Halloween Surprise

When we got home from the pumpkin patch this weekend, we had a fantastic surprise waiting on our doorstep - a beautiful Halloween basket (& box!) filled with all kinds of gourmet goodies!  And there was no note - no indication at all who it was from.  So far we've had the macaroons (YUM!), some of the caramel-pecan popcorn (perfect!), and one of the turtles (so smooth!)  I can't wait to try the rest of the goodies, though the kids seem to be most excited about the mini m&ms.  :)  Whoever blessed us with this perfect little basket - you made our weekend, and are continuing to make us smile each day.  Thank you for the care you took in putting it together, and thank you for thinking of us!!

Works of Art

One of the best, cheapest investments ever - bath crayons.

Children's Museum

Get ready for a picture-heavy post!  These were all snapped with my phone, and there was no time to be picky about what kind of shot I was getting.  They should give you a good idea of how much fun the kids had, though!

In the Tot Spot

Working the ball all the way down by turning levers

 

"Mah boat!"

Putting on a puppet show for us

Serving me lunch at the diner

Giving a cat a haircut

Making sure it was "healthy"

Me and my boy

Drumming on the wall

A little bit too heavy to pull...

 

Doing some fruit and veggie flash cards

Various Gisèleisms

Gisèle:  "Princess Isabella {her doll} told me that we don't have time to watch Dora.  She can only pretend talk, because her mouth doesn't move."


Gisèle, looking at a neighbor's flags on a day with no wind: "They're dead!  How did that happen!?"


(this one is for family)
Gisèle, drawing a picture of Jamie:  "And here's Daddy."
Jamie:  "Do I get arms?"
Gisèle (having no clue about the inside joke): "I can only do short arms for you."


Me, at bedtime:  "Gisèle, what do you want to thank God for tonight in your prayer?"
Gisèle:  "Poop."
Me:  "Poop??"
Gisèle:  "Yes.  Dear God, thank you for poop.  And help me to sleep really well tonight.  In Jesus' name, Amen."
Me:  "Amen."
Gisèle:  "I think God is going to be really surprised that I thanked him for poop, huh?"

Zucchini Muffins

No pictures available, but these are worth making!

Zucchini Muffins
(makes 24 muffins)


1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
3 tsp cinnamon
3 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup brown sugar
1 1/4 cups white sugar
3 tsp vanilla
2 - 2 1/2 cups grated zucchini (about 2 large zucchini, unpeeled)


-Spray 2 muffin pans with cooking spray, and preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
-Mix flours, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon together in a large bowl.
-Cream together eggs, oil, sugars, and vanilla, in a mixing bowl.
-Add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix well.  Stir in the zucchini until well-combined.
-Put into pans, and bake 15-20 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.  Cool in the tins 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack.

Best of Friends

Show and Tell

Jamie:  "Gisèle, would you like to take something {to school} for show and tell today?"

Gisèle, very excitedly:  "Yes!!  I'm going to show them my fat tummy and my strong muscles!!"

My Two Favorite Words (currently)

"Strimp"  ("shrimp," as said by Gisèle)

"Blapes"  ("grapes," as said by Miles)

Birthday Boy

Miles at age 2 is adorable.  

He gives hugs and kisses - sloppy ones - on demand, smiling all the while.  

He is talkative.  He wants to know "What dat?" all the time so that he can repeat it, adorably.

He is forever interested in what we're doing in the kitchen - "Mama, what mock-keen? {making}"  Whenever I answer, he repeats it back until he's satisfied he has it right.

I love that his pronunciation is still not quite right on so many things.

I hope he keeps pronouncing bear as "bay-a" for a long time.

He shares - "Here, Gel" - whenever he is asked to, by us or by Gisèle.

He adores his big sister, and wants to do everything she does.

He delights in jumping - "Dump!" - and running - "Ready-dee, doe!"

He sings along to "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" at bedtime, and likes to make up nonsense words to it to make me laugh.

He always reminds us to "Pray-ta-God" before meals, but gets impatient before the end, and drops our hands, saying "Amen."

He loves his monkey-lovey, and, when asked, will tell you that its name is "Monkey."

He has a wonderful deep-belly laugh.

He likes to make us laugh, and will say or do silly things on purpose to see if he can do it.

He's my baby boy, and today - He's Two.

On his Birth day

On his 1st birthday

On his 2nd birthday