes, pull up a chair and sing along!