trick or treat

Is my make up OK?

Staring at the front door as the blinds mysteriously opened and closed (with no knowledge yet of poltergeists or the like, I'm not sure what she thought was happening).

Aaaaaarggghhhh! Oh, candy!

Both people in the above photo wish that Charlie had slept better the night before.

I think she digs this event.

So it was Hallowe'en and we felt compelled to do something. After all, the girl is getting to the point where she kind of gets what's going on with these things and can really enjoy it. Unfortunately, our battle against Western Civilisation's obsession with girls being princesses (and boys getting to be whatever they want) is not going as well as we'd hoped and the dastardly girl wanted to be one. Well, we drew the line at pink, at least. We picked her up from school and, in a speedy change of clothes that would have made Superman proud, we transformed her from Somersfield half-day student to Princess Schuyler of Hamilton Parish. Then it was off to trick or treat. Well, we live in a neighbourhood which more known for violent dogs and body dumps than candy-filled generosity, so we made our way to Kim and Wardy Baby's house for trick or treat. She was greeted by a shimmering haired lady with a wand and (of course) a bag of goodies. We hung out and Sky and Charlie had dinner at the counter in between sugar fixes. Next year, maybe we'll hit up two houses! We really like to live life on the edge.

BUEI

So we bought memberships at BUEI primarily to save money on museums overseas, but decided to check it out anyway. It turns out we now have another viable alternative to our house and the aquarium on rainy days. I think its motto should be "BUEI - for when it's raining at there's nowhere else to go". It was actually a pretty good museum with tons of stuff that will be a lot more interesting to the kids in, oh, a decade or so. In the meantime, it's carpeted (you're welcome, Charlie) and has lots of lights and things to stare at and even a colouring station. We went on the 'deep sea exploration simulation' which is basically one of those tiny theatres that play a computer animated simulation of a dive under the sea while the whole theatre rocks and rolls with waves or whatever is on the animation. Schuyler was a bit scared. I found the scariest thing was the quality of the animation. And that squid thing.

aqua charlie

Yum.

a lovin spoonful

see, Charlie, this is how you do it

hmm, looks tasty

can I have some?

oh, yeah

wait a minute...

yes!

first steps

So we were at Kim's having tea and hanging out by the pool while I tested the patience of everyone involved with some (probably incorrect) description of life insurance securities when he finally did it. He took two steps. Two little steps for Charlie, two giant leaps in his parents' minds. He's really coming along this kid. Sure, the other kids in his Baby Jail are running around, riding unicycles, and trying out the more complicated yoga poses, but this is not a competition. At least, I hope not. We're still damn proud.

jammin'

I look at these faces. I look at them every day. I look at the way they embrace their joy with absolutely everything that they are. When the are enjoying something like banging on a drum or blowing on a harmonica, they exude their joy - they look like they just swallowed the sun and it shines out of them. That's the lesson they teach me. These days, I hold back from embracing the joy of the things I love. I don't sing along as loudly to cheesy songs I love when others are around. I don't smile as hard in photos. I temper my comments about a tv show I love that others might think is trite or dumb. We all do these things to maintain social bonds on some level, but it's kind of stupid. I just want to lose myself in the joy of the situation, unfettered by anything. I want to smile as hard as you do, my kids. And not just because you are the only ones who like my songs. But partly because when you enjoy music (even mine) you do with an unmitigated, infectious enthusiasm that makes feel as alive as I can be. So, thanks.

p.s. now if you could just stop whining about things you don't like with so much enthusiasm, we'll have a perfect situation.

a swim at kim's

...hmmm... Maybe Oxford will take her instead?

Under Kim's tutelage, Schuyler has learned the finer points of hosting a tea party: Every cup must be accompanied by a saucer and a spoon; don't make a noise when you stir in your milk and sugar; don't begin until the host does; etc. Once, Wardy Baby and I started to leave the table at the end of the tea session and Schuyler admonished with a sing-song "I didn't hear a 'thank you'"

"Ahhh, Irish coffee!"

"Hello? Hello? Can you hear me now? Hello?"

We're writing this now that Kim and Wardy Baby are Down Under once again and the emptiness of the winter months begins again. We love having them here. The kids love having them here. It's just a good time hanging out with them. We miss you guys. Seeing these photos reminds me of what's missing in our lives right now.

a new kid in the kitchen

Charlie getting a rare chance to explore the kitchen away from his sister's sharp elbows.

I'm tired

nap time!

going home

Almost back to the homestead