Pumpkin Drilling?

As I'm sure most of you have already done, we carved our pumpkins last night! (Nothing like the last minute *wink*) Little Pumpkin was hesitant at first to put her hand in, but as you can see ~ she warmed up to the idea!


Little Lion is an old pro now! He finished his in no time!


You can see the close concentration on Little Lion's face as he watches Daddy Lion. You may think it was to learn, but it was to supervise. You know, make sure Daddy Lion did just exactly how he was instructed by Little Lion!


I on the other hand copied a great idea! POWER TOOLS included! Instead of trying to make all those decisions on what shape to use for all the different parts of the face, Little Pumpkin and I made a more decorative pumpkin ~ who doesn't like polka dots?!?

Little Pumpkin really enjoyed the power tools too! Thanks Lisa, who copied it from Cheryl! *smile* The end result is really cool. . . my pic didn't turn out so well, but check out Lisa's!

After everyone was nice and clean (including the pumpkins)! Not the best lighting in this pic, but loved the sweet, proud smiles! Happy Halloween!!!

Melt My Heart!

My sweet Little Lion melted my heart today, and I don't think he even knows he did! One of the things I brought back from MOPS convention was "Go Fish" music. Check it out . . . it truly is "great kids music that won't drive parents bonkers"!!! (side-note: as I'm typing this, he is rocking out in the bathroom from heart!)

Anyway, there's lots of fun songs including "THE MOM SONG." You'll find it on my sidebar . . . you GOT to listen, especially if you're a MOM! *smile* Plus it will help you understand my post a bit more. *wink*

So we are riding home from BSF and "THE MOM SONG" comes on. After it's all done, Little Lion says "Can we hear that one again?" Usually it's the "Superhero" song that gets repeat requests! As we are listening to the second time around, Little Pumpkin is fussing a bit (she thinks she's starving at this point). I check my mirror and see my sweet Little Lion holding his sister's hand trying to soothe her. *heart melting*

Then this part of the song comes on:
"If you love your mom, let me hear you say . . . WOO HOO"
"Here we go . . . WOO HOO"

And my Little Lion is saying "WOO HOO" at the top of his lungs! *heart melting again!*

I think he he likes me ~ at least today!

We made it!

That's fitting for a number of reasons! First as all of you are anxiously wondering, Little Pumpkin has made it through the nights and days just fine! There is some crying at nap time, but always less than 5 minutes. *ahhh*
Just as a side-note, someone asked about replacing the pacifier. I did not replace it with anything, but she still has her special blanket and a sweet doll that she has slept with from day one.

The second thing is we made it through this weekend!!! BOY was it jammed full . . . and we didn't even get to do it all! It began with a Build and Grow day at Lowe's, our favorite Saturday morning activity. (When I say "we", you all know where I'm going with this, I mean Daddy Lion!) This Saturday, Little Pumpkin joined the boys.

She was so excited to go. Of course she is always excited to "GO"!
While they were enjoying their bonding time with tools, I went to a local craft bizarre. Lots of my friends were there with their creative geniuses! I almost managed to get out without anything. . . a fun Christmas necklace was calling my name! Technically, I didn't leave with it. . . the gal is making a few modifications for me. *wink*

Next the long awaited Pumpkin Patch!!! Moore Farms is our favorite one. Well, it's the only one I've found remotely like what I miss. We had lots of fun even if we were rushed a bit. I'm just glad we got to go at all!

The Z family joined us! I love this pic of the kids ~ the girls are looking at each other. I know it's kind of hard to tell with it this size!

Little Pumpkin trying to figure it out . . . "I know I just saw them pumping water . . ."

Little Pumpkin loved the maze for the little ones! She was running like a wild child through there. . . until she meet the other kid. Well, you can watch the video . . . pretty funny. She did finish the maze once the kid left. *smile*

Daddy Lion patiently waiting for the hay ride . . . honestly, probably for the whole trip to be over! *wink*

On the hayride! They were a tough crowd, let me tell ya!

Family pic! I honestly think they are all tired of pictures! We've had quite a few done recently! *grin*

In the corn maze . . . I realize I chopped Little Pumpkin's head off . . . oops

Here this one makes up for it!

With their pumpkins! I think what they both really wanted was FOOD! No worries we took our pumpkins and head straight for the car for lunch and a quick trip home. . . .

Then off to our next adventure! We had a small group bonfire . . . minus the bonfire. It just wasn't going to light. But we did have a small fire large enough for roasting marshmallows! You know, the important stuff! *wink*

Lots of fun with all kinds of scooters, bikes, roller blades, and a wiggle something . . . it was very cool. Anyway, Little Pumpkin found these little roller blades/skates. She did amazingly well on them!
Enjoy the show! *wink*

I think we will survive!

