Only Treats

Happy Halloween! I took advantage of what is probably the last year that I'll get to pick out K's costume for her, and tried to be creative. She had a lot of fans when we were out trick-or-treating in the neighorhood.It was a beautiful day today so we stopped by a park. The weather was also great when we were out this evening and we didn't even need jackets. What a treat!"Here, I believe this is what you ordered.""Oh, sweet nectar." Hanging out with her friends at our local Starbucks. She only looks troubled because she was afraid she might be put to work:

Pumpkin's Pumpkin

K. and her dad bonded over pumpkin carving. Mom, of course, participated only from afar and wouldn't reach in and touch the pumpkin goo.K. helped scoop the innards out. Good thing she learned how to use a spoon last week!

Someday For Real

Oh, I cannot wait for the day that K. is old enough to use a real vacuum, not just a toy. She does a pretty thorough job, especially considering how young she is. She's also good with the lawn mower; the other day she mowed the entire living room and kitchen before dinner.

Just look at that focus!

An Amazeing Day

Although K. and I went to the orchard on a weekday, B. wanted to go too so we took a trip there today with some friends. It was chillier, but K had a great time.

K in the large maze. She liked walking around, but preferred when B. or I was within sight--I guess mazes aren't fun if you suffer from a bit of separation anxiety.

K. investigating a cornstalk:

K. running over our friend T. in the tractor:
"Did you hear that thump?"

And this little piggy went to the market--and purchased some fresh apple cider: So tell me, gentle reader: does the title of this post bother you, or did you get it right away? I thought about using hyphens for emphasis, but was unsure. Any feedback?

Inside Out

K. always likes the outdoors, and any time the back door is opened she attempts to go outside. In these photos, she's hanging out with her dad while he is grilling our dinner (thanks!). Don't worry, gentle reader, K. is a very safe distance from the grill.

A recently-aquired skill is that she will pick up a ball (or two) and actually throw them. Sometimes they go a decent distance. Sometimes it is even forward! At the rate of her progress, though, K. will throw better than her Mom by the time she's two.

"Go deep!"

Behind Door Number One

In some of their bonding time, K. and B. played a game with the door to K's room. She would hide behind it, then cautiously open it...

...and B. would jump out from around the corner, much to K's delight!

If the Shoe Fits

(Note: K. put these on herself, with no prompting from Mom or Dad)

Little Pumpkin

I took my little pumpkin to our local orchard/pumpkin patch today. It was a beautiful day--almost warm enough to not need our jackets. Here are a few highlights:

"This one looks to be about the right size."

"Just hangin' with my peeps...uh, pumpkins."

Like Finding a Needle

No, K. didn't climb all the way to the top by herself--it's harder to climb than it looks.

We played for a while. The prior photo is the only one in which she is smiling--I think I had more fun than she did (I had a great time!). She was just taking everything in. We watched two goats and a llama for a little while. She was intrigued but a little nervous of them though they were separated by a couple of fences.

Big Red

While we were at the orchard today in the play area, K. rode on a pedal tractor (I had to push her as she has neither the reach nor the know-how to pedal this tractor). She had a good time. Then we were in a large, wooden tractor that kids could climb up the stairs and pretend to drive. The steps were a bit steep for K., so I helped her up. She enjoyed it so much that after I took her down, she walked over to the tractor again and made her way up the steps (with quite a bit of determination).

A Paisley Bedtime

Here is K's routine before going to bed:

1. Wear off remainder of energy by climbing and sliding

2. Wish upon a star 3. Read a book to self (if Mom or Dad is unavailable to read)
4. Get into crib and smile widely
5. Peruse crib for most comfortable spot on mattress
(P.S. K's mom made her PJs)

The Dish Ran Away

K. needs to learn to feed herself with a spoon. Her biggest hurdle in learning this, of course, is that it's so messy it's hard for her mom to give her a chance to do this. We practiced a bit this morning, though the photos don't tell the whole story... She looks successful, and was for a little while. K. decided, though, that it was still easier to use her fingers (even on yogurt--yuck!) so she was reaching in the bowl and scooping up the yogurt while her spoon sat on her tray, unused. I said, "K., use your spoon" so she picked it up with her right hand--and held it, unused, while she continued scooping with her left!

Church Chums

We had a bonfire at our church last weekend (sure, the weather was 80 degrees--but that's much better than a 40-degree bonfire!) Here K. is hanging out with two of her friends.

The Best Friends

I got the chance to visit one of my good friends from college and meet her boys. K. had a great time playing with A., who is older than her but will be the same year in school (he will be among the oldest in their class; she will be one of the youngest). We took a walk to a park.

It was a swinging good time.

Here is my friend with her two sons (look closely--the youngest one is in her arm and is partially obstructed by the swing). It was so good to see her again!

Nearly time to go home. This toy wasn't the hit we hoped it would be:

Traveling in style:

"What do you mean I have to share my ride? Hmmpf."K. with A. and his baby brother. K. was slightly more interested in the car in her lap than the baby, but you can see how sweet A. is with his brother.
"Wait, let me handle this one."

Quality Time

We spent last week with Grandma J. and Grandpa J. In the middle of the week, we all traveled north to see some of Grandpa J.'s family. Here are a couple of photos of K. hanging out with her Grandpa. She loves him and loves to snuggle, but if he tickles her back she'll take a swing at him (just like her Mom and Grandma do).
"I love my Grandpa!"

Wagon and Waggin'

While at Grandma and Grandpa's house, K. really took a liking to carrying around a stuffed animal. She carried it around for, like, a half-hour without putting it down. Grandma J. made a push wagon for K. to play with. She pushed it and put toys (and stuffed dogs) in it, then eventually climbed in herself and rode. Thank goodness it's sturdy!
K. with a bit of disco in her.