Ivy's First Word

Can you guess it? Not Mama, the woman who has whipped out a boob for her every time she's wanted it for the last eleven months or so. Not Dada, the guy who caters to her every tyrannical whim. The word of the day is "Uh-Oh." As in, "I just threw my cup onto the floor, and now I'm pretending chagrin so you'll pick it up, give it to me, and repeat infinitely." It did work, though. I'm easy.

In other news, we did get some new camera bats, so here are the pics of Halloween. Hollis walked in the parade at school for the first time, with Liv's class instead of the preschoolers. Ivy slept most of the time in her little pumpkin jumpsuit. Maggie must be responsible for the soft light look of these pics. I've since wiped the lens free of any smudgy fingerprints.

Later that night, we went to the "Trunk or Treat" that our church has every year. We made out like bandits. After about two days of sugar highs, I confiscated the remainder of the "swag" and am doling it out for rewards and such.

Now Begins the Slide to Christmas

Ahhh, Halloween. Another year gone. I did get some additional costume parts made for the children: a new shirt for each, and a nice vest for Hollis. I'll post pics when I remember to buy new batteries for our camera.

We're starting this month looking forward to Toby's Grandma McDonald coming out for a short visit next week. It will be the first time in the nearly ten years of our marriage that my family will have a chance to meet her. We will all be going to Silver Dollar City next Friday together. Sounds like fun!

I am realizing that I have to make my time really count before the holidays. I want to make much of the kid's gifts this year (I'll post after they get 'em, I do have one smart girl who can read and is not to be trusted!) In addition, my cousin Shannon is being married to Greg on December 22nd. They have asked me to sew some little girls' bodices and little boys' vests for the occasion. I have the fabric, just need to make sure what size everyone is and get to work. I'd also like to make a nice, well-fitting dress for myself for the wedding, so no one asks me if I'm expecting again.

On a darker note, we think our patchwork Dodge Caravan is on its last wheels. I love my minivan. It does what we need it to do: move lots of little bodies safely from A to B. It is silver mostly, but the front passenger fender is white, the bumper and grille are green, and the hood is purple. We seem to be in wrecks that aren't our fault frequently, and the other party never seems to have insurance. Especially the deer that I hit with the van. It was the day I found out that I was pregnant with Ivy, coincidentally. Emma says that since I was bringing a new life into the world, I had to take one out for balance.

So anyway, now we have the debate: another minivan, or move up to a full-size? We have four kids, and can technically fit one more into a mini. But we want to get into doing some Renaissance Faires next year and will need to pull a trailer, and have more stuff. Should I run screaming away from the chance to drive a Hansen van until I HAVE to? Hmmm....any suggestions, bloggies?