Happy Halloween!!!!

What a fantastic day we had- started early this morning- I ran the Downtown Y 8k with some friends- good times!

Then Vake and I went to Sunday School- he was wearing a dear little smock with ghosts and spiders on it- so hard to believe that we are entering the final set of holidays that this kind of gear is going to be ok!!!!

It was a chilly morning but warmed up really nicely- so nicely that we could sit on the porch barefoot!!!! And before we knew it, it was costume time. Really, and I know that I am not objective, but have you ever seen a cuter mouse? I didn't think so.

And then we started trick-or-treating- it's a tough concept- taking candy and not eating it but putting it in a basket for later...tough to do!!!!

Again, I know I don't have the proper perspective, but really?

We tried a couple of neighbors' houses.

And then crossed the street to check on a few other neighbors.

We knocked on a lot of doors- trick or treating is hard work!!!!

Then we went to see Grandmary.

And Flora.

By the end of the night Vake was totally exhausted, so it was time for dinner, milk and a bath to wipe off the whiskers.

Cute Naked Mouse

I believe this picture says it all. Happy Halloween, all!

Weight Watchers Update

So the short version of the long story is that I gave up Weight Watchers and took the fight to the next level- a nutritionist-run-much-more-rigid program.

Let me preface this by saying that I LOVE WW and in the past, I've had a lot of success with it. HOWEVER, I am really struggling with the weight loss this time and I just needed more accountability and more requirements (weighing in multiple times a week, more vitamin/iron supplements/more rigorous menu).

Praise Jesus it seems to be working. 7 pounds down since October 14. Of course, I am pretty hungry. But that's ok. Again, with WW I was losing 1/2 pound/week. Which is great, but I don't have a year to put into the losing component of the project and I was just getting incredibly frustrated by the pace.

Have to run 12 tomorrow and 5 on Sunday- let's hope that goes well!!!!

Haircut City

Vake went in for a little trim with Hein today- suffice it to say it could have gone a lot better- the first 10 minutes were fine and then V absolutely lost it. Hurray to fast thinking Hein who got V to operate the faucets on the hair washing chairs while she did the back and the sides.

By the time the whole tragic melodrama came to a close, I was covered in hair and had a lollipop stuck to my dress. You are welcome for that delightful image.

38 pounds of pitiful

I took Vake to get his flu shot today.

They always weigh him to make sure that he's getting enough vaccine. He's now moved to the "big kid" scale. 38.5 pounds. Yikes.

And when we got home, he was pretty tired as a combination of not enough nap and a flu shot. I put him to bed early and Stilly got into his room and woke him up. The poor child stood in his crib shouting "Want Daddy. Want Daddy. Want Daddy." again and again.

No "Want Mama."

Hmmm.

Making my child neurotic

Everyday, I fluff the pillows on our sofa probably 25 times- they just look so terrible and smushed and need a style fix.

Tonight, we got home and sweet little Vake fluffed the pillows for me, again and again- trying to get the appropriate fluffy look.

Sweet little boy.

And I don't know if I've had a chance to tell you about his latest "joke"- he thinks it is hilarious- we warn him when food is hot and now he will blow on food that he knows is cold, say "hot" and laugh hysterically.

I know, I just reread that paragraph and realize that perhaps I am the only person in the world who gets his joke.

Playgrounds and Friends

Vake is finally starting to understand about playing WITH someone as opposed to playing NEXT to someone- an activity that is not without its fair share of growing pains. Huff and Vake are not always as respectful of each other as we might like.

So I was a little apprehensive when Vake was invited to play on the playground with the son of a good friend of Anne's and mine. Little Mason is probably nine months older than baby Vake and that much further down the developmental road. But it was fine.

They were interested in each other but sort of did their own thing.
It always amazes me to see my child side by side with a child who is a good bit older. Safe to say we have a bruiser on our hands.

Pumpkin Patch Pics!

So I am a total sucker for stuff like this but how cute is the height chart at the pumpkin patch- they are guaranteed to have my return visit just so I have a set of these pictures with little V growing up. Vake thought it was hilarious to lean against the height chart.

Then we were off to the hayride- on the way we saw some pumpkins and Vake was obsessed with trying to pick them up- and got really frustrated because they were heavy.

Then we did some sitting in wheelbarrows.

Don't these two look like funny old-man farmers talking about their crops?

Vake was so pleased to see pumpkins his size!

Finally success! One he can carry!

My little boy was so pleased!

What a happy day we had!

Ohmygoodness what a busy weekend!

We did SO much this weekend!

Friday I took off of work and Vake and I delivered a cake to my secretary for her birthday. Then we went to the Richmond Zoo. The budgies and the giraffes are just as wonderful as we remembered.

Saturday, I ran 9 miles (Riverside Drive! Whoop whoop!) while Eric picked up his brother. We had our mexican food fiesta birthday dinner with good friends on Saturday night!

Sunday was the Folk Festival and then a visit from a high school classmate and her family.

Today, we rocked the pumpkin patch and then attended Louise's birthday party- oh and we picked Aunt Anne up from the train station and dropped her back.

Whew.

I'll get some pictures up soon!!!

Brothers? Twins? Nope, just good buddies.

In many ways, Vake is growing up with a twin brother- he and Huff are with each other most hours of the day- Vake now chants "huff, huff, huff" when he gets out of a car at a new location. They crack each other up. They irritate each other- and they chase each other. I hope that these two little boys stay good good friends.

Little Gym: Movin' On Up

Vake and Huff have moved up a class at the Little Gym.

The new class is for children between 18 and 30 months- it is fun but only meets once a week- a definite drawback for poor Taren who is always in need of activities (spoiler alert- we are going to the Zoo AND the pumpkin patch in the next week!!!!)

What a cute smile. Vake loves the bubbles.

Mommy's little athlete!

Out and About in Banff

It is really gorgeous there- you sort of almost cannot believe it.
Vake loved being out and about and exploring.

We stopped at a lot of lookout points and we were able to grab a pic of our sweet family here...

And then my baby made an international friend- is this too too too cute?

He and this little chinese boy held hands- it was really really adorable.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE BEST DAD EVER!!!!

You are a fantastic parent, Eric Martin.

Daddy post

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