Fall festival

Halloween weekend started of with our church's fall festival. It didn't start until 7pm on a Friday night, but Mary Lawton hung in there like a champion.

First cotton candy

Pretty good, but after a few bites she was done.

Jump castle with slide exit, and it was just for little kids! The big kids had their own. Fantastic planning, church people! Mary Lawton spent about 45 minutes of our hour at the festival jumping and sliding.

They shot a hole-in-one!

Trip to the farm

A few weeks ago and for the second year in a row we visited Southern Belle Farm with Mary Lawton's class. The morning started off a bit rocky when I got us lost, but we got back on track with still plenty of time to spend on the farm. This place is awesome and worth the $12 admission: Jump pillow, cow train, giant slide, pig races, hayride, corn cannon, animals to feed, etc., etc.

Jumping. This is what she chose to do first.

I'm too cool for this cow train.

Taking a short break

Trying out the hillside slide with Sweet LJ

She realized she could do it by herself and went down the slide about 10 more times solo.

I hate that I didn't get a picture of Sweet LJ hitting the target with the corn cannon. He won a free drink! He's convinced he's the only person to ever hit the target. Perhaps.

Trick or Treat!

The Pink Princess.

The Princess with her minions.

The Daddy pulls the Princess.

Enjoying the loot.

Halloween planning

ML: Mommy, what are you gonna wear for Halloween?

Me, cringing because I hate dressing up: Um . . . I don't know. I don't really have any ideas for a costume.

ML: I have an idea!! You can be a turtle!

Me: A turtle! That's a good idea.

ML: And Daddy can be a kangaroo!!!

* * * * * *

I have no idea where she comes up with this stuff, but I loveloveLOVE it.

Music and lyrics by Mary Lawton

This morning Mary Lawton made up her first song. We were in the car, and I could kick myself for not pulling over to record it. It was a nice little tune.

How do we get to the farmy farm?
How do we get to the farmy farm?
How do we get to the farmy farm?
[repeat]

I love this kid.

Practicing her skills

I love the protective mom hand out in this one...100% reflexive.

Curious

Recent questions from the short person:

Can dogs eat grass?

Can dogs eat leaves?

Can dogs eat napkins?

Do ducks have toes?

Halfway there

August 16 was Mary Lawton's half birthday. When I told her it was her half birthday and she was 2 1/2, she got a bit upset and told me that she was 3. I explained she was half way to 3. She was fine after a minute.

She got to pick out a Cookie Studio cupcake as her half birthday treat. She chose the one with the purple dot. The woman working the counter was so charmed by Mary Lawton and her technique of ordering by color that she poured about 1/2 cup of purple candy dots into a bag for Mary Lawton to take home. The girl's eyes nearly popped out of her head.

Mary Lawton is full of ideas of what life will be like when she turns 3. Some examples:

• When I turn 3 I won't have to sit in the carseat anymore.
• When I turn 3 I'll be the driver and you'll be the passenger.
• When I turn 3 I'll be a big sister. [not true]
  
• When I turn 3 I'll go to preschool.
• When I turn 3 I'll learn to surf.
• When I turn 3 I'll drink coffee.
• When I turn 3 I can cut things with the big knife.
  

And when will she be 3? "First Santa Claus will come and then it will be my birthday and I'll be 3 years old."

Happy half, my sweet monkey face.