The Fairy Tree

Before we moved, we knew that a big selling point to making the new house something exciting rested in the hands of two people (or should I say things?). 

Rapunzel and Tinkerbell.

And, so, since the kids' bedrooms are the only thing upstairs, the Rapunzel part was easy. "You and Fordy get rooms in the tower! Like Rapunzel!" 

Done. Sold.

There are a few big oaks in our backyard and one of them was begging to be a fairy tree. 

We told her that the previous owner advised us that fairies sometimes visit that tree.

And they leave notes.

(gasp!)

and sometimes gifts

(huge gasp!).

So, as a one-time-only-you-just-moved-in-thing, she got a gift from the fairies, up at the tree after being here a few days. (A left over Christmas gift that we deemed was "just too much" last year). A few notes followed….and then suddenly,  these showed up.

"Mom! What are they?"

"hmmm. I think they're fairy toadstools."

"Wow! Cool! 

Wait… what are toadstools?"

("Something you can buy on etsy….")

And, so, the fairy myth was born.

Notes are left.

Sometimes they light lanterns to alert us.

And Abby writes back, leaving hand-made necklaces and such.

But one day after we'd been here a few weeks, there was indeed a fairy party to attend.

Since I'd been to a huge sale the week before and scored a fairy dress for pennies, 

we thought this was a good idea.

A fine idea.

A very fairy idea.

So, up in the morning light, hung this fairy dress.

And here they are seeing it. 

(Fordy is almost more excited than Abby)...

And since then, the fairies have been on vacation

(preparing for Thanksgiving --shoot, that's this week!).

But that day was filled with fairy stuff….and thanks to the fairies, Abby was ready.

A perfect unicorn...

A preschool pal….

And the birthday girl!

1083. believing in fairies

1084. pixie dust magic

1085. the speaker fitting in the slot

1086. fordy's tummy trouble being over

1087. holiday music before thanksgiving

1088. dates lining up without  me doing a thing

Cousin Reunion

Did I fail to mention that almost 4 weeks exactly to our move-in date, cousins arrived literally around the corner? Yes. It's true. And yet totally unbelievable. Sometimes, I still can't believe it. 

While they were getting settled, we took care of Goldie - who's anything but gold - a Beta fish. Here's Aunt Stacey showing Fordy how to feed him... This took care of any fish obsessions anyone was having. No one wanted to "help" clean the bowl!

And this was the first moment the big cousins saw each other.

Chaos.

Mayhem.

Happiness.

1079. cousins around the corner

1080. cousins that drop by

1081. cousins that we can walk to

1082. cousins that go to the park on friday

Nugget Market

When we first moved, I was determined to find raw milk for the kids.  They love it, gulp it down and ask for more. Regular pasteurized milk? Nah. Not big fans. And so, for many reasons we made the switch.

A really fun market up here is Nugget Market. I think so because of their deals on paper towels and abundance of raw milk. The kids think so because they get balloons. I am always shocked that balloons still get this kind of response... and yet, they do. "Mom! Mom! Can we have one now instead of waiting till we leave?! Can we?!"

A few weeks ago, when the afternoons were still warm and we hadn't changed the clocks back, after we got home from Nugget, Ford spent some time in the yard. Just him and his balloon.

"Hi Mommy. Look at me."

And I can hardly keep up with him as he charges down the rocky stairs.

I'm hollering the whole time, "Careful! Slow down!"

But the fearless one charges on.

And just last week, the balloon was outdone by the pink Barbie cart at Whole Foods.

Eeek. This might be a more costly cart drive.

1075. the monkeys in bed by 7:45

1076. fordy feeling a little better

1077. calling my Pasadena advice nurse

1078. an unexpected friend calling

Warm October

Apparently it's been unusually warm here.

To me, it feels normal.

75 on Halloween? Perfect!

So, I'm already dreading (and preparing my cold little feet) for winter.

Or maybe even a true Autumn since it hasn't hit yet.

Although the trees around here don't know that. They are putting on quite a show.

But a few weeks ago we ran around with shoes off at the park,

collecting berries and sticks and all kinds of treasures.

In dog poop bags. 

Because that's what they do here....

have dog poop bags at every single park.

Just in case you forgot to bring your own

(and now have absolutely no excuse to pick it up!)

