Spook-tacular Party

We a fall/Halloween party this weekend and it was so much fun, that I think we'll make it an end of October tradition. We invited some of our grown-up and kid friends over for chili, cider, cider, and s'mores. All of the kids wore costumes and the weather was PERFECT for an evening spent playing in the back yard. In addition to eating yummy treats, guests decorated pumpkins, carved pumpkins and played other Halloween themed games. My little Zebra and pirate were also collecting change for Trick-or-Treat for Unicef. So far they have raise $16.77, What ever they are able to raise by Halloween, Daddy and I will match.

Lindsay, John and Natalie were in town for the party and a concert. I'll post pictures of the cousins soon.

the youngest friend at the party

au pairs can carve pumpkins too

Pick a Pumpkin

I can't believe its already almost Halloween! Last weekend we walked to a little pumpkin patch by our house to pick out pumpkins. We normally go to a big farm out in the country with a petting zoo and hayrides, but we are having a fall/Halloween next weekend and I figure that will meet our Halloween festivities quota.

The neighborhood pumpkin patch was put on by a local boy scout troop and in addition to pumpkins, they had beautiful mums and the most delicious pumpkin doughnuts. We left with a full wagon.

The Best Little Fan Club

Mommy decided to run another half marathon this year. This years race was in Baltimore, MD. Elliot, Beatrice, and Daddy came along to cheer and take in the sights. The kids loved the inner harbor area and the attractions in the post race kids zone.

The race started by the inner harbor. Good morning Baltimore!

Getting ready for the race to start. 

The only picture of Mommy flying by. 

Someone was a little bit scared of the cow...

But not of the giant slide.

My little dare devil. I can't believe she went up then down this slide!

I plan to run another half marathon (my third) in 2014. I am hoping Aunt Stacey will join me :). I think I could physically do one every year, but the training is so time consuming that every other year seems a bit more manageable. As for all of you marathoners out there, I don't know how you do it!

Call me Coach

This fall marks the beginning of Elliot's official athletic career. On Sunday he had his first practice as a member of the Takoma Soccer Pre-K League. I volunteered to coach and after the first practice (at this age we basically just practice and don't play real games) Elliot told me "I was really proud of you Mommy for being such a good coach." My co-coach Chris and I barely managed to keep our 18 players entertained for the full hour - but we survived.

I think it will be a fun season - "Go TEAM GOLD!!!"

5!!!

I can't believe my baby boy is FIVE! He has been telling Beatrice, "I'm five now, I am a big boy. Do you know how old five is? It's really big, Bea." over and over since he officially turned 5 yesterday. To celebrate the big day we had a pirate themed party at a local children's museum on Saturday. A few of Elliot's favorite four and five year olds (and some of their younger siblings), Mimsey and Gramps, and Lara came to the party.

We played pin the parrot on the pirate.

We listened to a story about pirates.

We ate pizza.

We had cake.

when we got home, we opened presents.

We went for a walk with Mimsey and Gramps.

We showed Mimsey and Gramps how to pump.

And Beatrice did some bouncing.

On Sunday, I made cupcakes to send to school on Monday. Elliot was pretty excited about the little pirate flags.

I think Elliot had a great birthday. We are so proud of the boy he has become and are loving every minute of the adventure that is parenthood.