Pilgrim Place Festival

This year I discovered the best time to go to the Pilgrim Place Festival in Claremont - on the friday afternoon around 2 because it closes at 4 pm. This year, the weather was great, overcast and threatening rain, the kids got treats to eat while we waited to ride the Mayflower, took in another Indian teepee storytime, wrote with quills & ink and did the glue-in (the things the kids are holding).

Mom, Dad and A.Molly even came down and joined us after dad and Molly had just driven in from AZ earlier that day.

Always have to get a pic by the Hadley House when we are there.

Halloween 2011

Hadley was Annie Oakley. Lauren, a flapper and by default, Gentry was one too b/c she refused to take off Lauren's dress so grandma awesomely made her a costume as well. Check out how Gentry shows how old she is: "2!"

Highlights: Lauren running to each door and ringing or knocking and yelling 'trick or treat' while Hadley and Vincent walked up timidly. I don't know what they would have done without her b/c it reminded me of last year how I had to remind them each time they went to a door to ring or knock. Lauren knows no fear.

Things We've Been Up To

playing in the rain/hail

this is what it looks like when a.molly comes to visit - yeah, we love her. alot.

first day of the long-anticipated ballet class. gentry was just excited to carry a bag like lauren.

hadley marched in tustin tiller day parade.

it was the hottest day in october.

lauren roller skating around the house while pushing stroller.

gentry continues to eat at her 'table for one'.

playing in the mud. sigh.

bathtime.

i don't know about the playhouses at your house, but ours is a two-story and we only play upstairs.

Lack of Posts

Sorry for the lack of posts. I temporarily lost my camera - which was going to be a good thing if I could get a new one but alas, Lauren found it packed away in the front pocket of her Dora backpack. I checked to see what the last pictures were of, and of course they are self-taken pics of her.

Meanwhile, I am spending all of my leisure time helping Vincent come up with a Halloween costume for Puppy Puddles (his stuffed dog). Not really, but he thinks I am and keeps asking if I've thought of something he could be. Yesterday he was looking in the craft cupboard for old socks to use for a costume. When I asked what he was going to dress Puddles up as he said, "It starts with an A and a P." -- Hmm, are you stumped? Duh, Puddles was going to be Peter Bourjous of the Anaheim Angels. "Okay ?!?"

Merry Maids

Lauren's Photo Shoot

One evening last week while the kids were getting ready for bed I heard Hadley & Lauren playing & giggling for the longest time. I found these pictures on my camera and realized how they were occupying themselves . . .

First Day Of School - 2011

The day before school started Gma Tigger & A.Molly came out to make the day extra special. Vincent had Kindergarten orientation and the kids went to see a movie while others napped. After dinner we went to the school to check the class listings. How fun to all do it together, come home for back-to-school cake & get blessings from Daddy. Morning time! (Even Gentry woke early - unlike the rest of the summer :(
To say Vincent loves Kindergarten is an understatement. He was so excited and was all about wearing collared shirts, wondering when they're going to get homework & best of all, sitting next to his friend Charlotte, here & in primary - they are great buddies.