Super!

We're having a super weekend...how about you?

Super Eli

Super Evelyn

Terrific Two (Terribly Tardy)

It sounds like longer ago than it actually was when I say that Evelyn's birthday was last month, but finally here are some pictures from our sweet, spunky, and always funny little lady's big day.

The birthday girl

Happy smiles (and carrying a snack)

Striking a pose ("I'm two and will look at my boot")

Blowing out her candles

Birthday cupcakes and kisses

A few days after her birthday, Evelyn was blessed to be joined by many of her grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins for more birthday fun.

Pre-party tea party with Grammy

Bubble cake

Bubble birthday sign

Evelyn had many helpers while opening her gifts

Success while making "coffee" with the new toy coffee maker

Being two is serious business

How many Brasels does it take to brew a pot of pretend coffee...

Busy Boy

Eli has been on the go lately and it has been so cool as a parent to see him growing and learning. This definitely the age of mixing flashes of big-kid knowledge and observations with moments of still-a-little-boy snuggles (and a few big emotions thrown in the mix just to keep everyone on their toes!)

First movie in a theater: Planes Fire and Rescue

Selfie 

(there's a word that didn't exist when I was 4 years old)

At swimming class - Eli is becoming quite the fish!

Two happy swimmers

Eli and his swim buddy come up for a breath

Boo!

Since the stores have already switched to all things red and green (probably weeks ago), and the winter-themed advertisements and coffee cups are springing up everywhere, I better post the round-up of all our Halloween fun, before it is completely out of date! From parties with friends to visits with relatives, and a healthy (or not-so-healthy!) dose of sugary treats thrown in, we got our fill of Halloween excitement this year.

Dress Rehearsal

The kids had decided months ago what they wanted their costumes to be (Eli decided last Halloween), so they were quite excited to try on costumes and prepare for all things Halloween. Pieces of previous years' costumes also made appearances this month as part of the dress-up practice.

A hat from one of Dad's costumes + Pete the Cat glasses + giraffe gloves = Eli's rest-time outfit

Dressing up as "Dr. Cow" at play group 

(the doctor has to clean up his own exam room, hence the vacuum)

Sideways pumpkin-bucket-head at bathtime

A very excited "hop" (bunny)

Eli the bat

Parties!

Some of our favorite Halloween traditions involve a Halloween party with the "Aquamom" group and pumpkin-carving with a few of my college friends and their families. Each year has grown a little more wild and exciting as families have grown and the "big" kids are more active participants in the celebrations. Eli also had his first class party this year - complete with costumes, cookie decorating (and eating), and games.

Bunny nose and whiskers complete Evelyn's ensemble

The Brasel "B" page from an animal alphabet book: a bunny, a bear, a bat, and a butterfly

A bear with his favorite little bunny

Ready to decorate some cookies

Yum!

What a great looking class!

The Main Event

By the time actual Halloween rolled around, some adults in our house were feeling a little Halloween-ed out, but the kids' enthusiasm helped us all rally. We braved the cold (really cold...like, trick-or-treat-in-your-snowsuit cold) to visit our neighbors and collect yummy treats. As an extra-special treat this year, Grandma and Grandpa were here to join the fun.

Good thing her snowsuit is pink

Bundled-up Bat

Trick-or-treat!

Snuggle bunny

 Glow-stick bath to warm up from the cold