Happy Halloween

I had hoped to get this posted earlier in the week—but, well, I’m sure you all know how that goes!

Halloween has been a very busy time for Josie Dong Dong, who dressed as a clown for her first Halloween party. She really likes her costume and wants to wear it around the house. The pictures below are from the Halloween party at our YMCA.

Josie didn’t care too much for the crazy teeth that Daddy wore with his costume, but she didn’t seem to mind Mommy’s wild hair.

"Let me GO! No kisses with those silly teeth!"

"Ummm, everybody looks kind of weird."

Some of the staff dressed like scary witches and Josie didn’t much care for them too much either (do you blame her?!). When the witches said “hi” to her she looked away from them and said, “no.”


Inside the facility there was much activity and Josie enjoyed climbing the spongy stairs and jumping off of them, but she wanted Mommy to stay close.




She also enjoyed a fun game of “drop the clothespin in the pumpkin.” Josie quickly decided she wanted ALL the clothespins and tried to make a quick get-away.

"This is a fun game, but . . .

having all the clothespins is even more fun!"

There was also a craft and coloring room at the party where Josie enjoyed coloring for a little while before she tried to make-off with a tub filled with crayons.

"This is GREAT! Mommy only lets me have 3 crayons at a time!"

Back inside the main party area a DJ played fun Halloween and kid themed music. This DJ was awesome and really got into his act. Words simply cannot do justice to his impression of Elmo being 'scary Elmo.'


















Josie enjoyed the dinner I brought for her while listening to the music and then we joined in to dance to some tunes with the other party-goers (those green things she is eating are witches fingers) .

Wim thought this costume was the scariest of them all.

We also carved our pumpkin, which really peaked Josie’s interest.

She seemed a little concerned when I first started cutting the pumpkin and came over for a quick hug.

"Ummmm . . . . . . . .

Mommy needs a hug."

Josie had a great time playing with the seeds that I pulled out, but she didn’t want much to do with the “guts.”

"Ooooooo, What IS that?"
"I just don't know what to say."

We had some major pumpkin cleaning-up to do throughout the carving process. For someone who wanted nothing to do with the stringy guts, Josie sure did manage to get it all over herself.

"Mommy, I have some of that slimy stuff on my toes."

"My pumpkin has a face."

Josie Dong Dong was quick to point on the pumpkin’s eye, nose and mouth and when I asked her where his head was at, she went and got the top I had cut-off and put it back on top.

"This is its head."

Josie Dong Dong also had a Halloween party at her school and I am waiting for some pictures from her teacher. I'll post those when I can.

I hope everyone has a Happy Ghoul-night!

Reena

October Cutie-Pie ReCap

Hi Everyone,

My attempt for a "few" quick pictures and details. OMG! It is sooo hard.

From our tip to the aquarium-- Josie picked out a cute stuffed seal pup to bring home as a reminder of her fun time.

The entire night was all about her new "baby."

"baby, Baby, BABY!"

"Life is Goooooood!"

Really when you look at the little guy-- What's not to love? I mean just look at those eyes! They practically take up his entire head!

"Yeah!!! I'm Happy!"

Josie has also managed to keep Daddy busy with various activities. Lately, the activity of choice involves stickers . . . .

"I have plans for you Daddy . . . He He heeeee!"
"You just sit there Daddy-- I have something more for you."

In case you can't quite make it out, oh yes, now we can see-- Wim is sporting a very cute little "Hello Kitty Mermaid" sticker on his cheek.

We've been out and about on nice days enjoying the lovely fall colors. Even Phoebe has joined us on some of these adventures. As you can see, we are still working on all our travel seating arrangements.

"Thhhhanks! I want to sit with the bbbbbabbbbieee!"

On some days, Josie is able to enjoy some quality play time with her big bro.

"What do you mean you don't want me to tell anyone about you playing with my toys?"

Lastly, Josie Dong Dong had a great time playing with some Chinese and Chinese-American college students at Brown University. We are very fortunate that these students at Brown participate in the China Care program where college students sponsor monthly play groups and mentors to children adopted from China.

Josie is typically shy with new people and in new environments, but not at the Brown China Care play group. She had a great time with Sophia and hooping it with fun games of chase.

"You can't catch me!"

Pumpkin Patch and Friends in Mystic

Hi Everyone,


Josie Dong Dong and Mommy had a special treat this week. We played hooky on Friday with Auntie Andrada and Ela. To make the day even more special we all made the trip to Mystic Aquarium and had a fun time looking at all the pretty fish, beluga whales, sea lions, and sting rays!

"Oh Boy! Auntie Andrada is just as happy to see me as I am to see her!"

"What kind of animals are these?"

"Lion Fish are toddlery cool!"

Ela was happy to pose with the Lion Fish.

"Ummm, if lions are the king of the jungle,

does that mean that Lion Fish are king of the Sea?"

"There is a shark in there! His name is Bruce."

You might be able to just make out the big leopard shark in the aquarium behind Josie Dong Dong. I took this picture just in time. Once she noticed the big shark there on the other side of the glass she yelled, "NOOOOOOO!" and took off running for me. Talk about missing a video moment!

"This looks like a nice place to sit."

We all enjoyed a nice lunch after viewing all the sites at the aquarium. It was a nice fall day and we were all comfortable sitting outside in the sun to eat.

"Are we going to the toy store?"

After lunching at the aquarium, Josie Dong Dong nestled down into her stroller for a nap and we decided to stroll around Mystic Village for a little while.

Ela was quick to make friends with this big hugable teddy bear.

"I luv you teddy bear!"

Then she was on to the candy shop for a rainbow lolly-pop.

"MMMMmmmm, this is yummy."

It was a wonderful day and both Josie Dong Dong and I were sad when it had to come to an end. We look forward to seeing Auntie Andrada and Ela again for another play date after the holiday season.

As promised, here are some picts from our trip to the pumpkin patch last weekend.

"I'm not sure where we are going.

We're moving and neither Mommy or Daddy is driving."

"What is a pumpkin?"


"I still don't get it."
"Hi pumpkin."

"Mommy is making a big deal about you, so I'm going to give you a hug."

"OK. Here we are in the pumpkin patch."

"This is funny. I don't know why. But, this IS funny."

"Oooo. Mommy has a pumpkin."

Back home, Josie found that we also bough some squash.

"At least they are not as scary as the lobsters we got over the summer."

"They are pretty weird looking."

We also bought an apple pie at the pumpkin patch. This was more of a purchase that Josie Dong Dong could understand.

"Mmmmm, This is reallllly yummy!"

"I'm going to scrape every last bite I can!"

Happy Autumn!

Apple pie kisses for everyone!