Amara transitioned to her new bed a few weeks ago. Right away, she loved it, took to it, wanted to show it off and hop right in. After a few days though, things changed...
She got a pretty nasty cold right after the move and sat on the couch with us for a few days, and wanted to be snuggled a lot, etc. I only mention it because it was right around that time that she started coming out of her room, shortly after we had put her in.
For some reason, at nap time, she might come out once--MAYBE twice, but at night, it's a different story.
It really amped up a couple nights ago. Trick-or-treat night brought a lot of excitement, visitors, playing, candy, and the usual. We could tell she was tired, but we let her stay up to play anyway. By the time she was ready to crash, she kept coming out--my guess, was to make sure she wasn't missing any festivities (even though we made it clear everyone had gone). She probably came out of her room that night close to half a dozen times--and sweeter and sweeter each time she did. She'd say thing like:
"Mommy hold you"
"Daddy, can I come sit with you?"
"Read me a story, daddy" (or sing song)
"Just want to see you guys"
"Whatcha doin'?" ...and the list goes on
At first, we obliged her and would sing, or read, or just sit, but over time it became clear she wasn't scared, just wanted company, so we sternly walked her back into her room and snuggled her back in with a kiss and walked out.
Last night (night 4 of this new pattern) was a doozy. She had taken a short nap and has come down with another cold, so we knew her body (if not her mind too) needed the rest. We did our best winding down routine, complete with long bath, stories, light play in her room, songs, more stories, and then finally left her to rest. Not 15 minutes later, the visits started--and it's always the same.
We can hear the click of her door handle as she's coming out of her room, followed by the sound of her footsteps above us. Usually she goes to the balcony railing and then shouts to us, but sometimes just stands there (and startles on of us to death, especially if we're in our bedroom and come out to the landing to see her standing there!)
I had roasted a pumpkin and Eric and I tried a new recipe Carolyn sent us for pumpkin swirl brownies--i like to test my recipes before I make them for something like Thanksgiving, etc. so they were on the counter cooling.
From our bedroom, as Eric went to meet her for the "I don't know how many-th" time...I heard "I smell cookies, daddy!" I snickered outloud at both her sentiment and knowing Eric had to be ready to burst. He very calmly said "yes, you do honey, mommy made those for us to have tomorrow" and went about his business.
When he came back into our room, he said "did you hear that?" like I could miss it. Unbelievable. In the midst of ANY situation, she is able to take us out of the strain of the moment and make us both laugh, all the time. We are so lucky.
One of the most fun times at mom and dads is the annual leaf raking. I say annual, even though they have a LOT of leaves, mom tries to wait till they all fall off and get them all at once. If we're lucky, we get a moderately warm, dry day or few days to get out and play in them and enjoy them. They have a lot of maples, so big fluffy leaves are all the rage.
At the new house, being relatively new, the trees we have are either ornamental, or small, or both--resulting in not many leaves for us. Good news for Eric=no raking, bad news for Amara=no playing.
This year we had some nice early November weather, and Beanie and memaw and Grandpa (as he's now called) got to get out and enjoy. She had her jeans and 'work coat' on just like they did--so she could play without boundaries, and no worries of getting dirty!
She is SO much the helper--whether it's taking the rake herself (the BIG one) or directing where to build piles, she is in the thick of it. Just as she thought her fun was over, though, she realized a new level to her fun--the wheelbarrow!
Grandpa 'got' to load up the wagon and then put Beanie on top for an extra-special, fluffy ride on the rocks! She LOVED it, mom said...and the sweetest part was the next day, I guess she followed dad out to the barn and asked "you wanna play in the leaves with me?" Priceless. How could anyone resist that?
I'm pretty sure this won't be the last wheelbarrow ride, or possibly even leaf ride for the year--better get those tires pumped up and ready Grandpa! Thanks for the rides!
After her nap, we got all bundled up and headed out to Charlotte's party. Amara was excited because she knew she'd get to put on her cherished dinosaur costume again (though, I was worried that she would expect to go trick-or-treating and would be disappointed), and we wanted to see how our cupcakes would fair.
Charlotte's newly remodeled basement was awesome! It had been a barber shop actually at one point, many, many years ago, and has been occupied for the last 12 or so years by our friend, Willie--recently moved and married, so Charlotte was eager to spruce it up!
Aunt Charlotte told us she was going to be having a Halloween party/ open house to show off her newly remodeled basement soon. When we got the invitation, she asked if we could make cupcakes (clearly, she knows me) and we were happy to help!
I wanted to try something different, more unusual than just your typical cupcake, so I searched for design ideas and came up with a really cute mummy and a dracula one. 
About that time, Amara got up. She is so happy and funny when she gest up--I knew she'd want to be involved. She hopped right up on the counter next to me and asked to help. I mixed a little more myself and then let her help me hold the hand mixer.
She was asleep by the time they were all done and ready for decorating, so Eric got to hele me with that part. I did the undercoating of chocolate and attached and decorated the eyes, while he piped all the mummy wrapping. I have to say, I think they turned out pretty cute myself!! (We opted against the draculas because these were just so cute and easy, but maybe next year)