10/31/08: Trick or Treat Fun

We had a great time Trick or Treating tonight. The kids got tons of candy and had lots of fun with their friends. Lauren really got into it. This was her first year getting to truly participate in trick or treating. She kept saying Trick or Treat and Happy Halloween.

We bumped into all of our friends from playgroup. (L to R) Here is Ben, Isabella, Taryn, Ava, Allison, Evan, Molly and Lauren. (Not pictured Michelle and Olivia).

Here is a slideshow of more pictures from our fun night.

10/31/08: Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween! Have a great time trick or treating. Here is a little walk down memory lane. Here is "08".

What a difference a year makes! "07"

"06" - Pre-Lauren

"05"

10/30/08: Evan's Preschool Halloween Party

Today was Evan's Halloween Party at Preschool. We had such a great time. Mommy got to volunteer and help with all the festivities. The kids played Halloween themed games, made Halloween crafts, made ice cream sundaes, and got treat bags with lots of cool stuff.

Here is Mommy and Evan. Mommy even dressed up for the party just like the teachers.

10/30/08: Playgroup Halloween Party

We hosted playgroup tonight for our Halloween party. Here are the happy hosts excitedly waiting for their guests.

Here are all the kids in their costumes (Michelled not pictured).

The kids had fun. They ate pumpkin shaped sandwiches, listened to Halloween music, played and did a craft.

10/26/08: Evan and Lauren's Monster Mash!

Today was our annual Monster Mash Party. The kids had a great time. We did Finger Puppet crafts, decorated pumpkin cookies and had a scary good time listening to Halloween music. Here is the family all in their costumes.

Here is a slideshow of pictures of the fun.

10/25/08: A Halloween Birthday Party for Olivia

We went to Olivia's 2nd birthday today. She is in our playgroup. It was a costume party.

Evan and Taryn having fun.

And on the slide.

A Mickey helping a Minnie in need.

10/24/08: YMCA Halloween Party

We went to the Halloween Party at the YMCA. We had lots of fun. Here are the kids with Evan's buddy Jack. They had lots of crafts, games and fun activities for the kids including a Magician show.

We even got a caricature done.

And here is Lauren playing golf.

And Evan looking for candy in the hay.

10/22/08: The Love of Siblings

Last night again I was amazed and happy to see the joys of having more than one child. The cute way that Evan and Lauren played together at PJ Music Time at the Melrose library was so heart warming. The fact that Lauren would hold on to Evan as he walked around and she would giggle away. Lauren just adores her brother. Right now it is Monkey See, Monkey Do, whatever Evan does Lauren does.

Here they are again.
Growing up I was an only child. I always wanted an older brother. I thought he would protect me. It was just not in the cards for me to have a sibling. My Mom had me later in life (back then at least, these days 38 is not that late in life to have children). I always had this idealistic view of siblings and thought people that had them were so lucky. Yet all the people with siblings always thought I was lucky being an only child. The grass is always greener right?

Evan has really cared for his sister since day 1. As I watch him right this moment he has Lauren on a little car and is pushing her around in it and she is giggling away.
He always has his arms around her. Here at Canobie Lake Park.
So cute! Here after having their picture taken with the Easter Bunny.
Valentine's Day picture.
Just hanging on the couch and again the arm around her. I came into the room and they were like this.
Again the arm around for our joint b-day party with playgroup.
And here he is helping her as she was just learning how to use a sippy cup.
I know you are all thinking, just wait. Your kids will be fighting like crazy. And yes, it is not always peachy, they do pull toys from each other and get upset and not get along. I am just hoping there will be more moments like the ones above then the arguing. At least these are the ones I will try to remember the most. I have said it before in a post, but I will say it again...ok Gilda, shed the tear and move on. Luckily all my tears are of joy!

10/20/08: Evan's 1st school field trip to Smolak Farms

We got to go on such a fun field trip today with Evan's school to Smolak Farms in North Andover. Evan was excited to ride on the bus and hang out with all of his friends from school. We had a great time having cider and donuts in the barn, then riding on the hayride, picking a pumpkin, feeding the animal, and playing in the playground. Mommy even bumped into two friends from High School.

Ben, Evan and Molly waiting to get on the bus.

Here we are in the farm for cider and yummy cider donuts.
Here is Evan with his teacher Mrs. Smulligan.
Cool pumpkins
On the hayride.
Here he is with his favorite classmate Brooke sitting next to him on the tractor. He talks about Brooke all the time.

And when Ev first spotted Brooke, note the big smile.

And here he is with Molly. Molly goes to daycare with Evan and now they both go to school together.
And here he is with Ben from playgroup eating a yummy donut.

10/19/08: Haley's Birthday Party at Kidz Planet

We went to Haley's Birthday Party at Kidz Planet and the kids had a ton of fun. Here is Ev with the birthday girl.

And Lauren with the birthday girl.
Evan having fun swinging into the foam blocks. He did this over and over again.
And Lauren enjoying the foam blocks.
Ev having fun running to the trampoline.
All the kids with the birthday girl.
Cake time!

10/18/08: Sox on to Game 7!

Congrats Red Sox! On to Game 7. Lauren didn't make it through the game, but she was cheering them on in spirit with her Sox hat on before going to bed.