The whole thing cracks me up, compared to Pasadena

where you fend for yourself and your dog's feces.

So here they were, collecting.

And wouldn't you know that the warm weather had everyone wishing for a sledding day?

These kids have never seen snow. 

They don't really know what a sledding day is.

But they know they'll be warm.

And ready.

Vail, anyone?

1071. a breakthrough with understanding a certain behavior of Abby's

1072. a day out with Grandma and Papa

1073. getting a lot of work done while they were out

1074. a sink brush organizer

Halloween Nor Cal Style!

The night before Halloween we had our pumpkin carving fest.

The kids scooped out the goop while I got the oven heated for the beloved seeds.

What's pumpkin carving without seeds?

Yummo.

I asked a friend if we should do the Disney templates for carving. 

She told me I was crazy and to stick with letting the kids draw and we carve.

It was the best plan. 

The whole thing was done in under 20 minutes.

Abby and Abram scooping...

And Fordy and me, too.

(Aunt Stace and Grant are directing the scene)

And afterward? Chaos on the porch.

There was coloring (huh?), screaming, spitting, funny faces....

all around melting down.

At least no one got burned.

A plus.

And the next day - the big day - we of course had to run to the store in the afternoon.

Spidey and Superman joined me.

"These aren't our costumes, mom. Just what we wear to the store."

Phew. I got confused.

(Notice the flip flops on October 31).

Remember the Trunk or Treat and the cobweb tip?

I endorsed it at home on our front gate, as well.

Instant spooky. Or, "spooky-ooky!" as the kids demanded.

And before we knew it, there was hair brushing and costume getting on-ing and dinner eating....

And Papa arrived with a witch hat (always a stunner)....

With Grandma in tow.

My black lipstick and stitch over my eye were a big contribution to the dress up portion of the night.

Big for a girl who doesn't dress up anymore!

And after a few family pictures...

Tink had on her shoes and Ford actually agreed to Peter Pan.

We headed out with the other local Nieportes (we were quite a crew heading out in the daylight!)...

And the kids started knocking on doors and saying "Look! Look at all this candy!"

It's as if they'd never seen it before.

Wild cousins rocking it together!

Tink, Spiderman and Peter Pan.

They had their fill that night and have forgotten about it almost every day since... (thank you, God).

The sugar crash...

And then the wheels came off.

So thankful to be with family this Halloween and yet I really missed our annual routine in Pasadena. Instagram made it easier.... it almost felt like we were in two places at once.

Now that would be tricky.

1067. a chilly, clear night

1068. a package getting redirected

1069. the press up and running again

1070. instagram when i'm missing my so cal peeps

Halloween Preschool Style

Have I told you how amazing Abby's preschool class is? 

Have I?

Let me tell you. It's amazing.

Within 4 weeks she was really writing her letters well and enjoying it.

The day before Halloween her teachers planned a big Halloween party in the park. Games, treats, trunk or treat (I'd never heard of such a thing...)

She was pretty happy that morning in her Tink costume (a hand me down from cousin Katy!)...

With leg warmers from 2 years ago that Grandma made...

And the "other Abbey" in her class....

One of many games : pin the face on the pumpkin...

Abbs with her amazing teacher, Ms. Amy!

Fordy got to come and refused the Peter Pan costume at the last minute.

Tigger from last year is always a fav around the house. 

Another game : sweet the pumpkin into the square. (It's harder than it looks!)

The cake walk. She was thrilled to pick out cupcakes.

Fordy trying to get as many candy corn into the bucket as he can...(the perks of being a preschool younger sibling - you get to do the games, too!)

Hard at work with the awesome Tink shoes Grandma fixed up for her....

Rock decorating...

The trunk or treat!

 I was such a rookie. Here is the trick :

Everything looks more spooky with cobwebs.

Loot!

And the "parade" around the park. 

Classic.

Adorable.

Fabulous.

Until the boy in the other class with a super hero mask on somehow scared the wahoo out of her just by walking too closely behind her. 

A wonderful teacher grabbed her and off she went, smiling again.

Close one!

And did I mention that Papa was there to help wrangle Ford, take pictures and join in on the fun?

He was.

And it was grand.

1063. dropping them off so i can run

1064. an extra hour with cousin Sloan

1065. no itching complaints in that costume

1066. ford listening during the craziness