Virtual Pumpkin Carving!

You can kill at least 15 minutes this way. Give it a try, it's fun!

Click HERE for mess-free pumpkin carving.

wordless WEDNESDAY!

Well, almost wordless.



It's been a rough couple of weeks for me, so sorry about the minimal posts.

wordless WEDNESDAY!

Weekend Happenings

This weekend the kids and I went for a hike with my mom, and then Tom and my stepdad joined us and we went to Country Village for their harvest festival. We had a lot of fun, I've attached some pics below for your viewing enjoyment. (And for the record, I've given up trying to make my photo arrangements visually creative when I post them. Blogger always messes them up and I end up wasting too much time trying to fix them. So from now on they're just going to be vertical.)

A fungus growing on a stump. Yes, Tristan touched this. No, I did not freak out and thoroughly sanitize his hand. Mommy kudos +1!

A mushroom. Tristan wanted to eat this. No, I didn't even let him touch it for fear he would grab it and shove it in too quickly for me to stop him. Plus, look how perfect it looks. He would've totaled it in a heartbeat. Mommy kudos +1!
The seminary (I think) at Bastyr University, which is where we went hiking. Or, alternately and according to Tristan, a castle.
Naiyah really really wanted this food. No, she didn't get any. Grandma kudos +1!
Grandma bought her a pumpkin hair clippy. It even stays in.

Tristan's new bed. Also known as a bookshelf. Making him 'sleep' on a bookshelf: Mommy kudos -1. Giving him a pillow: Mommy kudos +1.

Naiyah decided to see if Lacey's ear would actually detach from her head. She gave it a damn good try too. I think she wanted to chew on it. Uh oh, there go ALL those mommy kudos that I previously collected! If you haven't done so, click on the pic to enlarge. The look on her face is hilarious. As is the force with which she is pulling on the dog's face. And that, my friends, is why you don't let babies play with dogs. But if you do, make sure it's a Lab.

I knew it was coming...

...But I didn't think it would happen so soon!

Since I am a girl, I have the usual necessary supplies in my bathroom. Well, today Tristan finally noticed them after he went potty. The conversation went as follows:

Tristan, picking up a tampon: "Mommy, is this chocolate??"
Me, after briefly debating whether to deflect him or tell him what it was: "No, it's a tampon."
Tristan: "Oh, a tampon. Can I have one?
Me: "No, they're only for girls." (He hears this a lot at daycare when the girls are getting their hair done, so he understands it pretty well.)
Tristan: "Oh. Oooohhhhh kaaaaaaay..."

wordless WEDNESDAY!

Parrot, Anyone?

Naiyah is talking. Lots. She's very happy and it's very entertaining.

Naiyah's Monologue

First Walk of Fall

Yesterday the kids and I went on a walk on the Burke-Gilman trail with my parents. The weather was actually pretty nice, with the sun peeking out some of the time. The leaves are just starting to turn, so I didn't get too many pics, but below are some that I did take.

A pretty flower, some random berries (that would have looked more impressive if they were red) and some maple leaves.
My mom, my stepdad and Tristan.

Naiyah mostly slept through the whole walk, but she was awake for a little bit.


Here is a neat fish shaped drinking fountain that was along the way. It's amazing the things you can find right around where you live!

AND last but not least - we encountered this very territorial cat on the trail. Despite being nearly mowed over by speeding bikes, it was bound and determined to protect its portion of the trail from all comers.

Wind and rain, bring it on!

Have I mentioned lately that I love autumn? (I also like spring, but it's not spring right now, now is it?) I love the anticipation of the fun holidays that are coming up, and seeing the weather growing colder and darker. I am the odd one out who loves the rainy days and dark skies. Add some blustery winds, fiery red leaves, and clouds streaming across the sky and you've got a recipe for my FAVORITE type of day. Especially when it's a weekend day and I can just stare out the window in between chasing the kids, or take Tristan for a nature walk in the wooded area by our house. I'm so excited that the weather is finally beginning to act more like fall and I can start doing these things! Stay tuned for some great autumn photos...

wordless WEDNESDAY!