What We've Been Up To

Before Thanksgiving and a big December we wanted post a quick update to let everyone know how we're doing and what we're up to. As you can see, we're not really easing into our big December. Our almost-1-year-old and almost-4-year-old are ready to party. Here's some highlights of our November so far.
We've been dancing

We dress up for dinner

We made pine cone turkeys with our neighbors

We've been working a lot

We've been playing at the playground every time it isn't too cold

And we've been trying to get taller. Don't worry Mo! You'll be one so soon.

Oh, and although he already knew sign language for "more" tonight Moses stared using the word "more". It'll make meal time a little less dramatic.

When next we meet in the blogosphere expect turkey news, a trip to Chicago, and BIRTHDAYS!!!!

Talking with Moses

Moses has two solid words. We haven't posted much about it yet so to quickly catch you all up his first word was "Ella". Now he's got "hi".

Today I was able to have a "real" conversation with Mo as he put his to words together. He was on the pretend (a matchbox car) phone saying hi over and over. I asked who he was talking to and he said, Ella! Here's to language...just an amazing thing!

Cookout

Today, Ella was a very brave girl during her flu shot. No tears at all! Perhaps it was the promise of a Cookout milkshake that got her through. (If you haven’t had a Cookout milkshake, we feel sorry for you- they are fantastic!) Overheard after Ella had eaten half of her giant Oreo mint milkshake…

K: “In a minute, we have to put that in the freezer and save it for tomorrow.”
E: “I don’t want to put it in the freezer.”
K: “Well, it’s too much milkshake to eat in one day. It’s not good for you.”
E: “I don’t want to eat it all today… but I don’t want to put it in the freezer because then you and Daddy will eat it while I am sleeping.”

Easy Fun

Lots of fun with Anna...and the kitchen cabinets.Thanks for another great visit, Anna!

Halloween '08

Here's Princess Ella and her friend getting ready for some candy hunting in our neighborhood.
We brought back the elephant for Halloween 2008. Here he is trying to get his solo shot. We were all a little excited so that wasn't going to happen.
Here's family shot. Kelly is dressed up as an Obama supporter.
And as always, someone ends the night really, really tired.

Three New Tricks in 15 Seconds

Three Fast Tricks from Zachary Perin on Vimeo.

Happy Birthday Kelly!!!

Kelly celebrated another birthday yesterday and she most wanted a campfire to celebrate. So we made it happen! We borrowed a fire pit from a neighbor and made S'mores after dark.

The cousins waiting sort of patiently for the fire to be ready.

Then they got down to it and roasted some marshmallows right in our own backyard.

And we did the best we could not to roast the children. No children were injured AND we had so much fun!

Happy Birthday Kelly!!!

Ready

Moses is ready for winter with his snuggly winter hat!
Ella is ready for...well, Ella is ready for...work (see dress shoes), clown school (see size of dress shoes), a track meet (see track suit but worry about the shoes), being a teenager (see teenage sassy pose).

Time for the Pumpkin Hat

Ella, circa October 2005

Moses, circa last week

How Big is Moses!

So Big!

Little Brother

Lucky to have some big-sister hand-me-downs.

We're still here!

We've been very, very busy and it seems that we are only about to get busier so we wanted to quickly get some pictures up before a real solid month passed us by. Here you go...in order of experience.

Moses "Ponce de Leon" Perin

In the past month Moses has become incredibly mobile. He went from dragging himself slowly across the floor to crawling normal, pulling up, cruising, and climbing in no time. Ella was not much of an explorer and we never had to baby proof much. Moses is a lot more curious than Ella was and he's a whole lot more aggresive about. Every day, every room, every pivot, is an adventure. If you're planning a visit hide your belongings. If you're expecting us for a visit please also hide your belongings. Check out some of the recent adventures of our little explorer.

Moses found the beer in the fridge. Good work, little guy.

Moses found the DVR and tried to record his favorite shows. He hasn't figured out how to open the Xbox yet but I'm sure he will soon.

Yup, that's Moses at the top of the steps after a long, slow trip up. Yup, I put up a baby gate today.

Here's Moses trying to get into the AC duct. He did not succeed.

Although Ella is an incredibly loving big sister and really does like to play with Moses even sometimes she needs a break. But now it is so much harder to get a break when he can chase you. This reminds of Dewey from when Ella first learned to walk. See that here.

Mixed Results

Moses is eating really well these days and enjoys just about everything we've given him. Recently he is really into being in charge of his meal time so we're introducing as many finger foods as he can take so that he can feed himself. He's working on it...to mixed results.

Keep Trying

I've been talking to Moses for a while about his approach. He didn't listen when I suggested he start in the sink, or even just a puddle. He wasn't interested in the YMCA pool. We've been reading books about the original Moses and he just figured he'd jump right in and give it a shot.


Moses spent most of his week at the beach trying to part the Pacific Ocean.

Newport Beach 2008

Another year at Newport Beach. See below for evidence of a really great time. A solid week of sun, water, sand, food, and good people is a very good thing. Thanks again, Family!

Ella's ocean bravery reached an all-time high this year. Here she is running around in the surf.

Ella and Moses were so excited to see Uncle B!

And Grammie.
And we got to stay up after dark.

Ella and Poppie had a good time drinking wine and eating lollipops.

And Ella got to spend a lot of time with her Cousin Morgan.

See ya next year at the beach...

Lost...

...and found

Who's on First

At bedtime the other night...

Z: Mommy and Mo are coming home manana.
E: What does that mean?
Z: Tomorrow in Spanish.
E: What Spanish is it?
Z: Tomorrow.
E: Is it in French?
Z: No. Spanish. Manana is Spanish for tomorrow.
E: What Spanish is it?
Z: I don't know what you mean by that question.
E: I mean by that question what Spanish is manana. French?
Pause
E: I think manana is a funny word.

Hmmmm.

Overheard

E: I love you, Daddy. I love our whole family! I love our whole family almost as much as I love Moses.
Z: But Moses is part of the family.
E: I know. But I love him more. And I also love Dewey.

Pause

E: When is Dewey going to die?
Z: I don't know. Not soon. He's not that old.
E: OK. Why don't men wear bras?

Sweet Dreams...

Peas

Mo's current list of newly discovered solid foods includes: rice cereal, oatmeal, banana, avocado, sweet potato, mango, and...peas.

This is his first dislike. Does that face tell the story or what? We'll keep trying little guy. You get six tastes of peas before we give up for now and come back to it.