It's Pumpkin Day -- October 31

Hazel helped to pick out two big pumpkins at Linder's Greenhouse down the street, and an acorn squash.  We waited until the last minute, but there were plenty left.

Emma joined in the pumpkin festivities.  She found the trick-or-treaters sketchy, but then so are most people who ring the doorbell.  

It was about Hazel's bedtime when we finally dug in to the pumpkins, but the opportunity to stick her little hands inside the pumpkins revived Hazel for a good half hour. 

She rolled up her sleeves and joined in, determined to get her hands on a slippery pumpkin seed or two.

We shifted gears after the pumpkin seeds were all extracted, and Hazel played with the bits of pumpkin that were scraped out.  

Like any six-month-old worth her salt would do, Hazel tasted a bit.  Several times, in fact.  It never got any better tasting, but it was clearly an exciting experience in texture.  Slime is just fun.

Hazel finished up her pumpkin project, and let us know she was ready for bed.  She took a quick (but necessary!) bath, and went to sleep peacefully.  The rest of us stayed up to finish off the pumpkins and light them up!

Andrew did the buzzard, and Grete did the bat.  We went for a flying things theme this year.  Last year's pumpkins did not turn out as well, but we had the right tools for the job this time.  Happy pumpkin day!

Wiggle Time -- October 31

Brisk Autumn Walk -- October 28

We went to William O'Brien State Park on Sunday after church, and spent the day out and about.  We even ate a late lunch at a diner in Stillwater, and split a caramel pecan turtle malt.  Hazel was pretty impressed.  She preferred the malt to the french fries.

Spoon on the Couch -- October 25

Nothing quite like a spoon.  

Helping in the Kitchen--October 23

Hazel helps from her go-pod in the kitchen every day.  She likes to pop around in this nifty contraption, and this way she will not pop into the dog's water dish or pop down the stairs.  

She is up high enough that she can watch while we cook or do dishes, and give a big smile.

Hazel Organizes--October 22

Hazel helped to put hair things in order.  She had fun with this project.

The sparkly scrunchy was  a particular favorite.

We folded laundry after that, which was not nearly as fun.  Having a good book on hand helped!

Getting Ready for a Walk--October 20

We went for a morning walk to recover a lost sock from the night before, and snapped a picture.  Emma popped up and made Hazel super happy, before we swept them both out the door into a foggy morning wonderland.  The leaves are so pretty right now, and there is not any wind here so the leaves fall in tidy little circles under the trees.

At Nana and Grandad's House--October 10-14

Hazel got to practice her new sitting up skill at Nana and Grandad's, and tried out some toys that belonged to her dad and Aunt Abbi when they were babies.

Hazel spent a lot of time with Nana in the living room.  Nana helpfully wound up Ernie (lower right), and Hazel enjoyed listening to the Sesame Street theme song over and over again.  Ernie was Andrew's when he was a baby.  Aunt Abbi had a similar toy, which was also mesmerizing.  

Nana was also willing to read some books.

Hazel was happy to spend some time with Grandad in the evenings.  Hazel helped Nana with supper one evening, and Nana let her play with the measuring spoons you see here.

Aunt Nellie and Grammy Frieda--October 10-14

We were in Laramie for a whirlwind few days to visit and for hunting season.  We came home with some elk, and of course it was wonderful to see folks!  

Nellie and Hazel enjoyed hanging out on the floor together with the blocks, a sheep, and a hackey sack.

Hazel made friends with new dogs in Laramie.  There is not a picture of her smiling at the dogs, but she was super excited to have more canine friends.  Nyla was so gentle with her.  Hazel also got love from Rosie (Rossee?)  and Ginger while we were in Laramie.

Hazel really loves to listen to music, and Stella the grand piano was a lot of fun for her this trip.  Grammy played some, and encouraged Hazel to try to make a little noise on her own.

The fish tank was, in the words of Great Grammy Puccio, "better than television."  Hazel and her Grammy spent quite a few minutes watching the fish, and smiling about it.

Out for a Walk--October 5

The marshmallow bear suit has returned.  We went for a walk after lunch, to encourage a certain small person towards a nap.  The high temperature was in the 80s just two days ago, and has now the high temperature has plummeted to below 50.  

Our tactics worked, she fell asleep promptly when we got home.

An Afternoon at Home--October 3

Hazel was steadier at this than we thought she would be, and she was pretty determined to hang on there by herself.

She was not entirely above a little bit of moral support, though.

Hazel Has the World by the Tail--October 2

Or, rather, she has the dog by the tail.