Halloween was so much fun at our house last night! When I got home from work (5:30pm - argh!) Kris had the kids dressed and fed. I quickly ran over to our neighbors Jeff and Maria to see if they wanted to go trick or treating with us. When I got back, Kris had Annika's face painted with a huge butterfly on it. She was Cinderella with some butterfly face paint - yeah, I don't know either but they had fun. James was a chicken - the cutest chicken ever by the way. By 6:10pm we were on the road getting some candy. The first few houses Annika was a little apprehensive and needed me to go with her to the door. By the 4th house though she had it figured out. I could stay with James and the wagon and she'd go to the door with Ryan (and Jeff or Maria). My shy little girl even got the trick or treat part out and usually a thank you. If she was feeling shy though she'd just offer up her bucket for the treat and then run back to the wagon to crawl in and start ripping a wrapper off another piece. I noticed most places didn't even wait for the trick or treat to come out, they just dumped the candy in the bucket. Around quarter to 7 James had enough and so did Erin, Ryan's little sister. Ryan is 3 and Erin is about 1 1/2. So Jeff took Erin home and I brought James home and Maria, Ryan and Annika hit a few more houses. Annika had no problem going with them by herself. She was all "Yep, Mom, see ya later!" Last night as I was rocking Annika before her bed time I asked her if she had fun trick or treating. She said yes and then told me how she went by herself with Ryan and his mommy. I think she was proud of herself.

Big news on the walking front! Last night James took 7-8 unassisted steps! He started from the couch and walked across the living room. His balance is getting better and better every day. He even had to pause 3-4 steps in to get his balance again before going another 3-4 steps and then toppling over. He sure is brave and fearless! His nine month birthday is Monday and his 9 month well baby appointment is next week Wednesday. I wonder if he'll walk down the hall at his 9 month appointment just like Annika did! It is so cute to see my little man toddling across the room!