I was reminded today that I haven't posted any pics of James in quite awhile, and I'm happy to oblige! Afterall, I'm quite smitten with my little guy. He's at a very fun stage right now- racing around the house, repeating things over (and over and over) and giving big hugs and wet smooches.
He rarely works with me anymore, unless I'm really overwhelmed, because he's become a pain to have around my neatly shelved yarn. As you can see from the picture below, he entertains himself by grabbing yarn off the shelves, carrying it 40 feet to the other side of the room (yes, I really do have that much room now for sock yarn) and tucking it in the little space between my computer desk and the wall. Then repeating this over, and over and OVER until I have a sizeable amount of Shibui sock yarn in a pile far from where it should be. He also finds it fun to grab all the knitting needles from the peg boards where they are hanging and throw them on the floor and wait for a reaction. Yes, it was much easier to work with James around when he wasn't so mobile. When he was born he would just lay on a pillow in the middle of the room and sleep while I typed. Now he either ransacks my yarn or grabs the mouse and tries to run off with it.
I've received several e-mails asking what James is going to be for Halloween and if we are going to Trick-or-Treat. Joe picked out a tiny Darth Vader costume at Target this year, so that's what we are planning. Though James doesn't like wearing the felt "helmet". Without it he just looks like a baby in a lame black sweatsuit and cape. So I'm going to have to sew an elastic band on that helmet so that it can't come off. We plan on canvasing my mom's neighborhood (where I grew up) so that we can show him off to my friend's parents and my family who live there. But we may bail out early and go to a friend's neighborhood as well- it's very important to be able to collect as much candy as we can, b/c this is the only year that James will be collecting for US and not him (insert evil laugh here). Now that we live in the "country" we don't have a neighborhood to walk through and instead must to travel to Trick-or-Treat. Is that what people do who don't live in a neighborhood? Drive to the nearest/richest one to get the good stuff as efficiently as possible?
Oh, how cute! James is a sweetie pie! Say with his love of yarn - it would be nice to have a James colorway we could buy to remind us of your little yarn loving guy! Maybe a little boy's line of colors to knit from. Hope you get some good candy (I've been hooked on the Dark Chocolate Peanut M&Ms.)
Posted by: Diane | October 22, 2008 at 11:27 AM
Just a thought with you living in the "country" as you put it - many churches or organizations have Harvest Parties where the children can go, play carnival games, hay rides, moon bounces etc. OR I know of several churches here that have what they call Trunk or Treat where the parents park in the lot, decorate the trunk of their vehicle and give out treats all in the same parking lot so there isn't a lot of walking from house to house. Maybe you could call around or read in the local paper for some similar events - they're fun and safer too.
Posted by: Diane | October 22, 2008 at 02:48 PM
Yes, in my area (coastal Maine) trick or treating always involves driving from house to house along dark, unlit roads.
Posted by: Michele in Maine | October 22, 2008 at 02:59 PM
James looks so beautiful, like a little boy, and I love that he is dress in orange and blue (Florida Gator colors). I love the way he plays with yarn, we would love to be able to do that. Maybe you will be able to teach how to knit. You have to drive them for halloween one way or the oder. I hated that because is was dark and crowded, but my son wanted to go to other areas to get "different " candies.
Posted by: juana | October 22, 2008 at 09:00 PM
James looks so beautiful, like a little boy, and I love that he is dress in orange and blue (Florida Gator colors). I love the way he plays with yarn, we would like so much to be able to do that. Maybe you will be able to teach him how to knit. You have to drive them for halloween one way or the oder. I hated that because is was dark and crowded, but my son wanted to go to other areas to get "different " candies.
Posted by: juana | October 22, 2008 at 09:02 PM
That is an adorable picture. We get people coming in to our neighborhood by the van loads. I run out of candy earlier and earlier every year, even though I buy more and more.
Posted by: Monica | October 22, 2008 at 11:11 PM
I think James has great taste in yarn!
And I think he is an adorable, perfectly normal toddler. Enjoy these days while you can!
Don't agonize too much over where to t see if a local shopping center or mall has a family t&t time/day/event for parents of small children. I think one of the malls near me does it every year.
Posted by: Anna | October 23, 2008 at 01:43 PM
We didn't live in a neighborhood and so our parents just bought bags of candy for us instead of us going and collecting it. I think one year we went to the mall to trick or treat.
Posted by: Beth | October 24, 2008 at 04:12 PM
When my girls were young & we lived in the city or a very urban suburb, we went only to houses/apartment of very close neighbors & people we knew. My daughter is lucky enough to live (for a few more weeks) in a real neighborhood in a suburb where they have block parties & baby sitting coops. So she knows just about all her neighbors. You will probably find (as I did) that whatever age your child is, that will be your favorite age - you will just keep enjoying the changes each new age brings (even the teenage years have their pluses - you have an almost adult who can discuss current events, etc, at least once in awhile). That said, there really is something very special about the toddler years when they are learning to talk & really becoming little people. I noticed the other day that my oldest grandson (who will be 7 the day after Halloween) was wearing a pair of DK weight socks I made for him last winter (I made them a little big with the hope that they would fit him for 2 winters) & that, in fact, I had seen him wear them almost every time I spent a few days at their house. I asked him if he liked them because they were nice & warm on a chilly, rainy day. He replied that he like to wear them because I made them for him (awwwwww). So I too would love some special boy colored sock yarn (machine wash & dry please - my son in law occasionally does the wash & everything goes in the washer & dryer). I also have a 5 year old grandson & I made a Wonderful Wallaby for him when he was about the same age as James & he wore it until it literally started coming apart (the woven stitches under the arm) - he loved it immensely. He also got DK weight socks last winter & I'll be making him some too. I already have plenty of girly colors for the baby (who will be 2 in a few weeks).
Posted by: mwknitter | October 24, 2008 at 04:52 PM
Too cute!! My youngest, who is 3, helps me with the yarn. He just loves reskeining, and quite frankly, it's the only time he's quite. He goes into this zone that is priceless to watch. They grow so quick, so enjoy every moment you can with them. My oldest just started kindergarten this year, and I just can't believe he's not a "baby" anymore. Happy Trick or Treating!
Posted by: KnittinDiva | October 31, 2008 at 04:20 AM