Early Thanksgiving Feast

Evelyne had a Thanksgiving Feast at her preschool last week and we were all able to attend. The kids all did a little program of songs and sat down with their class to a table decorated with plates, napkins, and even candles. Each child made their own "craft" turkey out of apples as a place card. So special to actually see all the kids sitting together enjoying their food. The teachers brought around trays of rolled turkey, popcorn, rolls with butter and jam, olives, and cider. The kids made pumpkin bars at school the day before and they enjoyed those for dessert. Gilbert even got to have a snack after the kids at the tables had been well fed. Evelyne is donning a cute pilgrim hat made of paper. They had the choice of wearing the native american hat they'd made or the pilgrim hat. Most kids chose the native american head dress but evelyne wanted an "all white hat." Her words of course...

Fall Birthdays

Evelyne's face painting of "cinderella" at Milanno's birthday
Trying to take a photo of the kids at Milanno's birthday

Gilbert's car on his face...game day of course

Evelyne enjoying a car at Carson's birthday

Carson and friends opening gifts

So, we've had quite a few birthdays this fall....here are two that we recently attended. Carson Shaffer who turned 4 had a birthday that was full of cars and lots of kids running to and fro and on cars whizzing past parents and toddlers...so much fun. Milanno Camarena celebrated his 5th birthday super hero style with face painting and a "pin the appendiges on Milanno" game...very funny. The kids had so much fun, and I think even the parents did, too.

a note on our historic election (opinion of dianne..I won't drag nathan into this one)

So, we have a new president elect....whew I'm so glad all those ads etc. are over. Honestly, I would have been happy with either candidate for president. Both have terrific qualities to lead our nation into the next era. I voted for Obama. It was a tough choice for me but when it came down to it I wanted someone different, someone with a new vision, a new attitude. Someone with excitement and when I realized what an impact their campaign made across all nations I was sold. I'm an independent so often find myself in a political quandry. So, these past couple of days have been exciting; exciting to see everyone excited, refreshed, with hope for the future and renewed confidence in our country. We all know there are going to be no lightning bolt changes in our economy, but the point is there is change in our general attitude. And if you've ever been in therapy you know that attitude is EVERYTHING. So, cheers to Obama and his campaign...his wife is lovely and let's hope her brother guides the Beavers to victory. Sorry to Tina, I'll miss your skits and my late night laughs....see you on 30 Rock.

Gimmee some Candah!!!

Cousin Camryn pondering my mask..Cousin Spencer playing a boxing game with Tinkerbell

Tinkerbell Evelyne with her special hairdo

Dianne getting nephew Grayson ready to go outside!

Evelyne and Gilbert ready to go with Cousin Henry in the back ground

Halloween 2008 was a blast of kids, a burst of excitement, a blitz of candy and a boom in Lafayette. We celebrated this year with Lindsey and Matt and their family as it was also the evening we celebrated Brantley and Spencer's birthdays. All the cousins gathered and it was quite fun. We enjoyed pizza and salad before the rumble began outside, and finished off our candy with birthday cupcakes for dessert..oh wait...we'd already had dessert.

We trick or treated with one Indiana Jones (Brantley), one Power Ranger (Spencer), one Tinkerbell (Evelyne), one Dalmation (Grayson), one Dog (Gilbert), one Cat (Camryn), one Honeybee (Henry)......... and a partridge in a pear tree....oh wait, that's next month.

Great fun was had by all, the weather couldn't have been nicer.

Gilbert turns Two!

Our baby Gilbert is now officially not a baby anymore...though yes he still ends up in our bed at night and yes, I still give him a bottle of milk at night when he wakes up....he is a toddler. We celebrated his birthday a couple of weekends ago with a brunch of yummy food and a lovely farm themed cake from Lamb's. I figured, I made all the food, couldn't do the cake, too and I'm glad I didn't. It was very cute with a farmer and his crops and bunnies hopping in the distance. Gilbert is REALLY into tractors and trucks and absolutely loved it.
Photos will follow, just have to get them developed.
Gilbert is talking a lot now and you can understand most of the things he says. His favorite phrase is "who's that" which means either "who or what is" that and results in endless responses to endless questions....hmmmm....that sounds familiar....I'm still doing the Q&A game with a darling 4 year old we all know and love!
Ultimately, Gilbert's favorite person, next to mom of course, is his sister. He LOVES Evelyne and she is really pretty good to him. She will share with him, help him on his potty, read to him, share colors with him, and let him play in her room with her toys. The only objections she has is if she has been doing a craft and he comes along and bulldozes over it with a pen or a truck or his person...but c'mon who wouldn't object to that.
All in all, Gilbert is a sweet soul. He is very loving and cuddly and often says "I love you" in a whisper when he kisses you. He is starting to miss Nathan after he has him for the weekend. Inevitably Monday morning rolls around and he says "Daddy Go?" Meaning where is dad...
He loves. He loves us and we love him back...isn't that just the best feeling in the world? I hope it continues beyond two in some form anyway....