Hobbit-ish Potpurri: Bits And Bobs

Hey Humble Readers...

Autumn has well and truly fallen on the Shire.  The trees are golden, and the leaves are crunching underfoot.  When they're not too soggy to crunch that is.  It's been raining a lot over the last few days, and with the rain has come some crazy cold weather.  Normally this time of year our daytime high is 16C... nice crisp fall weather.  Today's high is 5C (and it currently feels like it's 1C).  I am so close to turning on the furnace it isn't funny, but I'm trying to hold off for as long as I can. 

Oh, and we woke up to a skiff of that white poop on the ground this morning.  Yuck!

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One weather related complication that is rather unique to Canada is planning for Halloween.  I'm wracking my brain trying to come up with some cute costumes for the wee-lings, that are both weather and stroller friendly (for Pip at least).  I have an idea that would be super cute for Pippin, and would work over a winter coat, but it doesn't jive with him being in the stroller.  Maybe I'll hold it off for next year.  Ginny is another story entirely.  I have a good idea if the weather is warm-ish (above freezing), but if it's chilly (read: arctic) then I don't know what we'll do.  If it's super cold, then we'll probably just trick or treat around the mall (they give out candy at each store) rather than doing the neighbourhood. 

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I've been to the gym once so far.  I fully intended to go this morning, but Pip woke up screaming just as I was getting ready to go.  The other night I did 8km on the stationary bike, 3km on the treadmill, and the weight circuit.  It felt good, until the next morning.  LOL  It will be difficult to get back on the bike tomorrow morning (and yes, I WILL go). 

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We are planning to go to a Fall Festival at a local farm on Saturday.  I'm looking forward to it, just as a nice outing for all of us.  The weather is supposed to be nice, and I'm hoping to get some fun pictures of the wee-lings.  We are also going to be picking out our pumpkins, and maybe the last of the fresh local produce for the year. 

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I've been doing a lot more laundry the last few days... we have been having diaper leak after diaper leak.  With both wee-lings.  We haven't had a dry morning in days.  I'm not sure what's changed.  Maybe it's time to consider moving them up into the next size. 

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Pippin has become obsessed with the dishwasher.  He pushes buttons, turns the dial to start it, and takes dirty dishes out.  Silly boy.  We also may have gotten a word out of our not-so-talkative little boy.  I was waving at him the other day, saying bye-bye, and he looked at me, waved, and said buh-buh.  Haven't been able to get him to repeat it, but it was the first actual word we've had from him. 

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Ginny loves having "jobs to do".  She helps load the washer and dryer.  She sets the table (cutlery, salt and pepper, condiments), sweeps the floor under the table after lunch, sorts and folds laundry (granted it isn't neat), and helps take out the garbage. 

But most of all, she loves to help make dinner.  She does simple things, like transfer the diced potatoes to the pot or spread the broccoli out on the baking tray.  Last night she spread mustard on the roast with a little help.  The night before, she helped combine all the veggies for the casserole.  Tonight she'll be helping to make the buns to go along with the chili we're having.  It's fun having her help, and we get to talk about the colours of the food, about numbers (how many potatoes is Mummy peeling?), and about food groups.  I've noticed an increase in her willingness to eat more vegetables (yucky hasn't been in her vocabulary in quite a while).  And she's so proud when Daddy thanks her for helping.