Halloween 2021

It was great to have a more traditional Halloween this year!  Isaac was french fries for the 3rd year in a row and was able to celebrate at school.

It was a preschool day for me, so I too joined in the celebration.  All the teachers were beanie babies, I found a great squirrel costume.

There are some parts of Halloween that are still somewhat impacted by safety standards.  My preschool parade took place in an empty hallway with no parents, but we still had fun!

After firmly stating he was NOT going to wear a costume, Noah's friends convinced him to celebrate.  I had a coworker that saved the day with a last minute pikachu costume.

Molly was highly interested in our pumpkin carving!

Isaac was not a fan of the pumpkin guts and eventually opted for some gloves.

Noah had a karate class while costume, it was a little sweaty to say the least.

Squirrel pumpkin and tiny dragon pumpkin!

Molly celebrated her 3rd birthday with some celebratory salad!

So we ended up with Pikachu, french fries, and a "mafia guy."

Isaac went trick or treating with some friends down the block.

Sam headed out with his buddy Alex.

Cats being cats.

Isaac has been reading about the Hindenburg disaster lately.

Noah had some spirit days at school, during one he wore his full karate uniform along with hakama (traditional pants).

Colder weather gets me free cat snuggles!

Matching holiday pj pants!

And probably the biggest news, Sam and Isaac got their first COVID shots, woohoo!

This week, Isaac had a 3rd grade musical performance at school.

It was pretty amazing, at the end he was on a hand drum!

So, now we prepare for Thanksgiving and some much anticipated time with family!

Noah's 8th grade DC trip

Noah was able to go on an 8th grade trip to Washington DC recently; he had a great time!  There was a slight delay at the outset with his bus to the airport being late and his flight getting pushed back due to weather, but otherwise it was a smooth trip!  His best friends, Ari and Maya, both went too!

Noah was able to room with Ari and two other kids he didn't know, but ended up getting along well with.

While Noah was gone, Sam and Isaac had a couple days off school too.  They went to the pumpkin patch with Bampa.

Meanwhile in DC, Noah was able to see all the sights!

Safe to say, it was a great trip that he will always remember.  We are so proud of the independent guy he is becoming.

Sam and Isaac had a special sleepover with Bamma!

Noah came home in one piece after a whirlwind trip.

Isaac continues to do well in swim lessons.  This week he was able to float around with a pumpkin.

Awesome Kirschbaum's cake from Bamma!

And, I received a very nice pot from Isaac this week!

I was able to go celebrate a neighbor's birthday, love these gals - we had a great night!

So now onward to Halloween!

Early fall happenings

Life with the three gents has been pretty calm, thankfully, as the school year has settled in.  Our broader exciting family news is Josh and Kjersten are getting married (in September 2022) and having a baby (in February 2022)!  We are beyond thrilled about all this and Kjersten even asked me and mom to come along dress shopping.  I was, of course, extremely helpful.

Kjersten looked amazing in everything and was very decisive about what she liked and didn't like, so she ended up finding a gorgeous dress (not pictured, obviously!)

It was a fun day and I was just excited to be a part of it!

Meanwhile at home, things are moving along well.  Everyone is doing well at school and getting more independent each day.  Fashion choices abound in this house, and I love it all.

We finally got our new living room furniture.  Very happy with the outcome, despite Noah's face.

Didn't take long for the cats to claim rights.

Noah's hair continues to impress, hasn't been cut since March 2019 and he has been attempting some new and interesting styles.

We unexpectedly grew a tomato in one of our planters.  Then it was tragically stolen by a squirrel.

Cat snuggles for days!

Big cousins helping out little cousins at Papa's house.

Picture day style.  Not sure how I feel about the colonial pony with skraggly bangs, but what do I know?!

A kitchen incident involving a shattered full bottle of balsamic vinegar that required a full shower and thorough kitchen cleaning.

This kitten turned 2!  Love her dearly!

Josh working for brownie points on a recent trip to visit Mary Kate.

King Sam, earned himself a class award for just generally being awesome.  Agree, he's pretty great!

Block party fun by Uncle Danny's.

Sam tried out another unique sport: Archery!

More Rodriguez style.  If in doubt, pick orange for Isaac!

New game (Gloomhaven) and new hairstyle: both mom approved.

And who doesn't want to be read a chapter about seizures and gangrene from Isaac's latest library pick?!

So today we send Noah off on his 8th grade DC trip, can't wait to see and hear about his adventures!  Happy Fall, Y'all!