Halloween

On Halloween day, Dee and I took the boys 'trick or treating' at University Village, an outdoor mall near our house that hosts this annual event for young children. Magnus discovered a fondness for Smarties as he went door to door and held out his bag to the person mobbed by toddlers. Knowing that our toddler would more than likely be rather opinionated and perhaps against getting dressed up in a costume this year, he wore his firefighter bunker gear (which is not exactly dressing up since he wears it constantly). Not to say that it didn't require a bit of prodding for him to wear his helmet, but once we arrived the overwhelming scene quickly made him forget that it was on his head.

Alden wished everyone a 'Happy Halloweenie' with his big gummy smile!

Fire Chief in training

Got it!

Halloween with PEPS

During the week of Halloween, my PEPS friends and their children gathered for a Halloween themed playdate. Now that we all have two year olds, and several of us have an infant, it was a little more chaotic than in Halloween gatherings of the past. Keeping with tradition, however, it was nearly impossible to get all the kids gathered for a photo--especially a group of opinionated two year olds (despite my bribes of pumpkin bread and looking at he picture afterward on the camera Magnus decided he was NOT getting in the group picture and when I forced the issue he had a momentary meltdown--see below,) and Alden was good for a few rounds of pictures and then lost his patience when the paparazzi wouldn't stop. Nevertheless, fun was had by all.

My how they've grown! Maddy the bumblebee, Lola as Dorothy, Hayden the bunny, Magnus in half his firefighter costume, and Kai as a dinosaur.

My little hot dog with his new buddies Caroline the Puffer Fish and Nora the dinosaur.

Like Father Like Son

On mornings that Dee goes to the station, he and Magnus have a few rituals, one of which is shaving. Magnus drags his step stool to the sink and pulls his jammies down to his waist. He studies Dee and when it is his turn he takes his 'shaver' (the toothpaste squeezer) and carefully scrapes the lather off of his cheeks. Following his shave, Magnus often exclaims proudly, "I shave with daddy!" while bouncing to the table for some cereal--another ritual with dad.

Dee helps Magnus with the finishing touches.

Pumpkin Patch

During perhaps the most beautiful day this fall, the Hauge clan, along with Ami and Ray, headed to Craven Farms for some pumpkin patching fun. The boys enjoyed watching the pumpkin shooting canon and seeing the farm animals, but without a doubt, the highlight of this trip for Magnus, was the "horsey choo choo." Having twice ran from the pumpkin patch to watch the tractor pull a train of horse "cars," Magnus got his wish. Dee hopped in and braved the caboose with Magnus, who gleefully shouted "giddy-up" throughout the ride.

Alden Seven Months

Happy seven months to our happy little big guy! You are a treasure!

Hanging Out

Command Center of Fun

Is this kid having fun or what?