Shoot

I wanted to take the kids out for an end-of-the-year photo shoot today. It was going well until we actually started taking pictures and suddenly the kids wouldn't sit still long enough to stay in frame and Harper decided she was starving to death and then Will walked through an ant hill which resulted in about two dozen or so ant bites and brought the whole thing to a screeching halt. 

We will definitely have to reschedule for a less eventful day. If there is such a thing. 

Tête-à-Tête

Maybe six weeks ago Harper and Will had their first real conversation. It was quite a touching milestone. 

I was so busy I never had a chance to write it down for posterity but pretty much every conversation since then has followed the same general outline. Here’s how it usually goes:

Harper (screeching like a Banshee on fire): “Aaaahhhhhhhhhh! Will is in my room! Get him out! Get him out!”

Will (shaking his head): “No, no, no.”

Me (washing dishes in the kitchen): “Harper, play nicely with your brother.” 

Harper: ”Aaahhhhh! No baby! No!”

Will (talking to himself as he picks up a fire engine): “No, no, no, no, no.”

Harper: “Now he has my toy! Out, baby! OUT!”

Will (pointing to the door): “Ow! Ow!”

Me: “Harper, chill it!”

Harper: “Go out! GOOO OOOOUT!”

Will (standing up and leaving with the fire engine): “Go! Go! Go! Go! Go!”

Heartwarming. 

Spa Package

Will opted for both the organic spaghetti dinner and accompanying post-dinner full-body detoxifying organic spaghetti spa treatment this evening. We were just happy to oblige him.

Said Brad after the pasta had had time to fully cure: "I don't know why you think he needs a bath."

This is a prime example of exactly why I make the final decisions regarding child-related hygiene around here.

Halloween 2014

I'll make a confession: I'm typically not a big Halloween person. In theory, I like the holiday fine, but its application is typically too laborious for me to fully embrace. This year, however, was a delightful change. Harper decided on her costume early and, in a surprising turn of events, stuck to it, so all I had to do was figure out how to do costumes. I love to carve a Jack O' Lantern and toast pumpkin seeds but found myself running too short on time Halloween day so I just went with the flow and decided to forgo them this year, which made for a much more relaxing evening. 

Just before getting dressed Harper asked, "How about we go Trick-or-Treating in the morning so we can have all day for candy?" Although a 24 hour all-candy orgy sounded (and still sounds) intriguing, we opted to stick with our plans and meet up with friends for Trick-or-Treating around the neighborhood instead.  

Snake Ballerina!

Our adorable little mouse.

The Snake Ballerina slithers stealthily to "hug up" the mouse. 

Sparkle Cat joined us for the festivities.

I don't know how anyone get a good photo of three kids at the same time.

Mom... let's GOOOO already!

BFF's. Ready to conquer the neighborhood! 

Brad decided to stay home and pass out candy while Scott, Narelle and I supervised the kids on their candy sojourn, interrupting our conversation with the occasional, "Did you remember to say 'Thank You'?". Will lasted exactly one house before retiring to the stroller for the night while Harper and Zoe acquired enough confectionary loot to cover the entire surface of the sun. It was an enjoyable evening for all.

P.S. This morning I let Harper pick out a piece of candy after breakfast (I know, I'm a terrible parent). After trying her first Whopper she asked hopefully, "Can I have a bowl of those?"

Birthday Reunion

Brad's parents try to come out to Florida every year for a visit. This year, not only were Brad's brother and niece able to come along as well, but their visit serendipitously coincided with Harper's birthday. We had a great time catching up and Harper especially enjoyed getting to know her cousin Zoe (whom she hadn't seen in three and a half years).  

Nana bought her granddaughters matching western shirts for a little photo shoot.  

Will was not in the mood to sit still for pictures.

Cousins.

Beautiful Zoe.

Getting the three of them to pose simultaneously was a

Herculean task that ultimately proved fruitless.

Uncle Ed played photographer (oh, how I envy that camera!).

Our kids adore their uncle!

Will was only content to stay put after being distracted with building materials. 

He's the only one of us who took a good picture all day.

I mean, come on already! Who's the most photogenic kid ever?

Ed and Zoe took a few nice pictures, too.

I think this one is too sweet!

By the time Nana and Pa sat down for a picture with the grandkids

everyone was ready to be finished with the whole thing.

Brad snuck into the last frame.

Thank you, Bookers, for flying all the way across the country to spend the week with us. We can hardly wait for next year!

Four Years

I kissed my three-year-old goodnight for the last time last night and this morning happily embraced my big FOUR-year-old! I'm feeling very nostalgic this morning and having a great time granting birthday wishes. On the menu for today: Birthday Oatmeal covered in candy stars and flowers followed by a trip to CVS to buy a rubber iguana with her birthday money from Grandma and Grandpa. And there will be pink birthday roses. 

Happy birthday, my sweet Harper! We love every inch of your exuberant, inquisitive, creative, verbose little self! 

Fall Fest 2014

It's that time of year again! Once a year we meet our friends for the Fall Festival at HorsePower 4 Kids and enjoy the day catching up. 

Unfortunately, the Lin-Blackburns were not able to make it this year. On the positive side, we hadn't seen the Maroudis family in nearly six months, so it was great to see how much the kids had grown (and grown, and GROWN! Ethan is a full head taller than Harper these days!). And the Drwiega's were able to make it, which was great because Harper was dying to spend some time with them. Of course, the kids always enjoy running around together. 

Yesterday was a beautiful, bright, sunny day, so my camera was unable to take any good photos. Oh well. I did get these, so we'll have something to remember.

Ava and Harper- together at last.

Exhausted.

Oh, how I wish my camera were able to focus in normal light!

Our little pumpkins.

Brad especially enjoyed the hay ride.

Zoe was in perfect form.

Besties.

Our Gang.

Enjoy this Fall weather while it lasts!