10.29.14: Pumpkins

Daphne, Stella and Fiona got to clean out their own pumpkins this year.  Some chose to clean them out 'like mama' which means using your hands.  Some chose to clean them out 'like daddy' with a spoon.  Either way upon cleaning out the guts, they drew the design on their pumpkins and Brant got to work carving three pumpkins in a night!

Stella, Fiona, and Daphne's creations.

10.27.14: Legwarmers

Stella, Daphne and Fiona decided it was appropriate weather this morning for leg warmers (high 60s).   Some of these leg warmers were even used when they were babies - but now they just cover half of their legs.

10.26.14: Howl-o-ween

Trick or Treating at the zoo - our annual Halloween tradition with the Marrones.

Daphne

Stella

Fiona

This woman recognized Daphne as Princess Celestia from afar - it made her entire night.

10.25.14: Pumpkin Patch

The morning started with.....the triplet pyramid (top to bottom - Fiona, Stella, Daphne).  I'm not exactly sure why it was decided to create a pyramid on a tile floor, but since they all agreed - who can stop them?

 Giggles upon the collapse.

 After some early morning silliness, we went to a pumpkin patch to enjoy all of the fall festivities. 
The girls climbed this giant hay structure,

 rode a train all around the farm,

 adventured through a giant corn maze,

 jumped on these huge bouncy pillows,

and even rode ponies.

A pretty exhaustive list to complete before lunch.  We would have stayed much longer, but with the temperature in the high 90s, it was difficult to be outside too much longer.

10.24.14: Halloween Festival

Tonight was the Halloween festival at school.  This was a great opportunity to begin all of our Halloween activities.  Daphne is Princess Celestia (my little pony), Stella is an artist, and Fiona is a witch.  Each girl designed their own costume telling me exactly what components were needed to make their costume complete.  Overall, three adorable little girls.

Stella in the apron that she painted.

 
Fiona determined the placement for each star on her dress and hat.

 Daphne was the most particular making sure we accurately reflected Princess Celestia from My Little Pony.  Princess Celestia had to have a purple jewel on her crown and necklace and the perfect cutie mark on her hip.

She selected blue, pink and teal for the mane and tail, but didn't want the hair covering her wings.  Princess Celestia is a unicorn after all.

10.20.14: Cousins visiting

Auntie Kelly flew all by herself with Cooper (2yo) and Nicholas (7mo) to spend the fall break with us. It was the girls' (and Brant's) first time meeting Nicholas.   At the airport we had plenty of helpers with the luggage.

 
 Stella, Fiona, Daphne, Cooper, Auntie Kelly and Nicholas at our favorite tree in the zoo.

 Somehow Auntie Kelly managed to entertain all five kids at the same time while I was cooking dinner.  I'm not sure she got much of a vacation while here, but we sure enjoyed having everyone together.

 Nicholas and Cooper playing together happily while their mama took a shower.

Uncle Brant holding Nicholas. Somehow Brant managed to get Nicholas to fall asleep in his arms (only to be woken up by a child soon after) a huge success.

10.15.14: Chameleons

Fiona, Daphne and Stella spent the afternoon in a special art class where they created their own interpretation of a chameleon in the jungle. These magnificent creations are now hanging proudly on the play room wall.

10.14.14: Raspberries

Stella and Daphne decided that they would give Fiona raspberries for the entire drive home.  The giggles were ridiculous.

10.11.14: Flowers for Auntie

Daphne, Fiona and Stella spent the afternoon picking flowers from our yard (filling this bowl completely) for Auntie Kelly when she arrived.  Given we were still a bit out from her arrival, we opted for a picture to show her what the girls had done.

10.10.14: What do you want to be when you grow up?

Today was dress-up day at school so Fiona dressed up as an astronomer, Daphne a paleontologist, and Stella as an artist.

10.4.14: Creativity

While Brant and I were busy doing chores, the girls decided to recreate text they found on their toy container 'Tinker Toy.'  I love it when Fiona, Stella and Daphne work together on a project.

In preparation for a play date we created an obstacle course in our living room.  It was quiet involved and culminated in a dance performance by all the kids.