It's almost Fall...

and pumpkin is Ashton's new favorite word.

She gets a lot of this.

It started in the womb when Ashton would blow sherberts on my pregnant belly. Now he saw me tickling her during a diaper change and had to join in. Notice she goes between a nervous giggle to a seriously startled face. But there's no doubt about it, this little girl is loved.

Summer is officially over

Labor day always signifies the official end of summer for me. No more plane rides, trips, school breaks for David etc. until we're in full swing of the holiday season. We had a great time at Swiss Days and I was so glad the kids and I got to stay an extra week to avoid the last week of real Texas heat. Our afternoons were spent on the hammock watching the kids jump on the tramp or riding the scooters around Midway. The kids and I loved being spoiled by my parents and getting our one on one time since we're the farthest away. Being away for the extra week made me realize that Dallas is officially home now. Home has always been where David is but Dallas (downtown believe it or not) is the place I know best now. I've long forgotten my way around Vegas. And Midway, eventhough it's always been our 2nd home is now Nana & Papa's. Dallas is mine; I know the streets, the stores, the parks, our friends are here and I actually miss it when I'm not here. I guess after 3 years it's about time I call Dallas home.

Now onto pictures...


These 2 kiddos cuddled in bed with me every morning while I was without David.

One morning my Dad took the kids to a friends' house to ride the ponies. Ashton, my little controller, preferred holding the reigns and leading it around.

Here's Ashton and his "Pookie" (Kimball) these 2 are the best playmates. They took turns venturing off into neighbors' yards and under fences. Kimball is the most gutsy, unafraid 2-year- old little girl I've ever met. And while I would love for these 2 to see eachother more often I may be just a little grateful that Ashton can only learn her daring tricks a few times a year instead of daily.

And little Hannah is officially 4 months as of last week. She's still long and skinny and already rolling and inching her way to grab things.

I know enquiring minds want to know how the plane trip went with the kids. Aside from being held up in security for a good 15 minutes because they found "traces" of something on my diaper bag it was uneventful. I still can't believe they made me wait to get patted down when I had 2 kids by myself. But the wonderful people on my flight were SO helpful that they made up for any of the bad taste I had left in my mouth after security.

At the book store today I started browsing through a book called The Happiest Toddler on the Block. Intriguing, I thought. I most definitely want the happiest toddler on the block because let's face it, Ashton at 22 months is full swing into the two's. And I refuse to call them terrible just yet because I know I haven't even begun to reach the peak. The book grabbed me from the introduction. The author compares toddlers to cavemen. And he is SO dead on. Here's his list of why.

• Toddlers forget to say "please" and "thank you" because, like cavemen, they're impatient and impulsive.
• Toddlers bravely defy us, like cavemen hunting elephants and buffalo, even though we're many times their power and size!
• Toddlers, just like our ancient relatives, love face paint, sticking feathers in their hair, drawing on walls, and banging on drums.
• Toddlers have trouble being reasonable and rational because, like early humans, their brain's language, logic, and patience control center is too immature.

Needless to say I bought the book and am loving it so far. Even today I've been more patient with my little guy. And in honor of likening him unto a caveman I fed him leaves for lunch and he ate them!

(Spinach with a little bit of italian dressing goes a long way in this house! )