Happy Halloween!

"Asa Scout!"

Yes, Scout is one of our cats.

BOO!

Fall on a Farm

Asa's playgroup organized a farm outing at one of our favorite places, so on a gorgeous October morning, we  set off.  It combined so many of Asa's favorite things: tractor:

Hay ride:

Farm animals (cow!  goat!  duck-uh-ling!  Chicken!):

(the cow, right after I took this, took a nibble of my sleeve.  Asa scolded, "No, cow; no eat Mummy's sweater."  thanks, sweetie!)

Fresh apples:

 

And pick-your-own pumpkins!  Asa sought out the roundest white pumpkin he could find, and was very pleased with his choice.

And I must remark upon one little detail: HE WORE A HAT.  This is nearly unheard-of for him.  It gives me hope for the upcoming winter.

Out of the Mouths of...

Asa was playing quietly in the bathtub.  M. and I were in the kitchen, cleaning up after dinner, until I heard, "Come ON!!  Come here!"  I walked in, and asked him which parent he wanted, Mommy or Mummy?  "Mummy."  So I sat down by the tub.  Then he considered for a moment, and added, "And Big Mommy."

I didn't wet my pants, although it was close.  And for those of you wondering, M. is the one who insisted I blog this.

Asa, on Big Mommy's rather abbreviated lap.

Don't Need Help, Mummy.

And it was true, both before and after he said it.

We went for a walk in a local Audubon preserve - one with miraculously little poison ivy, but plenty of mud and colorful leaves and pretty scenery.  Asa walked by himself the entire time, staying on the path and generally being very good, although occasionally annoyed by our half-realized gestures of assistance.

We had a snack by the side of this lake, and sat for longer than Asa would have liked.  Whereas a couple of months ago, he'd have gone pelting away with little regard for us, today he stopped when we asked him to, and waited with something resembling patience.

The one time he accepted help, it was to make sure our hearts were securely lodged in our throats.  As always with a toddler - you give a little, you take a little.

He's growing in leaps and bounds, and it's amazing to watch.  Amazing, and still, those clearly-spoken words tear your heart wide open: "Don't need help, Mummy!"

I know you don't, sweetie, but maybe I do.

Quiet Reading Again: Age Appropriate Version

The book was "If You Give a Pig a Pancake" and the focus was intense.  Usually, with these books, he'll willingly read them aloud.  Of course, the minute the camera comes out, all bets are off, but still - think of it as a brief glimpse into our daily lives.



Even if you don't understand a word of it... isn't he cute, sitting alone and all "Edith-Ann" in the big rocking chair?

Chopsticks

Monkey see, monkey wants to try.  So out came the training chopsticks.  It took a little help from Mommy to figure out the grip...

And then a little concentration...

And it was all worthwhile.

Yum!

Quiet Reading Time

Slightly above grade level.

Best to begin at the beginning...

For the Love of Uncles

Congratulations to Uncle Jeremie and Uncle James - we were so honored to be a part of your wedding!  

On our way out the door, with Uncle Jacob (and Asa looking handsome in his not-wedding-clothes - no fools we, Asa didn't get truly dressed up until the very last minute!)

At the wedding venue, waiting with the grooms.  Asa kindly distracted them by playing "train" and using them as bridges.

And after all was said and done, he danced the night away.  Wouldn't let us off the dance floor.  Such a fun wedding!

Jer and James, we're just so very happy for you.  Hope to see you again really soon!

Making Cookies

Flour, Sugar, Salt, Baking Powder.

Pour them all in, and then Mommy goes to the sink to get the liquid measure...

And who said that cookie dough tastes better with water, egg and oil?

We stepped away for a brief moment later in the mixing process - between when the chocolate chips, craisins and chopped walnuts were added to the bowl, and when they were stirred in.  You know - when there was just a pile of deliciousness on top of the cookie dough.  And Asa faceplanted right into the chips - got a huge mouthful before we pulled him away.  Wish I'd gotten a picture, but I wanted some of that chocolate in the cookies, as well as in Asa's tummy.

The Dangers Of Puzzles

One can never be too cautious. 

Painting in 3D

Notable, at least, for a minimum of paint mixing in the jar.  And for the very thoughtful application of color.
Happy October!