This, That, and the other thing...

So, there was Halloween. And then one day Finnley ran into the corner of the kitchen table and gave herself a black eye. And then we were sick. Nasty cold knock you on your butt sort of sick. We are still a teeny bit sick but mostly better (now 17 days days in). Thank goodness! During this "off" time, though, we have kept busy. We have been to a post-Halloween / pre-Thanksgiving mom and kiddo party. We have also been to a 3rd birthday party that involved a fitness activity bus. Then Auntie Canella came to visit. Yay for Auntie Canella! That visit involved touring around the local haunts, doing keeping-todder-happy activities, eating and drinking, and exploring the city. Fun was had by all. Finnley keeps talking about her "Nella"...and that just makes me happy. Outside of that, there has also been random fun with friends, an 8th birthday celebration for Batman, and the stopping of Finnley napping on a consistent basis (read: still naps sometimes but not all the time. read: still naps but not always at the same time. read: still naps but not always in the same place. read: sometimes does not nap at all and is fine. read: less napping translates into less time for stuff like this that use to happen during days of consistent napping). Life is filled, fun, and always keeping us on its toes!

I believe that catches you up in general, but to expand on it all a smidgeon and a bit...enjoy the following picture journal of most of the above events and some other random happenings.

The holidays are upon us now, and we will be enjoying Thanksgiving in Chicago and Christmas in Tampa...more fun photos and posts will be sure to come from those boisterous and chaotically delicious family-laden events. Stay tuned!

Trick or Treat?!?!

Finnley chose treats. All day long. Guess she is just a treat kind of girl! Can't say that I blame her!



Added as a special Halloween treat...my new favorite holiday photo of all time:

When there are just no words...pictures will tell the story

A pinch of autumn. A smidgeon of fall.

That is what we embraced the other day. It was sunny and warmish, but nowhere near muggy nor hot. The sky was blue. The clouds were a hazy streaky mess above. It was a near perfect day in my book. And there was no better way to spend it than with my little girl breathing in some seasonal moments with great gusto.

We skimmed the playground briefly. We rode the hay. We tripped happily among the twine-like vines at our feet. We kicked some dirt, just for good measure. We perused imperfectly awesome pumpkins and gourds among the mixed variety fields. We talked to towering flowers. We picnicked outdoors. And, we did it all with a smile and a bit of a skip in our steps.

These are the kinds of days that seep deeply into my memories...miniature treasures to revisit on a sleepy rainy afternoon. I am ever so thankful for them, and for my little girl who helps me to create these beautiful snapshots in time.