A Genuine Pumpkin Patch

We took our annual homage to the pumpkin patch, and I mean a real pumpkin patch. Not the side of the freeway bounce house type. We ventured to the town of Valley Center, with some great friends, to a real farm where the pumpkins you pick are actually grown there. Some may recall the huge pumpkin picture from last year.

We all had a great time and I think the pictures capture the event nicely. The little one had been looking forward to the trip for several weeks now and did not disappoint in showing her excitement when we pulled in the dirt paved, make-shift parking lot. One of the qualities I most appreciate is her general, and vocal, enthusiasm for most every event we do. Her excitement is certainly infectious if you happen to be the parents in her life!

She laughed through the pony ride, got a little scared on the slide, and took off running through the pumpkin patch, stopping to hug almost every giant pumpkin. What a joy of a day!



More on the day at TMST.

An Emerging Princess

Yep, it's happening and there's no point in fighting it any longer. My daughter is intent on entering the princess stage. It's just what girls do although I do not remember ever going through this myself. Perhaps it's the super marketing by those geniuses at Disney or just the American consumer that fuels the fire. It brings out the inherent femininity of a little girl.

The little one has had a mild interest in the different Disney princesses and fairies for the past year but yesterday the words came out of her mouth for the first time, "I'm a Princess. Where's my magic wand?" I admit it's very cute but I refuse to overly douse this fire with lighter fluid for fear it will spin out of control. It started a couple weeks ago when the local dance studio was our neighbor vendor at the Harbor Days festival. I asked my munchkin if she wanted to try dance classes. She said yes, of course, and made mention of it daily since then. I knew she had a friend in the class who just started so I agreed to a free trial class to check out what it was all about. She was the youngest in the class but you would not have known by her enthusiasm and readiness to jump right in. About half of the class needed coaxing by Mom to get involved and a few banished themselves to the wall and outright refused any part of the charade. The little one laughed, smiled, and followed instruction for the full hour and refused to leave class when it was over. She sat in the big empty room by herself in total denial that it was over for the day.

Since I had not committed to joining and was unsure it would even work out I didn't purchase the appropriate dress code for the class. She was the only one not in leotard and missing both tap and ballet shoes. As we were leaving she said, "We have to go buy my dance costume." And so we did.


Last night she insisted on putting the leotard on and that is when she became our "little princess". Daddy rolled his eyes but could not help but to comment on how cute it all was.
I finally got her to take her "dance costume" off for bath time and she asked, "Where are my dino's (dinosaurs)?"

The Great Costume Debate

As some may remember, the little munchkin won the costume contest last year for her representation of a pink octopus.


She selected the costume herself and it was a big hit at the parties. So we sort of set the bar pretty high in our first "real" year out and now there has been much discussion as to what costume we will display this year.

Since the due date for the next irresistible bundle of joy is scheduled for Halloween day, I feel the need to button down and purchase this year's costume asap. The problem is, in typical kid fashion, the costume choice changes from hour to hour and day to day. Some top choices have been a bunny, Aladdin, Princess Jasmine, Leo from the Little Einsteins, and an elephant.

I took her to several costume stores and there was mild interest in a couple here and there but mostly unimpressed with the selection...on her part. I saw a half dozen adorable costumes to fit the bill but she confidently said, "NO." At our fifth store they had a super selection and impressive Halloween display. She thoroughly enjoyed all the decorations. "Look at that Mommy," she said, and "Oh, look, what's that?" Then she said, "I want to hold you," when we got to the scary, spooky decorations. Then the great wall of costumes. We finally selected two that were try-on worthy and headed to the dressing room. We put the first one on and she refused to take it off. "Are you sure this is the one you want," I asked. "Yes," she responds without hesitation. We head up to the check out counter, still wearing the costume, and pay for the empty packaging. As I was checking out, the lady says, it can be returned up to ten days before Halloween. She is experienced enough to know that the little one is likely to change her mind about 20 times before the actual holiday and God Bless the lady at the counter for her reassurance.

The excitement has already diminished on our selected costume since last week. I am fully prepared to just place this one in the dress up/costume box and pick up one or two more before the big day. That's just the way it goes as I try to plan ahead but it sure is fun to watch her imagination go and think up all the fun things she can pretend to be. I have one or two costumes in mind that I would like for her and I might just put one together and give her a choice of costume displays.

It's been an action packed week, and summer for that matter! One thing is for certain, the little one enjoys spending time with friends. She really thrives on visiting and playing with her buddies. Since I've been told that I need to post more photos, I thought I would just select some pictures from the past week's happenings and time spent with our pals.

Fun beach day with Lailani and Jake:

With Ayla, waiting for their favorite band Hullaballoo at a super fun playdate:


Hullaballoo, a real tiny tot crowd pleaser:


Bathtime with Grace:

Poolside with cousin Tawny:

Fun visit with the Savage Family:

Two very dirty girls. Good old fashion backyard play with Sydney:


Friends:

And our newest buddy, GO ANNABELLE!

