Reindeer in October

October 31, 2013

"Happy Halloween Seamus!  What are you going to be today?"

"A cute baby.  So cute it's scary?"

He actually put the bowl on his head by himself.

Finlay and I made a fabulous craft.  The paint batter for our cotton-ball jack-o-lantern felt cool!

Yay for sensory play and crafting at the same time.  The colours were bright and the batter was scented so the house smelled like pumpkin pie as we baked it!

Like his brother before him, Shayme did not like the dinosaur costume.

Another Halloween fail.

This was Fin's first Halloween success.  He told us what he wanted to be and we made his costume.  This is him first thing in the morning trying it on.  The look on his face when he saw himself in the mirror was priceless.  He kept touching his tail in disbelief and saying "I have a tail, Mama.  I a reindeer!"

And there were cakes.

And there were toys and greeting cards that act like toys.

Fin actually helps carve his pumpkin.

When I got home, Fin was on the front stoop greeting trick-or-treaters.  He was just loving being outside in the dark.  He made several comments about the stars.

Fin said "Trick or treat" and "Thank you" without any help or coaxing.

He just wanted to go from house to house to house.  But we had to call it a night after about 8 or 9 doors.  We had brought our own treats to these neighbours earlier in the day.

Because the neighbours gave out our treats to Fin, he could actually consume his loot.  Here he is checking out what he got.  He was really excited and happy with all of his 'treats.'

Pumpkin Patchin'

October 20, 2013

It wouldn't be October without a trip to Galey Farms and the Pumpkin Patch.  We took the bikes and trailer and packed some food and rode to the patch for some Sunday Family Fun!  It was a pretty cold day but the 35 minute ride to the farm was warm while we were moving.  Shay fell asleep and Finlay sang.  We went with our friend Leah and her son Bodi along the Goose for most of the way.

Galey Farms has so much more than a pumpkin patch.  This year it was particularly nice.  There was some great live music and a dance performance (kids dressed in zombie dancing modern/jazz to thriller, etc.) under the tent.  There was the petting zoo and the bouncy castles.  Finlay was particularly excited about the train and the tractor.  We had trouble fitting it all in.  We never even got to the corn maze this year!  And I love a good corn maze (especially one that features a sphinx).

A boy and his goat.  Don't we have a photo of Tyler that is a lot like this?

Here he is on the tractor.

"It's bumpy Mama, hold on tight!"

Check out the different from last year to this year:

2012

2013

But, much like last year, the kid wanting nothing to do with pumpkins and only wanted the tractor.

Unlike Finlay, Seamus is happy to humour us with a baby-in-pumpkin-patch picture.  Also, check out the difference from last year:

2012 (in belly)

2013 (in patch)

"Shay, what pumpkin should we get?"

Like I said, serious about the patch.

Shay-shay also loved the tractor.

While waiting in line for the train ride, Shay and I shared a 'mum-mum' rice rusk.

We play a fun game where he offers me his rusk, I take a nibble and say "yum, thanks Seamus!" and he proudly continues to eat.

It was a lovely day at the patch.  Finlay has since played an imagination game that involves train rides and pumpkins.  It's pretty cute.  Seamus has since turned into a pumpkin and had a growth spurt of strawberry-blond hair.  Happy October everyone - can't wait for Halloween!

Standing Side-by-Side

October 15, 2013

Seamus is a whopping 9 months old!  This has happened really quickly for us.  Tyler and I keep saying "Slow down!  Don't grow so fast!  We want to keep you just like this!"  But Shay doesn't listen and just moves onto the next milestone.

He is full of smiles, giggles, and playful antics.  He is getting more and more communicative; with new sounds and expressions daily.

Shay usually takes a bath with Finlay in the tub but tonight he was in the sink on his own.

He really enjoyed the different view and having the bubbles all to himself.

And Mama doing bath-time is a nice change too!

Shay is a little scientist.  He is always testing things out and discovering new textures, smells, tastes, and sounds.

One of his newest discoveries was standing up.  Yes, he is holding on and standing by himself.

Not yet 'pulling up' but very interested in standing and this is step number one.  Finlay's new favourite game is playing baby.  He got in the crib to mimic whatever Shay is doing and we give him the same reaction.  He loves when we talk baby-talk to him.

Shay is seriously excited.  Beaming.  So incredibly happy about standing.

T-Giving

October 13, 2013


HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

It was a beautiful day.  We had a lovely family walk.

Shay ate his first Thanksgiving meal.

We had a lovely dinner with many friends.  The food was outstanding (potluck) and the company was interesting!

Shay Development

October 4, 2013

Here is the latest news in Shay's development!

He is getting around!  He is creeping around the floor like a little wiggle-machine!  He is also getting up on his knees here and there.  He really enjoys this toy and if we have it out he'll nearly climb up on it!

He is so happy!

On his knees and really excited about it!

"Are you getting this?  I am amazing."

Back at play.

Sorry there are so many of these but I think it is so cool!  Fin didn't really go through these stages like Shay so it is really different to watch.  

FYI, he is playing in our "playroom" in front of the play kitchen.  The rug is a road-rug with a picture of a small town you can wheel your play cars around.  Pretty fun stuff.