Thanksgiving 2012

When your preschool is little...and your mommy is the director, you sort of get special perks.  So when our numbers are down, I bring some of the little guys up to Pre-K with me for a treat.  On this day, Vinny and his best buddy Richie joined us for lunch.

 

The truth is, I had this turkey headband project on the agenda, and couldn't resist the chance to put one on Vinny, too.

Off to Phoenix for Thanksgiving at Tom and Weez's.  Our hearts were heavy with the memory of Joan's passing one year ago.  But we passed the day with really beautiful weather, food, drinks, and company.


How's THAT for a dining room?

Here's Vinny with his new buddy (and owner of just about all Vinny's hand-me-downs), Luke.  And note, just 24 hours with his big cousins James and Justin is about all it takes to forget about wearing a shirt.

Vinny loved sleeping over Aunt Weez's house and going to the neighborhood park...without a carseat!!!  Living on the edge!

 Future engineers?

Last year, we sent messages up to heaven for Mommo to catch.  Vinny drew her triangles because that's what he knew how to draw.  This year, he wrote his name all by himself.  He knew how proud Joan would be to read his name.  And she would.  To think about all that Vinny is learning and saying and doing these days.  I know she sees it all, but how I wish she were here for Vinny to share it with her.

Look at these 3.  How much bigger than Vinny they are.  Yet, when we roll into town, they drop everything to play with their little cousin.  We are so grateful for and proud of James and Justin.

Chillin' out with Uncle Tom.

Feeding James' turtle, which thanks to Vinny is now named Tom Brady.  While this didn't initially go over very well in this Giants/Eagles house, the name has stuck.  See, told ya those boys love Vinny.  He's got them wrapped around his chubby little finger!

Oh, the fish is Tom Brady, too.  

Happy Birthday Boomer!!!!

Who could imagine you'd make it to 1?  Happy Birthday, buddy.  

If you are fans of Shark Tank on Friday nights like we are, than you may recognize this doggy treat.  Found it in our local Unleashed and Boomer thought it was delicious.

Boomer, you drive us nuts.  You chew everything in sight, and can sniff out a sock from a mile away.  But in recent weeks, you have grown on me, and I am glad you are a part of our family.  Maybe one of these days you'll calm down and play nice with Vinny.  Or rather, he'll find toys and games that are less appealing to you.  But one thing I do know, no puppy is as affectionate or snuggly as you.  Good Boy!

Happy Halloween!

What's the Pirate Password?  YO HO HO!  This year, Vinny is completed obsessed with Jake and the Neverland Pirates.  With no costumes to be found in the Disney Store or on line...anywhere, Mommy had to fashion one herself out of felt, duck tape, and a little hot glue.  Not too shabby.

Off to Monrovia's annual Halloween block party.  The Chamber of Commerce blocks off the Old Town section of town so that all the local merchants can pass out candy.

But it felt more like a cattle herd than trick or treating.  Just one big long soup kitchen line.  Still it was fun to see the whole town dressed up in the spirit of things.

 Not a fan of this guy...

I tried to catch a shot of him walking down the street below, but when I knelt down, so did he.  Goof ball.  Still, I love this shot because it sort of captures our "Old Town" main street section of town.  We love to drive up the tree lined street, checking out the little shops.  Makes a trip to the grocery store not so unpleasant.

Dinner at T-Phillips before heading home to trick or treat...

Back to our neighborhood for some real trick or treating.  First stop on the block!

Checking out the booty!

Fall Fun at the Preschool

Our firefighters friends from Engine Co. 2 came to visit at the beginning of October for Fire Prevention Week.  Though he chickened out on using the powerful fire hose, the fact that he agreed to hop up on the truck shocked me!

 Here he reading Go Away Big Green Monster with one of his very "best buddies," Richie.

Lunchtime with the Thanksgiving turkeys!

Haircut Day

Anthony's patience and persistance has paid off.  After what seems like countless trips to the barber shop, or haircut shop, as Vinny calls it, he's finally tolerating haircuts much better.  No more screaming, and in fact, Vinny now sits in the chair all by himself.  He looks forward to seeing Carlos now.  Carlos is such a fan of Vinny, he even spotted him at the Halloween block party later in the month.  Here he is on the chair, all proud of his bravery.

As a reward for being a big boy, we ventured out on the train into LA for dinner at a Mexican restaurant we'd been wanting to try since we moved here.  Border Grill.  I remember watching the cooking show with The Two Hot Tamales, Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger, when I was a kid.  Now I can say I ate their food.  Delicious!  Anyway, here is Vinny on the train.

Pumpkin Picking

Here we are at what has become our October tradition...pumpkin picking at Reilly's Farm, about an hour and a half from our house.  It's way out in apple country and it's a little taste of New England, which makes it well worth the drive for us.

We ignored the Please Don't Pick sign...shh!

Off to find the perfect pumpkin, and maybe spot his favorite Halloween literary character, Spookley the Square Pumpkin.