We love hanging out in Samuel’s bedroom. The cushy carpet, the open floor space, the heating. And now Samuel’s bedroom has artwork!

They’re removable wall decals that I bought from Target a while ago and they match Samuel’s crib bedding. I think they’re kinda cool and add to the decor. Plus they’re removable, so one day when Samuel’s old enough to get on a chair and reach them, he can destroy them one by one.

For now he’ll just continue to wear outfits that compliment the decor. If only the rest of my life was so well coordinated.

First solid food. Rice cereal and home made apple sauce. He liked it – in fact couldn’t get enough. But then we were confident he would.

It’s not every day you go straight from daycare to see a band at a pub – AND take your two small children with you. OK, it was a pizza pub and the band played kid friendly songs and one of the musicians was the mother of one of Thomas’ daycare friends (and a neighbour) – but nevertheless it was a night out and we had a good time. And I had a chance to take a lot of very blurry photos in the low light.

These guys had a GREAT time.

I think the disco ball had something to do with it.

And this is LeeAnn. She plays the fiddle. I think her daughter is going to grow up thinking she has the coolest mum ever. I mean, who wouldn’t want to say their mum plays the fiddle in a rock band?

Thanks for a fun night with great company, good music and tasty pizza. I think this could become a monthly event.

Look at George waiting patiently to be carried up to bed. Poor, unwashed, falling apart George. Actually this is George the second. The first George was left on an aeroplane during a trip to Maui 18 months ago. I like to think about him living it up on a beach somewhere. It helps me sleep at night.

Sometimes when you go downtown you get lucky – like when you walk past a building under construction and firey sparks start raining down from the ceiling. I pointed it out to Thomas but he didn’t quite share my enthusiasm. Pretty cool if you ask me.

So I was lost for photo options the other night. Not feeling inspired at all. I asked Kei what I should take a photo of and he said “how about you husband for a change?” He has a point. I do have three boys in my house after all.

Thomas likes to dress himself these days – often changing his clothes up to four or five times in one day. He chose this outfit because the stripes make the shirt a “Pirate shirt” and the pants are apparently “Pirate Pants”. And yes, sometimes I let him leave the house this way because it’s easier.

I look at this photo and the first thing that comes to mind is how grown up he looks already (and then laugh at the funny look on his face). I saw my friend Danielle’s one week old baby last week and, I know it’s a cliche, but I couldn’t believe that Samuel used to be that little.

Now he’s at an age when he is trying to sit up, loves blowing raspberries and “talking” and is watching absolutely everything going on around him. He is adorable and fun and growing up WAY too fast.

Halloween 2008. I have never really understood the appeal of Halloween. It seems a little ridiculous to go to all the trouble of a costume for one day of wear (maybe two if you have a party to go to) and then walk around the neighbourhood asking people for candy…. but it sure is fun to dress up the kids. I think that’s why most people do it.

This year we had a Buzz Lightyear and a Turtle, both courtesy of major discounts on the Disney outlet online store. Buzz spent most of the day with his fellow Buzz – friend Evan – arguing over who is in fact the real Buzz Lightyear. “I’m the real Buzz!” No I’m the real Buzz!” (you have to have seen the movie).

I dropped in at daycare for the Halloween party and observed the kids in their natural habitat, then later in the day Kei took Thomas trick or treating with the daycare group while I managed candy distribution with Samuel at home. We didn’t have as many trick or treaters this year so we have a lot of candy left over. In fact I’m enjoying some right now. 🙂

I must apologise, but this is another Wiggles reference. There’s no way to get around it. The kid is obsessed.

The Wiggles sing a song called Dr. Knickerbocker on one of their latest DVDs. You might remember it from your childhood. So Sam, who sings the lead, does this little dance where he waves his arms around and kicks his legs. Thomas decided to imitate one day but added some eye rolling, head bobbing and more than a little craziness. And we laughed, which means he now performs his little act for us on a regular basis.

The kid makes me laugh.

And here’s the original Dr. Knickerbocker song if you’re interested in seeing how well Thomas compares to the original. The inspiration hits at around 58 seconds.