Halloween

Last weekend we headed back to our first Hawkeye game since Emma was born. Shockingly, Grandpa and Grandma agreed to take her off our hands. I know, who knew grandparents would want to take a little ball of fun back with them with no parents messing up gparent time! Anyway, we had a great time, perfect weather and of course the perfect outcome. It was our first game since Iowa beat Penn State (then undefeated #3) in 2008. With a great outcome Saturday against number 5 (37-6 for you sad Jayhawk fans who think its already bball season), I told Lela if Ohio State comes to town in a few weeks in the top 5 we are obligated to go back. Kirk Ferentz would want us to. Hayden Fry would want us to. Heck, I bet Nile Kinnick is looking down wanting us to. We’ll see, it’ll probably be too much and we’ll probably blow it beforehand (I say we as if Lela and I are a part of 20 yr olds’ lives) but I will feel bad if we don’t go back and they lose. Yeah, totally not a crazy, illogical Iowa fan at all.



Anyway, we had our first Halloween experience (putting emma in her costume for 75 seconds last year doesn’t count). As you can see, emma was a pumpkin. She didn’t seem to notice that she was wearing what was essentially y a big orange cloth bag and just walked around like it was no big deal. We got to meet some more of our neighbors (which seems to be a never ending process in a neighborhood with houses still going up). Oh, met a few Ohio State alums, think it’s a sign????? Yeah, one track mind. Anyway, it was a good time but I am sure it’ll be even more fun when emma can walk around and at least think its neat when people give her a substance she can’t eat:)


Oh, and we also had Emma’s 15 month appointment. All was well, she’s still in the 60s for weight, 40s for height and has a good sized noggin. We also did a little self assessment thing with our Parents as Teachers rep. Emma scored REALLY well on all the fine and gross motor stuff and is doing well in language though its not her focus yet. Apparently they work on one or the other for periods of time, which is interesting. Anyway, could have fooled me, the girl likes to talk! After we picked her up from the gparents she talked for an hour straight “telling us” about her time in Alden.

Pumpkin Patch

Pumpkin patch




Well we officially made our first trip to a pumpkin patch. Like picking out a Christmas tree, the pumpkin patch seems to be a right of passage that all parents must do. From what I could tell everybody gets in autummy colors, takes a picture in front of some corn stalks and have a grand old time. Well we took care of that part as you can see by the pictures but well. . .I am just going to say it, I think the pumpkin patch is overrated. Granted there were several hurdles that we had which you might not. One it doesn’t seem like fall has hit yet. I keep waiting for a nice 50 or 60 degree day to put on long sleeves and enjoy some time outside in the crisp fall weather. Every weekend it has been in the 80s and Kansas is doubling as a desert this year so there is no crispness. We arrive at the pumpkin patch via a gravel road that was dusty and narrow to the point where our lives were likely in danger. Also there were several people standing around smoking at the entrance and let’s just say I could see these people having a #3 hat at home if they weren’t wearing em. I normally wouldn’t be that snobby but smoking at a place that is very kid tailored is very not cool if you ask me. Then as we walk around nobody really tells us anything. We meander out to the patch, sweating all the way, with lovely dust collecting on the sweat. We find a respectable pumpkin and take a pic and get out of there. I am sure someday it’ll be fun as we can do the corn maze, it won’t be hades and Emma can enjoy all the festivities.



As always Emma is learning new tricks of the trade. She now will put her arms out to her side when she is “all done”. We also have taught her “touchdown” though when we do it during Hawkeye games I think she is too alarmed from the yelling that preceded that to know how to react. We will work on her in game skills. She is generally enamored with various balls and loves to carry them around and throw them on the ground. She generally eats anything if she is in the right mood, if she’s grouchy it’s a fruit or bread only basis. Emma’s also developed a unique habit. If she hears you in the bathroom, she will come in and close the door behind her as if she has you trapped. Even if you turn off the lights and leave the bathroom she will then close the door after you left and hang out in the dark. Its interesting to say the least. Also, I finally got the baby gates up. Emma loves climbing stairs and while that’s not a problem, we have to monitor her in case she falls back, so its nice to not have to run back and forth 20 times every hour to either bring her back to the living room or follow her up the stairs.


Oh and this is a catchup post, another coming tomorrow