Jack, our little artist...

Jack is currently obsessed with art. He has been for several months now. His second birthday was all about color books and paints - from us and both sets of grandparents. It's quite fun to see him matching colors and practicing how to say the words blue and yellow and green... It's also fun to watch him create something from start to finish. I had the camera out recently, the day that he did his work entitled "Purple Marker"... Here is a progression, with a few observation notes from the artist's mother:

First you choose your marker, and you put the cap on the end... just like this. You can't draw unless it's just. like. this.


Then you put the marker on the page and create something lovely.


No no, Mama. It's not finished yet. No pictures while I'm working!


See there is so much more I need to add... Now, doesn't that look better?


When you're done it's very important to put the cap back on...


When you're ready to show your art, you have to take it off the easel...


And turn it so everyone can see it... "What do you think, Momma?"


Or just put it next to Daddy's placemat, so he'll be sure to see it when he gets home!


Voila! THIS is how great art is made!

Halloween 2011

Costumes have always had an important place in our house, so I really can't believe this is the first year we've done the whole Trick or Treat thing. I mean there have been October costume parties and fall fest events each year, but last year we were in London over Halloween, and the year before that we had just been in our new house a month and had a newborn, and wandering around the new neighborhood in the cold with a three year old who wouldn't have missed it anyway, well... it just wasn't going to happen.

This was the year, though, and I LOVED explaining Trick or Treating to Brooks. He was enthralled with the idea that on one night of the year, he could pick his favorite "dress-up" to wear outside the house, ring random doorbells, and be given free candy just by saying a few magical words. It was like I had given him a million dollars. Though you can't tell it from this photo, they were both having a blast...


We met up with the Ha's and Westrom's, two families from our church and covered about two blocks in our 'hood in just under an hour. It was a dry, crisp and cool fall night, perfectly lovely weather for strolling around with friends and such fun to see the neighbors welcoming all these kiddos.

The "big kids" couldn't figure out what to make of some of our neighbors' decorations. The cackling skeltons and moaning ghosts got some very confused stares... So glad that no one completely freaked out while we were out there.


We had with us an Astronaut (who could have done this all night)


A Cowboy (getting a bit tuckered out by this point)...


And a Green Apple (who had completely lost the battle, and caved to sleep a half hour before)


We were accompanied by three lovely fairy princesses and a sweet puppy dog.


And I am already dreaming of the sequins and tulle and wings that we will need in future years!

Trick or Treat!