Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

We had some leftover snow from our holiday photo shoot last weekend (I know, I'm such a tease), so I promised Teagan we could go outside and play with it as long as she let me take her photo.  We even got some friends, Gavin and Ella, in on the action.  Declan liked throwing the snow on the ground before I could snap a photo, and Teagan had fun blowing and throwing the artificial snow.  Although it was chilly it was actually a beautiful mid-November weekend so we can't complain.  I guess this is just a small taste of what's in store for the coming months - although knowing my kids they will not complain because they love to play outside and they love snow!

Declan's Words - 19m

Declan has been going through a word explosion recently so I thought I would post about all of the words he knows so we can look back some day and be reminded.  He probably has at least a few more that I am forgetting.  He's almost up to 50 words at this point, which is a big jump from 18 months when he was at about 15.  

mama, dada, ball, more, down, hi, up, bye, uh oh, Declan, bubbles, waffle, shoe, sock, out, all done, cookie, Ella, stuck, help, uppie, ow, bath, Boo, apple, home, no no, nose, cookie, snack, Outside, cat, dog, no, ouch, yay, nice, hot, whoa, blocks, hat, TT, owl, door, please, water, Bapi (paci), fish

He also knows some animal sounds (oink, and "ooooo" for owl to name a few).  I am loving that he's able to communicate - things like "more" and "all done" are very helpful when we're trying to figure out what he wants.  If he is in the other room and we hear "no no, no no" we know he is doing something he knows he's not supposed to do, which of course sends us running to check!  He also says "no" if he doesn't want something, and although that is a relatively new word, he has been shaking his head "no" for months now.

In the last month Declan has become all boy and all toddler.  Climbing, diving, getting into mischief, and then laughing devilishly like he knows he's pushing buttons.  Ramming his carts and toys into things and saying "whoa".  But he's also playing and learning and growing (and testing limits).  


What I really want to share with you are photos we took last weekend for our holiday card but I will try to hold off for a few more weeks so I don't spoil the surprise.  So here are a few iPhone photos of our sweet and mischievous little guy.

Happy Birthday, Mame

Tonight we celebrated Grammy Sue's birthday.  Jenna, Chris, and Max came over, and Naomi, Greta, and Abbie joined us by video chat.  We had pizza and cupcakes and enjoyed a nice family evening.  It was low key, but a nice way to have a mid-week celebration.  Happy Birthday, Mame!

This goofy face kills me

Happy Halloween

Despite looking like it would rain all day, the Halloween weather held out for us.  

The kids had a costume parade at daycare.  They walked to the nearby senior living center where they got treats and put on a good show for all of the residents.  I think it was as much fun for them as it was for the kids.  Declan was all smiles to see us and Teagan happily paraded in her full Rapunzel costume. Then we enjoyed pumpkin pie and cider - Declan is apparently a big pumpkin pie fan because he wolfed it down.

It was chilly but dry and with a few layers everyone was perfectly comfortable for trick-or-treating.  The kids had a blast, and we had so much fun watching them.  Declan was a trooper, going to every door and loving every minute.  Teagan led the way but was very polite with her 'please', 'thank you' and 'happy halloween's.  Teagan loved getting home in time to pass out candy to a few trick or treaters and Declan enjoyed a twix bar.  I can't wait to do it all over again next year!

Bearded Girl

On the way home from Zoo Boo, and unbeknownst to us, Teagan had a pen and paper that she was coloring with.  I guess she decided she was jealous of Declan's Flynn Ryder goatee because I turned around and she had drawn herself a beard.  It was actually pretty funny, but we did talk about how she should only color on her skin with Mommy and Daddy's permission.  I took a few photos for the memory book, and then she asked if she could use a marker like Declan had, so I let her indulge before she washed the beards away.  She was quite proud of herself, and really, no harm done.

Zoo Boo

Last Saturday we went to the Zoo Boo at Seneca Park Zoo so the kids could trick-or-treat in the daylight and extend the halloween fun a little longer.  Teagan wore her full Rapunzel getup but after some walking and moving the wig was too much so she just had the dress.  I used the opportunity to dress up as Mother Gothel from the Disney movie Tangled, so Teagan, Declan and I were quite the trio - Rapunzel, Flynn Rider, and Mother Gothel.  We lucked out with nice weather and enjoyed the company of Daddy, Mame, Aunt Jenna, and cousin Max.  It was a little chilly, but overall a decent day.

My Mother Gothel costume

Mother Gothel, Flynn, and Rapunzel

Aunt Jenna and Cousin Max

Teagan and the GECKO

Max's costume, hidden under layers of warmth

Pumpkin Patch

We headed to the pumpkin patch after our costume photo shoot (see previous post).  The kids weren't super cooperative for a nice photo but we managed to get one that is decent.  Then it was time for the corn stalk teepee, hay bale maze, and picking out four large, carvable pumpkins.  The kids had fun and the rain held off long enough for us to finish our task.  Bring on Halloween.