Serious Haul!

Wow. Really. Wow. Thank goodness the Halloween Fairy comes to our house.

We had a wonderful time trick-or-treating this year, Simon was a wonderful boy, fun and polite. Mama got lots of compliments on Simon's costume. And the whole neighborhood was filled with happiness. What a great night!

What A Great Night

We found this mummy wandering the street.

We took pity on him and walked around with him while he asked strangers for candy.

And then we found another mummy! (Actually Simon's friend Vivienne.)

Pippi Party… the Strong-man

No Halloween costumes at school today, just a Pippi Longstockings Party. Here is Simon as the Strong-Man.

Halloween costume photos will come later...

We're Ready!

I'm Dreaming Of A White Halloween...

OK- Not really. But that is almost what we got.

Simon and his friend Kyra stare out the window in wonderment.

They begged and begged to be let out to play.

We finally said yes. But they didn't stay out long because we heard many branches snapping and falling, then a big branch landed on Uncle Robert's car and a wire went down in their yard.

So we quick got into the car to drive home.

I didn't take pictures of the scariest parts- driving around fallen trees (under lots of not yet fallen trees).

But here's how it looked close in to the city. Not that atypical a winter scene- except IT'S OCTOBER!

The Cube To Outer Space

Here's the cube! If you listen carefully near the start you'l hear Simon say that they are not in an oven any more after the red light fades. Deeanna suggests that they are in outer space now. Then they float. Simon decides that they have made it to a planet and he describes the planet as having weird noises and beautiful colors.

Sadly the cube has its last day is today, October 23rd. So if you missed it, you missed it. There are some decent videos up on youtube- it looks especially amazing at night. The official name is Origins, so a search for 'brooklyn bridge park origins' might get you good stuff.

Happy Birthday Deeanna

Our friend Deeanna celebrated her birthday with a picnic in Brooklyn Bridge Park.

Which meant we also went to the carousel.

We also saw this amazing art installation- which I will post video of soon.

One Year Of Reading

You nay have trouble hearing, but it is pretty amazing to think that our first reading video was posted only one year ago.

Nice Visit

We had a nice visit with Grandma Sue this weekend. (Grandpa Steve is off hiking the Grand Canyon.) This picture is from our very windy boat ride. We did other things- but didn't seem to take pictures of them. Thanks for hanging with us Grandma Sue.

What A Weekend 2

Then today (Monday) we went apple picking.

It was beautiful. And hot. Over 80. But we have a lot of yummy apples to eat!

What a Weekend 1

On Saturday (to give Mama time to work) Simon and Daddy went out to check out the newest carousel in NYC. They approved- though it is a slow one.

The carousel is in the Brooklyn Bridge park area which just keeps getting nicer and nicer- the usualy throwing-rocks-into-the-water activities were enjoyed.

Sunday we went to a birthday party. There were CUPCAKES!

(A note about the shirt- a big package arrived from Sweden the day before with Christmas gifts spanning many years. Thanks Sofia!)

It was Phoenyx's 1st birthday. Momentous. She was adorable and loved the singing and dancing portion of the party- a child after my heart.

Learned This At School

Simon loves his dance teacher at school. And now, after she made a dance to one of his favorite songs, it may be closer to worship. Simon really loves this video and wanted us to post it for Grandparents. If his costuming choice ever bothers him in the future we will remove the video. One thing you should know is that apparently they only spent one day learning the dance and this is how much he remembers. Wow.

HW

Simon is still doing a great job with his homework. So much so that he made homework for me and Daddy to do too. (Actually it was for Mr. McMillion's students, Lulu and Henry.) It look almost exactly like the sheet Simon had to do.

Duck Boat Photo

Official Duck Photo.

We like it.

Boston!

For the long weekend we went to Boston to visit Alex and his kids, Zack and Kayla.

We had a tremendously good time.

Not picture- the first night we hung out at their house, ate grilled yummies and the kids all put on shows together dancing with flashing blue light zooming around- Simon was in heaven.

Also not pictured- the next morning started out with a fun swim/get thrown session in the pool at our hotel.

Now to some pictures- Simon. Will, and I went on a duck tour, Simon even got to drive when the vehicle was in boat mode. It was a ton of fun! Will and I decided we were glad we had a five year old so we had an excuse to ride.

Not pictured- yummy lunch out at Fire and Ice, one of the chain of retaurants the Alex is CFO of. Simon loved it.

Then it was off to the aquarium which has a sensational new touch tank with rays and sharks in it.

Good thin the rays didn't actually eat the children.

Then it was off to a crazy resaurant, Dick's Last Resort. The kids were so happy with the mean waitress, thrown things, weird hats that said; Simon's "I kick Puppies!" Kayla's "Escaped Circus Freak" Zack's "I just pooped my pants", the ballons we got to play with, the LOUD music, the silly decorations, etc, etc. The adults- had some level of fun too.

It was a great trip and we appreciate Alex for being a generous host. Hopefully the Hardy's will all come visit us in NYC soon.