PARTY TIME

Tonight is when all of the ghosts and goblins come out to play. Back home in California, it was a tradition to go to our friend Billie Jo's house for Halloween. We would all meet, have a potluck dinner and then the kids would go out to trick or treat. Mama decided to keep up that tradition.

The picture on the left is of Blake and his family. Mom Keri, dad Wade and baby sis Bailey.

The picture on the right is just a very few of the kids in our neighborhood.

PAJAMA PARTY

Today was pajama party day at Mimi's school. It was a day when all of the kids were encouraged to come to school in their PJ's. It was also a day of fun activities for everyone. Pictured with Mimi is her friend Josie. Together with another girl Olivia, they are the only girls in a class of ten.

MIMI THE PHOTOGRAPHER

After the group photos were taken, all of the girls took the cameras and started taking pictures of their parents. I think Mimi did a pretty darn good job of taking our picture.

MIMI AND HER PALS AT DISNEYLAND

PICS FROM CALIFORNIA ADVENTURELAND AND YAMABUKI'S

BREAKFAST AT IHOP's

Our very good friend Maggi came down for a early breakfast with us on Saturday. We met when she and papa used to work together at the same architect firm about 8 years age and we have been the best of friends ever since.

LEAVING ON A JET PLANE

These pics were taken on Friday afternoon at Sea-Tac airport. Mimi had to make sure her cars could watch the planes land right along with her. Notice how the cars are lined up and facing out the window.

DISNEY TRIP

This past weekend we all had a wonderful time at Disneyland. Together with Mimi, we were able to see our old friends and meet new ones. Mimi rode all of her favorite old rides like teacups, carousel and Dumbo plus new ones such as Nemo and autotopia. Best of all she was able to play with her old pals Samantha and Naomi.

On Saturday morning, our very good friend Maggi came down for breakfast with us and we had a good time visiting with each other. When our visit was finished mama wanted to try out the Nemo ride and so we did. Mimi really liked it a lot even though it was quite loud. She just covered her ears when the bombs went off. When that ride was done, Mimi and papa rode on autotopia, mama had goofed up the camera setting so there are NO PICS of Mimi driving!

Mimi also loves the roller coaster ride in Mickey's Toontown. Papa also had a hard time getting Mimi out of Minnie's house. By then it was time to go to California Adventureland to meet with our good friends the Fratkins. Mama and papa then took Mimi to see Crush the talking turtle at California Adventureland. When it was over we all went to Yamabuki's for dinner. It was very, very YUMMY!

Sunday was spent with the other families in Disneyland. A good time was had by all.
When it was all over, Mimi, mama and papa were quite pooped! So we all went back to the hotel to freshen up and take a nap. In the evening, we all went to Tony Roma's for dinner. Mimi and mama really love BBQ ribs. Then it was back to Disneyland for the night time fireworks and Fantasmic show. Mimi reaaaalllly loved that! Papa was able to sneak in a ride of Pirates while we were waiting for the Fantasmic show.

Mimi was quite upset that we did not go back to Disneyland yesterday morning. She went to breakfast at IHOP across the street from Disneyland and when she was finished, papa brought her back to the hotel. She wanted to know why she could not go back to Disneyland. We told her that we were getting ready to go home. "I DON'T WANT TO GO HOME!!!" "I WANT TO GO BACK TO DISNEYLAND!!!"

We finally arrived home late last night (11:30 pm). When we arrived home, we recieved a bit of sad/bad news. Grandpa had fallen during the day and had to be taken to the hospital. The good news is he is doing ok. He has artificial hips and when he fell, he broke his left hip. Therefore he had an emergency surgery. Grandma says that he was quite confused when he came out of surgery. Must be the anesthesia. Today, papa will go to see him in the hospital.

SIGNING OFF

OK folks, this is the Putney's signing off. In a few hours we will be headed for Sea-Tac airport. Should be arriving at LAX around 8:30 tonight with a layover in Portland.

I will resume this blog again sometime next week when we get back from Disneyland.

Ciao

DRESS UP

Will wonders ever cease? Again today, Mimi decided she wanted to play dress up. This afternoon she will go with Blake to Maris Farms again.

His Aunt Stevie is in town and they want to show her the countryside. Fortunately it is not raining, but is really, really cold outside (52 degrees to be exact). Mama will stay home to pack for our trip to Disneyland this weekend. It will be the last time for quite a while. The next time we go back to Disneyland will be after going to China to get Mimi's mei mei. Whenever that will be.

DRESS UP DAYS

Today was a rainy day again so the girls stayed inside. Mimi's friend Erin just absolutely loves playing dress up. She also loves to play with Ariel. Mama also enjoys playing with Erin. It gives her kind of a change of pace because for the majority of the time, Mimi likes to play like a boy. Papa says that we do not need a boy, we have Mimi.

