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Friday, November 7, 2008

Pumpkin Picking, Pony Riding, Goat Petting Days

We got a late start this year on selecting the perfect pumpkin to carve for Halloween. By the time we actually got to the patch, all that were left were the sad, dejected pumpkins, and not many of them. Rylann managed to find one that didn't already have holes in it, or soft rotting sides, so all was not lost. As of today, we still have not carved the pumpkin, but we could if we wanted to, and that's all that matters, right? I don't think we actually carved last year's pumpkin either, now that I think of it.

Besides, we all know that that the real reason Rylann loves the pumpkin patch is for the pony ride and the petting zoo. Rylann was all smiles while riding her pony, while Tristan was concentrating very, very hard, and it showed. By the end of the ride, he was a seasoned cowboy, and cried when he had to get down.

Tristan is a funny character. He has a newly found talent of quacking like a duck, not saying "Quack quack", but actually making the duck noise, like Donald Duck. It's pretty comical, especially when he combines squatting with the quacking, with the occasional head bob. Anyway, my reason for writing this is that he quacks anytime he sees any kind of animal. He saw the goats in the petting zoo pen, and he clawed his way down to the ground and started quacking like crazy. I'm still laughing.



Posing with her favorite little pumpkin.




Rylann was already giddy at the thought of a pony.




Tristan loved bouncing on the pumpkins.



See?



This one feels just right.




His search continues.




Tristan spies a hawk.




Goat time!



Cowboy Tristan



Cowgirl Rylann



Very Non Scary Halloween Parade

The week of Halloween, Rylann was allowed to wear a costume to her dance class. She insisted on being a ballerina, since her cat costume tutu was "too crazy and too itchy". She had a great time pretending to be a ballerina in ballet class, especially since she was with her very best friend in the world. The girls even went on parade to all the shops in the strip mall to say hi and show off their cute costumes. I think Rylann is beginning to love Halloween as much as I do. I can hope!



Princesses, ballerinas, and a Strawberry Shortcake on parade.



See? Happy as can be.



My sweet ballerina.




Showing off her new sticker.



Posing with her teacher.



How much is that puppy in the window?

Mickey's Trick or Treat Party

We headed to Mickey's Trick or Treat Party for some early Halloween fun. The park was closed off to everyone except ticket holders, so we were able to get in some very short lines for rides. The kids were able to trick or treat, see some characters in their Halloween costumes, and dance the night away. It was fun and exhausting, and Manny and I decided after the third time walking through the candy lines while the kids were asleep, that maybe it was time to call it a night. We're already looking forward to going again next year. I'm sure that Tristan will be too, since by then, he may be able to actually eat all the candy he collected, instead of Manny.


Rylann the Cat




Checking out the Candy Corn Acres




Finally cracking a smile!




Trick or Treat!




Rylann gives her best kitty grin.




Tristan decided to enter the hula hoop contest.




In ready position.




Oops!




Time to call it a night.

Monday, November 3, 2008

Disneyland, repeated.

We recently took another trip to Disneyland, mostly to partake in their special Halloween festivities. I'll have more on that in another post, but this post is just about the normal Disney happenings. Right now, Disneyland is promoting their "Year of Dreams" sweepstakes, in which anyone can be a winner, if they are in the right pre-selected place at the right time. This trip, we were in the right place twice! So we won some lovely Dream mouse ear hats, and some especially lovely Dream Fastpasses, which allowed us to move closer to the front of the line on some rides. Sweeeeet. Rylann was thrilled with winning, even though she didn't really know what she won, and Tristan was just happy that everyone else was so happy, even though he didn't know why. So basically, it was win-win for everyone, and was an excellent extra for an already great trip.


Rylann wearing her special ears on the spinning ladybugs.




Various pics from Goofy's playground:














Rylann with Pluto



Tristan was very pleased to be able to climb into this seat by himself.



So much so, he kept repeating the process for almost 10 minutes.



Pluto was obviously very popular with Rylann....





and with Tristan too!



Enjoying the view of the spinning teacups. He LOVED this ride!



Attempting to visit/vandalize (ahem, Tristan) the White Rabbit's cottage.



In front of the Sun Wheel, which has now been closed permanently. :(



And the following, is a short set of pictures that shows why car keys are not regularly given to chocolate-driven, overly enthusiastic 3-year-olds:


Tristan goes boom!


While Rylie is all smiles, Tristan tends to his battle wounds.

***Rylann's license was revoked shortly after the taking of these pictures.***

Happy Birthday Tristan!



We celebrated Tristan's 1st birthday in true toddler style at a local park. It was supposed to be a construction theme, but sometime around 2:00 a.m. the night before, I abandoned most of decor plans I had. It didn't seem to matter to Tristan at all; he had a blast!

Tristan had a great time playing with his friends and family, pushing around his new birthday present from Aunt Ashley and Uncle Rodrigo, and EATING! This child loves to eat, which was why I was very surprised during the cake smashing portion of the event. At least, it was supposed to entail cake smashing. I even purchased a small cake called a smash cake, and (accidentally) pre-smashed a bit for him, to make things easier. However, Tristan wanted nothing to do with smashing. Instead, he chose to take a slice of bell pepper, and dip it into the frosting and lick it off, repeatedly. Rylann didn't smash her cake at her first birthday either. So, it looks like I am raising a new generation of non cake-smashers.

Anyway, the following is a small collection of pics from Tristan's special day.



The birthday boy.




Loving his lion.




Did I mention this toy was a favorite with everyone?




Tristan was not into hitting what he thought was his brand new toy truck.




But oddly enough, he did enjoy watching others do it.




Rylann takes her turn.



Candy, er, fruit snack coma.




Tristan being invited to play with fire.




Tuesday, August 19, 2008

The Artist at Work

Here are some pictures of Rylann hard at work at the Children's Museum, courtesy of her proud aunt. Thanks Auntie Loma!