Halloween in First Grade

Pip's first grade Halloween class!!

Not one, but 5 ninjas!!!

Halloween!

This year Pip was insistent that we get cobwebs to decorate.  Luckily Walmart still had some in stock on Halloween morning!  I was insistent on a fog machine!

We decorated after school while Meggie napped.

Two ninjas!

and a princess and two fairies!

Whoa.  Look out!  Ninja fight!

Fairy pose.

Hurricane Sandy

Hurricane Sandy brought devastation to many people, but for us, we basically got a day home from school to clown around.  

When Daddy got home early we were feeling rather brave and decided to go outside and see what all the wind felt like.

Desperate to keep them amused, I got some rice out.  Check out the mouth Pip constructed!  Brilliant!

Whiteboarding

It's always fun to walk into the playroom and see what Pip and Viv have been up to. 

I think this one is all Vivie, and ode to some lovable pups and her awesome friend Ella Hoffenberg.

Pip and Vivie worked together on this Halloween masterpiece.  Check out the video below for some rationale.

Battle scenes are pretty common.  It's nice to see Pip start to write his own captions!

Constant motion

Motion Meg is always Moving!  She found this little nook up on the shelves that she thinks is fun to climb into.  Plus the window sill makes a nice place to plop her drinks and snacks when she wants to play.

Here she is in action. I originally thought she was saying "wee-wee" after hearing Pip say it in a boy scout skit.  But now I think this is her early sound for "Vivie"!

Oktoberfest

With the Harvest Fair behind us, it was time to celebrate with good friends and good beer.  Actually, the German food didn't turn out too bad either!  

Fully stocked!

Wow ... we pulled off a group pic!

Make that 2 group pics!

Vivian and two of her closest friends.

Meg nearly shoved Connor right off the chair to get at the frosting.

Bean bag diving.

Phil says this really isn't that impressive ... but it's been a long time since I made it til midnight at a party!

Eating with Meg

Meg's getting much better with the spoon these days.  But let's just say we're not ready for Black Tie quite yet.

For some reason, the fork alludes her.  So when the food is too good to be frustrated herself, she'll just throw her fork at you.

Pip loves Mom

Actual work by Pip at the Melrolse Commons today.  This after he told me he no longer likes hugs of kisses.  Had to chase him down after each one to give that cutie a hug.

MELT.

My loves taking off.

Homework

Pip gets homework every night. Here he is working on a book report.  Of course, we chose Green Eggs and Ham!

Piano with Grammie

Vivie and Grammy enjoyed playing piano together during her visit.  

Harvest Fair

The verdict is still out as to whether it is worth all the stress it brings upon me.  This year I spent lots less time planning and lots less time worrying, but it was still significant wrinkle-inducing.  Thankfully Mom came up to help cover our bases and got lots of stuff done for us in the couple of days leading up to the event.

Here we are, finally, at the fair.  I rode the wave!

Vivie made a mask!

Pip won a mustache playing Angry Birds and insisted this was how it was meant to be worn.

Vive playing Mini Golf.

Pie eating contest.

Phil in the dunk tank!!!  It was FREEZING COLD!