Jack O Lantern 2014

Let's cut this guy open...

Allison providing design guidance for the eyes...

And the mouth should look like this Daddy!

The finished product

After the trick or treating...

Time to carve the pumpkin...

They look pretty focused....

1st Day of Dance - Year 4

This year Allison will take two classes, ballet and jazz. She is ready to go!

Our First Grader is off...

Big bus stop...

Backpack loaded with supplies. 

A little hot and tired getting off the bus!!

Tooth Fairy Visit #2

Is scheduled for tonight!

Allison at Lake Hopatcong

Had a nice weekend getaway at Lake Hopatcong where Allison rode on a boat for the second time in her life.  She really loved it.  Thanks much to Craig for the invite, it was a great day.

Funny girl...

Allison came home from camp tonight and began writing on her whiteboard. She was excited for me to see what she has written. FYI, "/" is Allison for "1/2".

California Day 2

Sunday morning in LA, I love the view from Carla's house! We decided to head off to the beach for the day.

After a beautiful but twisty drive, we arrived at Zuma beach.  The girls quickly settled in to playing in the sand, filling buckets with water, relaxing in their tent and having a great time!

Snack time!

C'mon Daddy, this water isn't cold at all!

Zuma beach was so pretty!

Pretty sure the adults were tired out, but the girls still had energy when we got home, so they played with the water table outside for a while.

After an awesome dinner, the girls put on their matching Frozen flip flops and we headed out to an outdoor mall, the Americana.  The girls loved watching the Bellagio-like water show and just playing around.

Mesmerized? 

The parking garage had a beautiful glass butterfly, so the girls posed

Good thing Carla took a decent picture!

We ended the evening with a full car sing along to Katy Perry's Roar.  Allison's summary... BEST DAY EVER MOMMY!

Here we go to California!

Allison was very excited to head off for a week in California!  She was just a little impatient before we got on the flight, which was delayed....

And then delayed a little more.

Once seated, she took advantage of the free (big delay) TV and movies that were available.  From then on, she behaved like a dream child, not an ounce of trouble for the whole flight.

Arriving in LA, we were welcomed by Allison's BFF Elliana! And of course her Mom and Dad too!

Carla and Bo knew right where to take us first, Paco's Tacos! Yum!

Now by this time John and I were pretty tired, but not these girls.  This was to be the night of Allison's first ever sleep over, and that went on pretty late.

 Big thanks to Carla and Bo for letting us fall asleep while they somehow got the girls to go to sleep.  I'm pretty sure some real threats were involved, and eventually everyone slept!

School is out for summer!

It is hard to believe, but Kindergarten is over!  Allison had a great year, and made some great friends!  

Just another Thursday morning

Today Allison discovered the side pony tail and was so excited to get on the bus with her friends.

The Tooth Fairy Visits Tonight

Allison was so excited today when her first tooth fell out! It happened at school so she was given a special "tooth necklace" where she could proudly carry it. At bedtime, she placed  the tooth in the special pillow Gram and Pop Pop had given her, and also put  a whole pile of candy under her pillow for the Tooth Fairy.

This is the first picture I could find where the tooth was visible, she's 8 months old. Ironically, that photo was posted exactly five years ago today!

And here she is without it for the first time.   Will someone please slow down the clock!!!!!

Memorial Day Parade 2014

Even though we haven't lived in Hamilton for 10+ years, we always see the Memorial Day Parade in Hamilton Square. We park our cars at Patterson (maybe not next year) and reminisce about the year Liz and I twirled our batons down Nottingham Way....

This year's spot

Anxiously waiting

Her turn

Prime seats to catch the candy and frisbees

Here comes something amazing!  (He really said that!)

All done. It looks nothing like in Pop Pop's day, but what a familiar door to our whole family. Let the summer begin!

Allison's first pedicure

On Memorial Day weekend 2014! Ready for summer!

Loose tooth!

Take a good look at those bottom teeth, as there will soon be one less! Allison was so very excited to find this morning, after weeks (months?) of hoping, that a tooth is actually loose. I am not ready for this! But she sure is.......

Dance recital 2014!

I can't believe we have just finished our 3rd dance recital!  Ally and her friends did a great job, and had a lot of fun!!

Happy Easter!

All the grace of a little lady....

Allison's newest stunt

Daisy tour of the firehouse