Merry Christmas

Santa and all his helpers were extraordinarily generous to all of us this year.  Claire and Louise opened a few presents and started playing.  It took several sessions for them to open all their gifts.  (Charlotte didn't have that problem, and happily opened the gifts to the whole family).  Louise loved her jump rope, craft projects, and books.  Claire put on her tool belt and superhero costume, picked up a drill, and reconstructed our house.  Charlotte looked beautiful in her feather boa and cool shades.  Mommy and Daddy got exactly what they wanted, and they enjoyed chatting with neighbors over brunch whilst the children cooked in the play kitchen, drove the train, and generally displayed a remarkable amount of Christmas spirit.

The night before Christmas

'Twas the day before Christmas, and the girls donned their gay apparel for Jesus's birthday party: 

Ms. Judy then came for dinner, where she played with the excited elves and helped Louise put out food for the reindeer.  Louise talked about her excitement about Santa's visit; Charlotte said she wanted Baby Jesus to come, and Claire wanted the Wise Men to bring her presents.  We put out milk and cookies for whoever came first.


Eventually, the children nestled all snug in their beds.  Louise woke in the middle of the night and curled up by the tree, where she tells us she spoke to Santa as he put out the presents.

Santa Train

Baby Jesus!!!  Santa!!!  PRESENTS!!!  The girls are just a wee bit excited about Christmas.  Today was a big day.  C&C had "polar express day" at daycare (they watched the film and wore pjs all day).  Next, we went to the Museum of Life & Science, where we made "reindeer food," received fake snow, had faces painted, and boarded the Santa train.  Finally, we had a birthday party next door at the Gentry home.

The mystery of the "journey to the north pole" is becoming hard for Louise to take seriously.  "Look!  People dressed up as elves!  And there's a cardboard polar bear and someone dressed up as Santa!  And someone from my school is pretending to be Mrs. Claus!  Now someone's got a red light on a string and they're pretending that Rudolph is flying!"  Eventually, with a few gentle hints, she was also able to understand that younger kids might  not appreciate her precocious objectivity and rationalism.

Nevertheless, all three girls still believe in Santa.  Louise even wrote a letter to him: "Dear Santa, Charlotte & I have been bad, but Claire has been good, and she'd like a drill set."

Disguises

The kids' personalities shone through their disguises on Halloween.  At one door, the kids all gave the customary greeting.  "Are you going to give me a treat?" asked the woman at the door.  Louise reached into her bucket and offered the woman some of her candy; C&C backed away nervously.  The music factory was all about the CANDY.

Charlotte and Claire have some interesting conversations.  Last week, in the back of the car, Charlotte asked Claire, "Can you hear me?"
      "No."
      Charlotte: "Why?"
      Claire: " 'Cuz I got my eyes covered."


Charlotte had a rough day yesterday.  "You're being rather contrary today," Daddy said to her.  "No I'm not!" she defiantly replied

Party weekend

Happy Halloween!  Here's a preview of the Halloween costumes, taken from a Halloween party Daddy and the girls attended on Saturday:







































Louise won the prize for best costume.  She went as "dressed up for Halloween."

C&C went to Burlington City Park for a classmate's party on Sunday and had a wonderful time.  They particularly enjoyed driving:

Pumpkin time

The family Atherton went back to Hill Ridge Farm on Sunday for the pony rides, giant slide, hay maze...and pumpkins.  A good time was had by all (despite Claire's stomach bug).

We also had a good time with the neighbours.  Alex was away for nearly 48 hours, so when he returned, Louise exclaimed to her sisters, "Let's adore Alex!" and they gently stroked his brow whilst he relaxed on the lawn.

Claire enjoyed some one-on-one time at the library with Mummy on Saturday.  She has found her new favorite aisle: the children's Bibles are directly across from the graphic novels. 

Wordless Wednesday - Claire

**Thanks to Annie Harrison

Wordless Wednesday - Charlotte

**Thanks to Annie Harrison

Wordless Wednesday - Louise

***Thanks to Annie Harrison

Party time

We had a busy September.  Two daycare friends had birthday parties (sugar! musical instruments! whee!).  Mummy also had a birthday.  Pops and Grammy came down for the occasion, and we celebrated with photos at Duke Gardens, brunch at Elmo's, and a beautiful cake (decorated with love by Louise and Alex).  Cameron Park Elementary also held its annual Fall Festival, with food trucks, a bouncy castle, and lots of games and goodies.  Yesterday, neighbor Neepa celebrated her birthday by pouring Mentos into bottles of Diet Coke (whoosh!).  With every new version of "Happy Birthday," Charlotte is sounding more and more like Tom Waits - we're not sure why.

Mummy got lots of great stuff at the Mothers of Multiples sale, including a Spiderman outfit for Claire.  Claire wore it for nap one day, but took it off before a trip to the library, saying "I don't want to get books on it."

There hasn't yet been a frost, so the bugs continue to bite.  Louise has a new strategy, however.  "I keep flowers near me to fool the bugs.  They bite the flowers, not me."

Claire (aka Dash Incredible) and Charlotte continue to do better at daycare, since Charlotte moved into a separate classroom.  It's made them a little closer, and the behaviour is much improved.  Louise says she dislikes Kindergarten, but her actions belie her words.  She has already had her first "report card" and is doing fine ("meeting expectations" in all areas).