What passes for fun

I think some parents get their kids actual ride-on toys to prepare for a trike. But he's already so good at scooting around on a 5 gallon water bottle, I hate to take it away from him.

Delicious potato peel casserole.


This is play-dough, which he likes to tear into tiny pieces and stick to his horse's butt. Why? Who knows.


Gus' horse grooming studio.

19 months (two weeks late, 19 months is busy)!

Few things capture what 19 months old is than a big head bonk, legos (he's making a bus, always a bus), and a half-eaten banana.

Scroll way down for the full SPOOKTACULAR

Trick or Treat

He hit the lanes and alleys of our spooky NEIGHborhood in his wagon--his friend Oliana was also along, as a bear. Columbus has a begger's night from 6-8 on Halloween and there were HUNDREDS and HUNDREDS of little goblins. Plus, in the village, everyone does up their teeny front yards all crazy--like mini-haunted houses. Awesome.

Blue Horse, Blue Horse!!

See the inspiration for this get-up in the post below. Yes, I know it's a poncho horse, but it is cold here and I didn't want to make a costume just to cover it up with a coat. And now that I know how to make animal ponchos, drop me a line and I will make an animal poncho for your tiny weirdo in the animal of his or her choice. He was so excited. He got to wear his boots and be a horse all night long. Notice how he totally got into it, getting onto all fours so you could see his tail--and he does the very best horse impressions.

Costume Inspiration

One of Gus' favorite books is Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Eric Carle and Bill Martin. He also loves, oh so very much, horses. He knew he wanted to be a horse for Halloween, but we were stuck on what kind of horse. One day, reading this book for the 24,000,000,000th time, he stopped on the page with the blue horse, excited beyond belief, alternately yelling "NEIGH NEIGH" and "BOO HORSE." Which I interpreted as "Boo" Horse, like you know, a HALLOWEEN horse. And also, Eric Carle's horse is blue. So Blue Horse it was, but, to be true to the book, we decided to throw in the next page for continuity. See inspiration below (these pictures are from his own book, as a way to explain why they are covered in goo).

Pumpkin guts are still gross

We picked the one to match his hair.


Below is when I finally convinced Gus to touch with at least "one finger." We're trying to encourage his inner scientist.


Then, because I am a cruel-hearted mama, I suggested that perhaps it tastes better than it looks, smells, and feels. I was proud that he learned for himself that this is rarely true.