Thomas is very musical. He loves listening to music, singing, dancing and playing guitar. When this drum was found as part of a playroom clean up, it became the instrument of choice for a few days. Of course we can’t find the drumsticks. They were put away somewhere following a rampant toddler with drumsticks flailing incident. Now we can’t remember where they are and the poor kid has to use chopsticks. I guess that’s the price he’s paying for his bad behaviour a year or so ago. I hope he’s learned his lesson – most of all to make sure he asks where his parents are putting his toys when they are taken away.

Samuel in mid-roll. I hesitate to say that this one will be an early mover (because I said that with Thomas and it was months of trying before he got it) but he certainly does like to go places. And he has already fallen off the couch. Oh, and did you hear that I am nominated for Mother of the Year?

It’s rare that I am able to get a photo of Thomas sleeping – it’s usually too dark. I just couldn’t resist turning on the hall light to capture this peaceful moment. Yes, I risked the chance that he would wake up, but it was worth it. He looks so sweet and innocent that I can almost forget about the piles of toys and books that littered the room – a little project he undertook while he was supposed to be going to sleep.

His new room will have no toys, just books a dresser, a bed, a nightlight and a baby monitor. No playing allowed. Bwahahahahaha.

Of course he still likes to read by the nightlight…

Mr Potato Head courtesy of Uncle Ben and Auntie Emma, Pirate add on from Mum — artwork by Thomas. If you look closely you’ll see that everything is positioned perfectly just so that the parrot on top has a “tree” to sit in. This is no haphazard sculpture – there’s a strategy behind it.

It’s October which means a trip to the Pumpkin patch. Thanks to a little organization from or daycare provider, we were earlier this year. Definitely the way to go. Fewer people, (much) less mud and pumpkins that are not yet rotting. We had a great time flinging pumpkins with a slingshot, climbing a hay bale pyramid and making our way through a couple of mini mazes. The kids had a great time together and the parents secretly enjoyed it to.

This is my children of the corn shot – Thomas and his friend Evan running through the mini corn maze.

Of course I also had to take a photo or two in the flower farm. I had meant to take some home but a sudden downpour right before we decided to leave sucked the motivation to pick my own flowers. I did manage to get this beautiful photo before the heavens opened, however. I just adore sunflowers. Until they die and people leave them as crusty brown stems in their front yards. I don’t like that.

And to finish the busy day, I took the boys to a mini party held by our friends Laurie and Tim. Kei stayed at home to finish painting Thomas’ room while I caught up with old friends and marvelled at how we have progressed from a group of five couples with four pregnant bellies to five families with a combined total of 9 children. In about 3 and a half years. Yes, our get togethers are certainly more noisy but it is so much fun to see the kids playing together – in this case wrestling. Thomas always seemed to end up on the bottom of the pile – under a girl. In fairness though, Ava is very feisty.

Look at those chubby little baby legs. Don’t you just want to eat them?

Oh, I guess the hands are more tasty.

Geez, for someone who hates spiders I sure do like taking photos of their webs. This is a close up of a web after a little bit of rain. I think it’s really beautiful – probably more so because it’s almost unrecognizable as a spider web. Here’s the wide shot.

And another web thrown in for good measure. More beautiful because there’s no creepy spider actually sitting on it. Yes – I have a phobia.

October 1st was probably our last visit to the zoo before winter sets in. The Portland spring has been kind to us – and long – but I am preparing myself for the rainy days to come.

I have been to the Oregon Zoo so many times now that I am looking for new things to photograph… you know, other than the animals. Oh, and my children.

This is a carved wooden wall at the entrance to the Great Northwest section of the zoo. I can’t remember ever seeing it before. That’s what happens when you look for interesting photo subjects – a whole new world opens up.

The highlight of this visit was definitely the brand new baby elephant. I would have included a photo but I wasn’t able to get a clear shot. Apparently the little guy is quite popular. You can read all about little Sumadra here if you are so inclined.

Thomas is obsessed with band aids and medicine. He actually wants to be sick or injured. I blame it on the characters on the band aids (these ones are Sesame Street but we also have Elmo, Diego and a few precious Wiggles band aids left over from our trip to Australia. Mum – send some more please…) and the flavouring in the kid’s medicine. I remember the days when we were handed a spoon with an asprin crumbled up in some jam. Now the medicine is all cherry flavoured.

How old did I just sound?

This little guy (or girl?) arrived in our neighbourhood this week. I assume it’s the result of all that caterwailling I hear at night between the stray cats that roam the streets around here. Her mother is a familiar stray and we assume the father to be the feral cat that likes to spray our car (ewww). The little girl holding the kitten is our new neighbour and she has quickly become a surrogate owner. I think it’s cute that the cat and the little girl have the same colour hair. Sadly her brother’s allergies mean this cat is destined to roam the streets like her parents. Good thing the people across the street feed them regularly.

Cute though, isn’t she?