Halloween

Here are pictures from Halloween. Sydney was Super Girl and Maddie was a puppy. I had a 2T black cat costume that Sydney wore when she was two, but Maddie is taller so the costume was too short. My neighbor, Lisa, let us borrow the puppy costume and Maddie LOVED it. She talked about it nonstop until she finally got to wear it for trick-or-treating. Before we headed out, our courtyard had a potluck dinner/dessert at our neighbors' Vanessa and Vicki's homes.

Dinner at Vanessa's house. 

Johnny, Erin and Sydney 

Heading out for tricks and treats!!  

I brought a flashlight to help us see. There were some slick spots with with the leftover snow.  

Posing with their loot, Sydney still likes to show she's five years old now. 

Carving Pumpkins

Lots of "eww's" and giggles.

Using a flashlight to look inside.

Sydney goes first...

 Ewww!!!

 Maddie's turn...

 Whoa!

Our Jack-O-Lantern

 The girls decorated their own pumpkins with marker.

Sydney's 5th Birthday

Happy Birthday to my dear, sweet Sydney!! It has been five years full of hugs, kisses, smiles and so much joy. My life changed forever the day I met you and I've loved every moment.

We had a great time celebrating Sydney's big day, starting with presents. Her favorite present was a Super Girl outfit. When she saw it she exclaimed "Super Girl!!" I found it at ToysRUs when looking at Halloween costumes. She wanted to be Tiana from The Princess and the Frog, but changed her mind after trying on her Super Girl outfit. Now she races around the house with her arms out when she needs to get something. So funny to watch.
For breakfast, Sydney asked for crepes, which Mimi (my Mom) was happy to make. They were delicious with Nutella or Strawberry jam! Afterward we spent the day in Salem for their "Haunted Happenings" celebration. There were artisans selling goods, people dressed up in costumes (Sydney loved that Frankenstein waved at her) and a small carnival with rides.
In the evening, Aunt Bianca, made Sydney's favorite Mac and Ham Bake for dinner. For her birthday cake I made a doll cake will violet icing. I only had yellow, green or violet coloring paste, but luckily Sydney was happy with violet. Overall it's been a busy weekend but thankfully it all went well and Sydney had a blast. She's already talking about her 6th birthday...one day at a time sweetie...

Favorite Things-
Favorite Song - Coldplay "42" or "The Ghost Song" as she likes to call it :)
Favorite Book - "The Little Old Woman Who Wasn't Afraid of Anything"
Favorite Colors - Pink, Yellow, Silver, Gold and Gray (yes, all of them)
Favorite Characters - Tasha, Uniqua, Dora, Disney Princesses, Tinkerbell Fairies
Favorite Foods - Cold Cheese Sandwiches cut in a heart shape, Mac and Ham Bake

Going to bed 4...

Waking up 5!! Happy Birthday Sydney!!!

Super Girl!!

Lunch at "Tavern in the Square"

Bedtime Stories

Here is a video of Sydney reading "The Five Little Pumpkins" to Maddie. So cute.

Gymnastics

Since Sydney is in preschool five days a week this year, we have cut back on her activities to just one. She chose to continue gymnastics, which she and Maddie do on Saturday mornings. (Maddie is also doing Music Together on Wednesday mornings). It's great to see how much the girls have learned with their coaches. Sydney's cartwheels are getting higher and she's landing on her feet. Maddie can do forward rolls on her own now as well. Here are a couple of videos of the girls. I wanted to upload more but an error message keeps popping up or the videos download but won't play. At least I have one of each girl...enjoy!!

Oh Boy!!

We had our ultrasound for Baby #3 today and yes we are having a boy. Andrew asked the sonographer if she could see the sex and she asked us what we thought we were having. We both said a girl. She looked at us with a huge grin and we realized she knew. We looked at the monitor and sure enough we saw something between his legs. As excited as I am, I am also scared of the unknown and wondering what differences there will be between raising a boy and raising girls. I am also sad that I won't be holding a sweet little newborn girl in my arms again...which has made me give my girls many extra hugs and kisses today. Even so we are thrilled that we are having a son and can't wait to kiss those sweet little fingers and toes.

Connors Farm

We love Connors Farm...they have a corn maze, jumping pillow, hay ride, cow train, tons of other activities for kids and of course PUMPKINS! Here are some pics and videos. Sydney and Maddie led the way in the corn maze for the first half, then got piggy pack rides for the second half :)

Clue #10 The Last Clue!! 

Jumping Pillow

Hayride! 

Maddie insisted on squatting on a little pumpkin :) 

More princess poses... 

Rubbing her ear means she's getting tired. Time to pick our pumpkins and head home.