We Give Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving 2012!

 We had a lovely, mellow gathering of friends and family.

 Took Piper 20 minutes or so to warm, but I can't blame her - it would freak me out to wake up from a long nap to a house full of people too.

Once she warmed she ran around laughing.

And drank milk from a wine glass.

She had her own setting and cup - but with everyone else drinking from wine glasses, she wanted in.

 People popped in and out through the evening, and Piper hung out with her "Uncle" Ivan.

 He wasn't making it easy to catch a good photo of them.

There was some dress up in the days that followed.

 

This is a hand me down little mermaid dress that is a big hit. Aunt Amy is my witness...she'll go into her room get it and hand it to me saying,

"Go" which translates to: "Mom, please put this on me right this very second."

She also played with her cousin Freddie. But his energy was a bit much for her. 

She may need some more warm up time next time. 

 We also had some time at the new school's park...

meaning about 30 seconds.

No other kids. 

She wasn't into it.

 And some good visits with her Aunties.

 Later our friend Sandra stopped by with some super awesome booties for Piper.

She's living in them...

 And enjoying the packaging they came in too.

 On Sunday Daddy took a rare day off and we went for a hike.

 It was lovely.

Scary warm actually.

We started out early and bundled and by the end (several hours) we all were roasting.

 Then after nap it was time for Shumei's Thanksgiving

 We thought the sushi dress our friend Krissy gave us was a good choice.

 That is a flower behind her ear there.

 Playing with baby Arthur, who is a year younger.

Josh said he caught her patting his head.

Honestly after 5 minutes she was running laps around the room.

While she's shy and doesn't like people coming up to her (especially since people tend to go right into her face without warning)- she sure likes to run and "prance" 

 This is one of those random Shumei things I was trying to catch.

 But the glare on the TV was too much.

Think detailed choreographed dance you follow on the TV lead by two kids in uniform.

In hindsight I should have hit the video instead.

On the way home one of her CDs was on, ABC song was going and from the back seat we could hear, "G" "P" and then "Z" all at the correct times. We rewound and again..."G" "P" and then "Z"
only a few more letters to go! ;-)

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Trudging Along

 Things have been busy in weeks past...

 But Piper is still finding time to browse the MANY toy catalogues that keep showing up in the mail.

While Mom danced around with a sword on her head.

 oh, and she also discovered bandaids...

Really things swing from being fun and awesome to...well...teething toddler.

The funny thing is?

 Fresh veg usually chills her out.

 mmm...kale....

Yesterday it was celery.

Today? Red bell peppers.

She'll cry and scream, get the veg and she's cool n' the gang.

I think the crunch and cold help.

When we're having a good day over here I'm still amazed at her ability to listen. A sure fire way of knowing she doesn't feel good (which unfortunately is often these days) is a lack of patience.

We were playing int he spices the other day...

A favorite past time, and the rosemary? Well the rosemary plumped to certain death.

Piper quietly waited on the sidelines while I swept the glass.

  Now we're getting ready for Thanksgiving and some early Holiday cheer.

Halloween

After the train ride last week we carved our pumpkins.

 Piper was into the whole process.

 ...and found the butter while on the counter. Nice hair there Girl!

 Piper kept picking out the sideways pumpkins. You know, the ones that won't stand up on the bottom.

Personally I'd like to look at this as a glimpse into future creativity and acceptance.

But that might be a Momma's projection. 

I'm allowed a few of those, right?

Either way, with studies now showing that creativity is more valuable than IQ I'll keep creating space for her natural creativity to emerge.

But I'm still reading to her several times a day.

 Not sure if you can see, but this is a two tu-tu day.

Piper's desires are very much known now.

two was necessary, trust me.

We stopped by Aunt Katie and Uncle Bob's to play. Dosti their dog chased a rabbit and Piper wasn't far behind to help. 

Grandma Sally sent a box full of goodies, from tambourines and cymbals to ribbons and this turtle. 

Thanks Mom! I got a good 30 minutes out of that box!

And here we are...Halloween...

 Prompted she would say "Tra-Tweet"

and "Boo"

 Rural living means trunk or treating.

 Grammy and Grandpa came along too, another couple set of eyes was needed. 

WAY too much to look at.

Plus she's just too funny these days to miss out on such an event.

She found the one patch of grass at the new school and I swear she could have spent the rest of the night there. Carnival? Pa-sha! I got grass here guys, real grass!

 But we got her in eventually...

 There was turf and a rubber ground cover in the back of the school.

And balls and other kids and lots and lots of running and giggling. 

And Aunt Katie!

We got this photo right before the exit strategy. Which thankfully avoided tears. 

Took 4 adults, but it worked.

Sugar crash was happening and dinner was needed.

But all in all?

She handled the crowd, candy and chaos quite well.

She's been talking up a storm, but she's not bold with much. "Up Please" is clear as day, but the rest os whispered. "No Thanks" has popped in from time to time and if Josh is around? "See Daddy, See?"

"Lets see" is still all over the place as well. Really if you listen, I think she's saying a lot more than I'm even catching. And singing. Last night as we settled in for books she sang and sang and sang.

 Couldn't tell ya what it was, but it was beautiful just the same.