October!

My camera broke and I was out of the blogging habit for the last five months!  Ridiculous, I know.  BUT - - I am back in business with a really nice, new camera.  I have a great deal of backlog (over 2,500 photos) to go through, but moso moso chirizey ga te feteh.  That means: "Slowly, slowly the bird builds his nest."  This is a Niger proverb along the lines of "slow and steady wins the race."  I have posted most of the pics we took in October. I will add big chunks of photos as I can get to them.  Enjoy!

Miss Greta celebrated her birthday with Birth WEEK!  She began the celebrating with breakfast at Ihop - her choice.  

Then she had a birthday party at school.  This is one of her bestie's, Ethan O'Conner.  He is a very sweet boy, and Greta just adores him. 

Wyatt got to go into the "big kids' class" to join Greta's party.  He even go to sit next to the birthday girl. 

The whole class!  Happy Birthday, sweet girl!

The party continued into the night as we went to Loco Lime - Greta's favorite Mexican food joint for dinner.  Paul makes a lovely princess. 

Wonderful gifts came in the mail from Grandma and Grandpa, Nana and Granddaddy, and Aunt Lori!

The evening culminated with more birthday cupcakes eaten in our special spot on the dining room floor.  

Greta's long-awaited wish came true - - she got a robotic dog for her birthday!  And a naked brother.  

With round one of the birthday celebration out of the way - - we were able to really focus on Halloween!

Halloween always brings our trusty farm tour.  We headed out to the pumpkin patch for pumpkins, sunflowers, horse back riding, and hayrides. 

Toward the end of the month, we moved into round two of the birthday celebrations.  We had a group birthday party with Alex and Cooper at the North Carolina State Fair!  Turkey legs, cotton candy, and doughnut hamburgers - - what is not to love?

Greta wanted no part of milking this cow.  Wyatt thought he was interested until faced with a giant udder.  Hmmmmm. 

The ladies!  What would I do without these dear friends?

The guys!  Poor Kevin - - sorry you don't have a computer, man!

Because a whole day of fair food is not enough and cupcakes are not enough - - we needed more candy! After MANY swings at this thing - - the kids finally got into it.  

The sweetest friends.

What would pumpkin carving be without a naked Wyatt, I ask you?

As an aside, this is a photo of Greta doing her homework.  Greta has a little worksheet to do each evening, and it usually takes her all of two minutes.  Her habits, though, are impressive.  She makes sure to collect the homework each day, she brings it inside with her and sits down immediately at the dining room table to complete the work sheet.  When finished, Greta takes the sheet and puts it on the chair right near the front door so that she won't forget to take it back to school the next morning.  Greta decided that entire routine for herself.  Paul and I kind of blew this "homework" off  at first- - but Greta takes it really seriously.  

Our neighborhood, Noda, always has a big Halloween costumed run and an area for kids to come and play.  We made it over for the festivities stopping to pick up Bodhi and his family first. 

We were a little late for the kid stuff, though.  The jumpy castle was promptly deflated just after we arrived.  No matter, Michael gave the kids a much more exciting whirl!

We then bellied up to the bar and Wyatt passed out.  That's how we roll. 

Just a few silly ones taken in October.  

Finally, Halloween day arrived!

This is a parent at Greta and Wyatt's school.  Each year she goes full out for her costume.  Last year she was a wonderful wicked witch and this year - - a convict.  Very convincing.

Lily and Maddi!

Wyatt with his teacher and with his little bud, Fatimata!

Trick-or-Treating, at last!  We went trick-or-treating with two of our ballet friends, Dot and Breanna.  We participated in the neighborhood parade behind a fire truck and then had pizza at their place after.  A veterinarian, a witch, Dorothy, and Spiderman stole the show!

The take!

Finally, October ended with our friend, Bodhi's birthday party.  

For as long as my kids have been around, this has been my view each Saturday and/or Sunday morning.  They pull up a stool or chair and help dad make delicious treats.  I hang out and drink my coffee and take photos of these most important people.  When I am very old, and I remember the highlights of my life, witnessing this most precious of traditions each week, will be one of them.  

Happy October!