Happy Halloween!

The girls are super excited for our big trick-or-treat events this year. For weeks, Lilly and Claire have been eager to wear their costumes and gather candy from the neighbors. Today, they happily posed for photos just for you...

In August while Lilly and I shopped at a local store, she saw this queen costume and decided she couldn't live without it. She loves the hoop skirt and sparkle ruby red slippers she is wearing.

Introducing, Queen Lilly...

 Claire has a fascination for Rapunzel, so it was no surprise Rapunzel was on the short list of Halloween costumes this year. She loves the braid and twirly dress. I love how the braid is almost her exact hair color. Too cute!

 Miss Maggie has never seen an episode of The Flintstones, but she makes a perfect Pebbles.

This is the first costume I have made... not bad for about 30 minutes of work.

 Happy Halloween 2011!

 

Ruby Slippers

In preparation for Halloween, I bought a pair of sparkle shoes from Target to match Lilly's  costume. Of course, the sparkle slippers have turned into everyday shoes. Not only does Lilly like them, but Claire likes them too.

On with the story...

Before bed, we always lay out clothes for the next day; this makes it easier for the girls to get dressed in the morning. And so, a few nights ago, Lilly selected clothes and the new sparkle shoes, then placed them on the trunk at the foot of her bed. After saying goodnight to Lilly, I noticed the sparkle shoes were missing from the trunk. I rememberd that while Lilly was reading, Claire briefly stopped by. She must have taken the shoes.

I quietly walked into Claire's room to find her sound asleep. When I pulled back the blanket that covered her feet, this is what I found...

Ah ha! She had taken the shoes to bed, literally.

Don't we all sleep better when wearing red sparkle shoes?

And so, today, Claire and I took a trip to Target to buy sparkle shoes of her own... pink ones!

Claire's official photo

 Claire would like to share her official preschool photo.

Isn't she cute?

Age 3 1/2

She LOVES going to preschool- everything about it is perfect in her eyes.

Funny Claire Story

Claire and Lilly are always up to something. Sometimes they will perform special dance shows in the basement. Last week, I walked downstairs to see Claire standing on a table with her arms in the air announcing the start of the performance. Before she saw me, she said, "Ladies and jelly beans..."

I guess jelly bean sounds an awful lot like gentlemen, don't you think?

Pumpkin Patch

Fall is here... It's pumpkin patch time.
We took our annual trek to Schnepf Farms and oh what fun it was!
The Z three had a ball... dirt and all.

We began with face paint- who can resist?

 Maggie was fascinated with her first train ride. 
It's always a hit with the big girls, and I think Rob likes it too.

 In honor of Hannah, we took this photo in the sunflowers. Just a few years ago, Lilly and Hannah posed together in the same spot. We miss you!

 The Z girls...

Pony Rides? Sign us up!
The girls were eager for this one. Not surprisingly, Claire chose the largest one, Princess, while Lilly chose Oreo. During the ride, Rob yelled, "Claire, I like your horse." To which she replied, "It's a pony, Dad!"

 When you are five, you must wear purple shades when riding a pony.

You know us well... we cannot pass up a ride on a carousel...

Lucky Rob rode with Claire on the bumblebees... BZZZZZZ

 It came time to visit the actual pumpkin patch, but the three girls wouldn't cooperate for a photo.
Here's Lilly doing the best she could while holding Maggie...

Lilly picked up the largest pumpkin she could find... not a problem!

 Claire was rather pleased with the one she chose to take home.

 Until next time... Happy Fall Everyone!

Caught in the act

With mobility comes mayhem.

We're usually pretty good at monitoring the Magster, but on this day, she took a liking to our plant.

Poor plant.

Maggie is like a magnet to this plant, we've actually had to barricade the thing from her reach. She doesn't really try to eat it, she just likes ripping it to shreds.

I'm sure if the plant could talk he'd forgive you, Maggie.

Who could stay mad at that face?

Morning at the park

The weather is so nice this time of year, so we must take advantage. We've been cooped up all summer trying to stay cool; now's our chance to visit all of the parks we've been longing for.

Here are a few photos from one of our favorites

Claire hung on for dear life while Lilly spun her round and round.

The girls liked this spin-me-around stick until I swung it a bit too fast. Oops, sorry Claire.

But Lilly liked going fast... Feel the force!

Big smile, it's all over.

Who doesn't love the tire swing? My girls do!

 Action shots- just for fun.

During all of this excitement, Maggie patiently watched from her comfy stroller.

Just wait, Maggie, your day of fun is coming soon.