Max and Esme

I have ordered a new camera, so hopefully will have photos to post of Christmas! In the meantime here's a short list of what we've been up to: We had last weekend off so we finally started on our library project - we've built bookshelves and a reading bench on the front porch. Looks great so far - Peter has done a terrific carpentry job! Trim work this weekend and then lots and lots of painting to do. One of Max's goldfish died last week after being with us for over two years (apparently a long time for a goldfish.)  He was quite matter-of-fact about it, but was really saddened. Mommy got some extra snuggle time that night. Esme has a holiday party at school today and the kids have a concert next Tuesday. Both have been bringing home art projects daily, most of which leave glitter behind. Monday is my last day of work until January 4th - hooray!  The Brophy's are visiting next week, the Girard grandparents are coming for Christmas, and then a trip north to v...

I played the role of Super Mom this weekend, with some important help from Super Dad.  On Saturday Max and I went to a Young People's Concert at Lincoln Center with a friend. We listened to and learned about Baroque Music, had hotdogs and pretzels from a street vendor before hand, and drinks and sweets from a bookstore cafe afterwards.  In the meantime Dad and Esme cleaned out the boat for the season and washed the car. On Saturday evening we decorated our Christmas tree and made cookie dough. On Sunday morning I baked over 100 cut out cookies and that afternoon we were joined by 8 little girls for a cookie decorating party.  The girls had eight colors of frosting and various sprinkles to decorate their cookies with, and also decorated boxes to store their cookies in to take home.  Of course their interest in frosting cookies ran out before the cookies did so we have a couple of tins of undecorated cookies left to play with next wee...

Max did all the reeling on this one - I just helped support the rod so he didn't get pulled overboard!  The striper made a lovely dinner panfried in butter and breadcrumbs.  The kids both ate their whole portion.

In what's become an annual tradition, we spent our Halloween with friends on the next block where the extended neighborhood turns out for a parade and the next-door neighbors put a keg on the lawn.  Max went as a devil, and Esme as a black cat. With special guest Grandma Sissy along the kids filled their pumpkins with treats that mommy is going to try very hard not to eat!  Here's a shot of the family heading over for the parade, and one of Esme with her friend Katherine.

During our family trip in October we participated in two iconic fall activities - the cranberry harvest and scalloping. While not actively involved in the first we attended a harvest festival and got to watch them flood and collect a bog's worth of floating red gems.  Peter took us on a scallop hunt one morning and we (mostly he) collected a large bag of shellfish.  After several hours spent shucking the scallops we enjoyed a very tasty ceviche with our dinner that evening. 

Soccer season started last week, with Esme making her kindergarten debut on Team White  and Max making a strong showing for Team Brazil.  The rain we've had this week may postpone tomorrow's games, but if not we're ready to go with our fashionable pink shin guards and matching ball!