Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

After all the pre-holiday excitement, MiniM.E. was even more excited that it was the real deal today.  We dressed up (and painted faces, per MiniM.E.'s request- who could say no, and how cute is a butterfly-firefighter?) and headed downtown for Saratoga's Harvest Festival.

The main event (for MiniM.E.) was the pumpkin rolling.  She had been waiting since last year and reminded me every time we walked or drove past Caroline Street that "that's where pumpkin rolling is!

It did not disappoint.  She was faster and stronger this year and came in second place in one of the races!

intrigued onlooker

It was ridiculously crowded downtown, maybe because Harvest Festival was actually ON Halloween this year, so we made it to the petting zoo:

And the carousel:

But couldn't really enjoy the festivities because of the crowd.  Fortunately, MiniM.E. had her first ice skating lesson this afternoon, so we had to cut our visit short anyway.

I had to stay home with a napping dalmation, so I have no documentation, but according to MiniM.E. this year she is "skating around the whole rink!" so I can't wait to see it myself!

After skating we dressed up one last time and made the rounds in our neighborhood.

It was another exhausting, but exciting, day.

A Busy Halloween Eve

After an exciting pre-Halloween trick-or-treat at Skidmore last weekend, MiniM.E. was super excited to trick-or-treat with school.  Add to the excitement the fact that Daddy was taking the day off from work and she was bouncing off the walls.  Until we got to school... drop off is still hard, even with Daddy.

But we soon returned and she was happy as a clam to be collecting candy as a fireman with Mommy and Daddy in tow.  Unfortunately, the walk was not wagon friendly, so even though LittleL.G. came too, she was just herself.

When we got home, the weather was so nice that we decided to take the mess of pumpkin carving outside.  After we almost forgot to carve pumpkins last year, and made a giant mess in the kitchen the night before Halloween, I'm really glad we were able to use the deck for this mess!

MiniM.E. helped me think of an idea for her pumpkin last year, but after the guts were scooped out, that was the end of her participation, and she went to bed while we carved.

This year was awesome because she saw the two of us drawing our designs on our pumpkin and just started drawing right along with us.  Of course, she couldn't use the knife, but she did all the "popping out" of the pieces.  I am 100% sure I have never seen a more adorable pumpkin than this:

After we did some major clean up and Leah woke up from her nap, we drove some dinners down to our friends who have a new baby.  Since it was a long drive, we made it worth our while by visiting a playground we've never been to, Clifton Commons.  It is an old wooden playground with lots of tunnels and stairs and both girls had a great time exploring.

Until it got cold and we had to go home.

If that wasn't enough excitement for the day, we were invited to a Harvest Party by our neighbors and couldn't pass up one more chance to dress up.
It was a really cute event with lots of games and candy, a bounce house, face painting and snacks. MiniM.E. had a fantastic time for an hour until she was suddenly so tired that she almost fell asleep in my arms, even with all the commotion!

What a day!

Baby Jack

A couple weeks ago one of MiniM.E.'s very best friends became a big sister.  MiniM.E. was over the moon, as she has repeatedly suggested we add another baby to our family because she "misses LittleL.G. being a BABY baby".  While we are certainly not providing MiniM.E. with another sibling in the near future, a friend's tiny baby would fit the bill for an afternoon.

sure I'll hold the baby and just watch TV for a while

LittleL.G. doesn't seem to feel the same as her sister

Welcome Baby Jack! Here's to a few months of you being a "baby-baby" so MiniM.E. can borrow you and we don't have to think about a new sibling quite yet.

Another Day At Ellms

Today was our last trip to Ellm's for the season.  Even though I've been feeling a little Ellm's-ed-Out, I am so glad we went because today was definitely the best of the season.

It started out rainy and miserable, but as soon as we pulled into the parking lot the sun was shining and the sky was blue.  It warmed up quickly, and soon we wished we were wearing t-shirts.

Since it's a weekday, Ellm's doesn't open to the public until 10 and even though there were field trips, most didn't arrive until 10:30 or 11, so for a couple hours it felt like we had the whole farm to ourselves.  No lines for anything and the kids could do whatever they wanted.

Starting with a few (or ten) trips down the zip line:

Some roller coasters, animals and jumping:

The jumping pillow all to ourselves:

A Moo-Moo-Choo-Choo ride:

And then as we were walking back up the hill from the moo-moo-choo-choo, the skies opened up and for the next hour we huddled in a barn eating cider and donuts and watching the rain pour down in sheets.  By the time it cleared, MiniM.E. had had enough for the day and we headed home.  Even with the rain, it was a fantastic day.  See you next year Ellm's!

Fleece Pajamas

Enough said:

Pre-Halloween Trick-or-Treating

Yesterday we excitedly dressed up the kids to go trick-or-treating at the Skidmore College Campus. Students in the apartment housing were giving out candy to hundreds of children affiliated with the school.  

And what kid doesn't love an extra chance to dress up and trick-or-treat?? And what parent doesn't love to see their kids dressing up, having a great time and getting lots and lots of candy that they beg to eat as soon as the sun comes up every day for the next three weeks? Well, maybe that last part isn't my favorite.  And I have a child that somehow memorizes the number and type of candy received so that I can't even steal pieces when she's not looking share.  All worth it for how excited she was.  LittleL.G. wasn't excited at all, likely because she had to wear a ridiculous dalmation hat, but she was a trooper- stayed in her truck the whole time, waved at people, and happily munched peanut butter crackers.

It was a great evening.  To be honest, I'm not sure actual trick-or-treating on Halloween can top this. At least MiniM.E. is excited to try!

Bye-Bye Baby, Hello Toddler

It's finally happened.  LittleL.G. isn't a baby anymore.  Over the weekend she decided to start walking (more than a few steps at a time).  While she still prefers a hand to hold, especially over unfamiliar terrain, she now always attempts to walk before she resorts to crawling.

I really shouldn't say finally, because though it is exciting that she can walk I am really enjoying the more relaxed parenting of a second child and I would have happily kept her a "baby" a little longer.

She is a master of standing on her own (and is so proud to do it) and it is adorable to see how excited she is with her newfound skill.