Halloween 2012

Ava chose our theme this year and Griff vehemently agreed as the Fresh Beat Band is a common staple in our house. We have the CD and have many a dance party to their music, which I highly recommend. No, seriously, it's SO good! Ava's first concert was this year and we went with Kara and Katelin to the FBB concert and had a blast. So she decided that she could be Marina, mommy could be Kiki and Daddy and Griffin were Twist and Shout. Since homemade costumes are par for the course for us, it was right up my alley. Simple and fun. 

Neighborhood Fall Festival

I love our neighborhood. I love that we know and LOVE our neighbors. I love that we know the kids at the park because they go to Ava's school. I love having festivities such as the fall festival to gather and mingle with neighbors all in the name of community building. It's great. This year they had train rides, horse-drawn hayrides, bounce houses, face painting and more. We only stayed for a little bit and when we got back we closed off our cul-de-sac and had our annual street party. There are kids galore and our neighbors organized costume contests and pumpkin carving. It's a potluck and we all binge on junk, just for the night. The kids go crazy with sweets and it's just fun.

 

I Love You Through and Through

by Bernadette Rossetti-Shustak

A book that Griff and I read that reminds me of him. So I dedicate this post to Griffin who, as of yesterday, is two and a half years old.

I love you through and through

 

I love your top side,

 

I love your bottom side.

I love your inside

and outside.

I love your happy side,

 

your sad side,

 

 

your silly side,

 

 

your mad side.

 

 

I love your fingers,

 

 

and toes,

 

 

your ears

 

 

and nose.

 

 

I love your hair and eyes,

 

 

your giggles

 

 

and cries.

 

 

I love you running

 

 

and walking,

 

 

silent

 

 

 

and talking.

 

 

I love you through and through....

 

 

yesterday,

 

 

today,

 

 

And tomorrow too.

 

Happy half birthday to the sweetest, silliest, smartest, most handsome little boy I know. You are such a joy, Griffin, and we are so proud of you. No feat that you accomplish is too small, that we don't beam with pride at our little boy. You are so kind and loving, yet so spunky and silly. You have the ability to make others smile take notice when you walk into a room. You are my buddy and I love you so very much!

 

Some highlights and milestones at 2 1/2:

 

- day time potty trained, though not pooping in the potty--you tell us when you need a dipe to do that biz; wear diaper at night

 

- you are a hidden pictures MASTER, can find an object faster than I can

 

- talking complete sentences and almost paragraphs

 

- riding a bike with training wheels

 

- riding a 2-wheel scooter

 

- aside from your sister, your bff's are the 3rd grade girls on our street.

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Instagram Catchup

 I'm still loving Instagram, but needed to play catch up on here. These are pictures from the last 6 weeks or so.

Mommy and Ava ready for Ava's first day of school.

Griffin playing his "assigned" role of the big bad wolf in sis' production of Little Red Riding Hood.

Fro Yo treat to celebrate Ava's first day of school!

 

 Ava received the coveted "Purple Card" the first week of school.

 

 An example of Ava's lunch and just how much I adore the Planet Box lunchbox.

Griffin and I enjoying our one on one time together at the park one morning.

Impromptu sprinkler play

Ava's weekly homework is a poem and all sorts of word play associated with that poem. Poor teacher's daughter gets to have it on poster board.

Clifford was at Sissy's school!

Ava's art work while at the doctor waiting to get her last minute shots for school....oops!

I love that I get to enjoy lunch with Ava on Wednesdays at her school. She loves it also!

Griffin is a champion swimmer and loves his swim lessons with Mark and Ms. Jean.

Fast Cars and Fancy Shoes