Some days, the kids like to start off with a bubble bath
And delicious french toast - the trick is cinnamon and pure vanilla mixed with the egg batter.
On this particular day, Kestrel allowed me to create a hairdo! She usually wants nothing to do with it even though we think she looks so cute.
These types of days are typical and we spend our time hanging around the house. The kids get into a lot of mischief and I spend a bit of time cleaning up after them.We were really lucky this fall because Luke has had a bunch of time off and he has been able to spend time with Layton and teaching him new things....like BMXing. Yes, Layton LOVES to BMX race!! This is a series of shots at the track getting a feel for it. He is riding a 12 in. Toy Story bike Santa brought last year. I have to say, it is quite impressive to watch him come off the starting hill,
get geared up for the whoop-dee-doos,
and finish strong.
He has since been outfitted in race gear and a new 18 in. Redline micro-mini racer. More pictures to come as we practice more for a race debut!OK, so now for the pics related to the title of the post...
We had a wonderful Halloween this year but not too many pics. The busier we are, the less I remember to bring the camera. We were busy with a visit from Bapi and then quickly prepped for the big neighborhood Halloween block party.
This year, Layton was....
and he was really into everything Halloween.
Kestrel was a black cat and could really care less about it. She basically wore black. She tore her tail off (Luke pinned it to himself), refused face painting, and had no idea why every kid was so hyped up. She had a great time and next year may be a bit more ready to participate. Hopefully, she'll let me grab a picture :)We did carve pumpkins on Halloween night (we trick-or-treated on the 30th) and, overall, had a great Halloween!!!
This Thanksgiving, I drove the kids to Naples by myself to visit Nana, Grandpa, Emmy and Tea Beth. The car ride was long and not too horrible (though it had its moments), and TOTALLY worth it! The weather was terrific (the best it has ever been when I have visited) - it allowed us to go to the beach, swim every day and play outside. Unfortunately, I do not have too many photos of Thanksgiving, but a couple of Layton at the Naples Holiday Festival. We watched a local ballet school dance to the Nutcracker. I don't know about you, but watching 5 and 6 year-olds dance with the Sugar Plum Fairy makes me incredibly happy and puts me in the mood for the Christmas.
It "snowed" in downtown Naples for the event
and Layton got to tell Santa what he wanted for Christmas....ALL of the Legos in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD!!
We left Naples to find Chattanooga chilly compared to the shorts and T-shirt weather in southern Florida. After seeing Santa we were all in the mood to decorate for Christmas.
This year, Layton was really into decorating the Christmas House. This log cabin was built by my Grandfather umpteen (a word my family uses to mean many) years ago and doll furniture older than me fits into it perfectly. I put a new roof on it last year, but it is still pretty much the same as it was umpteen years ago...
Kestrel was fascinated by it too and wanted to help so badly. She tried....
but her brother took over when he saw her methods...
We finished up and "raised the festivus pole" for 2010!!!!! layton said his eyes were happy, but he was too tired to smile...Bahumbug...that's the spirit :)
and I added some more festivus with a decorated window...
And for those who don't get it (or don't know us well), we are also very traditional...
Get ready for the Holidays - they will come and go in the blink of an eye. Enjoy the season and try not to get too wrapped up in the commercialism of it all...FESTIVUS FOR THE REST OF US!!!!!!!!!!!!!
