Reunion

How on earth did fifteen YEARS go by?  We. Are. Old.

Carrie broke out her class ring for the occasion.  SO fancy.

Who knew when we signed up to be class officers a million years ago, we were signing up to plan (and pay for) reunions forever?  :o) 

Playing hooky!

We played hooky today and hit the Children's Museum with the Massaros! 

E's new favorite thing to do in photos (and in life) is to stick out her tongue.  It's [not] adorable.

She was finally feeling brave enough to go into the "big climby thing!"

The Dads work a few blocks away so we loaded the kids up (who needs a double stroller?  We don't need no stinking seat belts!) and took a super chilly walk through downtown Boston to visit.  

Ice Skating

We took E ice skating for the first time this weekend and it was HYSTERICAL.  She was like a baby deer out there -- she could NOT keep her legs under her.  My cheeks hurt from smiling and laughing.  She kept wiping out but had this giant goofy smile the whole time and she asked if we could go ice skating EVERY DAY.

Excited much?

Once we switched her to hockey skates (the figure skates they had to rent were 2 sizes too big), and convinced her that she was going to have to fall down if she wanted to skate, she let go of Jas and actually skate-marched.

Recently

Another week of fun and adventures here.  Life is good.

Bedtime routine sometimes includes some time emptying out the dress-up bin. I used this wig in ... 1989? when I was Snow White for Halloween.

She loves her babies.

"Awwwwww"

Yes, I let her dress herself and yes, I let her go to school in outfits like this.  She is her own person and she likes contrasting patterns.

E made her own leaf pile to jump in.

Teething is hard work.

This was fun until she tried to climb out of the cabinet.  It didn't go well.

Training for her "mara-fon" just like Ant Lindsay.  She hooked up my iShuffle and ran about 30 laps around the kitchen island.

Sleepy weekend hike

I love it when she gets going on telling nonsensical stories.

You'll notice the HUGE puddle on the floor?  Also, her jammies and slippies are soaked through.  Trouble maker!

New outfit from Nana!

There are so many things I love about this photo ... Talie's butt crack, Elliott hiding in the laundry basket, Talie's crazy hair ... I love it all.

We got a hand-me-down soccer uniform and she LOVES it. I just hope it still fits next fall!

Marble Girl

We've been trying a new positive reinforcement strategy with Elliott by giving her a marble when she is cooperative or helpful. She filled a whole jar and we got to go get ice cream!  Now she's working on filling it again so we can go use the gift card we have to Build a Bear.  She's already making plans to fill it a THIRD time so she can go to the movies with Dee Dee.

A few recent Elliott-isms (there are thousands more -- this kid is FUNNY):

• We caught the mouse that has been living in our attic and she suggested that we bring it to a neighbor's house that has a cat because cats like to eat mice ... Apparently she understands the circle of life ... 
• She has decided that when she grows up, she no longer wants to be a construction worker who drives diggers or to teach basketball to grownups.  She wants to be a baby doctor and help mommies get babies out of their bellies.  She then asked me how you close up a mommy's belly once the baby is out.  My response? "Look!  A squirrel!"
• We have a deck of conversation starting cards that we read at dinner sometimes and her question was: "Would you rather see american football or European?"
  Elliott: "American. Where there are no cats."
• Another gem: "What's the funniest thing you've ever seen at lunch?"
  Without missing a beat: "a goat jumping over the moon."
• She saw a magazine cover at the grocery store of a scantily clad Miley Cyrus and laughed, "Daddy!  That girl is wearing glitter for clothes!"
• "Mom!  This kitchen is a MESS!  You must have had a LOT of fun today."

Birthday Girl!!

How did a whole year go by so fast?  In the last week, Talie has had her first tooth pop through, she started to walk, then she started to run, and most importantly she's sleeping through the night!  It's been a big week.  Talie is an absolute joy.  She loves her big sister, pinches her dog, and dives for her dad every time he walks in the room.  I could go on.  She's great.

Scout was VERY interested in the cupcake ...

Talie, however, was not a big fan of frosting.

Whatchyu talkin' about, Pappy?

Recently

All was calm .. Talie was chewing on my sneaker laces, Scout was digging a hole in the backyard and Elliott ... was painting herself.  I sat down with a second cup of coffee and enjoyed the quiet.

Swimming lessons are FUN!

Tiny ballerinas with boundless energy quieted down for storytime.  As per usual, E was biting her fingernails.

Jas read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to E and then they rented the movie for movie night.  This is her reaction to Veruca Salt.  NOT impressed with her beasty behavior.

Sharing Stanley is super special. They look a lot alike here, don't they?

Dinner was done, the kitchen was clean, the girls were playing TOGETHER, NICELY, and I was looking through some Christmas catalogs. Bliss.

Here, entertain yourself this these tissues.  I need to brush my teeth.

Umm ... 

Our bedtime routine lasts more than an hour because E has discovered my shoes.

I went to make bread and I found potatoes in the flour bag.  She rearranged everything and then discovered a box of Cheerios.  She was a VERY happy camper.

Friendsgiving

The 12th Annual Friendsgiving was overtaken by children. We are officially outnumbered.  I managed to get 23 of the 25 children in the group photo -- pretty impressive they all cooperated!  Then again, we said: "OK, everyone smile for a picture on the couch and then you can have dessert!"

Julia rocking her fancy party outfit.

Talie, my little vacuum, loved her first turkey dinner.