Sue And Maia

Sue and Maia are best friends. They are in the same first grade class, and in the same after school program. Today, Mommy took them both to the Peabody Museum (of natural history), out to lunch, and then shopping. Grrrrls ruled today!







After the Peabody it was time for lunch. Given the choice of Friendly's or Wendy's, Wendy's won the day -- because of the toy. Despereaux!

Grandma's Jumper

Grandma Sue knitted a dress for Sue last year that Sue rejected immediately. This was painful for "Gammie", as Sue calls this (of her three) grandmothers. I sadly put the knitted jumper in the back of Sue's dresser drawer, and expected to give it away (or reclaim the yarn) when it no longer fit.

Surprise surprise, Sue came down from getting dressed for school today wearing Gammie's jumper! She just decided that this was what she wanted to wear. And after coming home from school, she told me that it was very comfortable, and that all the adults had commented on her dress and given her lots of attention. Now she wants to wear it for Christmas Eve dinner too.

Thanksgiving

This year's Thanksgiving dinner was similar to previous years, although somehow it all seemed better. The turkey was especially delicious -- Richmond had brined it. Everyone seemed very well, and was relaxed, and there was good conversation. Although Little Sue was somewhat bored, she dealt.



Brendan was relaxed.



The pumpkin pie was especially lovely.



So much to be thankful for!

Anouk's First Birthday Party

Our niece and Sue's first cousin Anouk, adopted from China this past summer, was feted at her parents' house this weekend. Anouk has learned to walk since we last saw her. She is the most unflappable baby I've ever met, and cute as a button. The birthday party theme was "fairies", a huge hit with the girls, although the few boys present were no so thrilled.

Sue Tries Out The Camera

Sue has started using the digital camera in the last few months, and while the first several (many) pictures were frequently of the floor, or completely out of focus, or half of someone's head, they have been improving markedly of late. Witness:

Halloween 2008

This year Grandpa Jim and Grandma Gail came to visit the weekend before Halloween. The Peabody Museum was having their Halloween special, and since the weather was not great, we decided to have pizza in New Haven (always the best), followed by a visit to the Peabody.

There were bean-bag tosses, make-a-black-cat-witches-hat, win-a-spider game, and the spooky witches corner at the Peabody. But our favorite part was the "bird lady", who comes every year and brings her rescued owls and hawks.



We spent Halloween evening with the Dattilos, trick-or-treating around their neighorhood after a delightful spaghetti-and-meatballs dinner. It was a late night, but totally worth staying up for!

Natalie was Hanna Montana, and Sue was a black cat.



A sparkly black cat.



The candy haul around Natalie's was much bigger than Sue usually gets around Johnson's Point.

First Day of School

Sue started first grade last week. This year she'll be taking the bus to school, and then to an after-school arts program, where we'll pick her up. I asked her how she felt, and she said "I don't have any butterflies in my tummy Mama. I'm butterfly-free." Wonderful!

Sue with her backpack, all ready for school:



At the bus stop:



Then on Saturday, we went to the Haddam Neck Fair. Sue got her face painted, as a butterfly!