Ahoy! Happy 4th Birthday, Luke!

We're not quite sure how Luke went and got to be 4, but get to 4 he did.  After suggesting myriad party ideas (soccer?), themes (astronauts?), and activities (Stew Leonard's?), he stopped us cold with "I want a PIRATE PARTY at OUR HOUSE with JACOB AND RONAN.  And that's it." 

And so...

Paul made another theme cake - a pirate flag

Luke was properly outfitted - complete with a "moosetasche"

And bling

Ronan modeled the eye patch and sword selection

SWORD FIGHT!

SWORD AND BALLOON FIGHT!

Among the happiest days of his 4 years on Earth

Harper donned an outfit of Luke's choosing.  Well, mom didn't pair the dress with the overalls Luke originally selected...

Harper LOVED watching the big kids

Luke and Ronan licking their chops in anticipation

Black icing makes for ZOMBIE MOUTH

Luke enjoying the spoils of his plundering

Harper made quick work of her cake, then worked the room

The boys then took a Phineaus and Ferb break (which Luke TiVo'd for them ahead of the party - he was the host with the most)

Someone was pooped

Happy Holiday Photo Shoot

In an effort to capture a decent family photo some time before we're paying college tuition, we implored our friend and fantastic professional photographer, Sean Sime, to take some pictures of us this past fall.  While we never managed to get both kids happy (or non-goofy) at the same time, we're in love with the results.  Paige's favorites are below.

Happy Birthday, Harper!

 Maybe we should find a new name for the blog, seeing as Baby Harps has been around for A WHOLE YEAR now? (How did that happen?)

As her birthday fell on a Saturday, we held a little party on the very day - with lots of Aunties (and Uncle Charlie) and friends coming to visit and play and see the new digs in Ossining.

A great evening was had by all...she's such a lucky lady to have so many great people in her life.  

Luke had a great time, too.

CLICK HERE to see all of the pictures!

Halloween 2011

Just when you thought we went away, we are back, in time for Halloween '11.

After a viewing of Toy Story, Luke declared that despite his oft-stated desire to be a fireman again for Halloween, he now wanted to be Buzz Lightyear. Dad managed to talk him into being a "real" astronaut, and a costume was procured.

When it arrived a few weeks ago, one fitting was allowed to help build anticipation. And then he promptly informed all and sundry that his costume "had arrived."


Finally, despite questioning why "there were no bats outside," Luke went off to school with his costume and got to wear it for most of the day. Mom and Dad surprised him early at school, and took him and Harper for some quality trick-or-treating, Westchester style.

What was Harper? Glad you asked.

Are you familiar with space monkeys?


The dynamic duo


Solo Astronaut


Things that are scary:
Freddy Kruger (AKA "The guy with poky hands")
Spy vs Spy (Mom's vote for most awesome costume by 2 pre-teens)
Big Spiders

Things that were not scary:
Spider-man
Buzz Lightyear
"That kid with the sword"
Heads on pikes

Working hard for his candy


Coming soon: We step back in history and look at pumpkins in the snow, "punchy" face, and pajama day, among other things.

The Red (and white) Bicycle

We are moving next weekend - leaving Hoboken and settling down in Ossining, NY. Grandpap Rosella promised Luke a new bike - a RED bike with a BELL - for the new house. We told Luke we'd go pick out his bike (that we had scouted for him in advance) this weekend. He started asking when the bike store would open at, oh, 7am. "Does it open in, like, 5 minutes?"

So he spent some time in his "club house" (aka a packing box)

And then we went to our favorite sushi place one last time and Luke and Harper entertained each other. Oh, but first! We went to Stan's Sporting Goods to buy Luke a proper Hoboken t-shirt. That he insisted on putting on at lunch.
(Check out Harper rocking the high chair!)


CHUBS

Finally! The bike store. Luke was so excited, he couldn't even smile properly or react to anything.

We got it out on the open road. Er, sidewalk. It took him some time to sort out the pedaling & breaking.

But progress was made.


Thumbs up for the new bike!

Trying to smile, but just wants to stare at his BELL

Ringing his bell

Yelling THANK YOU, GRANDPAP