Oldies but Goodies

These pictures are a little old, but Elle looks so sassy and happy I had to post them.  They're from Third Friday a month ago.  It was her first cotton candy, and she definitely approved.

Music Box

Ellie, listening to the music box her godfather gave her when she was born.

We Clean Up Good

The other day two different people commented that I looked "different."  The big difference?  I'd managed to take a shower that morning.  So, in that spirit, here's a shot of me and Bri at Dave and Jen's super fun wedding this weekend.  We danced and danced and danced some more, and at some point my heels came off and I'm lucky I could get them back on at the end of the night.

Not Ready for This

When did Ellie turn into Miley Cyrus?

Basement Selfie

Birthday Party Madness

Birthday Party!  Birthday Party!  Yesterday we had a bunch of neighborhood kids over to celebrate Ellie's birthday.  Brian piled up all the fallen leaves in the center of the backyard and BINGO, hours of entertainment.  We also stole Mary's idea from Jack and Bob's party and decorated mini pumpkins.  Glitter everywhere!

Ellie and Gabe "pre-partying" with Pirates Booty.  Elle was planning to be a flying pink ballerina but changed to a bumblebee flower at the last minute.  Gabe is, of course, the Greatest American Hero.  Cue theme music.

Anybody want a twizzler?

Uncle Mike and Todd, probably discussing a football trade.

Mike Wozowksi and the Greatest American Hero.  They're starting a spin-off.

Ava throwing herself in to the leaves

Gabby and bubbles

The birthday girl apparently thinks bubbles taste good

Greatest American Hero morphing into a Bumblebee

So happy!

Wheeeeee!

Leaves are the best

Pumpkin Decorating

Licking the frosting off her princess decoration

Happy Birthday, Ellie Darling.  This morning she woke up and said, "I don't feel four."  Trust me, kid.  I don't believe it either.

Cake!

Today is Ellie's 4th birthday!  So of course there was cake.

Self-Portrait

Wednesday was "Back to School" morning at Ellie's school, which is ironic because they're pre-kindergartners and have never been to school before, so can't really go BACK, but I guess I'm splitting hairs and shouldn't expect such specificity from, you know, a school.  Anyhow, we watched the kids go through their morning routine, get assigned their daily jobs, and sing about the weather.  Then we ate cake and the kids showed us around their classroom. On one wall was a series of self-portraits the kids did.  Here's Ellie's:

As Brian said, "What the hell is coming out her ears?"  (I think they're arms?)  But I'm impressed with the teeth and eyelashes.  Very Picasso.

Scarecrow Season

Our town does this great thing where they provide the materials, cider, and donuts for a scarecrow making extravaganza in the park.  All you have to do is bring your own clothes and prepare to fight your neighbors to the death over straw.  Seriously, it's surprisingly stressful.  The moments before they start handing out straw feels like Bryant Park right before they open the lawn for movie night.  Everyone's standing at the edge of the basketball court ready to POUNCE.  It's hysterical.  But also pretty darn cool.  Next time I'll just take a valium first.

Just like Scully and Mulder

Gabe is obsessed with flashlights lately.  So I bought them their own little LED lights so Brian can stop stressing that the kids are going to drain our flashlight batteries and then there'll be a blackout and we won't be prepared and APOCALYPSE!  So right now the kids are exploring the basement with their flashlights looking for monsters and all I can think is "Someone turn on the darn lights!"  

Shootin' Hoops

Actually, there were no hoops involved.  But still...

Fairies!

Available:  One fairy house, interior dimensions unknown/infinite, desirable downtown location. Serious inquiries only.

In honor of Ellie's upcoming birthday, we thought we'd invite some fairies to live on our porch.  So we painted a dollhouse door and then gave it a little antique glazing, since everyone knows fairies don't like new construction. (They have impeccable taste.) Ellie decorated with flowers to make the fairies feel welcome. She also says they'll know the door is there because they'll smell it.  Very practical.  Now we just wait to see who moves in!

Come Sail Away

See, kids, the thing is, sometimes mom and dad leave you at home and go do REALLY FUN things without you.  I know that's hard to believe.  How could we ever enjoy ourselves without our precious angels?  And you're right.  It's hard, but sometimes we try. Like on last weekend's little sailing trip.

See this? Yummy snacks and drinks aboard a 43' sailboat?  No fun at all.

Nope, none of us were enjoying ourselves.

Especially not Kiowa.

In all seriousness, a HUGE THANK YOU to Christie and Kiowa for inviting us on their sailing trip.  It was awesome.  And we tried really hard not to talk about our kids the whole time.

Awwww

Just a happy shot of two of my favorite people.

Street Time

Brian and I didn't fully appreciate the fact that our house is on a dead-end street when we bought it. I mean, we knew it was, but we didn't get just how awesome it is.  In our house, "why don't you go play on the street" isn't a passive-aggressive parental threat, but actually a reasonable course of action.  Besides the obvious benefit of having more room for the kids to run around, plus teaching them the timeless skill of yelling CAR! at the top of their lungs whenever one pulls around the corner, being outside in front of our house has helped us connect with neighbors and really feel a sense of community.  I wouldn't trade it for the world. Plus, our block party is going to be awesome.

Sometimes we ride scooters and bikes, and sometimes Brian tries to play catch with Gabe.

And sometimes I realize I don't know where the kids are and they're all down at the end of the block shelling black beans for the neighbor we affectionately (and with good reason) call Farmer Joe.

Half Marathon Pics

See?!?   It DID happen!

And this is possibly the most unflattering picture of all time, but HOT DAMN, I was awfully happy to reach the finish line.

Scarf Time

Ellie was cold this morning so I threw the scarf I made last year around her neck.  She looked so darned cute I had to stage an impromptu photo shoot at the breakfast table.  She tolerates me.