Where did the "smell my feet" go?

"Beggars' Night" was actually on October 31st this year and it was on a Friday which I think was extra special. Isabella and Charlotte went out with Nicki to beg for some candy. At first Isabella wasn't too sure of what was going on, but once the candy started rolling in she enjoyed it. Although she was a little scared by all of the ghosts and goblins out.

The next day Isabella informed us she would like to go trick or treating again.

If I only had one gripe, many of the kids are not "coached" anymore they come up and just hold out their bag. Where did the "smell my feet" go? I even asked them "What do you say?", they just looked at me with bewilderment. So in my eyes at least two phrases should be said on Beggars' Night, "Trick or Treat" (the rest of the song if you so wish) and "Thank you". Very small kids get a pass.

Boo at the Zoo

This is a picture during "Boo at the Zoo".
(Isabella, Amanda, Gigi, Charlotte, Nicki)

Columbus Zoo

We love to go to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. We are so lucky to have such a great zoo located here in Columbus and sponsored by Jack Hanna. We normally are able to meet up with the Isabella's friend "Gigi" which is such a great treat as well. We encourage you to support your local conservation efforts and join your local zoo. If it is here in Columbus, call us we would love to join you!
According to Wikipedia,"The Columbus Zoo is home to over 6,000 animals representing over 700 species and sees over 1.5 million visitors annually. The animal exhibits are divided into regions of the world, with the zoo currently operating eight such regions ... The zoo operates its own conservation program, donating money to outside programs as well as participating in their own conservation efforts. Over the past five years the zoo has raised over $3.3 million from fifteen different sources." The Columbus Zoo currently houses 16 gorillas, 8 of which are related to Colo. Thanks in large part to the efforts with Colo (the world's first captive-born gorilla in 1956), The Columbus Zoo has become a leader in breeding gorillas with over 30 gorillas born at the zoo since 1956.

Update Spotlight on Charlotte!

(Taken at Columbus Zoo)

Charlotte is getting bigger and bigger every day. She is such a happy baby. She always likes to smile! Although she is at the point right now that everything needs to be put into her mouth. No matter what it is, it goes straight in.

Currently she sits up very well. She is taking baths while sitting right now. She loves hearing herself talk and ramble on. She is able to roll over but from what we can see she only does it if she really wants to. It has nothing to do with strength, we are fairly sure it is due to laziness. Also we have added Green Beans and Parsnips to her diet and she loves them both. (Charlotte tried to add paper to her diet the other day but we got it out in time)









From Wiki:" The parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) is a root vegetable related to the carrot. Parsnips resemble carrots, but are paler than most of them and have a stronger flavor. Like carrots, parsnips are native to Eurasia and have been eaten there since ancient times."

Meet Blonde

We took a quick little (over night) vacation to Oglebay Resort in West Virginia.

It was only 2 hours away from Columbus I would tell anyone to try it out if they just wanted to get away.

We all had a great time and Isabella was able to ride a horse. The horses name was Blonde. Isabella loved it! The handler mentioned in the begining that 2 year olds can only barely handle 15 minutes of time on the horse (pony), but after 15 minutes Isabella was still loving every second.

"She is born for it"

Pumpkin Carving Time!

Yes it is fall and it is about time to start carving those pumpkins if you haven't yet. As a family we have carved one pumpkin and to be safe we painted the others with the girls.
	Please take a look at all of the picture and I hope that you get a good feel oh how much fun we had!
	No we didn't forget about Charlotte!

Apple & Pumpkin Picking

It was a Felter family outing on Sunday, we drove to "Lynd Fruit Farm". It was a beautiful day in Pataskala, Ohio. We bought some cider, fresh apples, BBQ sauce (for Fred), potatoes, and some other various fresh produce.

Then we decided to take a hayride. During the ride they stopped and let everyone off to pick an apple of the tree to eat. Isabella had a great time talking to some girls friends that she met on the ride. (About 8 20-somethings ladies on the ride.) She learned that you only eat apples from the tree not from the ground. Which she reminded us about 20 more times that day and continues to when she shes an apple. After the hayride we decided to go to the pumpkin patch.

In the end we did find two good pumpkins. Charlotte wasn't having the best of times because she kept staring at the weeds, while reaching for them and we pulled her away. She got upset with us, take a look at the picture she is still looking at the weeds. Also, if you notice Isabella's apple changes between pictures, that is because she dropped her original apple and got very upset. So, I picked her another one. Sorry Lynd's Farm I owe you an apple. Although after paying $3 for a small lemonade, I think we are even.

(1/2 lemon + 1/2 cup sugar + water + ice + agitation <> $3.00)

Personal note: After blogging pretty much everything since Charlotte was born, I was thinking that she is going to have a log of her young childhood. Combine this with the daily reports we get from her day care she can pretty much track her whole early life. That is something that I or anyone older does not have.
I try to think back on my memories; most of my memories are brief flashes and told stories that I am sure change over time. Then I look back through my old photo album and some more memories come back. Are pictures a catalyst to remembering past or just a crutch?
Now we have digital cameras, cameras on our cell phones, we can take a picture pretty much anytime now. That should give the babies of today a broader memory of their past. With most things when you gain something you probably lose something else. So what do I have that Isabella and Charlotte won't have? Will something like story telling go by the wayside along with penmanship, spelling, and basic arithmetic?

*This whole personal note is only 180 words long, and I have two pictures to go along with this post - 1820 words left

Day at the park

Prior to the football game (OSU vs. Purdue 2008), as a family we walked to a local school yard for Isabella and Charlotte to play. I am not sure if we are allowed to play there or not, there are no signs. Anyway, they had a great time.

Update: Charlotte has moved to pureed broccoli and butternut squash. She is sitting pretty well also. One thing she still needs to work on is rolling over. She can do it, I think she just doesn't choose to.

As far as the food we have been making Charlotte, I really wish we did that for Isabella. (Thanks Mandi for showing us the light.) It is easy and cheap. There are two things that are irreplaceable making baby food.

Hand blender: I am sure any brand would do.

Baby food mill: Once again I am sure any brand would do.

Silicone Ice Cube Trays: Why Silicone? It does not react with food or beverages, or produce any hazardous fumes. Oh and it is easy to get the cubes out.
*As many of you may know I am a big fan of Alton Brown and he is a big preacher of Multi-Taskers. I think both of these are. Remember there should be only one uni-tasker in the kitchen... the fire extinguisher.

Isabella has gained a new quirk. She carries around a book and then "reads" it to her dolls. These aren't picture books, these are novels. Before anyone asks she doesn't read them she just turns the pages over and over. Isabella also has become a huge fan of Hummus. (I really have no explanation why my 2 year old likes that.)


Joey: Remember when Ross tried to say 'BUTTER NUT SQUASH' and it came out 'SQUATTER NUT BOSH'!!Ross: Yeah dude, that's the same.....