Halloween '09

We had so much fun Saturday night. Charis was Sleeping Beauty and Atalie was a Hunny Pot from Winnie-the-Pooh. Friends joined us for pizza and then we headed out. I loved hearing Charis say, "Cheek or Cheek, please" at the houses.

Atalie was a little unsure of the whole costume thing, but took it in stride.

Notice she started the night in heels. Brian thought ahead and carried slippers in his back pocket. We could still see our house and she started limping along, claiming her feet didn't hurt. I mean, c'mon, the heels lit up when she would walk. It was almost worth the pain, I'm sure. Almost.

The girls got a little hot in their costumes. It was such a warm night! I can't remember a Halloween that we didn't freeze.

Charis was allowed to choose a treat from her basket. She chose Candy Corn (gag).

Love this one!

Later Wolverine came by for a visit. When Jason gave me a hint about his costume, all I got was, "I had to use a belt sander." What kind of crazy (and useless) clue is that?

Makes sense now.

All in all I think it was a lot of fun for everyone. Well, almost everyone. I don't think those trick-or-treaters liked it when they were told that we didn't have candy here. Um, hello? No front porch light on= no candy. Hasn't that always been the rule????

I still felt a little guilty, though.

But only a little. What happened to all that leftover candy last year? That's right. I ate it. I vowed to not make that mistake again and unfortunately the trick-or-treaters suffered. Sorry guys. Maybe next year.

Hunt Clubbin'

We had so much fun at Hunt Club this year. We met Ashley and Jason and took the kids to see the pumpkins, hay pile, and the petting zoo. Then off to Panera for dinner. Charis loved the hay...it was everywhere. Panera, however, not so much. She's still talking about the "tary paxapone" (scary saxaphone) music. Of all things not to like...

Taming My Wild Beasts

Brian's parents, Mimi and Da, brought by a bunch of costumes for the girls this past week. This is my little wild lion trying on her possible costume.



She wasn't sure what to think of the mane at first.









Practing her "roar"...no, really I think she was trying to eat the camera. The closer I got, the wider her mouth opened.

Brian got in on the fun, too. His head nearly came with the hood when he tried to get that thing off.









Appararenly Charis thought we were shooting a slow-mo shot for a kung-fu movie. Looks like Atalie is getting a roundhouse kick to the back of the head.


Why is it so hard to get a good photo of two kids at the same time?

These were my best shots of them together.

Sad.

Though Charis (again) looks like she's attempting to play whack-a-mole on Attie's head, and Atalie looks like she's using her Jedi skills to block her...

no. Actually Atalie is (again) trying to taste something. This time, Charis's costume. And Charis, well, she's just wiggling. What else is new?

My Gym!

For Charis's birthday, her Uncle Jason and Aunt KeeKee got her a 3 month membership to My Gym. It's been so much fun!! Every Monday (and every time we get in the car) I hear, "We going My Gym, Mommy?"

She's climbing to kiss Mr. Bear.

Her favorite...the ball pit!!

Circle time! Not her favorite (since it involves stopping free play), but once the music starts, she's all smiles again.

Thank you Jason and Keex for the amazing gift! They even let Atalie roll around in a walker while Charis plays. Big thanks to Bean for babysitting Attie while Charis and I spent a little time together.

Brian has officially decided that we now need a rock wall, balance bean, and hanging swings in Charis's room.

Almost on the move...

Just a few update shots of Attie-bean (notice the tongue is out in most pictures). She's 8.5 months and attempting to crawl. There's a lot of knee-rocking going on, and a few face-plants forward. She loves her sister to pieces and can't get enough of her! Still no teeth, though I think she's working on some.

There's a few outbursts of tears when I leave the room, but she's done within 10 seconds. I guess she doesn't miss me that much. :)

She also lights up when her daddy walks in the room. Definitely a daddy's girl. She'll stare him down until he notices her and will screech in attempt to get his attention. Feeding her with him around is a no-go...all she wants to do is gaze lovingly at him and perform just to see him smile at her.

She likes to be read to, but mostly in hopes of tasting the book. Atalie loves being outside--the windier, the better.

She's finding her voice, which can be heard if the room is mostly quiet. Otherwise she's busily taking everything in, waiting her turn to be heard.