Happy Halloween!

The dogs got into their costumes to accept trick-or-treaters at our house. Chase commiserated with Cy for a bit before he, too, had to return to costume for the photo op.

The Main Event

Here are the dads fulfilling their dadly duty.

Chase led the pack trick-or-treating on our block.

We attempted to get a photo of Audrey, Samara, Chase and Livi all together but Livi, the little stinker, would not stay upright.

Getting Ready

As we were getting ready for trick-or-treating Chase tried out a new horsey that he got from our friends up the street. He got good at making the horse bounce pretty quickly. He seems so little up there!

Then we went to his friend, Samara's, house where her mom fed him apple jaws, mummy pizzas, and ghostly bananas. It was refreshing to healthy treats on a day of too much sugar.

More Audrey

To get a reduced rate at Chase's new school, we had to become members of the corresponding Health Club. One of the perks of the membership is access to the pool which is right down the street from our house. So, this morning, we went for our first pool adventure. It was fun!

More Painting

Audrey spent the afternoon with us yesterday so we made more art. Chase tried mixing mediums by using a crayon to spread his finger paints.

Painting was followed by some aggressive jumping.

Second Halloween Party

Chase was diagnosed with an ear infection yesterday so he did not go to school today. But, he certainly did not act sick. So, he did go to a fun Halloween party with Cody and Aska.

He hung out with his new friends and went trick-or-treating for sunglasses.

Definitely not too sick!

Evening Routine

Chase had a fun first day at his new daycare today. He even cried when I picked him up because he did not want to leave. To celebrate, he had dinner with his besties....

...played in the bathtub with new toys, including a washable crayon that actually encourages writing on the walls.....

...and read a new bed time story with Daddy! What a great day!

Horse-y Halloween

Chase and Audrey and about a thousand other Burlington kids put on Halloween costumes early so they could go visit the UVM Horse Barn. UVM students dressed up the horses in costumes and the kids spent time trick-or-treating from stall to stall.

At first, Chase was timid but Evie showed him the ropes.

Soon, he was trick-or-treating in the horse buckets like a pro. Too bad he will not get to even taste any of that candy. Good thing he still does not know what he is missing.

Chase's favorite was this hippie horse and owner.

Home Economics

After reading a disturbing NY Times article about how toddlers have become addicted to iphones (besides t.v. and video games), my friend Emily and I decided it was time to give Chase a lesson in good old Home Economics. We pulled out the old sewing machine and went to work on some Halloween accessories.

We came up with four trick-or-treat bags: one for Chase, one for new baby brother, one for Audrey and one for Livi! Audrey was excited but seemed disappointed that the bag did not come already filled with candy.

Yogurt for Dessert

My New Favorite Word

Chase has been signing and saying, "please", all the time lately. I have gotten so that I will not give him anything before I hear the magic word.

Hard Good-byes

Chase worked on making good-bye cards for all his teachers. Next week, he is going to switch to a new school/daycare. He especially enjoys putting stickers on pages nowadays so that was extra fun.

He had just enough time to play on the slide and the trusty trampoline before we went up for yogurt, bath and bed.

Afternoon Fun

Aska picked Chase up from school the other day because I had a late work meeting. I was worried that she would have to experience Chase's fussy time but, instead, they spent time watching the dogs out the windows....

...and reading books. She reports that he was a really good boy!