Pumpkin Carving and Halloween 2011

We finally managed to get our pumpkins carved just before Halloween.  Samantha took her pumpkin to a friend's house while Sofia and I spent the day carving our own pumpkins.  Sofia did not particularly enjoy scooping the guts of the pumpkin out so I got to do it, but she did enjoy carving with her own method.

 

Nana and Papa came for trick or treating again this year.  Daddy even wore his scrubs while I wore the costume Sofia had chosen for me.  Originally I was going to be Maleficient to her Sleeping Beauty (similar to when I was the wicked step-mother to Samantha's Cinderella), but Sofia insisted that I should be Mrs. Incredible.  It worked out and Samantha enjoyed being a cheerleader.

Sever's 2011

Our fall tradition of visiting Sever's with our friends continued this year.  The weather was beautiful and it was a fun day!  We watched pig races, ran around mazes, visited the petting zoo and of course, we spent plenty of time in the corn pit!

I'm very grateful that we have wonderful friends to share this with!

Torah Consecration

Samantha began Sunday school at our synangogue this year.  As part of her inaguration into Jewish education, there was a ceremony welcoming her to Judaism.  Grammy, Nana and Papa all attended and it was lovely to see her keep the tradition.

The older students take on a mentoring role, here is Samantha with her "buddy" and Sofia.

Highlights from recent weeks

Life has been full and chaotic and wonderful for us... here are some highlights:

We've had plenty going on and I've enjoyed life.  There is a semblance of routine again with adventures.  Park visits, Sofie’s dolphin class and hanging at the zoo on a Saturday with a surprise fireworks show that we watched from our street on a recent Saturday night.  We have been baking and I've taken the girls to my office.  Sofie was sick this year for Rosh Hashanna so I stayed home with her while Daddy and Samantha headed to Nana and Papa's.  I think Samantha enjoyed the quality time with her cousins.

We spent the day with friends that we haven't seen in a long time for our traditional family day at the orchard.  All the girls rode ponies and a camel, and Sofia bonded especially with William.

I got to chaperone Sofia's field trip to the apple orchard.

Nana and Papa taking the girls to see the play "Miss Nelson is Missing".

Daddy and Sofia having their zoo class together about sharks.

The girls and I taking Fonzie on nature walks.  The fall weather has been wonderful!

Daddy took Samantha to her first football game.  They both enjoyed it even though Samantha requested that they leave early.  Daddy accommodated her request and they came home.  Sofia and I took Fonzie for a walk with Grammy and got ice cream.  The weather was gorgeous!

Sofia's first playdate with her friend Lily, who had a ball and "seriously" enjoyed her mac and cheese for dinner!  It's beautiful to see Sofia blossom and meet her friends.  She is loving preschool!

Our adventures continue and we are very blessed!