Halloween

The 2009 Sanford Family Pumpkins. We really enjoy this... the parents more than the kids I think. We were joking about how pumpkin carving is an important annual creative outlet for us. We take it very seriously. From Left to Right: Gregg's, Gretchen's, Hannah's, Emily's
Right before the Halloween parade at Gretchens preschool. She was the world's cutest giraffe. Other costume highlights: UPS man, blue lobster, Cat in the Hat (the dad) with Thing 1 and Thing 2 (complete with blue hair hairsprayed straight up in the air), and a little girl dressed up as Ironman (the superhero)
We walked up to Pierce's in a chaotic line and trick or treated at the check out and deli counters.

The trick or treating gang: Dorothy (Gretchen), Snow White (Hannah), Fairy (neighbor friend), Spiderman (cousin), Ballerina (cousin)
Snow White even has a poisoned apple.

The after shot. Smudged make-up, circles under the eyes, frazzled out on sugar. This cracks me up every time I look at it. Classic!

October

Hannah lost her first tooth in the car earlier this month, after a day of apple picking and apple eating. She was so excited she was crying.
Apple picking with the cousins. They were the taste testers. We went to Door Creek Orchard and I was very excited to collect the windfall apples for a discounted price for my apple butter.

This is a sweet picture from Papa's 30th birthday. Hannah made him a mushroom crown. I made Pakistani food (that I learned to prepare in my Pakistani cooking class!) and had a couple friends over for cake.

Yes, those are birthday cakes! Aren't they cute!

Conversation with Hannah

Today on the way to school Hannah said "Mama, when I am big like 15, or 14, I am just going to go out into the big world on my own. Don't worry, I will be able to find my home again."
This is what I am facing in the teen years I am afraid. She is going to want nothing to do with me! It's always been a challenge to find reasonable boundaries for her, she is such an independant spirit. She detests boundaries. I suppose this is a good trait to have, but it sure is a challenge to parent. :)

This statement followed a long discussion of how much she loves the earth, and nature, and animals. She told me she buried the dead bird (that we found in our yard last spring) because she loves animals SOOO much and wants them to go to heaven. She told me she likes to go into the woods all by herself because she is not even afraid.

I wish I had a tape recorder last night. She left the dinner table and said something like "I have to go clean my room right away." WOAH!! She has suddenly decided that she wants a clean room, but more importantly, and totally mermaid room. She keeps giving Gretchen things that are not "mermaid" for her room. She hung shreds of green and blue paper on her door as seaweed and put a sign on the door that says "Entrance to the Mermaid Room."

My camera is out of batteries, but as soon as I get it charged up I will post some pictures of the costumes from trick or treating. Happy day!