Some Things Haven't Changed

When was the last time you were at a public library?  Shamefully I admit that it has been 11 years and if you don't count school libraries, I have to go back to junior high for my last public library visit.  Which, consequently, was the last time I had a public issued library card.  It's not that I don't read.  I love books and I always have at least one that I am reading at any given time.  Barnes and Noble and Borders have replaced the need for a library in my life as I have been conditioned by the publishing companies that it is far more convenient to purchase the book than go through the hassle of using a library.  I do enjoy owning the books that I read but in an attempt to make more sound financial decisions I think some adjustments in attitude can be made.  Yesterday I got my first public issue library card in 20 years!

What prompted all of this?  I've heard the Oceanside Public Library has a great Toddler Storytime program every week and I have been intending on checking it out for months now. The little one has been under the weather so my normal morning workout has been cancelled most of the week as a courtesy to the other kids and moms at the gym childcare.  She seemed to be on the mend yesterday and I seized the opportunity to get over to the library for story time. Also, the weekly Farmer's Market is located directly in front of the library on Thursday's and I've already mentioned how much the munchkin and I enjoy that....bonus!  

The outing proved to be a great success.  She loved it!  We sang songs, read a story, and made a craft to correspond with the book.  Her enthusiasm surprised me as she sang on cue and attentively sat on the carpet in front of the teacher, listening to every word of the story.  We have this to show for the morning:  

And it was all FREE!  She even checked out a few books with her new library card.  

When Daddy came home from work and heard about our day, he smiled as it brought back memories of his childhood.  He said he went to the library every week during the summers for the reading programs and the activities offered.  Guess what?  Those programs still exist and they are still free.  Our library has a number of computers with Internet access and educational games for the kids.  The technology is current and the general ease of use surprised me.  I feel foolish to have neglected this resource for so long.

Water Fun Update

We had the opportunity to enjoy some pool time as a family on Sunday and it is clear that swim lessons have really changed the little one's attitude about being in the water as demonstrated by this:


The last three weeks have shown a complete turn around in her enthusiasm for being in the water. The crying has stopped for one. She lets the teacher dunk her and actually swims with her face in the water, teacher assisted. Their methodology is very interesting to me, someone who has never had nor given a swim lesson. They first start by getting the child comfortable in the water. Then they get them use to having their face and head underwater. Next step is to work on holding their breath and once they are able to comfortably go a distance, they start working on hand strokes. The little one is working on having her face in the water and holding her breath. Also, opening her eyes and grabbing a toy while underwater. It is so fun to watch.

While we were at the pool this past weekend, Mommy and Daddy played swim teacher a bit and the the munchkin played along. Before we knew it she was jumping in and enjoying having her head underwater. Of course this is all while holding our hands as we haven't got to the swimming/floating in our swim lessons but I'm sure that will come in time.


It was a true joy to see her having so much fun in the pool. Partly because both of us love the water so much, but mostly because I have watched her overcome this fear and embrace something new. The smiles and laughs were hard fought and she earned every one through a small triumph of her spirit.

We just signed up for our 3rd 3 week session. No sense in giving up now while we have the momentum!

Lights, Cameras, and Lots of Action!

It's clear that the little one is ready for Disneyland. On our recent family trip to Las Vegas to celebrate Grandma's 70th birthday, the munchkin was in awe of everything she saw.

Grandma loves everything French and has dreams of someday going to Paris. The family delivered her the next best thing, a suite at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas. As we pulled in to town, the little one started yelling with excitement from the backseat, "Pyramids!" Followed by, "Look at that castle." When we got off the freeway to head towards the big surprise at Grandma's hotel, she points and says, "I see it. The Eiffel Tower!" All of the great structures she's learned about in one location. Mind you she has no idea that they are not actually the "real" thing but why crush the spirits of a 2 year old.

At one point in the evening, around 10pm, we found ourselves walking to the hotel across the street to see the gardens. I was walking behind the kiddo as she held Grandma's hand. She was pointing and looking in every direction and chatting to Grandma about everything she saw. All the huge TV's, lights, water shows and even an "obelisk"! It was a priceless moment.

Of course we couldn't refuse the fancy gelato after a quick walk through the botanical gardens. When all was said and done that evening. We were walking back to the car, it was after 11pm, the munchkin was covered with raspberry gelato face and Daddy and I look at each other. He says, "She has had every sense stimulated. This is what Disneyland will be like." It was so fun to watch her take in the sights, sounds, tastes and smells of all the action. I find it funny, in a disturbing sort of way, that we saw this beautiful display of innocence in Las Vegas of all places.

Best we take it to the Magic Kingdom.

The sum total of the weekend: the little one stayed up way past her bedtime, ate too many sweets and took her first limo ride. We still haven't gotten back on schedule. The perma-grin and belly laughs as a result of the weekend fun, that's what life is all about!