Isabel wrapping presents

Sisters sharing stories

Cousin piggyback ride!

Getting ready for swimming lessons

Not much more to say.

Madeline practicing her violin. She BEGS to practice every single day.

Our Thanksgiving dinner

For the first time ever, it was just our own little family for Thanksgiving. I was pretty confused, I didn't know you could HAVE Thanksgiving without guests, but Mommy said it was still worth celebrating with just us. Unfortunately, Mommy and Daddy did NOT scale back the cooking, and I'm getting a little tired of turkey dinner!

I am not, however, tired of pumpkin cheesecake or cherry apple pie. I will even take a nap in order to have a slice.

Watching cartoons together, actually touching without injuring each other for once.

Happy Thanksgiving!

At school, we spent the weeks between Halloween and Thanksgiving making dozens of turkey related craft projects. We learned about the Pilgrims and Indians, made costumes and drums, and shucked our own corn and snapped our own green beans for the big Thanksgiving Parade and Feast. I also have a papoose which is not pictured here. I was so excited I could hardly stand it, and only a little disappointed that Mommy and Daddy couldn't come. (Mommy's note: when did the term "Indians" go back into style? Or has it?)

The King's Fair

Last week was The King's Fair at our church, and we got to go! First on my list was riding a pony.

At first, Madeline didn't want to ride the pony, but after she saw me do it, she changed her mind.

The next priority was of course to get our faces painted. I'm... a fairy, I think.

Imagine the surprise on the teenager at the face painting booth's face when Madeline asked for a "pomeyedtingay." She is fascinated with BBC's footage of the small-eyed stingray and asks to see it over and over.

Look at me!

I'm swimming like a fish lately, and I LOVE IT.

SU Homecoming highlights

We went to Mommy's school two weeks ago for homecoming and reunion weekend. Madeline and I got very tired from walking all over campus (it seemed HUGE to us!), but we got to see many friends and had a blast.

Me with the Mascot. Madeline tried for nearly an hour to work up the courage to touch him, but never managed it.

Recital time!

Our violin studio had an informal recital last weekend. I played "O Come Little Children" as a solo and Madeline played "Pop! Goes the Weasel" with her pre-Twinkle group. We were both very, very, very excited and practiced very hard to get ready for the big day. There were at least twice this many kids, but a lot of them left as soon as they finished their piece. I am very eager for the day I get to have my OWN recital and invite all my friends and have Mommy make all my favorite foods. It's getting closer all the time, I am learning "Allegro" now.

This is all my schoolwork-- from LAST WEEK. And that's just what I did at school, I always come home and make even more! We are drowning in paper and projects and crafts around here. How is it possible to decide what to keep and what must go??

The red-headed fairy gained quite a bit of attention.

We ran into a friend of mine from school and continued around the neighborhood with her. We walked hand in hand all night.

Happy Halloween!

We tried a different kitty design this year, but it HAD to be a kitty.

We were all prepared to go as a mouse and a lion (a la Aesop's fables), but yesterday I had a change of heart and declared that I HAD to be a ballerina. Then when I saw Kathryn's butterfly wings, I added some of my own. Then little lion Madeline felt left out and switched to her ballet outfit, so we were a bunch of butterflyfairyballerinaorsomethings.

BA was dashing as a worm.



Early in the evening.

Super big silly goose grin

Whilst hiking up her pants, which are perpetually both too wide and too short on her skinny minny frame.

A dance show

Madeline and I spent some time choreographing a dance performance with our back porch as the stage. We got all dressed up and invited Mommy and Daddy to come watch. These pictures cannot possibly do justice to the brilliance and hilarity of our performance, as we were both moving and twirling quite rapidly.

Only because some people have asked

By popular demand, here is a short Christmas wish list for me and Madeline. More detailed ideas can be found on Mommy's amazon wishlist.

Me:
1. Size 6 nightgowns. Without TV characters that are too old for me like Hannah Montana. Hard to find, I know.
2. Crafting books, supplies, etc. I go through these like crazy, so even simple things like paper and crayons are nice. Klutz makes neat project oriented books.
3. Educational computer games, many available at www.childrenssoftwareonline.com or board games.
4. Play money.
5. Books, books, more books. Short picture books, easy readers, or chapter books I can read with Mommy.

Madeline:
1. A Little People vehicle of some sort, like a bus.
2. Big floor puzzles (like those from Melissa and Doug)
3. Extra Duplo pieces, including vehicles and a base.
4. Size 3T clothing.
5. Purses and bags-- we have a lot, but they are mine, and I don't like to share them.

The whole family's been a bit under the weather lately, and I am no exception. After a hard day at school, Mommy sat me down to do my medicine before dinner. Even though I was hard at work coloring, I just could not stay awake, so had a little 4:30 pm nap.