Pumpkin Head

This will be her trick-or-treating bag tonight, but until then, she's fond of it as a hat.

A Snapshot of Playing

A quick snapshot of daily play: finding 2 purses to carry around at the same time (and you can be sure there were lots of fun treasures inside them as well)

As a side note, I was doing puzzles with her today, and as she was finishing up a shape puzzle, she asked me, "Mommy, where (is the) purple triangle?" I had no idea she knew what a triangle was, let alone could say it! Sure enough, I look over and the purple triangle piece was missing; guess she had been paying attention all those other times we've done that puzzle!

Dance

Ashlyn has been taking "dance" class this fall, which is a mommy-and-me time structured around introducing toddlers to the world of movement and balance. She loves the songs and being able to move around with others her age and sing and dance. This video was taken after her dance class last week; next time, I'll try to capture the singing too!

Painting Pumpkins

Carving a Pumpkin (early)

curious about what was inside, but . . .

she and her buddy Gabriel were a bit squeamish about actually touching or scooping out the innards

now on to the carving

so excited with the results!

that was fun!

Refined Palate

Within the last few days, we have discovered that Ashlyn loves shiitake mushrooms and pomegranate seeds. No bananas or carrots, only the sophisticated fruits and veggies please.

Ashlyn's First Haircut

Before: short on the sides, mullet (rattail) in the back

After: evened out, mullet gone!

Smile cutie!!

Pumpkin Patch

(sorry about the wind on the microphone)

It's A Boy!!

I had my 20 week ultrasound yesterday - it was fascinating! I am so amazed at technology that allows you see into the womb and with such clarity and precision. Here are a few pictures:

This is an upward shot of the face, looking up the nose holes, with the mouth open

Profile with head on the left (you can see the skull, eye sockets, jaw bone) and an arm with hand above the stomach

Proof it's a boy

Laughing

Ashlyn's new laugh:

Festival of Family Farms

Last weekend was the Skagit Valley Festival of Family Farms, where several of the local farms open up to the public for tours, activities, and education. We started out at an alpaca farm and we all fell in love with these adorable creatures. (We may just end up with a few in our back yard!) At this farm, there was alpaca petting (and feeding), alpaca fiber craft-making and face painting.

Next, we ventured over to Hedlin Farms and decorated a squash, ate a brat with farm-made sauerkraut and walked through the beautiful flowers.

Unfortunately, we only had time for these 2 farms thanks to the need for a nap, but by that time Ashlyn was so pooped that she fell asleep in the car on the drive home and was even snoring!

Hard at Work

Whether she's coloring, drawing, reading a book, or playing, she does it with great devotion and attention. I'm hoping this will eventually carry over into school work in the years ahead.

Naughty, Naughty

I looked down today and saw some Goldfish crackers on the floor.

"Ashlyn," I asked, "Did you throw those fishy crackers on the floor?"

Her reply: "Naughty, naughty," as she shook her finger back and forth and smiled.

Obviously she picked this up from me telling her when Jack was being naughty. Cracked me up!