Pumpkin Fun

We stumbled into the pumpkin patch this morning and the only rule I gave Bear was the same one my parents gave me: "As long as you can carry the pumpkin yourself, we can buy it." She picked out a small one, perfect sized that she could carry to the cash register herself.



She carried that pumpkin to the car, from the car into our home, and then all the way to the kitchen table. I opened it up and she cleaned out the pumpkin herself. Then she helped me pick out the seeds.



She had a grand ol' time squishing the pumpkin guts between her fingers. After a while she decided that she wanted a happy face on her pumpkin. I carved a face and then she added the "freckles."



Chipmunk made his own pumpkin, too...er, well he had a little help. He did however mention that he wanted Hoho the monkey on it from "Ni Hao, Kai Lan."



They're both very excited about getting all dressed up in their costumes and Bear is even practicing how to say, "Trick or Treat." What fun!

Whoosh!

That's the sound of time flying by.

October is in its last leg and I'm already starting to stress about the holiday season. Seriously. There's something wrong with me.

First of all, I don't deal with stress well...scratch that. I don't deal with the anticipation of stress well. See, we're not even there yet and I'm already starting to worry about travel plans and gift buying. It's silly, I know. But here I am wondering if Chipmunk will be needing a warm coat this winter.

Everyday I'm reminded about how quickly things progress. Chipmunk is cruising around our home. Bear is losing those babyish features and becoming more and more childlike. Another anniversary, another birthday, another set of holidays to travel and plan for.

Whoosh.

Perhaps that's also the sound of the last of my energy deflating.

Foiled Again

I don't sleep well. Never have. There's just something about me and sleep that doesn't mesh well, which is bad because, well...sleep is kind of necessary and good for me and so on and so forth.

So it always amazes me how something that it so necessary and so vital is the hardest thing for me to do sometimes. I lay awake at night listening to the various sounds of our neighborhood and the thoughts swirling in my head, so that come morning I'm super tired and just not the best caregiver to two kids. So I try napping, but those naps seem to just mess up my schedule even further. It's a vicious cycle.

Yet, the internet is plastered with articles about how getting a proper night's sleep is important and could even save us money.

So tonight I had it planned to go to bed earlier (earlier, not early - baby steps, please!). I had a good start. I finished watching Project Runway, managed to get in my bedtime routine, read a little and settle in for the night.

And yet it's 1 am and I'm still up (and writing a blog no less!) and my little Bear is laying on our couch listening to the sound of my typing after shuffling into our bedroom and crying because Chipmunk was whimpering in his crib.

I'll just have to try again tomorrow night. *Sigh*

October Is In Full Swing!

I actually got an early start on costume-making this year. I figured that with two costumes to put together (and my shotty tailoring skills), I better not procrastinate.



Matt finally got his little jedi. I vetoed his "St@r Wars" votes the last two years for Bear, but this year he got his wish for Chipmunk.



This was the first year we let Bear choose her own costume. Even before we could come up with some suitable choices she decided she would be a "pink PIN-cess!"



She picked out her own fabric, too. Pink and shiny.

Oh, and we can't forget the little friends...

From 2008

From 2008

Looks like October is in full swing!

A Little Hello

Hello! I know it's been a while since we last posted. Just been busy. That's all. Nothing major. We're still here, and we're glad that you've stopped by.

Bear says hello. She is sorry she hasn't had much time to spend with you. Her schedule has been jam-packed with play dates, birthday parties and more play dates, but she hasn't forgotten about you.



She wanted to tell you all about her bicycle and how she hopes to learn to ride it someday. She's also been taking good care of her brother and taking the time to sing songs loudly wherever she goes.

Chipmunk also says hello. He is sorry that he hasn't had the opportunity to tell you what he's been up to. He's been busy crawling around and learning how to pull himself to a standing position.



About 2 weeks ago he had an epiphany and realized how much fun it is to be him. He enjoys his car rides, loves playing with his sister (crawls after her screaming with glee), and enjoys eating all his meals. His mom thinks he's a completely different baby sometimes. So he's sorry he hasn't had time to post, but he's been busy enjoying life.

So hello to all of you out there! We hope you are all well, too.