Trick or Treat

I knew finding a costume that Dylan would wear was going to be a challenge this year. He hates all hats, hoodies, and basically anything else you could wear on your head! So that eliminates 99.9% of all toddler costumes... at least most of the cute ones!

 I asked Dylan several times what he wanted to be for Halloween and always got the same answer "train tracks".  Hmm.... maybe we could do that, but sure everyone would "get it." :)

Dustin and I really wanted him to be a sailor this year. Wouldn't that be cute? But alas, we couldn't find a sailor costume in his size anywhere, and we looked everywhere! (Yeah, I know most sailor costumes have hats, but I thought he could skip the hat and you would still get the idea.)

Ok so plan B. I thought of several other costumes that might work: Luke Skywalker, a train conductor, a golfer, a football player. Mom thought of a "headless dinosaur", which seemed like a great idea! Dylan loves dinosaurs!! I had visions of Dylan loving his Halloween costume so much he would want to wear it all the time. The headless dinosaur might be my dream come true! So mom went out and got him a dinosaur costume with no hat/hood and a really nice tail (the tail was critical for "Dylan appeal"). Mom spent hours fixing it up to make it super special by adding lots of detailing (she's very crafty)! Dylan was practicing his "dinosaur roar" for weeks. We were all so excited! It wasn't until we tried the costume on, the day before Halloween, that we realized... it was too small. (Mental note: next time try on the costume first.)

So October 31, Halloween night, a Monday this year... I ran to Target to pick up whatever last-minute costumes they had left. I was in luck! They had a bunch in his size: another headless dinosaur (what are the chances of that??), an airplane, a golfer, and a train conductor. Score! I bought them all! I ran home to see which one would light up Dylan's eyes. The only problem was... none of them did!

So it's 7PM and all of the "little" trick-or-treaters are already out in full-force. Dylan is refusing to put on ANY costume! Hmmm... dilemma. Last minute we just decided to throw on his Chargers jersey. Finally, that worked and trick-or-treating could commence. It was a bit of a half-hearted costume, but hey what are you doing to do with a 2-year that knows exactly what he does and does NOT want??

Once he got into it, he loved trick-or-treating! He would go up and knock on the neighbor's front door and politely ask "trick or treat?". He was so polite he often put some of his candy back into people's bowls after they gave him a piece!

Pumpkin Carving

Dustin has a little helper this year for pumpkin carving :)

Bates Nut Farm

We put off going to the pumpkin patch until the last weekend of October, in hopes of getting another "big one" for only $10 like we did last year. No such luck! All the big ones went early this year. Oh well, we still had fun and got 2 little ones and one "baby" one, which was very special! Dylan even picked out all of the pumpkins by himself!

The great thing about Bates Nut Farm is they have a lot more than just pumpkins. This year we did the tractor ride, which Dylan LOVED and wouldn't stop talking about... "More tractor, More tractor, More tractor!" About the only thing that could keep his mind off the tractor was the "horsey". Dylan rode the horsey, Chocolate Chip, all by himself. What a big boy!

Beach Time

One of MeMe's favorite things to do in San Diego is go to beach. And Dylan loves it too! The two of them had so much fun jumping in the waves and watching the surfers! :)

Dylan was in such a good mood after the beach, he didn't even mind his bath to wash off all the sand!

Giant Flying Fish

PaPa Fred loves spoiling Dylan! So when he ran a across a giant flying fish balloon (still not sure where in the world he found this) of course he had to get it! Needless to say, Dylan LOVED it! So did Dustin, he could used to the remote control (yes, this balloon comes with a remote) to make the fish fly up, down, right & left. So fun!

Cupcakes!

Miss Ava (AKA "Ava Potato") loves cupcakes, and so does Daddy, and so does Dylan. So every time Ava stays at our house we make an effort to make cupcakes. This time was especially special... we got princess sprinkles at the grocery store, which were a BIG hit!

Apple Picking With Ava

This year we decided to try apple picking in Julian, a San Diego tradition which we have never done. We had Ava with us this weekend and what a fun activity for Dylan and Ava to do together!

Ohhh Julian, the mountains, the cool-crisp air, the homemade apple pie... I was so excited! I put on my boots, my favorite sweaterdress (don't want to be too cold) and off we went.

After the hour long drive we arrive... to 90 degree weather!! Oops- wardrobe mistake! Next time I will check the weather before we go. :)

So we went to the 1st orchid, Raven Hill... no apples. So we went down the street to the next orchid, Calico Ranch... apples! But not many. Mental note #2: next time go earlier in the apple season.

We had a great day none the less, and filled up several bags of apples! I wish I could say I came home and made a wonderful homemade apple pie, but I didn't. Maybe next year :)

Sea World

Another thing we've never done the many times mom has visited San Diego is go to Sea World. Well, now we can cross that one off the list!

We had a great time at Sea World with Dylan and Ava. Personally, I loved the Shamu show (for some reason I cry every time- seriously!). Dylan loved the new turtle exhibit- we had a hard time of getting him out of there! Ava liked the dolphin show, and Dustin's favorite was the seals and sea lions. Unfortunately, we missed the sea lion show (we were running late after lunch) but we did get to feed the seals!

Birch Aquarium

While Mommy & Daddy have to go to work everyday (blaaaaaaaaaa) Dylan and MeMe get to have all the fun! Today they went to the Birch Aquarium. Dylan loves watching all the fish and view from the aquarium is one of best in San Diego! :)

We Have Grass!

Lots and lots of beautiful grass!! Finally our yard is usable again- no more dirt! The landscaping project was a bit painful at times (dealt with a contractor that stole a porter-potty... long story), but now it's DONE! And it looks GREAT!!



Should we take bets for how long it will stay this way before Katie & Leila destroy it???

Potty Time

We are starting to potty train... even though Dylan only shows interest about every millonth time we ask "wanna sit on the potty?" Maybe he was showing off for MeMe, but he was pretty into the idea for the first few weeks she was here! Plus, you do get a pretty awesome sticker for sitting on the potty... who wouldnt want that?

I love how Dylan and Daddy took turns with who gets to sit on the little potty!

Legoland

MeMe has never been to Legoland, so of course we had to take her this trip! Dylan loved showing her all of his favorite rides- especially the sky train and boats! I think MeMe's favorite was Miniland where the world's most famous cities are recreated out of legos!

Italy in Escondido

Dustin and Fred heard of this little winery in Escondido, the Cordiano Winery, that is supposed to have the best pizza this side of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. So of course we had to try it!
After following a long, winding road into the hills about Escondido we arrived. And boy, it was worth the drive! Homemade wine, amazing wood-fire pizza and a view that made you feel like you were in the old country! http://www.cordianowinery.com/

Kickin It Old School

Dylan loves to catch up with his old buddies from Miss Amanda's daycare...

Dylan and Hansy

Dylan and Leandro (AKA "Andro")

The Artist Formerly Known As "Grammy"

Grammy to the rescue! I've really been struggling with where to send Dylan for daycare now that Miss Amanda's is closed for the next three months. I looked at 7, yes 7, daycares... and none of them felt "right". I guess I thought that if I just put it off long enough something would work it. And it did! Grammy took pity on us and decided to come out and watch Dylan this month. Whew- this buys me more time!

Dylan adores, really adores, his Grammy! He was so excited when we picked her up at the airport. It was like no time had past since the last time they were together. He loves her "thiiiis much"! That's their little saying for each other... "I love you thiiiiiis much" (spreading their arms out as far as possible)!

Over the next few weeks, Dylan started to refer to Grammy as "MeMe". He's the boss, so "Grammy" is now "MeMe". I love that Dylan came up with the name on his own :)