Okay, so nap didn't go so well yesterday! She continued to cry for an hour. Once she was quiet, I went in to check on her and she had taken her diaper OFF! Oh, this child is going to test me. So I quietly put her diaper back on and was covering her up when she woke up. I said still nap time and left the room ~ more crying!

After 45 minutes, she was still fussing on and off. I went in to Little Lion's room because he was singing during his rest time. So I asked that he not sing so that maybe that would not be distracting to Little Pumpkin. She wouldn't want to miss out on what's happening! After laying down with him for about 15 minutes, he fell asleep! One down - one to go still!

At 3pm, I went in with the spoon. (She was still laying down on her bed throughout this whole time!) I talked with her a bit, sang a song to calm her down, then left the room for the last time. She cried for another hour!

Finally she was quiet. Daddy Lion arrived home shortly after and when he peeked in on her again, she had taken her diaper off again!!! Her way of protesting I assume. She woke about 30 minutes after falling asleep. . . not the usual nap time!

So I was prepared for the battle last night. After getting jammies on, brushing our teeth, saying prayers and giving kisses to everyone ~ more than once; we headed to the bedroom. Again she pointed to the drawer . . . I picked her up opened the drawer and said "all gone"! She rummaged through it a bit. I told her to climb up in bed and she went. There was some whining, but no real tears. She was asleep in 30 minutes or less!

As I sat to write this, I decided to go take some pics of the sleeping beauty! She was quietly laying in her bed! So I got her to stay for a few shots:


She looks so grown up in this picture! We will survive! She may be strong willed, but it is a strong willed determined, not defiant! She obeyed staying in bed, she wasn't happy, but she obeyed. I may be exhausted with her, but I am still proud of her!

This too shall pass and we will be better having gone through it. Both of us will have learned from it ~ her about the growing up process, me about her!

Yes, but . . .

Last night went shockingly well! I just knew my determined Little Pumpkin would not stand for this new routine . . . She amazed me! Climbing right up into her new toddler bed and getting under the covers, cuddling up with her blanket and not even asking for a pacifier! I left the room just knowing we would hear from her shortly.

After about 45 minutes, Daddy Lion went in to check on her . . . I followed closely behind. Silence! Sweet slumber was all we found. That was the case the entire night! I never heard a peep until about 10 'til 7am. She was crying a bit, but still laying on her bed.

So where does the "but" come in?!? NOW!!! It's been about 20 minutes and she is still in there crying. She knows where the pacifiers are stashed (when not lost on the other side of her bed); so even though she has no "word" for them, she is pointing to the drawer crying . . .

It may end up being the long battle I expected after all! *frown*

Bye, Bye, Birdie

Little Pumpkin had her two-year well child appointment today. When we got home she was playing in her room, when I realized it was a little too quiet! I didn't know going to the doctor could take so much out of you:She didn't even get shots either! Just a little special time with her pacifier and blanket and of course a purse! Silly girl.

I was surprised to get a some great shots of her. This is the adorable outfit I was planning for her to wear for her b-day celebrations. That was until the cherry slush incident . . . don't ask!

I LOVE this sweet smile! It is so rare to catch it on camera! But that's it ~ dimples and all!


This is where the title comes in to play! We (again a.k.a. Daddy Lion) converted Little Pumpkin's bed from crib to toddler bed today. She was very interested in what was going on ~ never seemed concerned ~ she even pitched in to help!

Concentrating so hard. She really has no clue what all this means . . .

The face says excitement . . . until she realizes no crib means no pacifier!

We will see how tonight goes! Pray for us if you wake up for some odd reason in the night ~ I have a feeling I might be up. *wink*

BSF, Bugs, Buds &Building

BSF
Today Little Pumpkin had her first day at BSF. She was a little shy going in, but thanks to Ms. Browne, she was quickly engaged. What an awesome program they have! Check it out if you are not familiar, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God has used this study to grow me over the years. Is STILL growing me through it. . . Okay, off my soapbox . . . She must have done fine. I did not receive any bad report or any report for that matter, but she was one of the few that were NOT crying when I picked her up. Always a good sign! *smile*

Like any TWO year old, or female, her emotions can change at the drop of a hat or as this case was a car driving by!




BUGS
Ladybugs that is. I've been working on some baby shower invites for my step-sister. Her friend made all the invites ~ these cute little ladybugs. All I had to do was put in the wording, curl antennas, stuff envelopes and label them. I'm glad to be DONE! They go in the mail tomorrow ~ Kudos to Beth, I'm not sure how she made all those bugs without going bonkers!




BUDS
Our friends have moved in! Yes, they bought a house around the corner from us so we get to see lots more of these sweet faces. It's so nice for carpooling and quick babysitting!

Mr. M and Little Lion striking a pose for me! Too funny ~ they are good buds!

