Happy Halloween

I could hear the girls giggling this morning in their room. I snuck in to check in on them and get in some quality cuddle time. Vaughan was standing on the windowsill, peering out at the street. I announced "Happy Halloween" and they both lit up. You see we have been dressing up and going to Halloween parties for the last week. Every day they ask if it is Halloween yet - every day (until today) I have had to disappoint them with a no.

So today the girls will wear one last time their Pippi costumes. They rock a Pippi Longstocking! Don't you agree?

P.S. Alan and I went to a party last night as Captain Stubing and Julie from The Love Boat. I think we pulled it off!

Halloweening

We have been getting ready for Halloween...and it has been hysterical. Apparently the three shortest people in the house thought they should try to hang things up high. I like that in this pic it looks like Ellery is holding up Gagi and Gagi is holding up Danielle! Oh and that cat -- sure is SCARY!

Ellery's Party - Part 2 and Some Visitors

We had a busy weekend (aren't they all?) After a birthday dinner La Parilla Friday night, we kicked off Saturday morning with Ellery's birthday party.

The girls had a fabulous princess gymnastics party (theme created by Ellery).

After a quick bite to eat, we hustled to the soccer field for Ellery's game. Have you watched little girls play soccer? It is something to see...for so many reasons. Some of the girls are holding hands, other are hugging. Some of the girls are playing with the grass -- and occasionally, some of the girls actually kick the ball.

After the soccer game, I took the girls out to ride bikes. About 40 minutes into our rather disastrous bike ride (Ellery had no air in her tires and her training wheels kept flying off), I got a text from Alan.

"Katie is on her way and will be here in an hour."

My friend from college, Katie, recently relocated to Birmingham. We had talked a few days earlier and I had hoped she would come for a weekend visit. But with Katie - you just never know.

I was giddy when I read the text message. The last time I saw Katie, we were living in NYC and Ellery was 6 months old. Now Katie has a little girl.

Let me introduce Katie's delightful daughter Ava Jane. This little angel will melt your heart.

I mean seriously - look at that face!

The girls loved loved loved Katie and loved loved loved Ava Jane. Ellery was enchanted with Ava Jane -- she couldn't get enough.

Katie left way too early on Sunday morning. The girls asked multiple times Sunday afternoon/evening if my friend was coming back. Vaughan was devastated that there wouldn't be another sleep over. I missed that little Ava Jane the minute she left my house.

Katie - come back for a visit again soon!

Isn't She Lovely?

Sweet Latham hasn't had nearly the airtime she deserves. She is the happiest most easy going baby I have ever come across (if I do say so myself.)

And she might also be the fastest growing. The little nugget is barely fitting into her 6 month clothes!

Happiness

Happiness!

Three Birthdays and a Funeral

Cue the music, Strawberry has passed away. For those of you not in the know, Strawberry was a fish gifted to the girls from Santa last year. He had seemed rather "lethargic" of late and upon returning from our D.C trip (post on that soon) he had settled in comfortably on the bottom of his home.

The girls didn't notice - he had always liked to hide under the rocks. I announced his departure and decided that this would be a good learning opportunity. Strawberry's death was a chance for me to talk to the girls about dying, about what happens when we die, how those who are left behind might feel.

I told the girls to dig a hole in the yard for Strawberry. Ellery came back inside about 5 minutes later crying hysterically. She could barely catch her breath. It broke my heart. After a proper burial, both girls seemed ready to move on.

And are we ready to move on now too? We have had three birthdays in the past 3 weeks. We started off with Danielle's.

Danielle's family sent her these beautiful flowers.

The girls were all up in her business...ready to get at that cake!

A few days later we celebrated my birthday with cake and dinner out!

And then it was Ellery's birthday. She started off the day with the traditional cupcake for breakfast.

Followed by a family dinner: chicken kabobs, rice and veggies.

And now for a little product placement....

I made these cupcakes for her party at school.

I used this Trader Joe's frosting mix and IT ROCKED!! If you have a Trader Joe's by you -- go get this and make a cake. It will be well worth the effort.

Lator gators...got to get the wee ones ready for a soccer game!

Happy Birthday Ellery!

We went to a dinner party - somewhere in Midtown. It was a Thursday night and you were coming into this world first thing Monday morning. We had a full weekend planned. It was the last weekend to get things together, to get our bags packed to get ready.

You had a different plan.

Around 2AM, I woke up. I was uncomfortable and I couldn't sleep. Maybe if I turn over, maybe if I reposition myself. Maybe if I...

I scurried to the bathroom. Then I woke up your Daddy, "I think my water broke." Before I could even utter another word, Daddy leaped out of bed. We gathered our things and headed out the door. George, our doorman, saw us get off of the elevator and quickly ran outside to get us a cab.

You arrived at 7:21AM. 5 1/2 pounds. You were teeny, tiny and so, so, so, so precious.

That was five years ago. And in that time, you have grown and become a curious, intelligent, spunky, lovable and kind little girl.

You are patient with your sisters. Always giving them what you have because it is what they want. Your kindness does not go unnoticed.

These sisters of yours - they are drawn to you. They want to play with you, be near you, be like you.

That is why Vaughan searches for you every day on the playground at school. She only wants to play with you - even though she is with you all day. What a great big sister you are! When she finds you - you run up to her and hug her.

Sweet Latham grins ear to ear when you sing to her. She loves how much you love her.

Each day you teach me something new. Sometimes you teach me facts I have forgotten or never really known. You know, teaching me about deciduous trees. Mostly you just teach me to be a better person. You stretch me - testing my patience, testing my energy, testing my faith.

I am grateful that God entrusted us with your care.

Happy 5th birthday Annabelle Ellery!

I love you!

To the White House

This past weekend we ventured to Washington D.C.. The trip was a success and I have photos to share and stories to tell.

Until then, enjoy these vicious creatures. Ellery's face painting compliments of Danielle. Vaughan's face painting compliments of herself!

Festivities

Fall has arrived. Can I hear an Amen? It happened over night and let me tell you - it was WELCOMED! Somehow, we went from 90 degree weather to a high of 70. October is my favorite month....by far. Do you have a favorite month?

You can literally smell fall in the air. And so, as you might expect, it was time for our annual Harvest Party. We invited some friends over, had fajitas and enjoyed the crisp outdoors.

Oh and the photo above, while taken the night of the Harvest Party - it really has nothing to do with this post. It sort of looks like a brain sucker....and I think it is starving! Ha - my jokes these days are on a kindergarten level. Sad but true.

Happy Birthday Danielle!

Today is Danielle's birthday. The girls are beyond excited. Cakes are being baked and plans are being made. I am so glad that we get to spend some time with Danielle today to celebrate.

Photo taken by Danielle

Danielle, we feel so lucky to have you in our lives. Spending time away from these precious babies is hard but I feel confident when they are in your care. Thank you for being such an excellent role model and mentor. Thank you for loving them so well.

Love -

The McKnights

(your other family)