Some of you may be wondering where the big boo-boo on Essie's forehead came from. She was sitting on her little potty, kind of distracted, wobbling around a little, and then she tipped over, and when she did she met with edge of the open door of the bathroom. Ouch. The remnant you see left over is nothing close to what it was for the first hour after it happened. I was thankful my housecleaning lady was here and that she could offer me moral support as I held an ice-cold boo-boo sponge to Essie's head and sang to her for 20 minutes, while her tears subsided. Hate these heart-wrenching moments...
By the way, we got the boo-boo-sponge idea from working in schools as teachers. You simply take a clean sponge, fill it with water (don't squeeze out the excess), put it in a sandwich bag, and freeze it. It makes a very simple, on-hand cold pack that isn't too cold for their little hands. For our family, it's been the best invention since sliced bread. :)
The other night, Eric and I dropped the girls off at Papa and Grammy's (couple weeks ago, actually), and then we took off to go pick something up from some friends of ours. Shortly after we left, my mom called; Abby, once again, needed me to sing her the "Stay Awake" song (you know, the song from "Mary Poppins"). After I sang her the song over the phone, she asked me, "Mommy, are you in your shoes?" Huh? "What do you mean, Abby, am I in my shoes?" She repeated the same question. It was boggling to me, but I finally answered, "Yes, I am in my shoes; I have my shoes on." Then she said, "So you're not at home yet." I thought this was a rather odd, but adorable, way of asking us if we were home yet.
Also, tonight, after watching a Christian video of Hermie, a caterpillar who looks up to the sky and talks to God, and God talks back, we were leaving Costco, and Abby looks up at the sky and says, "God, where are you?" looking as if she expected Him to reply (like in the video). Too cute.
So here they are again...our Princess beauties, back in full glory, 
The kids were kept out of Grace's bedroom (for good reason -- there were a TON of kids), so they came up with their own games.
Rows and rows of pathetic-looking pumpkins...
Little pumpkin fact for ya: these green gourds (on the left) are from Australia and, according to our train-ride operator, are the best pumpkins for making pie.
It has been an absolutely glorious week of deliciously balmy fall weather (Dad and Mom, you're missing it!!). We've spent almost every day outdoors. 
