Dino-Mite!

Happy New Year from Henry and his friend Sanders, who visited Fernbank Museum this afternoon!

Santaceratops says hello.

Scientists have discovered that dinosaurs' faces were much more human-like than previously believed.

Dem Bones

Thanksgiving, etc.

Henry's kindergarten class got into the Thanksgiving spirit this year by performing a short play.

Here, Henry explains what the "N" in Thanksgiving might stand for. I bet you think it's "November," right? You're wrong:  it's "neighbors."

The next week, we went to North Carolina to Grandma and Grandpa's house. Cousin Aliza was there...

...and Grandma Sydelle...

...and Grandpa Marty!

On the way home, we stayed one night at the Great Wolf Lodge in Charlotte (which Henry inexplicably called "the Fox Zig") with Luigi and Uncle Ryan. It has a giant indoor water park, magic shows, a miniature bowling alley and is pretty much just an awesome place to bring your kids.  Plus, they got to sleep in their own "cabin" inside our room which included bunk beds, making it much easier for the grown-ups to stay up late and watch a little TV.

Unrelated:  Claire gives her pediatrician's ticker a quick check before getting her own examination.

Monster Mash!

Happy Halloween from a red M&M and a blue skeleton!

This one doesn't melt in your mouth or your hands.

We trick-or-treated again this year with Ryan (Harry Potter) and Sydney (Super Girl)

Seems like Super Girl should be doing the heavy lifting here, but what do I know?

This one was taken while Henry was already coming down from his sugar buzz.

Save this pic for the rehearsal dinner...Claire and her good friend and neighbor Johnny laughing at how easy it is to score free candy from grown-ups.

Looks Like the Beginning of a Beautiful Friendship

Between Claire and shopping, that is.  Compliments of Mindy's (MiMi) phone, here is a photographic record of her first trip to Nordstrom Rack...

Claire's First Haircut

Technically, this is not Claire's actual first haircut -- she's had one other quick trim.  But for purposes of this blog, let's go with it!

As you can see, she had a lot of hair to work with.

Red lollipop = no tears.  I don't have an "after" picture because I'm a terrible person, so you'll just have to believe me when I tell you the finished product was at least 90% less mullety.

...Flim Flam, Bim Bam...

Huzzah! It's football season! Which means lots of great things, not the least of which is that Claire gets to break out her sundress.

She spent a lot of her time on the dessert end of the table.

She also spent a lot of time with her new friend Sarah.

 Meanwhile, Henry wrapped himself in Mardi Gras beads and got a bird's eye view of our tailgate. Naturally.

You wouldn't know it from this picture but Henry is a screamer at football games.  He yells "DE-FENSE!" and "I-FENSE!" [sic] with equal amounts of gusto. 

On Sunday, Henry took a ride in his buddy Sanders' Jeep. Now I don't know about you, but I'm not sure if them Duke boys is gonna get outta this mess...but that's just plum the way it goes in Hazzard County.

Sunday night we were lucky enough to accidentally stumble onto this free Jimbo Mathus concert in Taylor. In related news, Claire likes to dance.

Going for the Gold

Claire's been taking a gymnastics class so look out for her in the Summer Games of 2024!  That is especially true if "Women's Run Across the Floor Exercise Mat and Drink Out of the Water Fountain" becomes an event.  She would also dominate in "Run Around in a Circle Until You Fall and Giggle."

Gabby Douglas who?

The foam pit is definitely her favorite apparatus.

She also likes this one which is like the vault, only with 100% less air time.

This is "Jump From Circle to Circle."  For Claire, the circles are more like launch pads for the above-referenced "Run Around in a Circle Until You Fall and Giggle."

She also likes the beam.  But clearly not as much as the foam pit...

Back to School!

On Monday, we celebrated/mourned TWO first days of school!

Henry was off to his first day of kindergarten (!) with his new backpack, lunchbox and water bottle in tow...

A newly-minted Vanderlyn Viking

Meanwhile, Claire had her first day of any kind of school!

Already reading...she's a genius!

Her cold and runny nose didn't stop her from having a great first day.

She likes her dolls like she likes her hot dogs: naked.

Apparently on the playground, Claire means business.

Twinkies

They laugh alike, they walk alike, 
At times they even talk alike -- 
You can lose your mind,
When [Claire and her friend Taylor] are two of a kind.

Claire Turns 2!!

Claire turned two years old on June 30!  We celebrated the day in Chapel Hill at "Bampa" and Grandma's house...

This year, Henry made his own "2" sign for her to sit with.  You also might notice that she's posing with her entire set of five new barrettes.

Mmmmmm, birthday corn!

Claire recreates the expression she wore for the first six months of her life.

???