Halloween on Parade

The boys had a parade at preschool today before their Halloween parties. Aidan had a blast!






I had to hide so Brennan wouldn't see me. Thank goodness the cameras have screens now instead of having to use the viewfinder! I could just hold it out, while I stayed behind the sign!!




The teachers said that the baby class was walking all nicely in a line until they got to the parking lot, where they just scattered! Luckily, no one was driving around, and there were plenty of adults around to take them by the hand.

Brennan is the elephant, by the way!

Marian had early release today, so she made herself right at home during Brennan's party. She really had fun playing with the babies.

A Zoo Boo Birthday

Marian's birthday party was at the Zoo. I made up a scavenger hunt for the kids to fill out as they went around to see the animals. And the zoo was having it's Zoo Boo celebration, so there were trick-or-treat booths set up randomly inside the zoo, a pumpkin patch, and lots of zookeepers giving talks. It was a little crazy, but we managed to pull it off with only a few hiccups, and I think everyone had a good time!

Marian's Princess Leia wig didn't last long! We'll have to do her hair in buns on Halloween.

Aidan loves his Boba Fett costume. Yes, it's another 'Star Wars' year.

Happy Birthday to Marian

Marian is now 9! I can't believe that many years have passed!

We had to celebrate a day early, because her actual birthday was crazy busy with piano lessons and cooking class, never mind school taking up most of the day. But she didn't mind getting her presents early! We got her a new bike, but I'm noticing we don't have a picture of her on it--we'll have to get one!

She made up her own party game: pin the horn on the unicorn!

(Aidan lost his shirt somewhere along the way.)

Daddy stuck his on her hand!

Marian's turn!

A new word for a new friend

Brennan has discovered a little squirrel statue that's at our front door. He was terrified of it last week, but now has to stop and talk to it every time we go in or out of the front door. He came pretty close to saying the word once, but most of the time it sounds more like "circle" or "soy".

Clean Up Crew

Our hurricane debris finally got picked up last week. Yipee! Aidan was fascinated by the bobcat (I don't really know what the machine is called, but Aidan told me it was not a 'baby bulldozer' like I was trying to get away with).

We were sweeping the driveway yesterday, when Aidan decided to carry it a step further and sweep the whole street.

Brennan was trying to figure out how he could do it, too.

He decided to walk around with his backpack instead.

What's Cookin'?

Marian loves her cooking classes!

They are doing a special "Spooky Class" over the next few weeks.

Last night they made cookie dragons and meringue bones.

Two-Wheelin'

With such nice temperatures during the week after the storm, and time on our hands (no work, no school, no damage to fix), we got Marian to learn to ride her bike!

Day 1, she wasn't too sure about it, but she was keeping her balance a lot better than she had a few months ago, when last we tried. Day 2, she was doing good and she went by herself a short ways a few times. Day 3, she took off on her own almost immediately, and got herself started without any help after that! Yay!