Scary Princess! Jump Out At You!

Olivia and Ren found comfort and confidence in each other this year. Olivia had been nervous and scared, but when we ran into Ren, she came alive, talking up the positive aspects of this scary holiday just as we'd been saying them to her moments before. They caught on to the doorway drill quickly, and were both very polite in saying thank you and Happy Halloween to everyone that gave them candy. These pictures only show the happy excitement post-Ren, which is how she and we will remember it anyway. Many happy Halloween returns, little one. No other day of the year can you walk up to a strangers house and demand food under threat of vandalism, all condoned and protected by local gendarmes.

Henry and Audrey were just fascinated to be awake after dark.

Birthday Number 4

Olivia celebrated Four with 20 of her closest relatives and friends from school. At our house. It was harrowing, but we hope they all had fun. They are all significantly better at listening to adults and doing as we ask. And it helps if one of those adults is doing fun things with a parachute on a beautiful day.

Thanks as ever to Aunt Pam for supplying every birthday cake she's ever had, and for the Grandmas bringing food and drinks for lots of family and friends. We cannot thank you all enough.