Lions, Tigers, & Bears ... The Circus!

For my birthday we took Della to the Circus specifically to see the Lumpy's (Elephants). We weren't sure how she'd do but figured we would give it a shot. 

Della's First Circus!

Circus Preshow

She really was excited to see the Lumpy ... Really!

Her 'own' box of popcorn ...

Taking in the sights from our front row seats!

Her first candy! She really liked the Reeses pieces ... takes after her daddy. 

The tail came in handy as she could leave her seat but couldn't 'escape'. 

Honestly ... we did watch the Circus ... we just didn't take many pictures. The Greatest Show on Earth is not what it used to be. One tiny ring instead of three. No lions, tigers, or bears. And the performers looked exhausted, under paid, and dressed in worn out cheap costumes. But that's the Adult viewpoint. 

Della saw fancy glittery costumes, fun dances, entertaining tricks, horses, dogs, and Elephants!  And that's when we left ... 

She lasted to see the Elephants perform and then, after nearly 2 hours, she melted down when I wouldn't let her follow the Elephants back behind the curtain. 

Overall, Della's First Circus was a success!

Pumpkin Patch 2013

One evening Stark spontaneously informed Della that we would be going on our first Pumpkin Patch excursion the following weekend. Della was excited as only a toddler can be excited for something unknown and I was surprised ... a Pumpkin Patch! The thought hadn't even crossed my mind ... which is why I married a family guy like Stark. 

Saturday we loaded up and headed out to find a Pumpkin Patch knowing that if we drove into farmland we would sooner or later stumble upon one. Spooner Farms, as it turns out, is a very popular pumpkin patch for the Tacoma crowd. Although Stark and I are not crowd loving people, our daughter did not inherit the anti-social gene, and dove into the crowd head first. Our primary job became a joint effort to keep her from being run over by wheelbarrows loaded down with pumpkins. 

She may not grasp Halloween or the seasonal fondness for pumpkins but Della very much enjoyed her first trip to the Pumpkin Patch. 

As expected, it took her a few moments to warm up to the idea, although Daddy is pretty excited!

Nothing makes Della happier than LUMPY's (elephants)!

 It doesn't take her long to feel comfortable in new surroundings ... 

soon she was off and exploring

That can't be correct ... nearly 3ft tall!

Mama ... Baaaaaa .... Moooo ... Pigglet!

  

Her first Chickens

And her first Turkey

And her first pigglets ... 3 in a row. 

Pumpkin Patch style play land ... she really liked the 4x4 push car

Pumpkins ... as far as the eye can see

Pondering the pumpkins

  Thanks to our Nanny for teaching Della how to say 'Cheeze' and 'Smile' with a big cheezy smile on her face ... cutest thing. 

 

I don't understand the attraction of green aliens but Della sprinted right up and smacked it!

 

Proof of my pregnancy ... one month to go. 

Blowing kisses ... with a cheezy grin!

We didn't actually buy a pumpkin but the excursion was a success! 

September Catch Up ...

September has been a BUSY month but I've managed to scrounge up a few pictures ...

Della started gymnastics! And, per her Nanny, she seems to be enjoying herself. So much so that I've booked her for another months of classes. 

I splurged and bought Della a chalkboard ... 

here she is explaining the nuances of chalk drawing to daddy.

While packing up a garage to move it helps to have a motorcycle nearby to provide a toddler distraction

We are sad to be leaving our fantastic neighbors. Not only did they take care of us with late night reminders that our garage was open, and holiday dog feeding services, but Della received several key hand-me-downs including this slide ... which she LOVES. Thanks D&R, we'll miss you. 

Here Della pushes her boundaries by testing the idea that her bouncy horse is more bouncy on the couch!

Boxes, boxes, and more boxes ... packing up for a move no longer holds the thrill it did in my 20's. 

Testing out Halloween costume ideas ... Tigger?