HallowKitty

And finally revealing this year's carved pumpkin offering...

Chuckles, HallowKitty, Grrrr

Jack O' Lantern

I've learned my lesson. Next time I try pumpkin carving with two little ones. Clean the gourds ahead of time. Nothing as fun as having an infant wailing away while a toddler runs around getting goop everywhere. At least the results so far are good... Brea asked for a "mad" pumpking... then she asked for a "happy" pumpkin... now there is only the big one left.

Mister Graby!

Rhys is a grabber. He likes to grab faces, clothes, toys, and lately, FOOD! I was making dinner tonight and he was not happy from the vantage point of his bouncy chair and started making a fuss. So, the multi-tasking Mommy that I am, I picked him up and carried on. I grabbed the carton of chicken broth while holding Rhys and pulled the tab off, Mister Graby decides he wants to help and makes a mad swipe for the carton as well, next thing I know, we are both wearing eau de poulin.

Let see what we have here...

Oh poop! She caught me!

Oh well, it's all good.

A Tuesday morning...

At dance class this morning, Brea was super in the first few songs and Rhys was happy in his seat so I was able to get a quick video so that you could see her in action. This is her favourite and she's always happy to participate...

We made it home after class and I put Rhys on the bed with Brea while I made some quick sandwiches and this is what I walked into...

A typical Tuesday in our home...

Thanksgiving

We were super lucky this Thanksgiving to have been able to celebrate with lots of family. Uncle Kent stopped in after running in his marathon, my Mom and brothers made it, some cousins visited from Alberta and my aunts came over from the Island since they were taking off to China on a trip and chose to celebrate with us before they left. This meant that we were in for a treat, my Yee-ma's turkey is the best! It has an Asian marinade that just can't be beat. Craig made his ham, my Mom contributed sticky rice, and I made a Brussels sprout with bacon side; the meal was rounded out with yummy apple and pumpkin pies. Truly scrumptious and so great with family to celebrate.

Rhys but he wasn't too happy to test out the roaster. We just wanted to make sure the turkey fit. They're both 17 lbs!

Cousin Ange with a happier Rhys out of the roaster

Waiting patiently for the turkey to be carved

 

The Amazing Floating Balloon

This AMAZING balloon was given to Brea for her birthday from her friends, Joelle and Susanna. She has been playing with it for two months now and it still floats to the ceiling. I can't explain how the helium is still hanging on in it but wherever this balloon came from, it was well worth it. Brea just loves her "Happy Birthday" balloon as you can see:

The Patch

Finally! We made it out to the pumpkin patch! I've been wanting to go since last year but the weather was not helpful in the least. This year, luckily, summer is having a final hurrah and we made it out to bask in the sunshine amidst all the pumpkins.

I convinced the Kau-Kaus to come out with us (much easier to have several more pairs of hands) and we had a blast. I really didn't know what to expect as most of the pictures I have seen were of kids sitting on a pumpkin or in the field but Laity Pumpkin Patch is amazing! There are animals to see, a tractor ride, a whole lot of fun wooden animals and vehicles to ride and play with, a corn maze, gold panning, and trails in the wee woods full of assorted fairytale characters. Brea was so excited to pick her own pumpkin too. She told me as she went to bed the night before that she was going to choose a "little" pumpkin and that Rhysy was going to get a "big" one. She was true to her word.

Since it was an afternoon outing, I tried to get the photo ops in early before little Miss was too consumed by all the going ons there. The Kau-Kaus were in good spirits and we got lots done. We ducked into the corn maze but I headed back out when we crossed paths with a couple who were terribly lost. All, I could think of was - how horrid it would be to be lost with a wailing two year old and an infant. Uncle Eugene did pop back in before we left to brave the "cornfusing" maze... he made it out in record time :o) Brea thoroughly enjoyed all that the Patch had to offer and I know she'll look forward to making this an annual outing.

It was such a wonderful day with lovely people to share our adventures with.

She just had to wear her gumboots

Brea and Mommy

Looking out into the field for the "perfect" pumpkin

"Mommy, I have dirty hands! The pumpkins are yucky!"

Aaargh! Ahoy matey!

Uncle Ambrose, sailing the wooded seas

Brea and Pinocchio

Wake up Rhys! You're going to miss the Great Pumpkin!

Rhys crossing the Troll bridge

Uncle Eugene, assisting Rhys with his ride

Looking through the fence at all the animals

The cutest pumpkin ever!

Brea kept telling me the tractor was stuck

Choo choo!

Rhys and Danny the Donkey

She was really trying to push the wheelbarrow

Helping Kau-Kau push

Twinkle Toes

Brea recently started dance classes. Since she loves music so much and wiggles away whenever music is on the radio, we thought it would be a fun thing for her to try. Well, our normally extroverted daredevil was a wallflower the first day we went. I had never had such a clingy girl in my life! Luckily Po-Po went with us and was able to keep Rhys company while Mommy sat with our nervous little girl.

Some of the girls in the class are older (3 yrs old!) and are much more confident. Brea is really good at watching them and will show us all the dance steps she learned once we're safe at home. These are some pictures from class #3 so she's warming to the idea of dancing sans maman. 

Since that day, it's been getting better. Po-Po is off to China so we're doing the last few classes by ourselves. She was a trooper when I explained that Mommy had to hold Rhys and that she had to be a good sister. She got through 20 minutes before running for me.

My usual seat, right behind her, where she can grab me if needed.

Mommy! Up! Up!

Thankfully, she loves the mat.

Getting cozy with spidey for the "Itsy Bitsy Spider" Dance

Baby giraffe walk

Walking home after dance class.

She's recently discovered pockets, I'm finding LOTS of goodies when I do laundry.