Lights

Another busy week in the books here. We returned from our trip to New York and jumped right back into school. The week went swimmingly and was capped on Thursday by our first snow fall and our first delayed opening of school of the year. Lily and Jack had a great time playing in the snow but it was short lived and most of it is already gone.

On Friday night - in the cool temps - we visited a local park & garden that had a light set up. The kids walked through and checked out all the holiday lights and had a good time. We returned home for pizza and movie night - Charlotte's Web. The movie was a big hit, except when [spoiler alert] the spider died at the end. Needless to say, Lily was not too happy.

On Saturday, Lily and Jack spent some quality time with Aunt Kelly while Marcy and I did some shopping and purchased a new family mobile - we replaced Marcy's 2004 Honda Pilot with a 2011 model. Lily also got a fancy new haircut.

Sunday was Lily's last swim lesson session and then we spent the afternoon at Grandma Gail and Grandpa Tom's where everyone took a turn at making holiday cookies.

That is all for now - no posts until the new year so happy holidays to all faithful reader(s).


Checking out the lights.


Making cookies.


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...


Cleaning up.


Dressed for the season.

Luminous Times

The winter frost has set in but things are busy here. Lily and Jack had a great week at school. Jack keeps learning more and more and he is really becoming a little person. A little person that doesn't use the toilet, but a little person nonetheless. Lily is reading a writing machine. She works really hard to sound out words and is always writing notes. When the reading finally clicks for her, she is going to be a voracious reader. The numbers are really coming along as well.

Jack went to the doctor on Wednesday for his three year checkup. All went well and he is in perfect health. Jack weighed in at the 45th percentile in weight (31 lbs) and 65th percentile in height (38 inches).

We spent this past weekend in New York. The kids were great in the car and we had a relatively easy drive up to New York. Getting into the city through the Lincoln Tunnel was a disaster but next time we will be going by train. After a nice Friday night dinner with cousins Emilie and Stephanie we crashed for the night so we could have an early start on Saturday. The weaher was perfect and we hit Rockefeller Center, The Top of the Rock (the siteseeing platform on the top of Rockefeller Center), Central Park, the M&M store and then, after a nap, Union Square.

On Sunday, Lily, Marcy, Emilie and Stephanie headed off to the American Girl Store for breakfast with Lily's doll Julie. Jack and I had a nice breakfast at the hotel and then went to the Toys R Us in Times Square and rode the giant Ferris Wheel. After that we headed to the new Disney Store and Jack picked out a couple of Toy Story toys - one of which his sister has co-opted.

Anyway, that is all for now. See you next week.


In Times Square.


Checking out the view from the hotel room.


The Empire State Building.


Having fun at the top of Rockefeller Center.


In Central Park.


On the subway.


On the Ferris Wheel,


With Julie at breakfast.


With Emilie and Stephanie.

Birth Ritual

Happy 3rd Birthday Jack (tomorrow)! He is so excited and had a great birthday party yesterday with Mom, Dad, Aunt Kelly, Grandma Gail, Grandpa Tom, and Grandpa Maurice - he got some dress up clothes, camera, dj mixing table, computer, and magnifying glass/binonculars. He is very excited about bringing cupcakes to his classroom tomorrow to celebrate!

We have also been in the midst of our Hanukah celebration - the kids have been lighting the candles on their menorahs and have been opening a gift each night courtesy of Aunt Donna and Uncle Stephen. The kids also got great Hanukah presents from Grandma Phyllis and Grandpa Maurice - a Nintendo DS for Lily which she loves and a toy boat for Jack.

Enjoy the pics!


Lily built a boat.


Opening presents.


Cupcakes.


Singing.


Arggh.


DJ Jack Attack

My Thanksgiving

A busy Thanksgiving week is behind us and we are rocketing into the holiday season. Hanukkah on Wednesday, Jack's birthday next week and Christmas and New Year's right around the corner.

Thanksgiving was a smashing success with family visits from Casey, Tracy and Stan and cousins Emilie and Stephanie. We spent the morning at a Turkey Trot that Marcy, Kelly and Tracy ran and the kids ran a short Turkey Trot. The afternoon was filled with some quality time with family over turkey. Friday was decorating Grandma Gail and Grandpa Tom's Christmas tree with Casey, Tracy and Stan and Cousin Emilie. The tree decorating was interrupted by a visit from Santa who brought some early presents for the kids - books and new stuffed animals.

Saturday was more tree decorating at our house. Lily and I spent the afternoon visiting with Grandma Phyllis and Grandpa Maurice. Sunday was a catch up day as Marcy and the kids went to an indoor water park and played around the house. Aunt Kelly arrived to move in for a little bit while she gets resettled in the area and starts her new job.

On to the pictures ...


A portrait.


Jack and Steph.


Marcy. Jack and Case running.


Lily running.


Jack chowing down on a corn dog.


Lily and Casey in discussions


Jack decorating the tree.


Santa.


Dancing..

The Street Parade

Lily had her first homework assignment - making a turkey out of materials we already had in our house. She worked very hard on her turkey and had show-n-tell on Friday where she explained the items she used in her creation. Jack had a really good week at school, he has been coming home singing all of the songs he learns in music class.

On Saturday, we had breakfast and went to the local Thanksgiving Day parade with friends Maddie, Claire, Eliza, Beatrice, and Charlotte - the kids were mesmerized by the dancers, floats, and Santa - and loved all the candy that was thrown. Later that day, Aunt Kelly arrived (officially) into town w/ her truck full of belongings and Grandma Gail and Grandpa Tom joined us for unpacking and dinner. The rest of the weekend was spent enjoying the beautiful weather outside - which included a scooter/bike ride.

Happy Thanksgiving!

P.S. - Happy Birthday wishes to Daisy who turned 1 (7 in dog years) today.


Working on the turkey.


Horsing around.


More work on the turkey.


The final product.


Checking out the parade. Jack has his Thanksgiving crown on.