Sunday, October 31, 2010

Halloween!

Although this is technically our second Halloween with Wiggle, we didn't do anything for it last year, so I consider this year our first Halloween. We did the whole deal - he wore his chicken costume to music class on Thursday, and then we went to a Halloween party at the library. 
This is how he started the party
And this is how he looked at the end
On Friday, he wore his costume again to the last potluck of the season. 

On Saturday there we didn't have any Halloween related activities, but we did go to the Rally to Restore Sanity, which was awesome.
Does it get any more Washington than this?
Wiggle was blown away by the crowd
Listening to some nearby politicos
This one looks real, no?
Today we went over to campus for Witch Watch, an event put on by the various fraternities and sororities. There were games, crafts, and, of course, candy.
Checking out the tables


Is that a chicken I see there?
His first taste of proper candy, a Tootsie Roll. He immediately asked for "MORE!"
After Witch Watch, we headed to the 'hood for some good old fashioned trick or treating.
Greeting his friend; the boy digs hugs.

Strutting his stuff
He even stopped by our own house with a very cute Nemo
The crew


It was a fantastic first Halloween. We had a lot of fun, Wiggle had a lot of fun, and there was a minimal amount of crying. I'm already getting excited about Christmas...

Friday, October 29, 2010

Pumpkin Carving

We finally carved our pumpkins today. I thought it was going to be a supremely messy endeavor, but it turned out to be both manageable and enjoyable. We toasted the pumpkin seeds too, so the fun provided a delicious snack as well.

Wiggle contemplating making "pumpkin faces"

A new favorite face

Painting a pumpkin is serious business
Concentrating...
Always take a step back to review your work
I think he may be pleased with the result
He knocked the pumpkin, the protective paper bags, and his crayons and pencils on the floor.
I asked Wiggle what he wanted me to carve and he said "People!" I chose our family. 
Philosopher by day, pumpkin carver also by day.
Daddy's pumpkin face.
Trying to slip out of his high chair, Houdini-style.
The pumpkins on the porch.


Tomorrow, we go to the Rally to Restore Sanity. I'm pretty excited, but also nervous about the amount of people that might be there. If we don't make it through the whole thing, no big deal, it will be a fun day whatever happens.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Sunday in the City

On Sunday we went in to the District. We had a friend from Chicago in town, and we decided to brave the traffic in order to check out some museums. It was a quick trip to the Mall, and we found some fantastic parking.
To the right of our parking spot...

And to the left.
Then we trekked the short block to the Smithsonian Natural History Museum. Wiggle was very excited at the prospect of seeing dinosaurs.
His jaw literally dropped
Two guys and a triceratops

Teaching me about butterflies
Bee watching

What a pair!

I think the short one's in charge.

Bones!
 Wiggle spent the entire time glued to our house guest, B. He insisted on holding B's hand and walking around with him. C and I were definitely playing second and third fiddle this weekend.

It was wonderful to have a friend in town, and we learned that getting into town on the weekend isn't as big of a hassle as we thought. Of course when we go in next weekend for the Rally to Restore Sanity, things will be a little more hectic...

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Fall Colors

I know I have been a little remiss in my blogging habit, but the boy has been running me ragged as of late. We've been having a lot of fun, but it is challenging to be sure.

Last Wednesday we went to Shenandoah National Park to look at the fall foliage, and it was spectacular. The day started out foggy and cool, but in the afternoon the sun came out and it warmed up. It was really an almost perfect day. Also, we got to hike on the Appalachian Trail. Admittedly, we only went about a mile, but with the little guy that was pretty good. I have always wanted to hike on the Appalachian Trail, and now it is only about an hour from my house! Virginia rocks!


Here's a link to photos from the day.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Pumpkin Picking

Yesterday we drove about an hour west of Fairfax to pick pumpkins. We were at the foot of the Blue Ridge mountains, and it was beautiful.


I cannot believe we were only an hour from the house! The pumpkin patch was wonderful too. Very low-key, no amusement park extras that so many pumpkin patches in the area have. Just pumpkins, wagons to haul them down the hill, and the fantastic setting.



Wiggle had a blast running around showing us all of the "orange" "pumpkins." We each picked a pumpkin to carve and/or paint, and an extra red one for good measure. Wiggle insisted on pulling the wagon, even when we were going up the hill.


C and I each managed to get our own turn as well, with Wiggle riding in the wagon, of course.


Wiggle ran, fell, and played among the pumpkins and the vines.






I managed to play a little too.



As if the pumpkins weren't enough, this farm also had greens to pick. We bought two huge bags of the spiciest mustard greens, collards, daikon radish tops, arugula, and some tender mesclun. Wiggle actually helped us pick them, and he sniffed, pulled, and tasted everything we did. Normally, he eschews most green stuff, but with everything he tried he said "Mmmmm, I like it!" The same sentiment did not hold true once we got the greens home, however.





After we were done picking, Wiggle was pooped.

On the way home we stopped in a town that shares my last name, and even better, a winery sharing my name. We did a quick tasting, bought a few bottles, and walked around the vineyard for a few minutes. When Wiggle saw a red barn, he wanted to go in to look for the cows that he was sure were inside, but weren't.



 We will definitely be going back to this pumpkin patch next year, and now I'm even more excited to explore more of Virginia.