226 + 122 Weeks

We had a happy week with a fairly stress-free weekend.  It was Halloween this past Saturday, and Carmie asked to go Trick or Treating (her first time).  Sadly it was raining, but when we saw other kids and parents out, we were game.  It's not quite the same here as it is in the States, as not many people do it, so you actually have to drive your kids around looking for houses that are decorated for Halloween.  This isn't so much fun when you have to get two kids in and out of car seats in the rain!  But we soldiered on, and the kids had a blast.  

This weekend we also went to the park around the corner, and Carmie went to a birthday party.  On Sunday we went down to Mollymook Beach and park, and we had ice cream, as Carmie completed her sticker chart for not calling out at night for 14 days (she has been able to do this for years, but she goes through stages when she regresses, and she was in one).  She chose as her prise to take everyone for ice cream, and then she proceeded to steal my ice cream and eat it too.  She is still a sweetie, and is getting very grown up.  She has started reading, and is reading the basic first reader books on her own.  We are very excited about it, and can't wait until she can pick up a book and read it to herself for entertainment.  Arley is still a little pain in the butt, but as long as he has his trains and tracks to play with, he is fairly content.  He still isn't fond of his dad very much, but he is getting better, and he even has moments when he laments Jeff going off to work, and Arley has been much more affectionate with him lately.  Arley still gets very cross and thows things, but it is mostly because we can't understand what he is saying.  He talks in complete sentences, but they are not very clear, so it can be challenging.  He's getting there.  As for Jeff and I, we finally got to start organising the garage this week, which is our final unpacking chore.  It is not quite finished, but almost there, and I can't wait for it to be done so that our move is finally complete!  I'm never moving again!

 All dressed for Halloween, except that I didn't tell him he was dressed up, as he never would have allowed it.  He just thought cowboy chaps and vest were regular attire.  He refused to wear the hat though :(

 Trick or treat!

 This is what you get when you ask the kids to pose together for a photo.

 Arley's 'poses' are the best!

 Arley refused to eat ice cream and demanded hot chips instead.

 "Sure, I'll hang out with Dad."

 "Mum, where the hell are you going??"