Halloween Fun

We were hoping for nicer weather so we could go to the pumpkin patch today, but the weather was wet, so we did some fun stuff at home.

We made Rice Krispie Treats

And made a Halloween craft!

Bye-Bye Baby Mullet!

Her first haircut! At 21 months and one week old! I know a lot of little boys who have had to have their hair cut numerous times by this age! Not fair! I was very nervous about getting it cut because I knew it would mean no more pig tails for a while. I waited a LONG time to put pig tails into her hair. But the back was just getting too long, especially with how short the top and sides are. So it was time. Time to say bye-bye to the mullet that so cutely fit into pig tails. The hair will grow back. She will wear pig tails again. For now she has a cute little bob.

Here she is right before her haircut

She doesn't seem too sure she should be trusting her Mommy with this decision...

"I'm not sure exactly what you even think I can cut."

"Alright, we will see what I can do."

Jocelyn did an excellent job and it was over very quickly. Here is what it looked like right afterwards.

A momento

I think it looks cute!

She doesn't know anything is different

Our Little Pumpkin

I took Jocelyn to Target this morning for pictures. Why you may ask, would I take her back there again, when almost every experience I have had there has been bad? Well, I still had 6 free portrait sheets left over from the horrible Holiday session and they were about to expire, so I decided to get some done in her Halloween costume. What the heck...they would be free anyway!

We were there early so as not to be rushed. The photographer didn't show up until about 5 minutes after our appointment time, then she had to set up. I thought to myself that just because she was late didn't mean we would have another horrible experience. So we started taking pictures.

Taking pictures of Jocelyn is not an easy task. She knows what you are doing and tries to avoid getting her picture taken at all costs. She will stand with her back to the camera and pretend she doesn't hear me or the photographer calling her. She will stick her tongue out. She will run away.

The beginning of the session went well. Then the photographer realized the pictures weren't uploading to the computer. None of the pictures were going to be available. She had to call for tech support and about 10 minutes later was ready to start over. Jocelyn thought she was done and wanted absolutely nothing to do with getting her picture taken again. She literally screamed at the top of her lungs. She cried. She would not stand where she was supposed to. Her nose ran. I was about to give up when the photographer got a couple of half decent shots. All I had to do was pretend I was sneezing and let my hair cover my face. I guess Jocelyn finds that pretty funny.

Anyway, I got about 7 free sheets and the photographer already sent me the images online. I don't get to pick them up until the 27th, so those of you who usually get pictures from me will have to wait a little while. Hopefully you will get them for Halloween.

So Target session #4: Still horrible, but this time it was mostly Jocelyn's fault. ;) I should add that the photographer was very nice and really tried her hardest with Jocelyn. We are going to the The Picture People for Jocelyn's 2-year photos. They are expensive and I won't be able to buy pictures for everyone, but maybe we will have a better experience. Maybe.

Here are the pictures:

This is the good one:

Second best

This is when she started sticking her tongue out:

It's the 8th...

...and Jocelyn is

21 months old!

Only three short months until she is the big 2!

Go Go Go!

Reunion: A Pictoral Essay

This year we left something important at at the beach. We thought this item was gone for ever, but luckily it was returned safe and sound.

"Something is missing from my crib."

PALS

Jocelyn and I joined a local playgroup called PALS (Preschool Activities Learning Shop). It's a crazy group with lots of kids that gets together every Wednesday in the Civic center. Jocelyn loves it! Today she made her very first craft project: An apple. She was too cute while she was placing all the pieces on the glue, and she was so proud once she was done. She carried it around and showed it to everyone. When we got home I took some pictures...

09-11-01 Never Forgotten

I will never be able to forget the events that occurred on September 11, 2001. It is sad that 8 years later, it seems that many have.

Especially today, but also many other days, I think not only about those who lost their lives that day, but also about all who were affected. The victims of 9/11 were many more than those who died.

September 11 is a day that will forever cause a heavy heart for me.

I once again find myself pulling out the picture below and thanking God that I (and especially Todd) was not (but absolutely could have been) directly affected by the evil that occurred that day.

To find a safe journey through grief to growth does not mean one should forget the past. It means that on the journey we will need safe pathways so that remembrance, which may be painful, is possible.
-Donna O'Toole

Here We Go!

Tonight marks the start of another Steelers Football season!!!! This year Jocelyn got her very own jersey!

I am definitely biased, but Jocelyn has to be the cutest Steelers Fan ever!

Oh, and even Elmo is a Steelers fan!

G O S T E E L E R S!!!!!!!

A No-Go on the Potty

Ok, so the potty (both child-sized and adult-sized) is terrifying to Jocelyn now. She will still go into the bathroom and point at them and say "poop", but if you try to sit her on one she freaks. So for now, the potty sits unused, which is OK. Jocelyn can try again in her own time, but for now I'm still very proud of her!