Punkin! Punkin!

Last year, for Luke's first Halloween, we ended up skipping the pumpkin patch. The day we had planned to go was rainy and muddy and Luke had been sick for a while. We opted out, and I have to say, I was disappointed. So this year, I was adamant that we go to the pumpkin patch. While there are many "patches" in the area, we knew the only place for the first patch experience was Uesugi Farms in Morgan Hill. The last time we had gone was when I was pregnant with Luke and boy, has it grown since then!

Quite frankly, the place was a zoo. I have never seen so many people at a pumpkin patch before. But now its more than just a pumpkin patch. There's a train, a few mazes, a few tractor rides, pony rides, a petting zoo, a band, and food galore. Oh, and the pumpkins. Luke learned how to say "punkin" and boy, did he have the opportunity to practice!

Grandma and Grandpa met us there, as we were unable to go the previous weekend with the rest of the family. Luke had so much fun. He wasn't too into the pumpkins (though he became fond of one particular squash . . .) but of course, loved the train.


Running to the giant inflatable pumpkin


Lovin' the train!


Pumpkin = Hat.


Shoulder rides are really the only way to go for containment these days.

There is really nothing better than family time. Happy Punkin Day!

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

For Todd's 30th birthday, we celebrated at Aunt Nancy and Uncle Joe's up in Dublin. We were so happy that so much of the family was able to come and celebrate. I was able to have Not Just Cheesecakes in Campbell make Todd's birthday cake - which was delicious! A nice big pint of Stone's Imperial Russian Stout. It was such a treat!

On a special note:

Thank you Hallmark for your wonderful sound card invention. There really is nothing better to entertain a toddler than a singing card that will turn on and off in a logical 2 year old way. Luke loved dancing to "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" at GreatGrandma and Grammie Linda's birthday party and was equally entertained by the "Star Wars" theme at Daddy's party.



Please continue to make them. At least until I no longer have a toddler.

And since Luke is so into hats, the card promptly became a hat and he subsequently danced around. To the amusement of us all. Well worth the price of a card Hallmark. Thank you.

Grammie Linda!

Let Sony know that I am available for commercials :)

Note: This amount of adorable doesn't come cheap!

On another note, Luke really wanted to use the nose sucker on himself. He screams like banshee when we try and get his boogies out, but when it's on his terms, Luke apparently thinks it's fun. Who knew?

The Many Faces

I love to catch Luke's personality in all of the faces he makes. He has such a big personality that always gets a laugh.

And on drums . . .

Luke still loves the drums - this video is a little old (from this past summer) but he really does just adore playing his drum set.

Surprise!

After Luke's bath tonight, I asked him if he wanted to pee on the potty. And because he is a good boy, he dutifully sits on the potty. He never goes, but he smiles brightly and hopes that it will keep him from going to bed.

But tonight, he actually peed on the potty. Hooray!

Talking with a friend from the mom's group, when she trained her daughter, she never used treats or stickers or candy. She made the "prize" flushing the toilet and washing her hands. I thought that sounded pretty good (we can always go the treat route if this doesn't work) so every time mommy or daddy uses the potty, we get to flush and wash our hands and tell Luke that he can flush and wash when he goes to the potty.

He was stoked to flush the toilet. And when I said it was time for PJs, he said "hands" - he was not going to let me forget to wash his hands.

So a successful and surprising Columbus Day evening!