Wildlights

On Thursday night, we visited the Columbus Zoo for their Wildlights members-only preview night. This event grows more popular every year and even the members only night was very crowded. Since it is impossible to see the entire Zoo in one visit with a 3.5 year old and an 18 month old, we will visit several times to see all of the lights. By the time we ate some dinner and Owen finished the second of his trips to the potty, we had just enough time to ride the carousel and look at the lights on our way back to the exit.

Even with image stabilization, it is difficult to capture a photo that is not blurred without a monopod or other stable surface.

Bundled Clara unhappy to be trapped in the stroller.

Hi Baby!

Clara really enjoys baby dolls and stuffed animals. When she sees one her eyes light up and she gets a big smile, particularly if it is one that she has not seen for awhile. As you can see in the pictures below, she loves to give hugs and to have conversations which consist primarily of "hi baby" intermixed with toddler babble. We have to be vigilant when we are in settings where Clara can interact with real babies because she would like to play with them too.

Clara giving hugs to her baby.

Clara having a serious conversation with her baby.

Pumpkin Carving Part II

Owen and I completed our first jack-o-lantern more than a week before Halloween, and several days of warm weather took their toll. Therefore, we had some more work to do on Friday and Saturday. Fortunately, I was able to convince Owen to use old school freelance techniques on two of the three remaining pumpkins. Each of the old-school jack-o-lanterns took about fifteen minutes to complete, whereas the pattern jack-o-lantern took nearly an hour. Once again, Owen was diligent in his supervision of my carving efforts.

Ghost in the Field

Old School Jack-O-Lantern 1

Old School Jack-O-Lantern 2

Dancing with Clara

Clara and I recently had an opportunity to spend some time on the dance floor during the wedding reception of a family friend. While I don't want Clara to grow up quickly, I hope that someday in the future we will find ourselves on the dance floor again following her wedding.

May I have this dance?

Hey Daddy - is this therapy in disguise??

Trick or Treat - 2009

Clara the Butterfly

Owen the Pirate

It was a brisk night for track or treating - especially after the 80 degree weather we had on Friday October 30 - but much fun was had by all. Owen is not very happy about our rationing of the candy and his new motto is "I'm still hungry - for candy". Fortunately, he is not yet old enough to sort and inventory his loot, so Ellen and I can still sneak a few pieces without causing a major meltdown.