We visit the pumpkin patch!

Here's our girl on the "fewwy boat", heading to Sequim for the weekend.

Nana C. met us at the pumpkin patch. This weekend was gorgeous and clear and we had lots of fun. It was a big area, so Esther could run her heart out. I swear we covered a couple of miles. At one point, she escaped underneath a fence and ran into a pasture. Luckily no angry bulls were in it, so I didn't have to risk life and limb retrieving my runaway. We didn't dare venture into the corn maze because I'm pretty sure we would have lost E. She definitely keeps her Dad and I on our toes.

Don't be fooled by this picture of her sitting quietly. She would only stay still long enough for me to snap one pic each pose before running off to explore something new.

She got to pet some piglets. So sweet...and so stinky! Although Gene and I felt like we'd been at the patch for the entire day, when really it was only an hour, we did have lots of fun.

The next day, I was smarter and wiser and decided we'd head to the Olympic Game Farm, where Esther would be contained in our car. We passed out lots of bread (well, at least the stuff E didn't eat) and saw yaks and zebras and bears...oh my! Of course, my little one soon became more interested in figuring out what all the buttons in the dashboard did, rather than checking out the rest of the animals. But such is life with an explorer.

She wasn't very interested in petting any of the animals in the petting zoo, but she sure liked the little barns.

Yahoo for Autumn!

Tis the season... well, it's autumn, which is my favorite one. To enjoy the cool, crisp air we went for a walk.

Of course, Esther found lots of rocks.

Dancing with her (new) favorite TV characters. By the way, I'm loving her new 'do. So much easier and she's just as cute as ever, though of course I'm not biased.

This doesn't look at all comfort-able.

Check out the new t-shirt from Dev and Karin...it's baby Godzilla! Awesome!

Apparently, E felt her hat and mittens went well with her shirt.

Today, I was on a cleaning kick (which when one hits, I take full advantage of, since they don't hit that often). I employed my little helper to clean the coffee table. I love this age...E wants to help! In a few years, she'll probably roll her eyes and sigh when I ask her to do something for me.

She took it upon herself to clean her bedroom window.

Interesting fascination.

Esther and I share an interesting similarity: we both love rocks. When I was a kid, I loved searching for "cool" rocks and pebbles. Since we lived by a river, I had my pick of many. To me, they looked especially beautiful when wet, so I would take them home and paint them with clear nail polish. It turns out Esther has my same fascination! She can find little pebbles underneath tons of wood shavings at a playground. She loves to bring rocks home. This heart shaped rock was one of the first ones she found. Gene has one rock that she gave him, that he transfers to each bag he uses.

Gene promises to get Esther and I one of those rock polishers someday.

OK, this one is a little big.

I thought E's "sculpture" was pretty neat. She used three spoons as the legs.

She got a hold of a big wad of her easel paper and had a blast with it. Like I've said before, why do we even bother with toys, when she finds more joy in everyday stuff.

As Esther would say..."Ta-da!!!"

Who's that behind the phone? Yep, we did it. Bangs and all. I really appreciated every one's input, but ultimately decided to try it short. After all, if we don't like it we can always grow it out again. And thanks to E's Guiping sister, Meilyn, and her mom, Stephanie, I decided to go for it. Meilyn looked so adorable with her new haircut, it made the decision so easy.

During the haircut Esther didn't cry at all!!! I think the lollipop helped as well as being able to watch "Dora". (Gene was all for the bangs...but now says he's more partial to this look without.)

All done!

I have to admit that I'm so happy we got it cut the way we did! Esther hasn't had a hair clip in at all today and hasn't been pushing her hair out of her face.

I love to be able to see her neck!

No haircut yet...

although, I'm pretty sure I've made up my mind. Thanks for all the input. You'll have to stay tuned to see the result.

Now for some "fun with blocks" pictures: