The Climber

Other than singing, humming and dancing around, this guy loves to climb. More than Abby ever did and ever has. I think he's gone down this slide 100 times more than she has.

And while she doesn't love to climb, she does love to make boats out of boxes with her brother.

And this year we did a Thankful tree for the month of November. It was fun to count our blessings and to see the things that Abby came up with. I was especially thankful for health after the epidemic stomach flu hit our house (Abby and Grant) and Abby was thankful for our fridge. Very suspicious for a girl who doesn't like to eat much. And of course, for bunny.

And today was a banner day... after 3.5 years, Abby got to turn around in her car seat. She was speechless at what she'd been missing out on. She thought everything looked "bigger" this way -- and it actually feels like we're hanging out together now on our jaunts around town.

770. not getting sick
771. a patient spouse who walks in at the right moment
772. laughter is the best medicine
773. anticipation of this Christmas season

Monkey See, Monkey Do

Halloween night, we taped the Charlie Brown Halloween special. I had completely forgotten how bossy and rude Lucy is. Truly. Whew! For days and days after, I heard something to the effect of, "Ford, I'm going to pound you!" Gasp! Right? She'd laugh and say, "Mom, that's what Lucy says!" Oh my. This will teach me to encourage these shows, huh?

In other news, we've been having lots and lots of trouble with getting dressed. Socks (the seams!), pants (these hurt!), long sleeved shirts (I don't like this), are all causing us trouble. We've actually resorted to "practicing" wearing winter clothes. Can you imagine if we lived somewhere cold? Even super soft Ugg boots that someone loaned us - "these are itchy!" It's a fine line between wanting to listen and be sensitive and then really, really, really needing to get somewhere and absolutely needing her to not be naked. The days of a sundress and crocs every day are gone.

Some days are better than others. Recently, it took a full hour with kicking and screaming to get her to put on a pair of socks. Socks, people. Not a wool sweater. We finally settled on these cute, reindeer socks but could only find one. Two days later, I found the other sock in the garbage disposal. In the words of Charlie Brown... "good grief!"

But, the exception is her blessed (jelly) glass slippers from Halloween. Even Ford likes to try 'em.

They give her blisters and yet, she won't take them off. So she's not that sensitive, eh?

The few days around Halloween, it was really warm. Back in the pool they go...with Ford splashing and jumping around while Abby stands there like the lifeguard.

And then naked Fordy wanted to swing...

And here she is, still looking like the Lifeguard, very in charge. "Fordy. It's time to come back to the pool."

So, in light of the Charlie Brown show, you'll now notice the use of the word "blockhead" in this video. Dear Lord, make her forget everything that video hath sayeth.

767. candy cane green tea
768. 24/7 Christmas music already
769. a joyful-hearted hubby in a bad circumstance

Halloween 2012

Little Cinderella was waiting and waiting for it to be Halloween night. She spent the majority of the day in her costume... waiting. Waiting by the swings, waiting while we ate a snack, waiting for it to be 4:30.

And finally it was time to head over to our friends' house! The "big kids" have known Abby since she was born and yet, whether it's the costumes or the craziness, she's always very, very shy at first when we get to their house.

Notice that a) she has "princess hair" (it's pulled back in a messy pony - don't tell her this isn't proper Princess attire!) and b) she's holding a silver purse from her Grandma that served as her candy bag. I heartily approved seeing that it was small and could only hold 20 pieces of candy as opposed to a pillow case, holding one million pieces.

And here's the whole gang, three families worth of fun (sans Ford)...

And her partner in crime from last year -- they gave out candy together and I think Abby got a piece to eat for every piece they gave away.

Reliving the tradition before it even got dark...

And finally, it was time to go! She went from super clingy to "No, dad. Don't hold my hand." All the big kids went their own way and just a few of us walked the lovely street together.

Ford was destined to be Charlie Brown (I had the shirt ready to rock) but he was obsessed with this tiger costume we had from cousin AJ. When Abby would play dress up in the days coming up to Halloween, he'd run to his room and yank on the closet trying to get his costume down. So, the tiger became Tigger after watching the Pooh movie recently.

He had a wonderful time just walking up to front doors and talking to people.

This boy is a people person. They'd answer and he'd just laugh and stand there.

And finally, one of all four of us.

Clearly Abby and the youngest boy (other than Ford), Asher, didn't get the memo that there is to be no dating (even over Halloween candy and legos!) until they are at least 25. After trick or treating, they parked it on the floor while the big kids were still out, counting candy and talking the physics of how to put things together.

Be still my heart. It was really cute.

763. a fun event on Halloween
764. families that include our "young" kids
765. traditions
766. a warm night

Underwood Farms

A few days before Thanksgiving, the kids and I headed out to a farm about an hour from home. Dust, pumpkins, miles of fruit to pick and more... dust. It was awesome. The best part was that we spent an hour in the bounce houses - we could've been down the street from home -- the bounce houses always rule.

They got some sweet time in a wagon...

And miles of pumpkins with two of Abby's buds...

And the best part, according to Abby, was the "cow" train...where a big tractor pulled us over the entire farm. "Hi, Scarecrow!" again and again.

And the next night, it was carving time with Abby's friend, Avery. Ford really got into getting the "goop" out...

While my highlight was surely the toasted the pumpkin seeds, Abby loved having free reign of the Sharpie.

And the next morning, she was ready for Halloween Prep, 2012, including her costume. All. Day. Long.

758. an internet connection that works
759. abby being thankful, seeing her change
760. ford's vocabulary
761. a few minutes in the morning to myself
762. the hubby's design sense

Wishing Well

A few weeks ago, I went to dinner with Belle (and her entourage). It was the kid's first lesson in not taking money out of the fountain wishing wells! (What a crazy tradition, right?)

And dumplings were had by all. Now those are something to be thankful for.

Speaking of thankful, we are trying to be very, very thankful this month as we lead up to Thanksgiving in the hopes that it'll stick and we'll all be very thankful people all year through. One thing we're super duper thankful for each day.

Abby's November first thanks : "my bruther" (really?! truly?! could it be?!)

754. blog catch up
755. a move-able massive desktop
756. a connection that works
757. the kids not knocking the computer off the table during reboot

Recent Recap

We've had some photo/computer hiccups lately. Sorry for the lag! Here is a catch-up post so we can move on to the most recent event -- Halloween!

This had to be documented. The kids actually help hands recently. In Costco. It was miraculous.

Abby and Ford had a playdate with my dear friend from high school's daughter. There was serious princess/jazzercise things happening.

These ridiculously cute slippers came in the mail from Grandma. Yes, she made them.

The kids went to a birthday party in the late afternoon, in October, where there were water balloons (sorry, east coast friends). Note the hand-me-down Lily Pulitzer dress. I'll never get that on her again so I had to document it.

This was obviously pre-haircut (dang, I miss that hair)...

There was a fairy sighting in our neighborhood.

"Mom, You can call me Tink for short, but for long you can call me Tinkerbell, Super Fairy."

We've done loads (and loads) of laundry...

It was so hot a few weeks ago, we lived in bathing suits (and ate cookies!)...

750. my most favorite, thankful time of the year beginning
751. new books
752. our school schedule
753. counting down days