Cookie Monster or a lady bug?

A while ago I decided I was going to try to make Anna a lady bug costume for Halloween. As of a week ago, I still had not started the sewing so when I saw a cookie monster costume available to borrow at a mom's group, I snatched it quick. (Cookie is Anna's second favorite Sesame character after, of course, Elmo.) I think having the backup costume gave me the confidence to actually take a stab at the lady bug, which I have since finished and I must say, it came out quite good. So now Anna actually has two great costumes for Halloween - both of which she likes talking to, playing with, and moving around the living room and neither of which she really likes having ON, but I was able to snatch this shot when I was making sure the Cookie Monster would actually fit:

Old-fashion popcorn

A couple nights ago we made "old-fashion" popcorn. That's right, plain kernels in oil on a saucepan in the stove. I had actually never done it like that before (well, at least that I remember). I do remember making popcorn in a hot air popper, which is a favorite memory from visiting Grandma Jane as a kid. Fortunately, Dad remembered making popcorn like this as a kid so he served as the expert. It was fun and everyone liked it! A perfect treat to eat during a Yankees playoff game!

Go Giants!

Uncle Pete and Anna sporting their matching Giants jerseys before the Giants v. Raiders game:

Happy Birthday, Nana!

A couple weeks ago we headed to Albany to celebrate Nana's 60th birthday! We had a great time celebrating with her and spending time with family. Here are some shots from the party:

Aunt Becky, Liam, Uncle Jeff, Nana, Daddy, Anna & Mommy

Aunt Andrea, Nana, and Melissa

Sofie and Scott

Sam and Anna

Aunt Anne and Grandma Ginny

Daddy, Anna, Uncle Jeff, and Liam

A budding architect?

For the past couple months Anna has taken a great interest in building with blocks. Here she is busy at work on one of her creations:

So long vacuum cleaner...

Today Anna found a new game she likes to play. She walks around the house looking for small pieces of garbage (a piece of lint, piece of a leaf, ect.). She then picks it up, walks it to the garbage can, lifts the lid, and pops it in. The only problem is that she's not that good at finding the garbage so mostly I have to point it out to her. Although she did do the cutest thing to look for it: bend over and put her head right to the floor - as if the little pieces of garbage are so small that that is the only way she will find them.