October

I recognize that California doesn't really have much of a Fall season (I've been informed by friends who've lived elsewhere, who've actually experienced the need to "grab a light jacket" or "rake the leaves" and "readjust the thermostat"). Since I know no different, the fake Fall leaf displays in Target are enough to get me in the mood. Here's what October has brought to us so far:

• My first turn to teach Ethan's preschool: we read the Very Hungry Caterpillar to learn about the days of the week. We then made paper chains and sang a song to the tune of The Addams Family to learn the weekday names--the kid's mostly liked when I snapped my fingers at the end. Ethan points to his paper chain and says "Saturday" seven times in a row, so at least he recognizes what the best day of the week is.

• Billable hours begin: the bane of every attorney's existence. We were spoiled with a three month honeymoon period with Will's new job, since the billable year didn't start until October 1st. Now his hours "count" and he will have to meet the firms minimum required hours for the year. He is doing a great job though and I am really proud of how well he has handled this transition.

• It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown has been and will be watched countless times: this was the TV special that jump started Ethan's complete Peanuts obsession last October. This October we are now prepared with our own personal copy of the DVD (fast forwarding through the commercials gets really old by about the 15th viewing), a Charlie Brown Halloween lunchbox, and a stuffed Snoopy doll that he holds while watching Great Pumpkin. Oh, and just in case anyone was wondering, it is nearly impossible to find two toddler sized Snoopy & Woodstock Halloween costumes unless you are super-crafty and want to sew them yourself.

• My sister Danielle visits: we get to see her on Friday! Since she lives in Florida, my kids mostly associate her with the amazing packages she sends (thank you Scholastic Book discounts!). It will be nice for us all to spend some face time with her instead. We have plans to ride the ferry to Coronado Island, watch Conference, and stuff ourselves with the yummy brunch food my Mom makes on Sunday mornings.

• I will make my first of many batches of pumpkin bread: the first set of foil mini-loaf pans are waiting patiently in my cupboard. Now if it gets under 80 degrees sometime soon I will be justified in heating up my oven for an hour in the afternoon. It does smell soooo good when it's baking, so next week might be the week.

• I am ready to do battle with Cliff: Three years ago, we moved into our condo on the first weekend of October. Pround new homeowner that I was, I promptly hung a Fall wreath on the door, a housewarming present from my Mom. A week later I mysteriously recieved a letter in the mail from the homeowners association that "plastic wreaths" were not allowed. I have since learned that my grouchy neighbor Cliff was at work. Cliff has memorized the entire 3,000+ page association rules binder in his pursuit to become the dictator of our complex. (And, excuse me, but my weath was no fakey plastic thing! It was made of fake wooden fruit and acorns--get your descriptions right, Cliff!). Nevermind that the neighbor two doors down hangs a ugly Teddy Bear Flag from their front door, or that another neighbor hangs little white Christmas Tree lights from the trees in their patio (just to annoy Cliff, I later found out). I am now three years wiser and will not let Cliff intimidate me out of some seasonal cheer! The wreath goes up on Monday. Just let him try and stop me . . .