Miss. S and Little Pumpkin, well they are two peas in a pod. Communication and age are their only downfall right now! *smile*





BUILDING
The neighbor to the north is building a fence and we (a.k.a. Daddy Lion) said we'd split the cost and labor for the side we share.

Daddy Lion and the neighbor working on the fence! I wanted to do this while Cheetah was here, but lucky for him it never worked out!

They have made great progress.
Last summer our neighbors to the south built a fence. . . so if we wait long enough maybe our back neighbor will start his fence and all we'll have to do is the front! *wink*

Girly girl?!?

Last night Little Pumpkin opened another b-day present we received in the mail. Fortunately, I had my camera ready . . . although I got the pic, I missed the sounds. She was so excited even before she really knew what it was:

Upon opening the treasure box, she found all kinds of pretties!
She was in little girl heaven!!!

Everything came out of the box and out of packages . . .

The crown didn't last long, but it sure is fitting ~ she thinks she rules!

Do you think we could fit some more bling on?!?
Thanks Aunt Bran for all the goodies!

Just thought I'd share a glimpse of our sweet girl. She loves everything girlie (except baby dolls), but keeps up with the boys like one of them. . . She'll be the next Homecoming Queen playing on the football team!

Eating bugs

My good friend, Jaime, often talks about her mom having them give a "yippee" and a "bummer" from the day at prayer time. I've been inconsistent, but tried to incorporate this into our prayer time with Little Lion at night.

Last night, he said the most fun he had was eating "bug" cupcakes at AWANA! He explained that they had learned about "Jesus' friend who ate grasshoppers dipped in honey."

So, as I prayed for him, I prayed he would "grow in wisdom" like Jesus (a verse from Cubbies this year). And continued: "That he may become of friend of Jesus just like John the Baptist, that tells others about God's love . . ."
Before I could finish Little Lion blurts out:
"But doesn't eat bugs!!!"

There's a smile and hopefully a giggle for your Monday morning!

Look who's . . .

TWO!!!
Yes, my Little Pumpkin turned TWO yesterday, I'm still in a bit of shock that it's gone by so fast!
Yesterday is a bit of blur . . . I know this will shock most of you, but I over-scheduled our day more than I'd like to admit. *grin*

We began the day with my friend Josie taking some awesome family pics for us! Check out her blog for some sneak peeks. (You'll have to act surprised if you end up with one for Christmas!) Afterward, we headed out to some special friends house . . .

Little Pumpkin and Miss. AJ share a b-day (four hours apart almost to the minute), so Tia S threw a party for the two of them! We had a blast ~ Thanks again for all the work you put into it Tia S.The girls and their cakes . . . YES, they each had their own cake and candles to blow out! I'll spare you the video of my trying to sing and video. Although, I'm thinking about sending it in to AFV. . . Little Pumpkin decided to put out the candle with her finger so I kind of forgot about the camera rolling . . . well, you see where this is going!

The girls were so good about opening their presents together! No fighting over gifts! Again Tia S did a great job of making things fair and even! I don't know if they would have noticed if it hadn't been though!

Miss. AJ and Little Pumpkin both got princess dress up clothes. Snow White and Cinderella respectively . . . can you guess why?!? *wink*

The only time they fought was over picking up the trash! Too funny, at least they are showing some responsible character traits! I also love the huge smile on Daddy Lion's face in the back ground . . . one proud Daddy!

CANDY!!!! Little Pumpkin is all about the candy! She was more concerned about the candy she received than the gifts! That's my girl ~ little sweet tooth. Honestly anything edible will do for her! *wink* We headed home for a nap. She did actually take one even after all that!

I tried to snap a few shots of her to post for her b-day pic. But I think by this time she was all pictured out! Above: I told her to go stand by the flowers; she is pointing to the flowers as if asking"These flowers?"
She's not smiling, but this is a true Little Pumpkin face! Still cute! We had a small family party at our house in the evening with pizza and cupcakes. You know keeping it simple and all! *grin*

Here is a little bit of that birth order showing through . . . baby of the family . . . clowning around. These are the glasses from her Mrs. Potato Head she opened before she was suppose to! Another "baby" characteristic I believe! SNEAKY

Another candle, check out her hands! She was practically sitting on them, I don't think she'll ever try to touch a candle again! It only takes once!


You guessed right, licks the icing leaves the cake! You know we all really want to do that! *wink*

Little Pumpkin and Lolly with her pink shake and go crash up car! Which was a hit with all the kids!

Showing off some dress up shoes she got ~ sure to break an ankle in them! *wink* She actually did pretty well in them. Here she is stomping her feet in them!

Of course, what's a girl without her phone?!? Chia Lu did a great job with this gift ~ it's even Cinderella just like her dress!

Our Little Princess! (excuse the wardrobe malfunction!)
All things considered, she's a great 2 year old! Happy Birthday Sweet Little Pumpkin!
WE LOVE YOU!