We had a great day today- pumpkin carving (and painting) with Uncle Ryan and Lauren, and finished with some football watching in bed with daddy and Uncle Ryan. Kaitlyn LOVED painting her pumpkin.... she painted and dug at her pumpkin's "guts" for over an hour. In the process, she also painted herself a few times! She had pumpkin parts EVERYWHERE, including aobut 10 pumpkin seeds on her bottom. Paul was more serious in his work and eventually wrote his name on his pumpkin. He and Lauren also had some fun with the leftover carvings from some of the pumpkins.Then we played outside for a bit... and Kaitlyn of course had to play with the pumpkins some more. She figured if she likes going down the slide, so would the pumpkin.
We had an absolutely wonderful weekend in NJ celebrating Chris and Megan's wedding (Friday, October 15th). Despite a chilly, windy day on Friday, it was a magical day- and we were so happy to be a part of it! More pictures to come (fatigue and very slow internet aren't on my side tonight!) but here's a quick preview of the flower girl and ring bearer who were very excited for their 'jobs' at the wedding. Paul carefully walked the 'rings' (or at least a pillow!) up the aisle and Kaitlyn pretty much ran/bounced/smiled the whole way down. As well as the Redfern family of four And the larger family, including the 'newest' Mrs. Redfern!
Somehow it has been almost three weeks since our last post... where did this month go? I'll try to recap, although both Paul and I feel that the first few weeks of school when you work on a college campus move at warp speed (the fact that I have a new job and that he has some new responsibilities adds up as well). And thanks to all the pictures we took this summer (which I at least now have printed), combined with a few very busy weeks, I haven't cleaned off our THREE camera cards- and therefore haven't taken many pictures.
Paul traveled to NJ for Grandma Turchette's 100th birthday on Sept 11th (yes, quite a milestone!)- here's the video from her birthday cake at dinner at Forest Hill:
Our whole family went this past weekend to NJ as a belated birthday trip (little Paul and I were sick for the official birthday trip). This weekend I also got to celebrate with Chris' fiancee Megan at her bachelorette party (including Aunt Katherine), which ended with a 5K race on Sunday morning- and even squeezed in a quick visit to see Chrissy and Lyla in NYC. Here we are after the 5k race and with Grandma before leaving: Unfortunately Kaitlyn sandwiched our trip with sickness- throwing up on the way to NJ Friday afternoon (I had been meaning to wash her car seat cover anyway...) and then fever on the way home yesterday (and a sinus infection at the dr's today).
Kaitlyn and Paul continue to find ways to make us smile each day (or at least most days!). They seem to be developing a very special bond as Paul protects Kaitlyn ("Kaitlyn, don't forget your coat- it's chilly out today") and also makes sure that she knows the rules ("Kate, we don't put our feet on the table"... somehow in my tone of voice!). Tonight they were both hiding under a blanket while sitting on their chairs and totally cracking each other up (a good time for a picture, right... yeah... none taken).
As Paul's 4th birthday approaches, he is very proud that he will be four and "soon" will get to go to kindergarten (soon being fall 2012). And then proceeds to tell us that when he's in 2nd grade Kaitlyn will be in kindergarten since he's older... and that she will be sad that he won't be at the Growing Place anymore when he's in kindergarten (apparently Kaitlyn wants to try and play on the 'big kid' preschool playground rather than the toddler playground at daycare- Paul always tells us when he sees her outside at "school").
Kaitlyn continues to be a ball of energy and smiles... with a little smirk on the side. She's picking up new words every day, including "moohseey" today. She is a big fan of "uh oh" and "oh my" and wakes up in the morning and will walk around saying "Paul... Paul" until she finds him. She has a great confidence (which isn't great when you tell her she can't climb up the 20' tall slide at the playground) and will say hello to anyone or anything.
I did get a few pictures recently: The kids reading in their chairs by the window Relaxing with Gram during her quick visit to PA last week Paul 'practicing' wearing his dress shoes for Uncle Chris' wedding (we've encouraged him not to wear white socks with his tuxedo on the big day!): Hopefully there will be more posts in October!
Also a part of the birthday fun was a visit from Aunt Kerry. Despite the sadness which ensued after her departure (from the kids as well as from me!), we had a great visit. She even tried to get Paul to practice his 'big arms' as we swam in our neighbors pool, but I think his big swimming debut will have to wait until next summer. Showing off their serious play doh creation from the "hamburger builder": There was a serious sleeping bag tent/fort/play area/nap area created yesterday morning in which we were all "going to bed" and playing.
Kaitlyn LOVED painting her pumpkin.... she painted and dug at her pumpkin's "guts" for over an hour. In the process, she also painted herself a few times!
Then we played outside for a bit... and Kaitlyn of course had to play with the pumpkins some more. She figured if she likes going down the slide, so would the pumpkin.
