Halloween Time

The last couple of days have been filled with parties and outings! Saturday afternoon there was a Halloween party at Gymboree. I was a dalmatian again because the costume still fits and I look incredibly cute in it. Everyone wore costumes and we got to play.


There was a great goody bag too; it had bubbles (one of my favorite things).

After that we went back to our congregation because there was our 10th anniversary party. I wanted to help play the piano or the drums but Mommy said maybe when I a older. We had a nice service and a tasty dinner afterwards. I got to run and play with my friends Noah and Kitty.










The next day Mommy and Daddy took me to feed the ducks at our lake. I really enjoy doing that. There were a lot of ducks! Monday we just stayed home and cleaned the house and played.


Tuesday we went to our friend Jane's. Her doggy Darla had puppies a few months ago and they are starting to go to their new homes. She has 3 left and Mommy thought I would enjoy seeing them. I was a little scared at first. The puppies big brother, Junior, was very noisy and scared me a bit. I did warm up and Jane let the puppies out to play. I liked watching them jump around and play with each other.







Finally it was Wednesday and Halloween. I put my costume on again and we went to a big event at Calvary Church. They had a pumpkin patch, a cup cake walk, a petting zoo, games, puppet show, bouncy house, food and music.
I even got my picture taken on a real fire truck. Good thing I was dressed for the occasion. By far my favorite part was the bouncy house. Mommy and Daddy had a hard time getting me out of there. I got to play one of the games to win some candy. I did it my way though. Check out the video. I had a great Halloween!

Sammy Visits the Pumpkin Patch

Today the air finally cleared enough that Mommy allowed me to go outside to play. Even better, she took me to the local pumpkin patch to run around. We could still see the smoke from the fire off in the distance, but I ddin't care. I was out of the house! I hated being cooped up inside this week. Mommy says it was probably for the best since I have had a little cold. I loved the pumpkin patch.

It was so much fun. I loved all the pumpkins and I tried to pick up several. I also found they make excellent seats.

Mommy and I fed the goat. His tongue tickled my hand.

I also got to ride some rides.

I especially liked the mini-merry-go-round. Mommy let me ride it three times.

Before we left, Mommy let me pick out a little pumpkin to take home.

I made sure it had a very good seat on the way home.

Fire Day

Today started out very normally. We watched football, grocery shopped and then got ready to go to birthday party. As we left the house Mommy commented that she could smell the Malibu fire in the air. The Santa Ana winds have blown in for a few days and it is very windy and very warm. As we drove to my friend's house we drove through a neighborhood were we had considered renting a house before choosing the one we are in now. Daddy even commented "We could be living here." I was having a great time at the party, when Noah's aunt and uncle got a call and had to leave. There was a fire near their home and they had to leave. Everyone went outside and we could see a large black billowing cloud of smoke. It put a damper on things and the party broke up sooner than it probably would have. As we began to drive home, we realised we needed to pass near where the fire seemed to be. This was the same neighborhood we nearly moved to, that we had joked about on the way there. At one point we could see the flames coming down the hill. It seemed very near. It was very smokey. We arrived home and there it seemed little different than when we had left. The same smell was in the air and we couldn't see the fire from our house. We switched on the late game but soon clicked over to the news. It seemed that the fire had spread some but not alarmingly so. We decided to go out for ice cream - Strickland's (made fresh every day; it is incredible!). Our friend and neighbor Ellen went with us. Afterwards we decided to drive to some higher ground nearby to see if we could see how far it had spread. Boy were we surprised! It had come much further south and seemed so much closer! We called friends that live nearby and discovered they had driven towards the fire to get a better look so we went to meet them. Driving there we realized how far away it actually is from our house, but it still is in our neighborhood. The flames were so bright at night! We were walking to meet them when the wind shifted and Mommy said it was too smokey for me. We headed back to the car and home instead.

Sammy fell asleep in the car on the way home. We are keeping our eyes on the news and all of our friends and neighbors in our prayers tonight. We pray for their safety and for those of the brave men and women battling this blaze to keep us all safe.

Photos curtesy of the ocregister.com

Our Little Artist

I have just recently discovered how fun crayons can be....I mean they aren't just for eating anymore! I have produced some original art, which is of course adorning the refrigerator as well as gotten some serious coloring done in my color book.

Here is my first original piece.
I am very enthusiastic about my art - Mom says a little too enthusiastic. I added a few artistic touches to the table...........

Here I am hard at work!

Grocery Shopping

I always have a good time at the grocery store. First thing I pick out a car to drive - the groceries go in the back.

I am a very good driver! I also like to get out and do some of the actual shopping. I am very helpful in the produce section. Mommy took several videos so you can watch me in action. If you have any pointers, just let me know!

My New Slippers

I went shopping with Mommy the other day. As we were passing an aisle I spotted something very interesting. They were red, fuzzy and irrestistible. As a hugged them to my chest I looked up at Mommy with a big smile and she capitulated completely. (She is so easy!) The Elmo slippers were mine! I couldn't wait to get them home to try on. I fussed that I had to put them on the counter so they could be paid for. When we got home I tried them on right away and Mommy put her slippers on too. I think they look great. I insisted on wearing them to bed the first night. I love my slippers!

Sandbox Fun

Daddy bought me a little sandbox for out back. I really enjoy playing in it. I like the way the sand feels. I am having some trouble keeping the sand in the box too. While I was out side playing Mommy took a quick video and got me to wave bye-bye. Hope you enjoy it!

It's Super-Shabbat Boy!

I love Friday nights because we set the table with the candlesticks and challah and kiddush cup. I know it's a speacial night. I particularly like watching Mommy cover her head with a silk scarf and say the blessings as she lights the candles. This week I decided to try the scarf myself. I was transformed into Super-Shabbat Boy! I ran all over the house with the scarf as a cape until Mommy put it on my head the way she wears it. It seemed to give me special powers. I was able to consume vast amounts of challah and prevent Daddy from feeding me any fish - check out the video!


Sometimes eating dinner makes me soooo bored!

Super Sukkot

Friday night Mommy, Daddy and I went to have dinner at our friends Lisa and John's. Eric and Emily were there too. We ate outside in the Succah. I had a fun time running around.
And laying around.

After it got a little cool, Mommy put me in my stripey jammies but that certainly didn't slow me down. I even did a little dance. Here's the video.
Saturday we went to services and I had a good time playing with my friend Kitty.














I did some more running around in the lobby. I had a terrific holiday!