Monkey boy

It really does sometimes feel like I live in a house full of monkeys!

Will with Teeth

Lexa has been picking out her own clothes.

The "Princess of Darkness"

Lexa's Cape

Sparkly Shoes

Lexa loves to wear her sparkly shoes.

Pink and Purple Princess

Lexa is really into the colors pink and purple and princesses.Most of her clothing and stuff is pink and/or purple. She likes to dress up as a princess, likes wearing crowns and jewelry, and plays with princess dolls. She names all her toys princess. She has Princess Kitty, Princess Hop Hop, Princess Monkey, Princess Hug a Bear. The bouncy rocking horse is now named Princess Yee-haw. Her favorite movie is The Princess Bride. She wanted a princess birthday party, and she picked out a princess dress for her Halloween costume. Her interest in princesses started when she was two and her grandparents gave her some princess stickers. At that time to her a woman in a fancy dress was a princess. She saw me get dressed up one time, and she said, "Mommy, you're a princess!" She likes the Disney princesses and calling them by their names even though she hasn't seen all the movies. She likes any and all princesses though. 

She really gravitated towards falling in love with princesses and all this girliness on her own. We never really called her a princess, over emphasized her looks, or pushed her towards it, I don't think. I'm somewhat conflicted about it because I want her to have strong female role models and find self worth and value in more than just beauty. This princess culture for little girls really does seem to emphasize beauty to me. I really hate how they sexy up the pictures of the Disney princesses. But then I vaguely remember something from child development psychology classes about children going through a gender identification phase where they over do the gender stuff for awhile as they form their identities as boys or girls.

I don't discourage her from dressing up and playing princess all the time because she's so happy and having fun. I don't want her to only hear that she is pretty all the time though.  I make a point to tell her she's smart, kind, creative, interesting AND beautiful. 

Halloween

Halloween with Harry Potter, Princess Lexa, and Baby Bat

It was really nice getting to trick or treat around our new neighborhood this year. Lots of houses were decorated with people outside in their driveways or garages handing out candy, and there were kids and families everywhere all along the sidewalks. Sara came along with us, and it was fun! It was such a contrast to last year in our old neighborhood, our first time trick or treating. The streets were dark, as were most of the houses, and we only saw one other group of trick or treaters out that night last year.  This year the kids also got to hand out candy from or own front door for the first time. The candy pile at the end didn't cause the problems that it did last year either. They ate a little that night, we put it away in the garage, and the kids seemingly forgot about it. Last year they were asking for it every day, and it became very annoying. So it was a much better Halloween for our family in every way this year.  

Wand power!

at Lexa's preschool

Ms. Pat leading the children singing "The Five Little Pumpkins"

Halloween pretzel snack in the yard

The Cutest Baby Bat You Ever Saw

Baby Bear

At first I was going to dress Will up for Halloween in the baby bear costume I've wanted to put each of our three babies in, but have always had someone give them something else instead. You can't tell here, but it was actually very small and tight. Luckily, my mom sent us an adorable baby bat costume. Alas, the tradition of taking a picture of our babies in the bear costume, and then having them wear a different costume for Halloween continues!

Baby Pumpkin

Masked Lexa

Auntie Sara came over to our house for dinner one Sunday. We had grilled cheese sandwiches, tomato soup, and macaroni and cheese and also apples dipped in caramel. We made apple crumble for dessert. Sara also brought over a mask making craft, and she made her deer mask for her Halloween costume. Lexa made a deer mask too.

Tinker Toy Timmy

Fancy Lexa

Lexa really likes to dress up and to wear crowns and necklaces. Nine times out of ten she'll chose a dress to wear over pants or shorts.

2011 Robot Timmy

Sea Creature Halloween

Grandmom's is making orange jack o lanterns filled with fruit salad.

Please walk with me across the street.....

Timmy asked Daddy to be giant ewok.