Happy Halloween!

With Wednesday potentially being a wash out, we decided to scoot up to Freeport on Saturday night and celebrate the holiday with over 10,000 jack-o-lanterns.  It was an extremely impressive sight!  Abby wore her Ice Cream Costume and enjoyed the treats that went along with the trip up to L.L.Bean.  

It was so fun to spend time with Uncle Chris, Jen, Uncle Rob, and Trish at the Flagship store.  We hit the Trout pound but didn't see any fish.  On a side note, we went to Gritty's for dinner and if you're in the market for a family friendly dinner out, this is.the.spot for you.  Not only do they have a playground, a crazy fun house, and a fenced in yard for soccer playing or just plain old running, they also have seating outdoors with warmers.  Awesomeness.  Oh yeah, AND a tub of toys right near our table.  Totally family friendly. 

Book club and Art Projects

I hosted the first of what is hopefully a fun, social, stimulating book club with several friends on Saturday.  One of the gals has a daughter exactly one year older than Abby.  We've been lucky to sport a few of her trendy hand-me-down wardrobe choices.  While the adults sipped wine and discussed Lone Wolf  by Jodi Picoult, the little girls played in the dress up trunk and being entertained by an art project.

A pie plate with baking soda, jars with colored vinegar, and medicine droppers provided a good chunk of entertainment.  An easy peasy project!  It's unfortunate there's nothing to keep like drawing or finger painting.  Abby has gone to look for her "art project" several times today to show them off :-/ 

33 Weeks

Oh where, oh where does the time go.

The next few posts might be short and sweet.  I feel like I'm writing on borrowed time as "Sandy" is hitting pretty hard and I'm expecting to lose power pretty quickly here.

So, here we are at 33 weeks.  I'm starting to waddle, feeling lots of pressure in the lower regions, a bit of tailbone tenderness, and cankles are quite evident at the end of the day. Lots of pillows to keep sleep comfortable.  Abby is super excited for her baby brother and sings to him often.  Shes spends a few minutes each day tickling my belly button and saying hello! We've scheduled a sibling class which will include a tour of the maternity wing at MMC.  Since we delivered in VT last time we figured we'd check out the hospital. 

The little guys is about 4 pounds and 17 inches long - or the size of pineapple. Lots and LOTS of movement - rib kicking is an hourly occurrence. 

Abby: 2 years 11 months
Baby P: 33 weeks

Gymnastic Part II

Tim has been out of town this week at a conference in New Orleans.  With his absence, I needed a fill in for "Dad" at class.  It's exhausting watching let alone participating.  Especially being 8 months pregnant.  Uncle Chris offered to be the stand in.  I don't think he realized how much of a workout he was going to get.

A million dollar smile!  I casually remarked, "Now you know why I couldn't do this!"  It's one thing right after another in this class! They both had a lot of fun :-)

Moments that Prompt the Camera

I'm pretty sure this one was...."Daddy, I love you....." and then proceeded to bat her eyelashes.  We had been talking about having dessert....oh boy are we in trouble. 

When asked to duplicate the expression it was scary how on quickly she did it on demand. 

Celebrating Baby P

It's hard to believe this little guy is going to be here in just a couple of months. That means Christmas is about the same time frame (eeek)!

My Mom and her sisters honored Baby P with a luncheon decorated in baby blue and animal print.  The hostesses did a fabulous job with the theme, treats, and arrangements (Thanks Aunt Marie and Victoria!).  It was so nice to see everyone and share in our excitement!  Here are just a couple of shots...

The baby's room is almost complete and just needs some tidying up.  We decided on a gorgeous gray for the walls with navy blue and red accents.  The plan is to tie in some nautical with Red Sox/Patriots paraphernalia.  Some how the Celtics will be represented, but not entirely sure how :-)  The quilt above was made by MiMi and is perfect!  He's going to love it! 

Project 3873 Off the List!

As we approach winter, there was one more big project to cross off the list.  The previous owners had installed an "inside" door leading to the garage when they turned one of the bays into living space.  It was drafty, cold, and ugly.  I don't have a before picture, but here's our cute, new addition to the house. 

I seem to have a knack for bartering, so I coerced my brother Chris to exchange his handyman skills and labor for a few sox tix and other items contributing to debt.  Almost an even swap....

Yay for crossing this one off the list!

Abby Plus 3 makes complete band

We LOVE having guests over, especially sleep overs!!!!  These four did everything to playing dress-up, cooking up a storm in the kitchen, watching a movie, running, talking, sharing (sort of) and so much more.  The best was playing in their band.  Their first hit?  Mary Had a Little Lamb :-)

A home-made maraca, flute (recorder), guitar, and drums they were complete!  The vocals were pretty kick butt, too. Thanks Delaney, Ian, and Jackson for completing our band!  We had so much fun!

Columbus Day Happenings

What a fun weekend we had in Belmont, VT!!  The Proctor family had a little fall get-a-way to Papa Proctor's house.  Our travels greeted us with peak foliage, a fun concert (Jimmy Buffet Style), Kinect dance fun, and great photo ops.  We even celebrated a 40th birthday in try surprise fashion!

Here we all are!  (minus one who was working on techy stuff)

 

Let the real fun begin!!!

Don't worry Proctors - the video isn't searchable on Youtube...you can only view it from this link :-)

Gymnastic Classes

We're going on class number four, and Abby is hooked.  We talk about gymnastics a good portion of the week and certainly are excited for Saturday's morning class.  Abby enjoys the tumbling, bars, mat routines, ribbon swirling, and most importantly the stamps at the end of class!  She's learning to wait her turn (so hard!), a little bit of patience, to follow directions, and to move like a true gymnast.  Abby loves the somersaulting, vaulting, twisting, turning, hopping, jumping, bar climbing, and so much more in the 45 minute packed class.

swimming!

rolling down a hill

wheelbarrow

somersaulting on the obstacle course

having a blast!

waiting not so patiently

Ribbon Twirling

flying pigs for learning to vault!  One for learning and one for listening

 The second stamp could have  been negotiable, but she earned it for most  of the class.

A Half Marathon?

We love having our friends visit, especially sleep overs!  This past weekend the excuse was that Tim and Chris were running the the Maine half marathon. Yes, that's 13.1 miles. Crazy, I know, but they did it.  All in about 2 hours and 20 minutes.  Kate and I and FOUR kids made it out of the house in record time and found shelter under a big tree to hide from the rain.  We applauded their efforts and gave high fives at around mile 11.  They were looking pretty good and completed just before the SECOND marathoner (26.2 miles).  Now that is crazy.

Crazy as it was, there were 3000+ other crazies running in the rain.  Kudos to Tim and Chris for crossing this off the bucket list.  Well, Tim's bucket list....Chris is up for a Triathlon next summer.  Better get biking and swimming, Tim!  :-)  We love you!!!

Apple Picking in the Rain (again)

With a short apple season in Maine, we knew we had to go when we had the chance.  Regardless of the weather.  Even in the drizzling, cold, rain....again.  We went last year in the rain as well and were hoping for a nice, warm sunny day, but no such luck this year.  You'll notice a little peanut is looking quite similar in her polka dot green rain coat.  Despite the cold fingers we enjoyed choosing the macs and the cortlands from the trees; and hot/cold apple cider, cider doughnuts, and chocolate pop from the store at Thompson's Orchard.
 

mmm, mmmm!

Why go around when you can go right through? Isn't that what puddle boots are for?

We immediately made an apple crisp to share with our weekend guests and it was sooooo yummy!