Trick-or-Treat Trio

Trick-or-Treat Trio
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Helen hit the streets with friends Anya & Finn for a night full of neighborhood frights and fun. Every year it notches up. There were fog machines and mechanical ghosts, pirates and full screen movies. Helen was a brave soul and didn't miss a door, no matter how scary the entry.

Halloween Family 2007

Halloween Family 2007
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Getting Helen to pose for photos while there was candy to be had was the biggest "trick" of the evening.

Wonder Friends

Wonder Friends
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

And, it's always nice to have friends with special powers. You never know when a little pig might need a helping hand, or the lasso of truth.

I'm convinced that Gabby was channeling Linda Carter.

Sorting through the Stash

Sorting through the Stash
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

By the end of the night, Helen's basket runneth over with every treat imaginable... at which point the sorting began. What we've learned about Helen is that sometimes the mere idea of something sweet is just as tantalizing as the real thing. Even still, we are grateful for the houses passing out raisins, teddy bears, and sugarless gum. We were surprised when the coloring books we passed out were just as popular with the big kids as the tots.

Preschool Pre-Halloween, Pre-Earthquake Bash

Preschool Pre-Halloween Bash
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

More Halloween loot -- just what we needed! It was a treat-lovers extravaganza at preschool, which provided a wonderful venue to meet other parents and enjoy a warm October evening... the balmy quality of which I often describe as "earthquake weather". Lo and behold if just hours later San Jose (just a few miles from our house) was the epicenter of a 5.6 earthquake! Granted, it wasn't anywhere near Loma Prieta, but it still packed a wallop. Thankfully, Helen and I were snuggled into the couch, recovering from a sugar high when the earth began to rumble, so I was able to talk her through her first quake. While Helen was very scared, she recovered quickly and only moments later fell into a deep slumber. No doubt she's dreaming of all those underground plates that Mama was telling her about.

The Great Pumpkin Line Up

The Great Pumpkin Line Up
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Here are the results of the third annual pumpkin carving party at Sam's house. Helen's stance is obscuring the carrot nose on our little creation -- for which she provided artistic direction, including the five eyes.

Purple Ponytail Pumpkin

Purple Ponytail Pumpkin
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Here's something that will scare the kids away -- a purple ponytail pumpkin! This is the most cooperative that Helen has ever been posing for a picture, so perhaps we've turned a corner. We have definitely turned a corner in the arts and crafts department. Her patience and creativity are maturing by leaps and bounds.

Ruffles, Gauze, and Sequins... Oh My!

Ruffles, Gauze, and Sequins... Oh My!
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

There is so much to remember these days... Each morning there is a list of things to bring to preschool, and some days are more logistically intensive than others. Sheet & blanket for the nap time - check. Lunch box with a variety of nutritious items that Helen still finds interesting - check. Change of clothes in case of an accident - check. Book to share with the class - check. Money for "Scholastic" order - check. Tricycle for "transportation week" - check. Backpack with dance clothes, ballet slippers, and tap shoes - check. Halloween treats for dance class - check. Halloween costume for dance class pictures... ut oh! Helen got a loaner costume, which was probably a good thing since she would have been a pig amongst princesses! (Per her request, Helen is going to be a pig for Halloween.)

I love how everyone is poised so delicately except for my little darling. I'm amazed that the children and adults know exactly which dress belongs to which princess. It's a world in which we are blissfully ignorant. Presently, Helen is still more enamored with animals, fire fighters, and magicians.

High-Low Pumpkins

High-Low Pumpkins
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Pumpkin patch friends Helen & Elle enjoy the day. Hard not to have fun with beautiful sunshine, kids activities, and quality time with Grandma.

In case you didn't recognize her, Helen was transformed into a Lion with a great big roar.

Pumpkin Stool 2007

Pumpkin Stool 2007
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Can't believe that this was Helen's THIRD "Pumpkins in the Park" event. The time is flying as fast as Helen grows, which continues at a rapid pace. Helen has been joking with us that she is telling her body to "slow down" but it doesn't seem to be listening.

Pumpkin Stool 2005

Here's What I Think of Peter Pumpkin Eater
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Here she is at this same event in 2005.

Self-possessed. In control. And adorable, of course!

Hay Ride

Hay Ride
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Preschool goes to Pumpkinville;
Squashes big and bold.
Hay rides, trains, and corn mazes;
Fields of marigolds.

Spirit of Japantown

Spirit of Japantown
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

While SJ Japantown has changed dramatically over the years, its spirit remains strong -- the kind of spirit where you can create a brand new festival and have it be an instant success. From Sumo to Taiko, it was a great day. The highlight for us however, was the opening performance. Our favorite lotus blossom is 2nd to the right.

Happi Coat

Happi Coat
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Helen was very proud to perform in her Lotus Happi Coat. Although we've been prodding her, she didn't really practice any of the songs at home. So it was with pride, relief, and wonder to see her on stage belting out each tune with hand motions to match.

Polka Dot Portrait

Polka Dot Portrait
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

There are very few occasions for which Helen willingly gets all dressed up -- and Candi's wedding is at the top of the list. There are also very few nuptials that Baba is willing to photograph, and here again, Candi made the cut.

Here is Helen, warming up the chair for the bride.

Candi's Wedding

Candi's Wedding
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Helen knew it was pretty special to hold the bouquet. Thank goodness there wasn't a bouquet toss, because she would have certainly caught it and then demanded to solidify her current crush on Jonah, Finn, or whoever was next on the dance card.

Three Amigos

Three Amigos
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

The dance card was full, along with the floor thanks to a stellar Mariachi band, and an enthusiastic crowd. Not sure whether this photo depicts a triad tango, or a cha-cha-cha...