Boo

We had an active Halloween. First we had music class, and the kids got to wear their costumes or Halloween-ish clothing and “trick or treat” for animal crackers. Then we stopped at Coco’s house for a quick playdate and a great cup of coffee (for Mom, not Millie).

The rest of the afternoon plans went kaput thanks to another bad case of constipation (for Millie, not Mom). Two doses of laxative and an enema later, we were exhausted and opted for a long nap on the couch instead of getting more candy at Target. Which turned out to be fine because for some reason we had fewer kids trick-or-treating this year.

Millie did get to go out trick-or-treating with her friends from our block. Dad and Saba went along too. She didn’t know what all the hoopla was about, but she understood that the plastic pumpkin (pa-pee) was key. When she saw that her little friends had one, she turned on her heels, went back into the living room to grab hers, and out the door she marched.

Guess what Zach is doing. Yep, asking for another cracker.



Our little ballerina



Millie and Coco LOVE each other



Trick or treating with my posse

At the farm

Our friends Jorg and Angie throw an annual pumpkin carving party at their hobby farm in Wisconsin. The property is gorgeous, complete with pond, two horses, a barn full of hay, an orchard, and views that will make you weep. The photos do not do it justice, but believe me, it is perfection.

The sun-soaked living room, over looking the pond, horses, and rolling hills as far as the eye can see.



Our lovely hostess, Johanna (Coco)



Millie enjoying a climb on what I affectionately referred to as "the stairs of doom."



Soren let's mama carry him upstairs. Smart boy.



When I look at this picture, I hear angels singing.



Ooh, dada, we can see Russia from here!



And now, for a not so tender love story.

It started out innocently enough.



And then things went horribly, horribly wrong. For Soren.



Someone get this chick off me!




Finally, Soren makes a break for it.



I swear, she did not learn this type of behavior from me.

We cannot thank our hosts enough, a wonderful time was had by all. Although, we may be paying for Soren's therapy for years to come.

Stupid Baby Trick #47

It's a little dark...ok, really dark. Think of it as low-budget special effects.

A Perfect Fall Day

Today was a picture perfect day in Minnesota. We spent the morning with Kayt, Soren, Angie, and Johanna in Stillwater. We went to an orchard and then to Teddy Bear Park. The drive itself was worth it, the fall colors were amazing. The best part was getting the kids so tired out that Millie fell asleep in her stroller for the first time in months.





Millie and her beloved goats.


They are even cuter from the front, check out Kayt's amazing photos on Soren's blog.


In the afternoon, we had to get dolled up for Tracy's surprise birthday party at Buca.


Before you call Child Protection, she asked me to put those rollers in her hair.


It didn't matter anyway, because seconds later she did this and ruined all my hard work.


But of course she looked adorable at the party.


And at the end of the day she was so tired, this is how we had to change her diaper:


Great day.

Now We're Cooking

The other day our friend Ann called from the Holy Childhood Yearly Rummage Sale to tell us about a little wood play kitchen they had for sale. We snatched it up. Five bucks! It needs some serious cleaning and a new coat of paint, but it's so cute. I didn't want the big plastic Little Tykes stuff, so I am so happy to have an old-fashion kitchen for her. It even has a red formica counter top. Very '50s housewife. For now it's in the living room and Millie gleafully makes dada breakfast and soup every day.

She put all her plates in the top cabinets as soon as she saw it.




We've been working on "go stand over there and smile for Mommy." Then she rushes back over, scoots into my lap, and demands to see the image. Ah, the Instant Gratification Generation.

Here is her best "I'm a model, you know what I mean, and I shake my little tush on the cat walk" smile:

PDA

Dack and Mimi* sitting pretty


*Zach and Millie

Zach, can you give Millie a kiss?



Ok Zach, you can let her go now