Early Halloween

Friday night the kids and I went to a Halloween party at the YMCA - and I think overall everyone had a great time. The first trick was trying to get Annabelle into her costume. She wanted nothing to do with it. First we put Cole in his thinking that she would think it is cool (she wants everything else that he has) but this time she wasn't really falling for it. Then we told her that it was just like her jammies which helped a little bit. The final push was telling her if she put it on she would get candy (which oddly enough she is excited to get but won't eat it) and to see Katie, who is a good friend and Annabelle really likes her. She was finally dressed and in the car we went. When we got to the YMCA she was excited but as soon as we walked in the doors she told me she wanted to go home. I am not sure if it was all the people that made her uncomfortable or what it was and she never really warmed up to the whole thing. I think she had a good time but she looked a little overwhelmed and did not wander to far away from me, which was ok too. Cole was a trooper and tagged along as well. He only slept for about 30 minutes at daycare so he was not in the greatest mood and only lasted about 10 minutes in the stroller and then had to be carried around the rest of the night. Annabelle played a few games and did get some candy - which she kept trying to give back, give it to other little kids or kept trying to feed it to Cole - she does such a good job sharing :) On a side note the tv is still "broken"

TV Broken

Look at me go!

We have been in a bad habit of letting Annabelle eat in the living room with the TV on and it was a challenge to get her to sit at the table for any meal. Monday morning we put Cole in his high chair and Annabelle's breakfast at the table. When she wanted to watch tv and eat in the living room we told her the tv was broken. She accepted it and ate at the table. When we got home for the evening we had another meal at the table and never turned the tv on the whole evening - still broken. Tuesday morning was another breakfast meal at the table and she asked about Dora - our response was "remember Annabelle it is broken" and she went on with her day. Tuesday night she played so nice and once again the tv was never turned on. We are on day 3 of not watching tv and I will admit it is really nice. Our goal is to keep it off the whole week. It is really fun to watch her play and see how her little imagination works. Cole has also graduated from baby food to table food. Some days he puts away more at supper than Annabelle and she just shovel it in - it is crazy. Cole is really starting to look like a little boy - he has lost the baby look, it is a little sad. Tonight at supper Annabelle decided that her baby needed to eat as well. She put her in a chair, gave her 1/2 of her grilled cheese and pushed her up to the table.

Where did summer go

Annabelle playing in the bouncy house at the church picnic

Cole hanging out

Posting has been on my "to do list" almost every day for the past 2 months and you can see how well that went for me. I have had some people comment on how they miss it so today I actually made a "to do list" and this is one of the items (it is actually the last think I have to cross off my list). I am going to try and remember all the things the kids have learned the past 8 weeks. Annabelle: she continues to grow and mature. Some days I look at her and wonder where the past 2 years have gone. Words increase in her vocabulary every day and it just amazes me how much she knows. She can count to 11 and is starting to learn her colors. She has become very independent and wants to do everything "me-self". She still isn't potty trained and that is all on Brian and I. We did not really push the issue when she was interested and now she has started to loose the desire to learn. We are going to need to crack down and that pretty soon. Cole: There are SO many things that Cole has learned in the past 2 months. He now has 6 teeth; his front 2 finally came in so he no longer has his fangs. He has learned to stand when you put him by a little table he will hang on and stand. A few weeks ago he made the big accomplishment - he can crawl!! He was so close for so long and finally one night we put a cracker across the room and off he went! Now there is no stopping him - he is everywhere. I actually asked Annabelle the other day "Annabelle where is Cole?" Like a good big sister she knew exactly where he was.

Look at me - I can stand!

Ice fixes almost everything