It's Faire Time!

We made our annual trip to the Renaissance Faire today! The girls were exited to try out their Halloween costumes (except for Caitlyn; it was too hot for Gothic Vampire), so they all dressed up to go (Caitlyn wore a shirt we found at the consignment store yesterday):


We all had a good time. We watched the jousting, the belly dancers, played in the kids area, wandered around the shops (and actually bought something!). Our favorite act this year was Whip Boy -- a very funny guy with a bullwhip doing tricks. And Daddy finally caved and paid for a camel ride! It was a fun afternoon!


More over at Flickr.

Megan Gets Artistic

Perhaps she needs more to do on her days off.

Nap Time

Russell originally thought she was reading. Guess not.

Growing UP

Kristen got dressed for bed by herself (with a little help from Alison!)

The Infamous Shirt

"Girls Rule"


"Boys Drule"

Goin' Camping

A couple of pictures from the Daddy-Daughter campout. There are more over at Flickr.

Cooking hotdogs for dinner. You can tell it was raining.


The next morning. It got a bit chilly during the night.

Guess Who Likes Chocolate?

Taken by our other chocoholic, Caitlyn.

Mom turns 35!

No real surprises (except for Russell's blog post, if you want to read his gushing adoration) and a phone call from a dear friend. But we had a good evening at our little "party".

Kristen wanted to help open presents.


Megan was trying to get a picture of Russell and me, but it didn't quite turn out that way.


The bonfire that was my cake.

A Little Art

We were outside for a bit on Friday, braving the humidity (will it ever be fall?!), and waiting for Megan's friends to show up. Alison got out the chalk and started drawing.


She drew: A Daddy, a Mommy and four little children. She was very proud.


(And Kristen wanted her picture taken, too.)

The Par-tay!

If you recall, Megan had a bit of a birthday bonanza nearer to her birthday last month. Well, she was supposed to have a friend party last year, but we moved (dang it all!) and so I promised her one this year. We discovered after her bust of a 7th birthday party, that moving her party to the first weeks in September was a much better idea.

Hence, Megan's birthday party being last night. She invited five friends over for a sleepover, and they had a blast.

After dinner, they played Masterpiece for a while, until they decided that they wanted cake.


The cake Megan decided she wanted. It was a cinch to decorate. I should do it this way more often!


Blowing out candles. (Wonder which wish counts?)


Playing pass the parcel (an incredibly simple, yet fun game!)


They were nice to let Caitlyn and Alison play. This is Caitlyn following the instructions to "Sing 'Row Row Row Your Boat' in a high-pitched voice." She interpreted that to mean a shriek.


Opening presents. She got books and money and Border's gift cards. She was very happy.


Then they went downstairs and played and watched movies until 1 a.m. I don't have pictures of that, because I went to bed!

Alison Has a First Day

Preschool started yesterday. Since the older girls were off school (teacher work day), Caitlyn helped Alison get all ready. She was "pink girl": pink dress, pink socks, pink shoes, pink backpack, and pink water bottle. She's been alternately really excited and very stressed about preschool, and did ask me if I'd stay with her (I couldn't; Megan needed to go get some immunizations)... BUT she had a fabulous time. The best part? Playing superheros with her friends.


(Kristen wanted to have her picture taken, too.)