Thomas

I don't have a picture of him on my computer but sadly my Mother put her cat to sleep this evening. Thomas will be greatly missed. She had him since I was 19 I believe. In anycase he traveled with her to 3 houses total, 2 states. Thomas was a cat in a small animal shop at a Votech school where my Mom was a secretary for a number of years. She took him home on the weekends and during holidays so that he wouldn't have to stay there. Finally after awhile, they gave him to her. He was a funny little thing in the beginning, thought he was a dog for a long time I believe. In anycase, he was a cat that absolutely loved people and was never afraid of anyone. That is quite unusual for a cat.

So send some thoughts my Mom's way as she deals with an empty house tonight....

Boo

Celia had a great time trick or treating. We were not sure we were going to make it as she woke up feeling a bit crummy. It turns out she was just sleepy and a little tired of her cold. It rained about 40 min. into our trick or treating so we headed in. She loved going to the houses, just wouldn't talk to anyone once we got to the door.

I carved the pumpkin, no help from anyone else. I also roasted some of the seeds and they are tasty. Celia has an issue with getting her hands yucky and so does Pete, so no one would put their hands in the pumpkin except for me. Me, who actualy thinks it is quite relaxing to stick my hands in the gooey pumpkin mess.

Pete let me know that next year he is taking her out. We will see if that stands, she will have be 3 and so much fun. With the small amount of trick or treaters, the two of us could take her out together!!

Left vs right, pre sick celia

I took this on Saturday, Celia's teacher taught her left vs. right and she is about 90% accurate. On Monday she caught the crud. We aren't convinced it is piggy flu, though would be nice to get that done with if we can't get our hands on the vaccine. In anycase, she has a cough and fever and is a little congested. Her fever was only above 102 a couple times and basically drops to normal with tylenol. Her appetite is only slightly affected (but then our daughter has to be semi comatose to just not eat). So Pete was home with her Mon and Tuesday and I am home today and maybe tomorrow. Her temp has been normal since around 7 am and stays normal without tylenol! She was up at 4 am this morning though!! Pete isn't convinced she should go to school tomorrow, we are going see if her temp. returns tonight. After spending the day chasing her, sending her to timeout for climbing things, licking things, and other infractions, playing with tons of toys, etc- I think she is doing okay. She is down for a nap now after a 15 min. arguement over socks- don't ask. So not sure what is happening tomorrow. I know there is alot going around, but 24 hrs fever free should put her in the clear. Of course she will likely catch something else by next week, that is the deal with being 2 and in daycare. Hopefully no fever tonight.

Pumpkins and Bikes

My Mom sent Celia a package with the hat, shirt (it is long, as I think Celia is on the shorter side), and socks for Me. Celia insisted that the socks were for her. When she wasn't looking, I took them back. If you know me, you understand that my passion for socks is quite strong.

I took her to a local orchard to pick out our pumpkins. She did not want to get in any pictures so that made things hard. Here are a few. Oh and the coat isn't small, she decided to wear another coat underneath- I don't know why but I pick my battles.

Celia received a very nice tricycle from her grandparents. It is a bit big for my peanut, so Grandpa put some blocks on it. Unfortunately a week after we got it, the weather turned yucky. So we only had a few afternoons with it.




This are not my best photos and I didn't take the time to edit anything. The weather has been awful here, miserable. I miss being able to go out and take my walks/runs with Celia and the Bob. I am hoping for better weather next week. I am headed down to the basement to watch the Empire Strikes back with Pete- while I do school work- or look through my new Mennonite cook book that Pete got me for my birthday. I keep telling Pete that I am a hippy and he tells me I am the farthest from one. So now I am going to run the Mennonite thing past him, I think he thinks I am closer to that side. But I think the babywearing, cloth diapering, yogurt making, baking from scratch (when possible not nearly as often as I want), delivering in the parking lot, goodwill shopping, no paper towel/ paperplate household part of me makes me a hippy. As Pete would say- Go on with your bad self.

Playing Doll house

I am posting a video of Celia playing dollhouse. She names the little people after people at daycare. She loves the director at daycare- Donna (she also loves her teacher, but evidently none of the little people resemble her). I wish that I could post the first video that I took however she was playing in just her underwear. We are actualy getting away from as much nakey time, Celia would still rather do away with clothes.

The video doesn't do justice to how much she says. We can have extended conversations with her. One today:

Celia: Mommy, you have boogers in your nose?

Me: I don't think so

Celia (looking up my nose): Oh yes, you do.

Me: Oh

Celia: You need to get them out

Me: How do I do that

Celia: You can stick your finger up there, like this (demonstrating on her nose)

Me: No, why don't we use a tissue.

Celia: No, that's silly

Now I am thinking that perhaps we need to have some lessons about using a tissue. Oh and for the record, there are no boogers up there. Believe me I made sure to check.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

This is what I like

Showing my shadow my beautiful belly

Making the wind chase me

Playing with friends

And shedding crayons of their clothes

And sitting on Mommy's lap while I help yet another crayon listening to "I can only imagine".

Pictures with explanation

We are doing well, all are healthy right now. I am still struggling with work. Finding my balance is proving to be very difficult. It will come, I know.

I thought this was a sweet picture of Celia by one of the trees that we run to when it is nice weather. It is one of those things that Celia and I just do together. We climb up a mountain to the trees, fly off of them, and rescue each other. It is just between us.

My curly hair little girl. We are struggling with taking care of it, they frizz some days. Since I straighten my curls (though they aren't as tight as Celia's), I never really have to think about taking care of them. Her curls are a new experience for me.

Ahh... Summer still remains slightly with homemade smoothie popsicles. Home made yogurt and some berries. She thinks it is a treat for filling up her sticker chart, I am more then happy with that.

She discovered the tiniest stickers out there and covered herself with them. I found them places for days.

She is actualy cleaning my windows, and she does a good job. That is vinegar in the spray bottle and a microfiber cloth on the floor. She got her stool so she could reach higher. To start off, she had no underwear. To post a picture, I had her put some on. She vacuums too, with the small stick vacuum my Mom got us. I love that vacuum, it is amazing. I am training her young. As soon as she can reach the washing machine, we are in business!