CONCERT PIANISTS

This afternoon, Blake and Bailey came over to the house and together with Mimi gave us all such a lovely concert.

OUR GANG

The weather yesterday and today was just gorgeous. When the sun is out everyone takes advantage of it. This picture was taken yesterday at our neighborhood park. Pictured from left to right is Cole (top), his brother Josh, Blake and Mimi. This is the jungle gym where all of their imaginations come alive with re-inactments of Peter Pan or Star Wars.

Mama is just kind of sad that the picture came out fuzzy.

CALIFORNIA FIRES

Mama has been keeping up with the news regarding the California fires. Mimi has been watching it also together with mama This was the conversation this morning:
Mimi: Mama, what's that? Pointing to the tv.
Mama: That's the big fires in California where we used to live. Those are people's homes on fire.
Mimi: Samantha's home is on fire. We have to go and save her. She's saying "Help, come save me!"
Mama:Samantha is ok. She's staying at her grandma's house with her mama and papa.
Mimi: Can I watch the Doodle Bops now?

Oh well, I guess there are more important things in this world other than fires. Sigh.
In the meantime, mama is keeping her eyes glued to the news. We are praying that all of our friends and family are kept safe from harm's way.

ANOTHER WIND STORM

Another windstorm is brewing. According to our new friend Roland, this last windstorm was just a little teaser as to what we are up for next. He says that the next windstorm should be a doozy for us here in western Washington. He also says that the big windstorm should hit us sometime at the end of October or the beginning of November and we can be sure of that. It will then be time to break out the generator again.

With this last windstorm grandma and grandpa was without power for about 7 hours.

I hope that it does not come until November because at the end of this month WE WILL BE IN DISNEYLAND!!! Egads!! I am really hoping that the winds will NOT knock down the tall evergreens in our backyard. Especially when we will be out of town for the weekend.

THE PUMPKIN FAMILY

Introducing the Pumpkin Family, Papa, Mama and Mimi and their finger friends.

SURVIVING THE WINDSTORM

Good news! Our house survived the windstorm yesterday as did all of the neighbors in the neighborhood. The brunt of the storm missed our house completely. Although papa said that on his way home from work, all of the lights were out on the Hwy. for approximately a mile or two.

It was quite worrisome for mama. The area between the elementary school where Mimi will go to next year and our house is a golf course greenbelt. Lots of very tall evergreen trees. It has been raining quite a bit lately and the ground is real soft.

There were quite a few accidents and fires due to falling trees and powerlines in the outline areas. Several people were sent to the hospital. one was quite serious, where trees had fallen on the vehicles while the people were in them.

It then rained all night. As I sit here looking out the window, the clouds are rolling in. No rain or wind, but it is freeze your nunnies off cold outside. Our two cats, Oliver Hardy (right side of pic) and Stan Laurel (left side of pic) aka Ollie and Stanley can't decide to go out or stay in. They want to go out and explore but on the other hand, they want to stay in where it is warm. Hmmm, decisions, decisions.

WINDY

Who's creep'in down the streets of city? Everyone knows it's Windy. The weatherman said that we are in for a wind/rainstorm today and boy was he right! The winds are really starting to kick up already.

This picture was taken about an hour ago when it was just a little windy. The majority of the leaves had just fallen this morning.

The other day, mama was talking to her best friend Auntie Sandra from back home in Calif. She gave mama a good idea for Mimi's upcoming Halloween party that mama and papa are hosting for her and her new friends this year.

Since it is freeze your tuckus off cold up here at night, Auntie Sandra suggested making hot apple cider for the kiddies and having Whiskey (or Brandy in my case)on the side to go along with the hot apple cider for the mama's and the papa's. YUMMY!!!

So before the winds started to kick in, mama and Mimi took a short drive to Enumclaw's Country Farmers Market. It's just a small red barn converted into a small farmers market. There all of the produce, jams and jellies come from the local farms. The produce there are out of this world. This past summer they had corn 4 for $1.00. Mama bought 8 and gave 4 to grandma and grandpa. It was soooooo good!!! Mimi loves corn.

While there, mama was able to purchase the fresh pressed apple cider for the party. I also bought a small bottle to sample before giving it to our new friends. It is Yummmmy!!!

Afterward, we went to the Safeway for the spices. While there, a voice came over the intercom for the shoppers to hurry and get their groceries before the power goes out due to the upcoming windstorm. YIKES!

Mama and Mimi ski-daddled as fast as they could. As soon as we got home, mama hooked up the generator. She hates to get caught with her pants down. Mama likes to be ready for any emergency.

KISSING

Today or yesterday I should say, mama was informed by Mimi that she was not using the proper kissing technique. Therefore Mimi proceeded to demonstrate and instruct mama on the proper way to kiss like Ariel and Eric from "The Little Mermaid".

When mama asked her if she had kissed Blake (her "boy" friend aka the brother that she will never have) that way, she just scrunched up her little face and said NO! Yuck!!! Kids only kiss their mommies and daddies.

