We visited a playground after our trip to the Salisbury Zoo with Grandpop. Sean really got into the sandbox.

Abby wanted to play on the big rock more than the playground equipment.

We're starting to learn to read in earnest, now. Huzzah!

At school, Abby got to be part of a Thanksgiving pow-wow. She likes to wear the headdress at home.

At the moment, Sean's absolutely favorite toy is our Swiffer. We're trying to channel his and Abby's energy into cleaning the house. So far, the results have been disappointing, but we haven't given up hope.

When we're preparing a meal, Sean often gets cranky. But, we found a way to fix that -- sit him on the counter and let him watch. It silences him.

Sean in his new sweater from Grammy. He likes the big chair.

For Halloween, Sean got to dress up as an elephant. He had a tail. He liked it a lot.

For Halloween, our school offered a fun night of games and stuff in the school gym. Abby got her face painted and played a lot in the moon bounce.

On Saturdays, while I'm cooking the pancakes, I stick Sean up on the counter so that he can watch and make the coffee.

Mommy took the kids out to play in the leaves last week. We got some good pics from that activity, like this one...

... and this one...

... and this one...

... and this one.

Sean got to practice his moves as a running back for the Buffalo Bills...

... and both the kids got to play together...

... and what was best was that Sean helped clean up afterwards!

A few weeks ago, Mommy, Abby and Sean went to the National Zoo with Mrs. Spillman, Sophia and Olivia. There were a lot of cute pictures...

... and Sean got in on a picture, too (though he looks rather confused, no?).

A few weeks ago was Homecoming Week/Spirit Week at school. The first theme day was Geek Day for high school, and Jersey Day for elementary... we went on then to other days, such as...

... Mishmash Day (self-explanatory, I trust)...

... and 50's - 80's Day (I'm a hippie biker)/Career Day (she's a ballet instructor).

Crazed gnome? Drunken elf? Hard to tell...

He's got big, pretty eyes, when he wants to.

Abby's 5th Birthday "Fairy" Party!

As you'll see below, Mommy went all-out to throw Abby a Fairy Party for her 5th birthday. It was a lot of work and planning, but it was a ton of fun -- Abby loved it, her friends had a great time, and all the adults got to eat great food and have good conversations. Maybe in another 10 years, we'll have another party this intricate...

Mommy made a beautiful Fairy Canopy for the fairies to sit under.