Our First Holiday Parade

Jay came up with the idea to take the kids out for the Milwaukee Holiday Parade so we loaded up and headed down to the city to stake out or spot.  (Not a long trip since it's only about a 10 minute drive, but the kids think it's a big deal to go to "Milwaukee")  We got a fantastic spot, and since we had plenty of time I ran to starbucks to pick up hot chocolates for the kids and a seasonal latte for myself (I went with caramel brulee....despite the option for pumpkin spice).  The kids LOVED the parade.  They all clapped as high school bands marched by, and Hannah and Leah even did a little marching of their own.  The girls went absolutely bizerk when people walked their dogs in training by, and Joseph enjoyed all the holiday floats, milwaukee sports icons (the sausages from the Brewers games, Rosco of the Admirals, etc), the harley motorcycles, and star wars characters.  He also like the crazy looking puppy person pictured below, but I have no idea who that is.  Anyone have a clue?  It was a fun morning, and now we know for next time to wear warm boots, bring our santa and rudolph hats, and food to donate. (And maybe find a spot in the sun, and maybe Jay and I should wear coats)

Dress Up

Have I mentioned that the kids like dressing up?  Pretty much any weekend that they have some time hanging around the house they are in costume, and while Jay was in India I took them to the zoo and let them go as Iron Man, a Bear, and a Puppy (since it only involved hats and masks).  Then Robin had some fun cruising around the yard and blowing bubbles with my parents, and later everyone did some baking in the house (note Cinderella and Hannah in aprons).  After we finished baking I offered Joseph a quarter to sweep up the kitchen floor, and he paused for thought and then responded with, "How about a dollar?".  I did end up giving him a dollar, but only because I made him choose 4 clean up activities at a quarter a pop!  He swept the kitchen floor, the dining room floor, made his bed, and put away the toys in the family room.   Jay had him clean up his room the other day and today I am going to see if I can get him to put away his laundry again (while dressed up as a Power Ranger of course, as that is his selected outfit of the day!)

The Face

Leah was caught making this face quite a few times this fall, once when we were carving pumpkins and I don't recall what triggered it that time, but usually it is when she thinks she's caught doing something or for some strange unknown reason not yet figured out.  Still more common to find her sucking her thumb with her Bear of course!