Halloween Parade

A week before the main event, our kids get the chance to try out their Halloween costumes.
Our neighborhood hosts a Halloween parade, led by a fire truck (before it was called away to a more pressing matter).
Rory had quite a following behind her!
Rory met several girls who are a year older and already in Kindergarten at MacArthur, Rory school next year.
Meanwhile, Aven's obsession with dogs led her to a love affair with the local werewolf. That is, until ...
...Aven locked eyes with a real puppy her size.
At the end of the parade waited a table of treats designed especially for the young ones.
Rory and her gang were quite happy with the festivities.
Aven, on the other hand, was a little more circumspect.
Back at the ranch, we warmed up with a picnic dinner next to the fireplace.

Longwood Gardens 2010

We enjoyed an amazing weekend in DE and PA with Nonna and Pops recently, the highlight being a day at Longwood Gardens.
However, before we embarked upon our adventure, Pops taught Aven a little about spatial relationships ...
... and Nonna read a few new books to Rory.
Then, we were off to Longwood Gardens, where the pumpkins are larger than the children!
Ah, this is more my size!
Here they are indoors. Did we mention that Aven likes to climbs on things, just like her big sister?

One of the best things we saw during our trip was the sister bonding. Here, the girls enjoy dinner with each other.
And here, Rory allows her little sister to push her in the swing.
But the highlight had to be the children's garden at Longwood. In fact, this was the same place that Rory had so enjoyed when she was Aven's age.
Given that past experience, Rory took great pains to show Aven how best to play in the fountains.
Ah, these are fun fountains!
Here she is, two years later.

And here we are, enjoying a family dinner in our room.

Rory and Aven look forward to their next adventure with Nonna dn Pops ... London in 2011!


One final shot: Aven and Nonna played together at the Children's Museum in Wilmington

The Crown

Rory made a set of princess crowns for Aven and herself. Aven was quite taken with the gift ...

Sisters, Part 6

Pumpkin Carving

The would-be-artist decides that the inside of a pumpkin is a little too slimy.
So, Rory delegated the carving to Daddy, who turned out two respectable jack-o-lanterns.

Aven: Can Stacker

Aven is our scientist, always staring down a problem with patience and resolve.
Here, she contemplates the question of how many of these cans could be stacked on top of each other.
Could she stack three cans?
Wow, four cans even got Rory's attention.
Five cans! Can she do it?

Rory: A Busy Social Calendar

When Rory is not cramming for pop quizzes at pre-K, she is having her face painted ...
... hosting princess playdates ...
... enjoying outdoor movies with friends ...
... and spending quality time with the King and Queen of England.

Aven: Already a Multi-Tasker