In a few years...

... I suppose I'll have to give the boy a little talkin' to...

For now though, it's pretty cute to see Jake protecting Sylvie from the scary movie (Cinderella, in this instance)...

Since the kids (and the adults) had such a great time when we got together last weekend, the O'Learys, Cocchiarellas and the Haleys did it again this week - this time at the O'Learys' house.  Great time again.  This shot, believe it or not, includes all five kids.  Truly a blur of energy and motion.

Little Gym!

Hanging

Rolling

Watching with Sophie

Resting

Melissa got slammed this morning and Daddy was working from home, so I took a break and accompanied Syl to a make up class at Little Gym. And look who was there! Sophie!

Birthday Bash Video!

This video comes close to capturing the madness that was Sylvie's third birthday party...

Happy Third Sylvie!!!

I just love this photo.  It doesn't begin to capture the entirety of Sylvie's birthday - or even Sylvie's birthday party.  But I just love it.  The hand is Mommy's.  The guys in the background are the Rhythm Kids, congratulating themselves deservedly on another kick-butt birthday performance.  We were very pleased with these guys - as were all of Syl's guests.

Turned out Sylvie's party was only a part of her birthday extravaganza.  After her guests left she took a quick nap, then we went to dinner with the O'Learys and the Cocchiarellas at Jalapeno's, a Mexican restaurant nearby.  Syl pounded down a quesadilla.  THEN everyone reconvened at our house, and Sylvie opened presents.  She didn't get to bed until after 10:30!!  I have to say, it was a pretty cool thing to realize I was kicking back with my best friend from high school and his family, and my best friends from college and their family, watching all our kids play together on my kid's third birthday.  That was a nice end to an otherwise crappy week.

Here are a few photos.  Many more in the new November 2010 Gallery.

And of course it wouldn't be a birthday without my retrospective...

11/06/2007

11/06/2008

11/06/2009

11/06/2010

Thanks to everyone who made Sylvie's third one to remember - from the gifts and the cards to the voicemails and the video chats - Sylvie certainly doesn't have to wonder if she's loved...

Video to follow...

Un restaurante Mexicano.

What better dinner option after an afternoon of partying? Sylvie is having a wackyfantstic birthday!  Sorry about the demon eyes - this is a Blackberry photo...

Gearing up for the Big Day!!

This is what I found when I got home tonight. Sylvie REALLY enjoyed her school birthday party today (featuring the super cute and yummy cupcakes Mommy made). Perfect practice for the main event tomorrow!!

Another All Hallows, in the bag

Needless to say Sylvie (the butterfly - thanks Grandma!) had a great time tonight trick or treating with pals Madeline (Alice in Wonderland) and Jake (I can't tell you - his identity is a secret.  But he does whatever a spider can).  We went out on the early side to try and miss the cold snap that came with dark - and as a result we caught a few households unprepared.  The kids seemed unperturbed.  About fifteen houses in, they conferred briefly and announced a consensus - it was time to pack it in.  No complaints from the elder contingent.  We retreated to the warmth and safety of the O'Leary household, where we enjoyed Trystan's famous chili (and the guys caught up with the Pats game).

Some shots here - more at the tail end of the October Gallery.

Cool Ms. Butterfly

Front and Back

The gang

Alice (Wonderland)

Staging Area

The work of a Big Sister...

Make a break for it!

You ring it.  No, you ring it.

Teaming up

Seriously.  You ring it.

Into the stash

Syl's Favorites - M&Ms

Happy Halloween!

This actually took quite a bit longer than it looks...



We're heading out in a little while to go trick or treating with the O'Learys.  Syl is REALLY looking forward to getting into the butterfly costume that Grandma Lynne made for her.  It's supposed to be pretty cold tonight, so we're getting in some houses early and then having dinner with Madeline and Jake!

Happy Halloween everybody!

Spooky!

Jack-o-Lantern test run tonight.  All systems go for Halloween.

Back on the campaign trail

Sylvie was PUMPED to attend a Charlie Baker rally with me this morning.  She's met Charlie plenty of times now, but she was pretty psyched to meet Senator Scott Brown in person.

Afterwards, Sylvie was so enthused that she agreed to record this message to Massachusetts voters.  Her dad thinks this might just be what puts Charlie over the top on Tuesday...