Happy Halloween!

Our fun Halloween day started with a Joy School Party. Eli is really enjoying having some friends who are totally his--not just the siblings of Ali and Logan's friends (not that we don't love those friends too!).

As per tradition, we went Trick-or-Treating in Grandma and Grandpa's neighborhood with our cousins.

Eli was done after about three houses, and wanted his costume off the second we got home. But here is a close up of our Power Ranger Logan and Bunny Ali.

Ethan and Emily introduced our kids to the fun of sorting and trading candy. This has been repeated over and over again at our house since Halloween night.

And, of course, we got to celebrate Grandma's birthday! Happy Halloween!

By Myself!

"By myself" is a phrase you here a lot from this boy, and mostly I think it is great. I don't remember Ali and Logan being able to dress themselves totally independently before they were three, but Eli does. It often results in backwards pants, shirts, and underwear but he doesn't care and so neither do I. But sometimes, things get really twisted and mixed up, like on Sunday with his button down shirt, and when I offer to help as he gets frustrated he still screams, "BY MYSELF!" I had to wrestle this shirt off him before I could help him put it on right, even after letting him try (and cry) about it for five minutes. How did I get such a stubborn one?

Jack-O-Lanterns

This year the kids all wanted their own Jack-o-Lanterns, and I thought it was cute that they all wanted little pumpkins--because those were the ones they could carry themselves. Daddy did the carving, as always, and Logan was cute in his constant encouragements while he did so: "Doing great, Dad! Ohh, good job, keep up the good work! Perfect, perfect, yep, that's just perfect!" It was so fun to listen to!

Happy Birthday Party

It's a good thing Eli doesn't know any better, because this year he didn't open any presents on his actual birthday. We waited until today for his birthday celebration so that Grandma Quillen could be here for it. The only thing missing from this party was Grandpa Quillen! (And yes, Grandpa, he did ask where you were!) 

We also celebrated my birthday, for which Logan made me a crown to wear like Eli. It was a fun party!

Happy Birthday to ME!

It's tradition to make a wish when you blow out your birthday candle, but I spent my birthday this year being grateful that I already have everything I've always wished for: foremost on that list my wonderful husband and darling children with whom I celebrated my 32nd birthday. I love my life. 

Safety Town

We were happy to introduce cousin Korrali, aka Little Red Ridding Hood, to our Safety Town Trick-or-Treating tradition. In some ways the kids love it even more than Halloween itself--it's a couple weeks before the Big Day, you get a lot of goodies in a short amount of time, and it's not as cold since it's earlier in the month and during the day.

Eli didn't remember the particulars of Trick-or-Treating from last year: ie that if you say Trick or Treat people give you candy. It was just about the best thing he'd ever heard, I think. Every single time someone put candy in his bucket, he looked at the candy with wonder and joy:)

Chicago Marathon

Jason's brother Todd came out from North Carolina to run in the Chicago Marathon, so Jason and Amy took their girls downtown to cheer him on!

Look at all the runners! Amazing!

Todd, aka Superman, checking to see if the medal was real. Well deserved, Todd!

Ali looked forward to her downtown adventure with her Daddy all week. She talked non-stop to anyone who would listen about how she was going to ride the train, go to Chi-Knee town (where they were going to wait to see him pass), and have fun snacks Mom was going to pack. The reality was that it was a lot of walking, but she loved spending time with her cousin Emily and being on the train. And being with Daddy. Well done, Todd! And thanks for the good excuse for a fun daddy/daughter date!