SIGNS

This was the conversation on the way home from the indoor gym yesterday:
Mimi: Mama, you see that sign? It says S-T-O-P, that means stop.
Mama: (mama was pointing to a different sign) What does that sign say?
Mimi: It says the same thing S-T-O-P, so you have to stop.

After school yesterday, Mimi came home with the following notice: During the last half of October and Early November your child will be participating in our developmental screening. The primary purpose for screening our students is to obtain a sampling of each child's abilities and behaviors. Please note that this is simply a screen NOT a test. These assessments assist our teachers in planning a more appropriate program for our students. Brigance Screening is the method we have chosen.

Then the letter goes on to explain the Brigance Screening. When they are done. They will send the results home with Mimi.

For the most part, according to the teacher, Mimi is doing quite well in class. The teacher says that when the kids are in circle time and there is something that Mimi does not want to participate in, she will fold her arms and frown. Then there is no way she will participate once her mind is made up. She is quite a hard head at times. It should be quite interesting as to what they will find with this screening test.

MARIS FARM PUMPKIN PATCH

HAPPY COWS OF WASHINGTON

You've heard of the Happy Cows of California, well this these are the Happy Cows of Washington. There are quite a few dairy farms here. This farm happens to be in Enumclaw which is only 10 minutes from where we live.

On the way up to Maris Farm in Buckley today, we stopped to take this picture. Of course as always, Mimi had to roll down her window and give a big shout out to the cows. It went like this: Hello big mama!!!

BEDTIME STORIES

Everynight papa reads stories to Mimi before going to bed unless she is super tired. He not only has to read to her but her cars as well. Mimi had to place her car "Doc" on papa's chest so that "Doc" too can read the book.

Tonight's story is the Japanese fairytale "Momotaro" aka "Peach Boy". It was one of mama's favorite stories when she was little.

BREAKFAST AT BLACK DIAMOND BAKERY

Since grandma and grandpa had never eaten at Black Diamond Bakery before, mama invited them out to breakfast. For the most part, we all had a very good time. Grandma's back is still giving her a problem. It still hurts after the surgery she had about one month ago.

GOOD DEALS

Oh how mama does love, love, love good deals, especially when one is on a fixed budget.

In about a month the snow season will be falling upon us here up north. It has already been snowing quite a bit up here at Stevens Pass.

Yesterday mama saw the commercial for TJ Maxx ski and snowboarding clothes sale at half the price you would pay at the sport store. I saw on the internet that the jackets alone ar $95.00 or more at the sporting good stores. Therefore today before taking Mimi to school, she decided to check it out.

At first when Mimi and I arrived at the store, we were told that the ski and snowboarding were only for the youth and not toddlers. Mama was about to give up and leave but thanks to Mimi, we stayed and broused around. Lo and behold, what to my wondering eyes did I see?! One ski suit on the rack that is just Mimi's size!!! We bought it for $32.00 and the original price is $100.00!!

Afterwards we went to Big Lots and got a good deal there too on some Halloween outdoor decorations. This has been a good day oh yeah, yeah yeah!

PUTNEY FAMILY GROUP HUGS

Every night when papa comes home from a "Hard Days Night", we have family group hugs and kisses. We have been doing this forever. This is the first time that mama tried to do what our good friend Allyn suggested. This is the best one out of five. This is also the very best part of the day for all of us.

GAME TIME

While goofing around on the internet yesterday, mama found a cool website for kids. It is called http://www.askforkids.com. It has some fun games for kids and the best part, it is free!

GENERATOR/GAS LEAK

Besides the rain, Washington is known for its wind storms. At this moment, it is quite windy outside. The wind storm happens around late October and early November. The neighbors say that last year the wind storm caused all of the power to go out for about one week, especially where we live here in Maple Valley. We live not too far from Mount Rainier and the wind funnel goes right through our neighborhood. So needless to say, mama had papa go to Costco a couple of weeks ago and purchase a generator. As did every other family in the neighborhood. Grandma says that if her power goes out, they're coming over. Our neighbor/friend Andy will install it for us sometime this week.

As I'm writing, I just remembered that we need to get our fireplace fixed. About a week ago, I could smell gas around the fireplace. The gas company was called and they came out right away. Sure enough there is a leak. Therefore of course our gas to the fireplace was turned off. If anything, papa has learned to listen to mama's nose. The same thing happened at our other home in California. That time papa DID NOT listen to what mama had to say until she threatened him to have the gas company come out. This was on a Saturday when papa was home. Sure enough, there was a gas leak in the wall behind the dryer!!!

ANOTHER KODAK MOMENT

Oh my my, will wonders ever cease?! Mimi has decided to play dress up today!! Mama can't believe it!!! I think that her two girlfriends Erin and Josie are finally having an effect on Mimi. This makes two days in a row that she has worn a dress.