I had my camera this time.
Daddy carving the family pumpkin in a suit.


Nana and Leila at Corona Del Mar.


At Hullabaloo. We decided against taking Luke. It's a hard call when it comes to activities like this. We'd love to be able to do things as a family but we wonder if it's worth it. If he's having a crazy day we usually opt for one of us to take Leila instead. We're kind of at a hard place there.
The pumpkin that is in dire need of a nose job.




His contribution.

The clown was her idea.

The two main autumn festivities of this year will be Treats in the Streets and Hullabaloo.
The Pirate and Clown preview:

Smoke and hopes are lifting.

Your prayers and well wishes have been so appreciated. We are perfectly safe and sound -- the fires didn't come near.

Where There's Smoke

Ashes floated off the car this morning as we pulled out of the driveway.
They're now talking about arson.
One thing all this has made me realize is that there really are so few possessions that really matter to me. I'd grab my children, husband, photos, videos and home owners insurance policy. That might just about be it.

My friend Cheryl has an incredible new business!
Carte Blanche Assistance

And FYI: how to fold a fitted sheet.

• A reconnection with an old childhood friend by way of random email and picture of her and her four kids. I'm reminded of summer beach vacation memories and pre-teen crushes. Nothing like a childhood friend.
• Extreme winds and smoke due to the Malibu fires down the road.
• Off to the library today. Holding on to our hair.
  

P.J. the Pony, Potato Stamps and Paddleboats

Leila's first pony ride today went unphotographed. The batteries died 4 minutes before she trotted off. Ugh.
Luke opted for paddleboats with Dad:

Quite a few colds in the house. Hence, a rare nap:

Potato stamping:

Current projects:

• Women's Real Estate Investment Club. And this is why: I bought this house 9 years ago when it was $54,000. Now it's worth $105,000. My tenants paid my mortgage payments. I love real estate.
• Blip. And this is why: A place I can go when I'm old to remember those baby years.
• Eagerly anticipating Mom flying into John Wayne (airport) on Thursday! Two entire weeks of Mom Talks. This is happy goodness.
  

Ended up in the pumpkin patch

First haunted house:

Pumpkin patch train ride.



At Irvine Park.
Luke was at school.
We came home to find out that Luke's best therapist resigned, effective today.
I'm going to try and focus on the smiles.

Random weekend smiles

Free Ratatouille activity book.

Happy Columbus Day all...we're off to Griffith Park.

Charlie and Lola

The new favorite in our house and here.

Flax seeds and all.

Dr. Sear's assistant spoke at our MOPS group this morning.
I'm rethinking what I put into my kids' bodies.
There's a sickly amount of sugar in those products we buy at the store.
1 in 3 kids that were born after 2000 will develop cancer in their lives.
The reason is...diet.
So, ambitiously, this is our new breakfast drink.

Boy? Girl? Finding out Tuesday.

I'm of the "must-know" camp as even as much as choosing the name takes all of the 10 months for me and the hubs. (For example, if Leila would have been born a day earlier, there's a big chance her name would have been "Lola" instead. ) Preparing for either a girl OR a boy? Forget it.

Meanwhile, chocolate pops and spice concoctions:


How to peel an egg extremely quickly:



And morning the loss of stylish everyday dressing in our flip-flop and tee shirt society while admiring these Retro Dresses by Daddy O's

• Your guide to lifelong organization.
• Eight foods you should eat every day.
• Top 15 lies people tell you about pursuing your dreams.
• How to be insanely interesting.

Sea Life and Random

The sharks, dolphins, jellyfish, nautiluses, lobsters, whales and rides of Saturday's Sea World shan't be forgotten for many weeks to come.

• Children see, children do:

• I'm so excited about how quickly my new business is growing. I knew it could be great but wow, never dreamed it could be what it's become this quickly. Very exciting.