november 29th - alex's favorite day
Went for our city-style Christmas tree adventure, which included a rooftop view while we picked through the trees. The kids giggled the whole time and were very big helpers to get everything home. Most people pulled their cars up, but daddy opts to carry it home three blocks. Gets harder and harder each year because mommy always picks out 8-footers. Alex tried to pitch in too in order to take some of the weight off :)
november 28th - a balmy end to november
Almost December and it is close to 70° in Philadelphia. We took the kids out for a stroll around the Christmas Village in Love Park. Mr. Christmas (Alex) was very excited to see the tree but he was bummed it was too warm for snow...although it did allow for lunch at an outdoor table at Parc. Gemma was in heaven...pancakes and pommes frites. We ended the day with a trip to the fancy toy store on Pine Street so the kids could pick out a special treat.
november 27th - princeton tree lighting
Not quite residents yet, but the kids really enjoyed seeing santa claus and the lighting of the tree in Palmer Square. Should be a fun tradition if we ever make it into our new house.
november 26th - bring on the carbs
Some kids dress up for thanksgiving...ours got undressed. Alex and his cousins ran around so much at Uncle Frank's house that he got a bit over heated and had to strip off his shirt. Even at meal time, he decided to keep it real and go native.
We had a lunchtime meal with the Burger clan and then went to Grandma Beeps and Grandpa Mike's house for dinner. The kids both loved Thanksgiving dinner...dessert the most when they shoved their faces directly into the whipped cream. We had a toast (gemma got heavy into the aqua purificata) and the kids said what they are thankful for...
Alex - christmas trees...of course
Gemma - her baby doll
november 25th - wait...not everyone loves santa?
Mommy took Alex to school this morning for his Harvest Fest celebration and made a stop for Alex to pick out some bagels. If mommy had only known, she may have picked out an even more Jewish snack to bring and compensate for Alex's complete disregard for his synagogue school. When mommy got there, she noticed a board saying "what are we thankful for"...after looking for a bit, she found 'Alex B. - christmas trees"...ha ha ha...not jewish.
Daddy and Gemma spent the morning shopping in the italian market and hours cooking a braised rabbit ragu. For a minute she packed her backpack because she thought she was going to school too. Eventually she decided hanging with daddy was better and helped pick out a nice cheese and meat spread. She tried aged gouda, brie, proscuitto, and pepperoni. Loved them all!!
november 24th - sibling love
Alex was showing off his new shirt that daddy brought him back from san francisco. Gemma was obviously unphased by the idea of it while she ate her banana. 
november 23rd - daddy time
Daddy is back to spend some quality time watching Shrek for the 3,000th time. Alex was excited to show off that he learned how to be the horsey while daddy was away.
november 22nd - sunday funday
Gramps and Grandmum were in town for the evening and could not get enough of playtime with the kids. We went for a Hawthorne's breakfast and these two were in rare form. Gemma has a new split legged stance that she thinks is hilarious and she will basically copy anything Alex does.
november 21st - down the hills and 'round the bend
Daddy came home on the red eye this morning just in time for a long drive out to see Thomas the Train in Strasburg. No sleep for 36 hours not recommended when walking amongst 2,000 children.
Gramps and Grandmum got Alex and Gemma tickets gor a ride on Thomas (and Percy!!!), which both Alex and Gemma were so excited. Mommy drove to the railroad...recklessly according to Alex because he got car sick and made Daddy switch with her...but as soon as we arrived he was magically cured with an ear to ear grin.
november 20th - no dogs allowed
Mommy and the kids went out for a mexican feast with our neighbors Chip and Mickey (and Sandy) tonight. Gemma chowed down on some guacamole and Alex was upset that Rufus the dog wasn't able to come to dinner.
november 19th - abandoned
Mommy had to go out of town too for a meeting in Hartford so the kids were with Jackie and Fred for an extended day of crafts and dinner. Gemma had a great time at her class while Alex was in school and then they both painted some hand turkeys for thanksgiving.
november 18th - little indians
Mommy and the kids had some thanksgiving craft time today. Very proud of their native headdresses.
november 17th - bye bye daddy
Daddy had to go to San Francisco today for the rest of the week. Not fun. Alex and Gemma walked daddy to the door and Alex loved the big black truck that drove to the airport.
november 16th - daddy time
Daddy got home early so we went for bike rides to washington square and did a few wind sprints through the park. Then went to dinner at bainbridge street barrel house and ordered enough food for an army. The kids ate whatever we told them to because daddy brought home special treats for dessert from House of Cupcakes in Princeton.
november 15th - officially holiday time
Took the kids out to get ahead of christmas pictures...cannot believe it is that time of year already. The only one ready for it is Alex (aka Mr. Christmas). If he had his way, his future career would involve the north pole. We went all over the city, but ended at franklin square for some hot chocolate, a ride on the carousel, and a premature light show.
november 14th - girl time
Uncle Frank's army of children cam down tonight for dinner and GemGem really liked hanging out with the girls.
november 13th - laundry day
Gemma was helping mommy fold laundry and took a liking to the undergarments.
november 10th - girl stuff
Gemma was so proud of her headband. She couldnt wait to show daddy when he came home from work. Such a grin on her face when she got to show it off.
november 9th - for the people
The kids going through the annual donation 'for the people' as Alex calls his charitable contribution to those less fortunate.
november 8th - sweet serenade
Lazy sunday feeling fat and eating leftovers. The kids shared in the exhaustion.
november 7th - thanksgiving #1
Our friends thanksgiving was a huge success...thanks to mommy. She did all the baking, cooking and cleaning for two days ahead of time. The kids had a blast with all of their friends. The dynamic has changed a lot. The original dinner involved 6 or 8 of us getting together, drinking malt liquor, and cramming around the table. We are still cramming but we are now 16 responsible adults in charge of 15 little humans. Frightening.
november 6th - tgif
Mommy spent all day finishing up preparations for our friends thanksgiving so we treated her to dinner so she didn't have to look at the kitchen anymore. Alex had gelato, gemma double-fisted pizza crusts, adults downed booze. Alex and Gemma took turns running home with daddy and finding hiding places....immediate showers required...it is 77° in philly today.
november 5th - break it down
These two knuckle heads are now at the point of dancing every time they hear music. Alex was especially amped up today.
november 4th - education pays off
Alex is loving letters and we work on them every night. He is now able to write his name and he could not be more proud.
november 1st - growing up
Spent the morning running errands, which included a trip to Macy's to get Gemma a big girl pillow. She picked it out and HAD to carry it...very proud. Alex was in his glory because the place was already filled with damn christmas decorations.
october 31st - hallow's eve
Construction man and abby cadabby hit the streets in search of legalized drugs for children...candy. Alex was on a mission to "fill his bucket all the way to a top." They got together with their cousins at night in Uncle Gary's neighborhood. All of them were very shy about knocking on the first couple doors but by the end they were running up by thenselves. Alex was seeking out daddy's favorites. Gemma was amazing...taking her candy, placing it gently into her bucket, and saying "tat chew" (thank you).
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