Halloween!

Our very adorable snowy owl and very happy crane with wrecking ball had a super fun Halloween! The weather wasn't great but we went to see a few neighbors, now I'd like another excuse for them to wear these costumes ASAP. Thanks to Mimi and Papa for their costume-making talent.

Last-minute crane fix with Snowy Owl.

I love the Owl's pose in the background.

Snowy Owl <3 p="p">

Happy Crane!

They look the same, but...

Me: We are all going to New York City tomorrow and we're going to see lots of friends! And we will go to parks and see the High Line.
Tess: (gasp) The High Line?! GREAT!!!!
Finn: I'm going to stay home and play trucks.

serious princess

This might be my new favorite picture, despite her quasi-sullen expression. Thanks to my friend Jennifer (mom of the little girl with the princess birthday party) for forwarding this one along.

Requisite fall photos

Leftovers

[This morning, 6:50 a.m.]

Me: What would you like for breakfast?
Tess: Oh, probably brussel sprouts.
Me: Ummm ... ok. Anything else?
Tess: No, just those.

As it turns out, we were all out of brussel sprouts so she had to settle for hot oats once again.

Brrr

Finn's 4s and 5s had a soccer game at 8:30 am. It's 26 brisk degrees out here! Good times.

Someone else's party

Last weekend the kids were invited to a birthday party of one of Finn's classmates. The theme was "princesses and pirates" and it was amazing. Also amazing was the fact that Tess borrowed this dress from the "Royal Closet," then disposed of it willingly into the "Royal Laundry" and hasn't mentioned it again since. Perhaps she's immune to princesses? Although I might take princesses over more trucks.

This photo speaks volumes about who was more excited.

In Finn's defense, he just wanted to get to the bouncy house in the backyard.

This was so adorable. Tess thought this girl (who was a friend of the birthday girl's older sister) was a real princess, and she followed her around for like an hour. And the girl was SO sweet!

Favorite.

Dinner Serenade

She takes her craft very seriously.

This was after dinner - she jumped out of her chair to sing us a song!

Toddler two's Tessie

She was more than ready to start the toddler program at Montessori today but wow! Tess is in school! As I sit here in the car waiting to pick her up it's feeling a little surreal. She gave me a hug on her way in the door and didn't look back.

Running to the front door!

Outside the classroom, she found a photo of herself at orientation.

Before leaving home, mini boden catalog in hand.

(sorry these are a little out of sequence.)

Finn wanted his photo taken too, until he didn't...

Handsome Boy

Soccer

Finn is doing the 4/5 yr olds' soccer this fall at the Y. Hopefully he will get a little more enthusiastic as the season rolls on, because I selfishly really enjoy watching little kids play soccer. Although maybe not at 8:15 on a drizzly Saturday morning.

Breakfast

Me: What would you like to eat?
Tess: Something that's great.
Me: Could you be more specific?
Tess: OATS! (arms up in victory stance, running out of the kitchen.)

She makes Mondays that much more palatable!

PreK2

Look out, world!!

Happy Birthday Granddad

Our post is one day late but we wanted to show you some photos of the fun time we had at Granddad and Granny's house last month. Hmm. Maybe some more blog posts are in order ... working really gets in the way of my social media ...

Anyway, we hope you had a terrific birthday! Tess was still laughing about the "cub in the tree story" an hour later. We love you.

Overhead in the car

Dear Jesus, please have matchbox start making toy asphalt reclaimers and pavers. Either wheels or tracks is ok. Amen. Oh. I forgot. Now. 'Cause we're on our way to Target. Amen.

Late Summer

We love this time of year. It's so mellow, the mornings are cool, and there's the anticipation of school for both of them this year as Tess is starting the toddler program in a few weeks. We also need to buy some mums.

Me: ugh, we have to get some new flowers this weekend.
Tess: I know, those purple flowers are gross.

Papa's birthday at the Fair

We spent Saturday morning at the Spencer Picnic and parade. When Papa was growing up he went to this annual event with his family so we thought it would be fun to spend his birthday there. We had a great time! The kids got way more than their full of candy and Tess ride the world's scariest roundabout!

Happy birthday Papa!

Teamwork

Since vacation ended, the kids have been getting along quite well, which almost makes up for the fact that Tess has only slept through the night twice...

This morning she spilled a cup of water on the floor, after which she uttered a halfhearted "sorry I didn't mean to," and then Finn ran to the rescue with a dishcloth and a sigh, Tess, why do you always make so much work for me?!" hmm, can't imagine where he has heard ithat before!

Great Wolf Birthday

We are almost home from our 2012 road trip and today is Finn's 4TH birthday!!

Last night we stopped in Sandusky, Ohio at the Great Wolf Lodge. We hadn't been to one but basically what you get with the room is admission to an indoor water park, which was just the ticket after a long day in the car.

Poor Finn appears to have some sort of sinus infection that we hope to have resolved at a doctors appointment this afternoon (then hopefully to the pool.)

Happy Birthday Finn! You're our favorite boy in the whole wide world.

South Bend

With 600 miles to go, Tess struggles to get comfortable ...

Prairie girl

Here we are in central Nebraska! More photos coming soon...

Pilgrimage

We visited the John Deere pavilion in Moline yesterday after driving all night. Suffice to say it was a big hit. Now 100 miles from Omaha!

No comment needed

Rumplestiltskin

Finn was in a very owly mood yesterday but wouldn't take a nap, so we went to the movies and halfway through Ice Age 4, he zonked out. He practically slept standing up on the walk to the car ... And he slept until 6 am!! He was complaining about his legs hurting this morning so we suspect he grew a half inch overnight.

(I should add that this was at 3:30 p.m.)

World = Rocked

Papa and Daddy took Finn to the Chemung County Old Timers equipment show this morning and he hasn't stopped talking about it. Of particular interest was the old-fashioned rock crusher and the puppy riding on the tractor.

I have to say, I just love this picture. (Photo credit: Papa).

How Helpful!

This is "Tess's how-to guide for using the potty" by Finn. He taped it next to the toilet yesterday.

Girl with Frog

His name is Hoppy. Isn't he cute?

Our day at Knoebels

We went down to PA's family friendly amusement park for the day. The kids loved it. The are currently passed out as Aunt Heather drives us home. Ah summer!!

crumbs

Finn (upon seeing something unsatisfactory): Oh, crap.

Me: You know what I like to say? "Oh, crumbs" or "Oh, fiddlesticks."

Finn: Well, I like to say, "Oh, crap."