And Now For An Overdose of Wubbzy

Halloween was a really great time for us (obviously from my inability to show a minimal amount of pictures). Norrin really understood what we were doing, he ran from house to house, and even when he was getting tired and his bag was dragging on the ground, he looked up at me and said "more candy". Now normally, we don't encourage this kind of gluttony, but it sure was fun for one night. Norrin ingested his weight in candy and the next day we emptied out all the unhealthy snacks and left just the pretzels and one peanut butter cup. I'm pretty sure this will be the only year we'll get away with that one :).

Getting ready to go out with Ma and Da.

The costume Ma made- fleece on a 70 degree day...what was I thinking?

Grandmom handing Norrin his candy bag.

Uhhh...no time to pose for pictures Grandmom, there's free candy to be had.

One of the first houses, Norrin hesitated...

Let's go visit Mary.

Waiting at Mary's door...still not sure what he's doing at this point.

Mary encourages him to take some candy.

He puts a piece in his bag...and then shoveled half her bowl in...sorry, we have no documentation of that since we were both "discussing" with Mary that he doesn't need that much candy.

By the fourth house, he's learned to bang on the door while saying "Knock, knock".

He's also learned that just because you knock with all your little heart, doesn't mean there will be anyone home to answer.

Dragging Ma down the steps to the next house.

The Wubbzy doll we brought just in case no one knew what Norrin was...everyone who had a kid under five knew who he was...see Norrin pointing in the background?...cute photo, Da.

Norrin dragging Da across the street.

Da and Norrin

Taking a break in Ma's arms.

Norrin in front of one of the many well-decorated homes on Holyoke.

Norrin has a lollipop...he could care less about getting any more candy.

Show us your tongue, wild man. Blue! Eeeeeewww!

NY Pictures- October 22- 26

So, the day after Norrin's birthday, we took him to NY to visit my family. It was our best trip yet. The leaves were unbelievably beautiful and while it was a bit cold, there was only one day of rain. I'm pretty sure we're going to make this our new time for our annual visit. Norrin loved being outside and figured out how to differentiate between grandparents very quickly. Mom is Grandmom Bounce (she has a huge trampoline outside, plus she encouraged a whole lotta jumping on things indoors), Wayne is Pop Pop Lollipop (Norrin learned that he could ask him for a lollipop probably every night) and Dad is Pop Pop Fish (because Norrin remembers feeding his fish and insists on dumping huge handfuls of food into their tanks). We went to Jay Street for breakfast, visited the Open Door (a truly magical bookstore where I'm guaranteed to spend at least $50 on books for Norrin), went to Jeepers and played some games, spent tons of time outdoors on the trampoline, walking around, throwing rocks in the pond, Norrin had his first bonfire and his first campfire marshmallows and most importantly, he spent tons of time with family that he doesn't get to see nearly enough. These pictures don't do it justice. It was just a really great time.

Hanging out on Jay Street with Uncle and Britney.

Playing with the paper dolls in the playroom at the Open Door.

Posing with Da

Alright- time to get up and play with the leaves.

Da helping Norrin play Skee Ball.

Yay!

Now its Ma's turn...let's just say the score wasn't as high when Ma helped.

Norrin's favorite- the Duck Punching Game...hmmm.

Using Ma as a step stool to get the best view.

Pop Pop's turn to play a game with Norrin- this one he had to scoop ping pong balls painted like bees into a honey pot...much harder than it sounds. The best part about this place is they win tickets no matter what and Norrin was so cute about the prizes. They were easily breakable, cheap little toys, but he pitched a fit about making sure Pop Pop had a bracelet. We were trying to leave and Norrin kept screaming "Pop Pop bracelet". Luckily, Todd found some more tickets in his pocket and we could get another bracelet, which Norrin allowed Pop Pop to wear for about two minutes before insisting he give it to Da :).

Ma and Norrin sitting in front of the fire Da made.

It was a chilly night- just enough time to toast a few marshmallows before the rain came down.

Norrin's first marshmallow...after his first bite, he looked at me and said "more marshmallow, Ma".

Sharing with Ma.

Mmmmm...straight from the stick.

Norrin's Second Birthday- Finally

My baby boy turned two on October 20th. It was a beautiful day. Da got him a huge birthday donut with sprinkles and we took him to Styer's Orchard to run off his sugar high. Norrin had a great time and we couldn't have asked for better weather. Afterwards, we went to Todd's parents' house for a birthday dinner and ice cream cake. I wish I had pictures of this. Rita and Joseph got party hats, which Norrin insisted everyone wear. He even tried to get one on the dog...poor Max. He ate dinner at the table between me and Grandmom. Of course, he doesn't just focus on his plate. Every once and awhile a little hand would reach over to either my plate or Grandmom's and help himself to a noodle. Rita taught him how to blow out the candle before it was lit, so he was a pro by the time we lit it and sang "Happy Birthday". He loved all of us singing to him and he LOVED his cake. This child would live on ice cream if his mama let him. He kept sticking his fingers in the cake and savoring every little taste :). Despite the mass quantities of sugar, he went to bed without a fuss. It was a really great day.


Norrin and Da

Norrin and Ma on the tractor ride to the orchard

Picking apples... Ma tried to teach Norrin to place them gently, but he preferred to slam dunk those puppies.

Our beautiful boy

We saw this groundhog and Norrin took after him at top speed. My fearless child wanted to pet it! Uhhh...its not a kitty cat, kid. Back away from the wild animal.

Walking through the orchard with Ma

Picking stones to throw in the pond

Throwing stones with Da

Time for kisses.

Running back to the tractor.

Norrin was the first one on.

Posing with the pumpkinsHelping Ma pull our goodies to the car.

Happy Halloween

I owe you all a lot of pictures and a nice long update...but for tonight I will provide you with the look of absolute joy on Norrin's face. This boy loved his Wubbzy costume and he loved the candy even more :). Hope your evening was as great as ours.

Shadybrook Farms

This past Thursday, we took Norrin to Shadybrook Farms. He loved it. The pumpkins, the farm animals, the swingsets, the little water fountain, the tractor ride...it was all good and made him just so very happy. Norrin fed the goats, was a little too scared of a very furry cow, wanted to pet the chickens (hmmm...I don't think so, bud), pointed out all the body parts on a sheep ("eyes, ears, nose!). He took the lead and made us all get on the tractor ride. When we got to the pumpkin patch, he picked out pumpkins for me, Da and Uncle. Uncle turned down a few because they were dirty on the side (what?). We took turns hiding in a corn maze and jumping out to scare each other...Norrin was the best little hider and he certainly had the loudest scary roar. We had a wonderful lunch at the farmers market and then Norrin threw a few rocks in the fountain and took a few more turns on the swings. It was a great day and I love watching Norrin explore his world. He's such a joyful little man.

For The Grandmoms

So, I intended to put a whole bunch of pictures from our day at Shadybrook Farms. However, our computer is slowing down to the speed of a snail (might be time for an upgrade) and Norrin was having one of those nights. Since the Grandmoms have been a little irrate with the lack of posts, I had to get at least one photo up before heading off to work. Maybe my son will be a bit more agreeable tonight about Ma neglecting him for some computer time :)

Happiness

September 12th- Three years ago, I married the man who completes my whole world. We're escaping to Center City Philadelphia today (the place where we dated, fell in love and spent our honeymoon after our Bahama wedding). So, enjoy a few pictures from that day and we'll be back on Sunday...

This look says it all- absolute love and happiness.

A moment of total abandonment...nothing like a lil cake to distract the bride and groom from posing for pics :).

Just married.