the marks

Two good things happened with the Marks in my life since the last post. My Mark survived a bad car accident without a scratch yesterday. And it was bad. Car-flipping-upside-down-on-its-hood bad. That kind of news makes my stomach drop and so grateful for another day with him.

And, my brother Mark passed the Bar! He will be totally embarrassed to read this here but I am a PROUD little sister! Waiting to hear Bar Exam results is one of the longest and worst waits possible. I know he is feeling good to have it finally be over. Great job!!!

halloween parade

Meg had a Halloween parade at her preschool today. I don't think the kids had much of a clue about what was going on but it was funny for the parents to watch! Meg veered off course when she saw me.

Meg looooves her bumblebee costume - she didn't want to take it off.

representin'

At least one member of our family (meaning Mark or me...and lately, just Mark) has run the Tallahassee Half-Marathon every year for the past 5 years. When I was pregnant he continued our streak, and now that Mark is giving his knee a break from long-distance running, it's my turn to represent the Webbs in 2010. My training plan is unorthodox but tried and true: run most weekdays for 1/2 hour, and each Saturday run 1 more mile than the Saturday before. Repeat 13 times.

cooing

Katie is in the cooing phase. This is the face she makes when she coos...her eyebrows shoot way up and her eyes look like she is trying to say, "Please look at me! I am trying to talk to you!"

I will talk to you, Katie. I can't resist.

back to the patch

Meg's preschool class went back to the pumpkin patch yesterday, and parents were invited to come along. Meg had a pumpkin painted on her hand, which was a very big deal, and she was gingerly holding out her hand like this the entire time we were there.

Getting the kids to take this picture was hilarious - they kept squirming and jumping and running away.

pumpkin patch

Our Monday morning playgroup met at the pumpkin patch yesterday - it was a perfect fall day! I love Will and Jack's adorable shirts and am completely inspired to try something like that on the girls' dresses I am working on.

Thanks, Alicia, for the pictures!

sisters

Last night Mark and I heard Meg and Katie in another room making each other laugh! It was the best sound - we had never heard them interact like that together before, and it gave me goosebumps to think that they will have their own unique relationship with each other that is separate from our relationship with them. [Side note: You might be thinking Meg doesn't own clothes based on most of the pictures of her lately. She does.]

pumpkin pancakes

I tried making pumpkin pancakes for dinner. These may not look like much, and even a little burnt, but they are really good anyway! Here is the recipe:

2 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups milk
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 egg
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons vinegar

In a separate bowl, mix together the milk, pumpkin, egg, oil and vinegar. Combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, allspice, cinnamon, ginger and salt, stir into the pumpkin mixture just enough to combine.

booed

We've been booed! We got a fun surprise treat on our doorstep this morning - 4 adorable Halloween placemats - from a mystery neighbor. Apparently now I leave a mystery treat for another neighbor (good thing none of my neighbors read this or my cover would be blown).

the lake (last one)

Two of my very favorite people.

how to eat a popsicle when you're 2

1. Stare at it lovingly, smile, note how Grandma cut it up for you to minimize dripping mess.

2. Take a bite and realize it's really, really cold.

3. Look around and decide whether or not this is a time to cry.

4. Realize the cold pain goes away and it tastes so good. Laugh about it because it makes you so happy.

the lake (part 3)

Why didn't I inherit my mother's green thumb??

Sweet Elise and her wonderful horse dress.

All the girlies played in the lake. The clay/mud stains swimsuits so it was easier to go without clothes. I'm pretty sure the girls were happier that way anyway.

the lake (part 2)

How to entertain a 2- and 3-year-old for hours on end? You need: a bucket, a paintbrush, water, and that's it.

Meg and cousin Anna spent hours "painting" all the tricycles, the driveway, the garage door, and the minivan.

It was serious business.