November Catch Up

Time flies!

Since my last posting in October (!), November has turned seven years old, we took a tour of our new local fire station (dream job for Hawthorne), and "Baby Salmon" as Henry calls him, continues to be a joyful addition to the fold. 

Seven!

Brothers

Touring the new fire station.

Simply and utterly in awe.

Planting garlic.

The first preschool performance.

Preschool Field Trip to the Farm

The whole family gathered for the first Preschool trip of the year: A jaunt down to a family farm.

Yes, the Fire Marshall look is preferred.

A day off from his school to accompany us.

Chickens galore.

And then, as the matron of the farm talked of the farm...

...while your friend here...

..asked me when the talk was supposed to start.

Gathering at the chestnut tree.

Ripe and ready.

Spiky on the outside..

...and beautiful on the inside.

On to the fields.

And the corn maze. (I wonder how many eager boys tried ninja moves on the corn)

No ninja moves here.

And as we get ready to leave, one last look at the chickens.

Thank You Video Montage

Rather than written thank-you cards, I had the four-year old give a taped video statement of gratitude to each of his gift-givers who were present at his party (the videos were emailed to each individual).
For some reason, watching the whole sequence of videos gave the Missus one of the best laughs.
The earnestness of the birthday boy is appreciated, but we came to enjoy the gradual slumping of Sidekick Simon as he experiences the challenges of gravity.

Eventually he did topple over, and had to be replaced by big brother.

The Fourth Party

The fourth birthday of our Preschooler took place at the park yesterday, with family and friends gathering to watch the effects of sugar on children.

Balloons.

Happy Birthday...live? liver?

Happy...

....and happier with cake!

Casting off all concern for niceties, and gettin' to the loot!

Finally, the continually asked question for Nana is put on a shirt for the boy.

Pileup of guests, with more coming down the pipeline.

First Day Of Preschool

The day has come for our young scholar to enter the academic world.

Indeed.

Stickers applied to greeting cards for the teachers.

Ready.

The entry.

Greeted.

Cubby found.

Surveying this strange new world.

Each day begins with tracing and writing one's name.

Teacher Mama has already prepared this student for such exercises as this.

Gotta take toy inventory.

Your friend as we left him to his studies.