I can’t believe its already mid October. Where on earth has 2008 gone? And wow- 2010 seem like it is almost around the corner.
Our toddlers are continuing to keep us busy. They are SOOOOO excited about Halloween. They’re going to be pirates and Aaron is going to turn the wagon into a pirate ship. Thank goodness for being able to purchase costumes on line. Some one the other day asked me if I was making the kids costumes and I had to laugh out loud. (Aaron stopped mentioning his mother sewed all his costumes after our first Halloween) I can sew a button and then I’m just about done. I blame my mother though. 1) She couldn’t sew at all 2) when I wanted to take sewing in jr. high she said no-it would pigeon hole me as stereotype women and I could learn it at home (please refer to #1 though). My mother was one of those women definitely ahead of her time – with a significant career and stubborn when most women were staying home and it definitely set the stage my sisters and I. Life does come full circle though. I watch Sophie and she’s one of the most stubborn people I know (other than myself) and I can tell exactly where it comes from.
Last weekend Aaron decorated the front of the house for Halloween and it’s so nice to see the neighborhood and downtown Willow Glen all dressed up for the big day. Our street also has something extra special. We have old globe street lights (1930’s) and every year someone on the street – we still don’t know who- puts Halloween decals on all the lights at the beginning of October. Bats, cats, witches, etc- it so so neat. Last weekend we also discovered a local pumpkin patch with several large jumpy houses, a giant dinosaur slide, and giant spider man slide. We went both Saturday and Sunday. A kid’s dream and parents heaven. The first day we went Aaron was showing our toddlers how to climb it and got busted by the people who run it “ if your children can’t climb themselves- they can’t be on it”- said the stern voice. So down Aaron came and the kids did just great on their own. We were so proud. Our micro preemies just showed everyone how easy it was and clearly proud of themselves as well.
It is so interesting to watch their personalities develop and evolve. Trent just loves to play and wants Sophie to always be with him. He is such a boy. Loves being with his buddy Charles (our next door neighbor and Tia’s son) and playing with the other neighborhood kids. He also is joined at the hip with Aaron. “Papa” is so the MAN!. Sophie on the other hand is much more attached to me. She is not though inherited my enjoyment of shopping. Last weekend I took her to the mall (trying to do my part to help the economy get back on it) and it was a complete disaster. She’s not usually fussy but she screamed and I mean SCREAMED all through Macy’s, the GAP and the Apple Store (of course it started right after I said I was an Apple employee to one of the employees at the store). I was so embarrassed. We held out for almost a 1 1/2hours accomplishing very little and then finally I took her screaming all the way out of the mall. Needless to say, I’m guessing that any time now I’ll be getting a letter from Valley Fair Mall suggesting I do my shopping on line from now on. How can a girl who loves shoes like she does not love the mall? I was so disappointed.
This week I am in Asia and Aaron’s wonderful parents have come to stay at our house to help Aaron with the kids. We are so fortunate to have them. The kids were beyond thrilled when Mamaw and Grandpa Bobby showed up. I’ll be back on Thursday morning and then Friday afternoon Aaron and I will take off for a long weekend to celebrate our 15-year anniversary.
This particular trip has made me especially anxious since the last two October’s have been very challenging for Sophie with serious health issues. She’s absolutely fine and looks perfect- we’re just nervous. I think both Aaron and I are holding our breath (as are our neighbors, Tia, and Doris our nanny)- just taking it one day at a time. I was in fact so nervous that I had one of the people on my team at Apple get his passport and visa in the event I had to drop out of the meeting at the very last minute. David, the gentlemen who did that for me- never acted like I was a nut and just did it. Once again, having someone who was willing to do that reminded how special the Apple family is.
Thank goodness for speakerphones, Aaron, his folks, and our neighbors. Having all that makes being away so much easier.
