Zoo-per good times

Another girl had a birthday in our house this month (turning more than four), and she decided to spend it at the zoo with her darling children. David left work early and joined us for a surprise. It was a terrific day--gorgeous weather, no crowds at all, and ample cooperation and good-nature from said darling children--really, a gift!

We reprised our giraffe impersonations and inaugurated Nathan into this tradition. (He was there last time, but he had no room to stretch his neck out!)


We got up close and personal with some enormous bison, we watched bears swim, and we did some serious climbing at the playground. And then we rode the carousel. Rachel chose to ride a flamingo (There I go, stating the obvious again!), and Nathan opted/was guided to the adjacent frog. (He's begun to speak in sentences, which is wildly cool. We are enjoying his new communication skills and the opportunity to watch them develop. However, his ability to express his own opinions is likely to complicate things a bit, once his opinions are something other than "whatever gets me closest to my beloved hero Rachel!")


It was a really good birthday. Thanks, zoo--and family!

Four

We had a pretty special day a couple of weeks ago (not sure why this is sideways--sorry!)...

Rachel had a party with several of her friends. We celebrated with a pinata, fun games, and cake, of course!


And one of her favorite presents was a set of super-cozy pj's. (Thanks, Uncle Tim and Aunt Jen!)


She tells us frequently about things that 4-year-olds do that 3-year-olds didn't. Today, for example, she called quietly for me, then told me that 4-year-olds don't yell for their parents. (Here's hoping that one sticks for more than today!) And yesterday I heard that she's big enough now to go upstairs without telling me. (Except that she prefers that I come along to scare off any wolves or sharks we may encounter. This girl has a vivid imagination!) It's hard to believe that our sweet baby girl is four, but we can't imagine life without her, just as she is!

More Halloween fun

Oh, and did you hear who was named Homecoming King and Queen?

Just kidding--we went to a Halloween party of our own a few weeks ago! It was fun to get dressed up, and David even gave me a corsage!

Happy Halloween!

We've had another successful (meaning: fun) Halloween! Rachel and Nathan got to carry lighted jack-o-lanterns in a procession at church this morning (always plenty of room for excitement when you give a toddler a lit candle), and then this afternoon, we went trick-or-treating! Rachel went as a darling "flower fairy" and pulled it off quite well...


and Nathan went as an ear of corn...


He was adorable (really, could he be anything but?) and drew a lot of appreciative (and appreciated, by Mama especially!) comments as we toddled up and down blocks. He started the day with no real comprehension of Halloween, but he figured out his role pretty quickly--anything his beloved Ray-to (Her name has gotten a second syllable; Shel is no more, alas!) enjoys, he is determined to do likewise.

He has also figured out the concept of ownership and was very reluctant to let us carry a single piece of his increasingly heavy load. Rachel was a real sweetheart--she looked out for Nathan at each house as they climbed stairs and held their own in crowds of much bigger kids. Together, they brought home a very respectable haul, which they were so eager to count that dinner had to wait a bit.

Here's hoping your Halloween was similarly fun, safe, and sweet! Happy haunting!

Shades

And, just because I think too-big sunglasses on little faces are so funny and cute, I present to you...

Galosh, galosh!

It rained this morning! A lot! Enough to make some really good puddles. So guess what we did after school today? We put those galoshes to good use, and it was a blast! First we started with the not-exactly-a-puddle-more-like-just-a-wet-spot on our patio.

We shuffled through fallen leaves.

Then we found some more impressive puddles in the alley and did some serious splashing.

We love fall!

To the rescue!

By grace of having friends with bigger feet, both Rachel and Nathan have recently received galoshes. Though it has not rained since we came into this windfall, we are already enjoying the galoshes thoroughly. This morning, while still wearing their pj's, both Rachel and Nathan had their galoshes on and were busy tromping around the upstairs fighting fires. (They also wore sweaters and jackets for their fire coats.) David and I were assigned to be "fire helpers"--mainly, I suspect, because we weren't wearing boots. Once they were dressed, the boots went right back on for continued heroics, and when we came downstairs, the "real" fire helmets went on immediately. It is great fun to watch them pretend together--and as an extra bonus, I feel very safe with such great rescue personnel on the scene!