31 October 2011

Happy Halloween!

Halloween is here! 
We carved our pumpkins yesterday - Lela's is the scared one, Resli's is the freaky happy looking one. Kennedy's was too small to carve so it got a drawn-on face, but then donated itself to a first grade science experiment today.

Resli had to wear dress code clothes to school but it was crazy hat and sock day, so she wore the hat from her cowgirl costume and mismatched socks.

Kennedy celebrated her first Halloween in grand feline style.

And Lela was Rapunzel. The doggie costume that was our intended plan was immediately discarded when the Rapunzel dress showed up as a birthday gift!

Everyone had fun at school. And then this evening they got all gussied up again and went out to the YMCA's Halloween party.

There were all kinds of activities and games. You had to go through all the stations to get to the reward at the end. There was a bean bag toss,

and an eyeball toss...


and making ghost stew by sucking ghosts up through a straw. Lela clearly thought that was too hard and told the counsellor so. She let her cheat a little.

There was a ghost toss too. (I'm sensing a theme...)

They had a pin the tail on the cat game, and Resli did pretty poorly! Lela did great because she was only pretending to cover her eyes.

Kennedy and Daddy hung out too, although she was too young to play the games, eat the candy or understand what was going on.

The reward was this great big bounce slide, and a bag of candy.

I miss old fashioned trick or treating, but since it seems like nobody in our neighborhood does that anymore, this was a suitable alternative.

29 October 2011

Happy 4th birthday, Lela!

You may not remember what you were doing on this day four years ago, but I sure do. Nana and I went to get a pedicure and then I went to a check-up with my obgyn - at which point he decided to induce me. And thus, Lela joined our world. Remember?

It's hard to believe that was four whole years ago already, isn't it? All three sisters were ready and eager to celebrate the big day today.
I dare say Resli was more excited about it than Lela herself. She's got a lot of that oldest-sibling thing going on, wanting to take care of everyone.

Lela was as Lela-y as ever.

And Kennedy was playful and happy as well.

We had some friends and family over for lunch, and then we opened presents. And by "we" I mean Resli opened Lela's presents for her, essentially. And she read her all her cards.

Mr. Patrick and Ms. Stephanie gave her a Rapunzel dress, which she hasn't taken off since (except for one minor incident which you'll see below).

Uncle Adam and Aunt Amy gave her these awesome  light-up red cowboy boots. Waaaaay cool.

Nana gave her a book which she and Resli stopped everything to sit and read, cover to cover.

After presents it was cake time. When I asked Lela last week what kind of cake she wanted, she said she wanted a cake with a unicorn. Thanks to Publix, I was able to comply.

Lela, not wanting to get her Ranpunzel dress dirty, took it off. Yea... she's not wearing anything but an apron. I don't know why, so don't ask.

This isn't a great picture, she just looks so grown up in it I couldn't resist.

Oh yea, boots. Nuff said.

Harvey and I gave Lela a fish tank and fish for her birthday. World, meet Izzy.
 (Resli ended up getting one too. They're bettas though, so they need to be in different tanks.)
It's been a pretty great four years. I love you, Squidgy.

Fall fun

Last night, to celebrate fall and Halloween, we went to Rogers Farm for some fun.
There were all kinds of cool things to do. (Including Karate-Kid-reminiscent poses.... Not sure what this is?)

The built a cool slide, and it was super fast!

Kennedy was there too, for the record. (In an entirely inappropriate Easter bib she picked up at school.)

One of the coolest things was the pony rides!


There were fake ponies too, which seemed almost as fun.

But my favorite by far was this big bounce thing. It's a long video but you've got to watch it to see the last couple seconds of Lela bouncing around. It's good for a great giggle.

All in all it was fun. Happy almost Halloween y'all! And check back soon because today is Lela's birthday, so you know there are going to be some good updates later.

OK, so no more swaddle.

I'm officially admitting defeat.

23 October 2011

Kennedy is soooo cute....


How cute is she?

So cute ... that even a plumber's crack looks good on her!

No, for real. Here's a close up.
When she grows up she'll never forgive me for taking or posting this picture. But I couldn't help it!

Gator volleyball

The Gators have a pretty good volleyball team, and they had one of their last home games today. So we packed everyone up and headed out. We weren't exactly wearing our orange and blue, but we were definitely in a cheering and cheerful mood.

(When did they get so grown up?)
 

The game was exciting, and Resli and Lela understand it pretty well.

And least, they chomp and cheer at all the right parts.

Kennedy enjoyed the game too, although she's still trying to figure out the rules.

Sisters rock.



Florida Gators

It was such a beautiful afternoon we decided to head to Lake Alice and see if the gators were out. And they were! Can you see the little one behind the girls here? (His head is just showing to the right of Resli...)

Kennedy was so scared to see that one behind her that she had to go to sleep.

What, those aren't big enough for you? OK, here's a good one. Needless to say, we didn't do a whole lot of posing near this guy.

But on the other side of the little lawn area, we could.

Followed by a (very appropriate) gator chomp.