Boo!

We had a great weekend. On Saturday Leo and I hiked with the PFP folks up near Wissahickon Creek . The sun was shining, the air was crisp, the leaves were vibrant, the creek was gurgling - it was perfect. All the families that attended were really nice and we chatted the whole way. I love the Fall. Love it.


Today (Sunday) is Halloween. I got Leo's costume over a month ago. I purchased it and put it aside to make some alterations to it closer to today ('cause this kid is growing like a weed!). Well last night I pulled it out to put finishing touches on it and the head was missing! I have no idea where it could have gone. We all searched the house and the car top to bottom and couldn't find it. I felt like the biggest failure. Of course I realize, that Leo will not remember this, if he did he probably wouldn't care, and in fact, given the option would prefer to not have velcro under his chin all day - but ugh, I just felt like I messed up his first Halloween. But that's why kids can't remember the first couple years, right? To give parents a trail run.

Well, luckily he had a green hat with eyes on it that worked fine as a substitute (you should have seen the head that came with the costume, though - sooooo cute). So we got our little turtle dressed with the understudy headgear and off we went.

Our neighborhood has a parade through the streets for all the kids to file through in their costumes and trick or treat along the way. The route ends at a block party with cider and snacks. It was really fun to see all the kids in their costumes and it was nice to have a reason to take Leo out even though he's too young to trick or treat. I made a makeshift Frida costume to join in the festivities. Leo loved the tissue paper flower I stuck in my hair :)

Leo was captivated by all the kids running around in their brightly colored costumes and spent the whole parade looking around. By the time we made it to the block party though, Leo was Halloweened out. He'd fallen asleep in the sling and stayed asleep while we drank cider and walked back to the car. Overall (even with the missing head debacle) I'd say Leo's first Halloween was a success. I can't believe next year he might have input on his costume!

Leo is working on his second tooth - it's right at the surface, you can feel it through the gums. He's been fascinated by hair (so watch out if you are holding him!). He's really begun to love books and will look back and forth between the picture and the person reading. He's still working on transitioning from scooting to crawling which involves a lot of rocking on all fours and the occasional downward dog. Also, I'm not sure if it's a side effect of not feeling well or just a burgeoning personality trait, but he's been really tender and cuddley. I'm doing my best to soak in every minute, just in case it's a temporary phase. I do hope it's here to stay, though. I would be thrilled to continue cuddling him until the end of time.