family halloween bash

One of the best things about a family Halloween bash is hearing Jake say "we're going to a bash" all day long.    He had never been to a bash but was excited nonetheless.  The other best part was this smiling face in the toddler bouncy castle.  He had more fun in there than we expected.  And for a first-timer he was a pro.  There were lots of big unsteady bounces, lots of funny wipe-outs and lots of giggles.  We could hear his delight through the mesh.

There were games, balls, hoops, blocks and more set up on the indoor fields and it was a huge hit (all except for the parachute, maybe next time).  There was also cookie decorating, candy stations and a place for kids to play hockey, so Jake's first Halloween bash didn't disappoint.  

Next up, trick-or-treating.

grocery shopping

Sometimes grocery shopping makes me groan and since being back home, I've been missing those days where I would just walk out the door and seven minutes later be filling-up my stroller basket with my daily needs.  On the walk home, maybe we would sit by a fountain and snack on some pastries; or maybe we would peruse beauty items and the pharmacy; or maybe we would stop in one of the many boutiques that line those pretty cobblestone streets; or maybe we would do all three and stop at the playground too.  If I were to do the same here, I would be buckling and unbuckling the car-seats a hundred times (or maybe it's twelve times, but it would feel like one hundred) and clicking and unclicking the infant seat over and over (and over).

So when our new Urban Fair moved in, with groceries and coffee, we thought we should check it out.  

    

  I enjoyed a tea latte.  Jake enjoyed a muffin.  Avery enjoyed a nap - for all of ten minutes, but still a nap  (and I may have helped a little with the muffin).  

last week

The weather has been cooling and last week was a lazy one.  We made use of a little sunshine to go for a walk and collect some bright fall leaves.  The leaves were a hit but playing a little golf in the park and seeing a big digger on the way home was an even bigger hit.  To the big digger Jake said "that's an awesome strong big digger.  He's workin' real hard.  Good workin' big digger"  His compliments were so genuine and so darn cute I wrote it down, word-for-word, in the phone so I could remember it exactly.  

Can you spot tiny little Jake in these pictures?  He is 'putting'.  He thinks the dirt trench around the trees are 'holes'.  Given the size of these holes, his accuracy is pretty darn good :)  

Fall, we're loving your cool nights, vibrant colors and wearing our cosy sweaters, won't you please stay a little longer. Please.

oh, the sweetness

Feather soft hair (that sticks straight-up), elbow dimples, soft round tummy and that perfect baby smell - so delicious.

Throw in a smile, those bright eyes that don't want to miss a thing (by sleeping, for example) and some cute cheeks and boy oh boy...

And that's just the beginning.

Then there's toddler cuteness, which is impossible to ignore.  Knees that are much too big for those little legs, hands that hold yours tight when crossing the street, more cute cheeks, a fit of giggles, those little gaps between baby teeth, pronouncing the letter "L" as a "Y", and when they ask to "snuggle again" before bedtime and lean against you so you can wrap your arms around tight.  

What a marvel these sweet children of ours are.

I wish I could pause things here for just a while longer.  Stop time from passing by so quickly.  Just soak it all in, completely. 

the pumpkin patch

Well, the grey weather has arrived but it didn't stop us from picking the perfect pumpkin.  We went to McMillan Farm and found a lot more than just pumpkins.  

There was a kids hay maze.

(the entrance was as far as Jake got)

Horses, donkeys, a lama, bunnies and my favourite guy there 

- a pot-bellied pig.

  

The top attraction according to Jake was the corn pit (how fun!) 

and a kids car.

And we just couldn't miss out on this

And then, of course, there were pumpkins, pumpkins 

and even more pumpkins!

And during most of our visit, Avery slept.  She decided to wake-up at the end, so I could snap a couple pictures of her in her ginormous hat.   

celebrating four months

Oh my word, four months of cuteness is something to celebrate indeed.  That and the fact that these two kids of ours bring us so much joy.  Even on our most sleepless days.    

  

Avery is doing all the sweet stuff that babies do and of course, as her parents, we think it's all the cutest and most amazing.  Ever.  All the smiles, the coos, the sweet gazes, the roll-overs, those bright eyes taking everything in...  we just eat it all up!

We feel like Avery was truly meant for this family.  A perfect fit.  

And even though she woke us ALL up this morning at 6:22, we love her to pieces.  All the way down to those tiny toes.

14 pounds 3 ounces
26 inches 

a perfect day for some golf

Jake is always happy to practice his swing.  In fact, his golf club and a ball are usually tucked into the stroller basket, just in case an opportunity arises.     

And we happily enjoy a little walk on a warm, warm Autumn day.

Trying to soak up as much sun as we can before the grey winter begins.