Pumpkin Perfection

Since Halloween is next week we figured it was about time we carve/decorate our pumpkins.  Kallie wanted to put lots of fun stickers (ladybugs, butterflies, frogs and flowers) on one pumpkin and carve daddy's pumpkin.  She was not so sure about getting her hands dirty at first so she decided to pick out each seed one by one while trying to keep her hands clean.  Eventually, she figured it out and had fun not only scooping the inside of the pumpkin out but also scooping it back in . .whatever works I guess!   

Kallie loved looking at her pumpkin when it was all lit up!  Next step . . . Halloween.

The Perfect Pumpkin

On Saturday we decided to take advantage of the break in the rain and head to a pumpkin patch in search of the perfect pumpkins.  We also took a quick trip to Snoqualmie Falls since we were close and the pumpkin patch was not open yet (we are early birds).

Kallie was unsure about the pumpkin patch at first but she spotted the perfect pumpkin right away.  There was patch with little pumpkins she thought were just the right size.  I think she was ready to head home but we continued on to look at the turkeys, cows, mules and the field of big pumpkins.  She helped me pick out a pumpkin and of course had to pick one for Coho too!  I will admit her favorite part was wearing her boots so she could splash in the mud puddles; it is always the simple things that make her happy.

All and all it was a fun trip to the pumpkin patch and we went home with four perfect pumpkins!  Now we are officially ready for Halloween. 

A day in the life . . .

As a full time working mom I struggle with the feeling of guilt for putting Kallie into daycare every day.  I worry that she will not thrive like she would at home with her me, I fear that she might be upset for whatever reason and is not getting the snuggles and reassurance that I would give her, but my biggest fear has always been that I will miss her “firsts” . . .  her first time crawling, first steps, first word etc. I am Kallie’s mom and I want to be there to see these things happen versus someone telling me about it.  Lucky for me I have seen all of her firsts at home and was lucky enough to be in her class video taping when she decided it was time to crawl!

Although I would prefer to be home, I know Kallie has a great time at school and her teachers are amazing.   She lights up when she sees them and continues to talk about her entire class of every night.  Her teachers are great at communicating what is going on in class and how Kallie is doing so I don’t feel left out.  Sometimes they just email funny scenarios that happened that day which always brings a smile to my face.

Here are a few of the recent notes I have received from Kallie’s teachers – all of them make me smile but some of them crack me up too!  And a few pictures from the Open House her classroom had this week.

Surprise!

Kallie loves Winnie the Pooh and all of his buddies ever since we let her watch a few shows on the iPad when took a road trip to Sunriver, OR. I think it might have been love at first sight! She has had the Piglet stuffed animal since she was born but never really knew that he had so many fun friends.

Of course being the softy that I am I bought a cute Pooh stuffed animal as a surprise. Ever night Kallie goes into her room to pick a few books for us to read on our bed after bath. Well last night we put Pooh in her little rocking chair so when she ran in there to get books it would be a big SURPRISE!

I think it worked . . . check this out.

 

Nigh Night Time

Kallie-
Bedtime is the one time we are both completely in the moment and nothing else matters. It is just you and me doing whatever we want. Sometimes we quietly read books and snuggle but most of the time we end up reading books followed by talking and giggling for much longer than we should. We talk about anything and everything - what sounds animals make (usually you ask about camels and zebras . . . and I make up noises b/c I have no clue), what you did at school that day – the list goes on and on!

The other day you were laying on my chest singing lullaby’s right along with me; you lifted your head, looked me in the eyes smiling and said "I love you mama" followed by the most amazing hug I have ever received. It is moments like that bring me an overwhelming feeling of unconditional love.

After we are done rocking, talking, giggling and singing I cover you with your “special blankie” (lately it is a different blanket each night). I rub your back and let you know that mommy, daddy and coho love you. You then quickly remind me that Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, Eore, Roo, Owl and Christopher Robin love you too . . . !



These are the three songs we sing every night . . . a handful of songs come and go but these three are your favorites and requested every night!

Kallie is a pretty girl, happy girl, funny girl . . . Kallie is a pretty girl and I love her. (There are many versus to this song but I just make them up as I go)

Rock-a-bye Kallie on the tree-top When the wind blows the cradle will rock When the bow breaks the cradle will fall and mom will catch Kallie cradle and all! Rock rock rock rock rock a-bye Your names Kallie pumpkin pie Rock rock rock rock rock rock roo Your names Kallie Boo Mama loves you yes she does Daddy loves you just because Your our baby baby girl and we love YOU!

God bless Kallie God bless Kallie God bless Kallie, we'll see you in your dreams. (followed by God Bless Mommy, God Bless Daddy, God Bless Coho and sometimes we God Bless all of the Winney the Pooh characters too!

Salmon Days

This weekend we were excited to take our annual trip to the Salmon Days festival in Issaquah. Kallie was so excited to ride on the school bus and in fact she would probably say the school bus was her favorite “activity” that day (HA).

We met the Minnaar family at the festival and the kids immediately started running from one activity to the next. First the bouncy house followed by the dizzy bus, train ride, bounce house again and then the much anticipated pony rides. Kallie has been afraid to ride a pony so far but on Saturday she decided to go for it. She was a bit hesitant a first but once the horse started moving she was smiling ear to ear yelling “Watch me daddy”!

After running around for quite a while we had your typical fair food and sat down in the grass for a little picnic. Kallie and Coop had so much fun people watching and running around. We didn’t spend much time looking at the booths but we did manage to find a Halloween booth and scooped up Kallie’s Halloween costume (SCORE). We had a great time at Salmon Days and look forward to next year!

Weekend Family Fun

Last weekend we decided to take advantage of the sunny weather and head to Vashon for the day. Kallie loves searching for crabbies under every rock she sees. She is for the most part she is fearless picking up the crabs and adding them to her collection. (Don’t panic, we let them all go when she was napping and told her they went night night).

We also spent time digging in the sand. Kallie loves building sandcastles like Olivia the Pig (a book we read close to every night). I think she mostly likes knocking them down the moment we build them but that’s OK, kids will be kids.

All and all it was a great family day at the cabin and I look forward to spending more time up there watching Kallie explore!