Happy Birthday Daddy

To all of my ..... Oh, who am I kidding?

To all of Bradyn's loyal followers, I apologize. It's been 3 weeks since my last post, which I think must be a record since I started this blog. No excuses, just time getting away from me. Kevin is essentially working weekends exclusively now, so as I'm sure all you parents can relate, the only downtime I get is once The Princess is in bed. If I want to get any sleep, that leaves me about 2 hours to get everything done. We also got a virus in our home computer, so I'm using my work laptop to upload these pictures (shhhhh don't tell the boss).

The Reeves family celebrated Kevin's birthday on Thursday with a fantastic dinner at The Bombay restaurant in Port Coquitlam (if you've never been, you've GOT to go). Afterwards, we came back home for birthday cake. I know, I know, you're experiencing a strong sense of deja vu right about now.... Bradyn and cake... I think I've seen these pictures before...

Helping Daddy blow out the candles.


There's just something about this goofy shot that I absolutely love. Look at those eyes!

Once the candles were out, Grandpa asked "Who wants cake?" I still laugh when I remember how quickly that arm shot up in the air.

Just can't keep her fingers off while she waits to be served. (By the way, what do you think of Kevin's new hairdo? 1/8" and he does it himself. Don't tell him I said it, but I really do like it.)

Bradyn looks all grown up and civilized...

But old habits kick in when she thinks she's not going to get it all in.

Costume #3 And The Main Event

Ta-Da! As many of you already know, Bradyn's actual Halloween costume was a unicorn. (Once again, God Bless Craigslist.) I wanted her to have something warm, that she could wear her coat under for trick-or-treating. My little girl wasn't going to be one of the many unfortunate kids who have to wear their coats over their costume. Although these first three pictures weren't actually taken on Halloween, they turned out the best.

"Peek-a-boo"

"Look at my wings!"

During the afternoon, Bradyn and I gutted the pumpkins so they were ready for Daddy to carve when he got home from work. Actually, I gutted the pumpkins - Bradyn said it was "too messy". What kid doesn't want to stick their hand in a pumpkin and feel all that ooey-gooey squishiness?

First up on the list was Daddy's choice - the sacred Dawn of the Dead pumpkin.

Yep, that's my girl, loving her zombies.

The proud artiste.

Our pumpkin family - the zombie, the ballerina (Brady's pumpkin patch choice), Lady Potato and Grandpa's first Jack 'o Lantern.

Kevin got into the spirit and painted himself up as a zombie.

"We are the dead and we're coming for you."

"I eat flesh"

Almost ready to go. We headed over to Parkway to trick-or-treat with Diana and her family. I'm so sorry I didn't get a picture of Bradyn and Diana in their costumes together. Watching the pink unicorn and the Tinkerbell fairy walk from house to house, listening to them calling "Ooooooooo", trying to be scary, was priceless. They'd say Thank-you for their candy, take a few steps away then turn back and shout "Boo". Too funny. Bradyn went to way more houses this year, but I could tell she was almost done when she started skipping houses, even when Diana went up to the door. Half-way up one set of stairs she looked at me and said "Mamma, I'm getting tired". Two more houses and we were done. Well, not quite. We went back home, picked up Daddy and went a few blocks over to check out a garage that had been converted to a haunted house, which Bradyn and I had found that afternoon. During a lapse of sanity, I believed Kevin when he said it wasn't too scary, and took Bradyn through. I carried her, head buried in my shoulder and when we got out she said "Mom, that was too scary for me." I was sure there were going to be nightmares that night, but so far, no post-traumatic stress issues. (It really was a cool haunted house!)

Last but not least, I thought I would share a 'Happy Halloween' from DAC. (Don't I work with a great looking group?)

Costume #2 & The Pumpkin Patch

Remember I said Bradyn's first choice for a Halloween costume was Pocahontas and that I couldn't find it? All I have to say is Thank God for Craigslist.

I did actually find an 'authentic' Disney Pocahontas costume (this lady had every costume you could imagine), but I kept envisioning my little girl with goose-bumps, with her bare arm and shoulder hanging out. So, I opted to go with the 'Indian Princess' costume. Despite a few moments of regret for not getting the Disney one, I am absolutely thrilled with the outcome our little Pocahontas princess. Kevin saved the day by finding the wig and boots (blonde braids and her brown Robeez just would not have cut it). Bradyn loved this costume, and I am certain we will see it many more times during dress-up.

So here she is in costume #2, for her school Halloween party and parade....


I'm not sure what the story is behind this 'goblin' she brought home from school, but she is obsessed with this thing.

The Friday before her school Halloween party, we made our second annual trek to Aldor Acres.

Here is Bradyn with her best friend Diana (and Diana's mommy), checking out the baby bunnies.

These girls are so sweet together. They have similar personalities and let each other know when they aren't happy, but they play really well together and give each other lots of hugs. They're always asking to have play dates.

Despite being a pretty crappy day to be outside, Bradyn found the perfect pumpkin. (Not quite as little as last year, but she seems to favour the small ones.)

Calling it a day, enjoying their honey sticks.