Seven!

We celebrated seven years of Silas on October 21... 

... followed by a jam-packed birthday weekend.

We had a great party with neighbors and classmates, new friends all.

Here's Silas wiping out with Trenton in the three-legged race.

On Sunday we hosted the grandparents and cousin Liam's family.

Aren't Tess and Liam sweet together?

Many more pictures from the birthday weekend are here.

Tess Videos

Pastorino's

Longtime followers of our blogging will recall Silas' trip to Pastorino's, in Half Moon Bay, when he was two.

Silas has changed.  Pastorino's has not.

Yet the second trip to Pastorino's was even more enjoyable...

... perhaps because we tripled the fun?

Actually, quadrupled the fun.  Cousin Liam came along too! 

Liam and Tess posed for this one while Silas and Rosemary crept through the Haunted House with Uncle Pete.

Here's the whole crew with Grandpa Ray and Grandma Charlotte.

Ready for Halloween!

Silas and Rosemary

The first few weeks in California, Silas and Rosemary fought a lot, for whatever reason.

Perhaps stress from the move. 

Perhaps celebrating their newfound ability to rumble without disturbing the downstairs neighbors.

Silas told us at one point, "Tess is the sweetest baby sister. 

And Rosemary is the most annoyingest sister!"

Now two months along, their fighting frequency has decreased significantly.

Maybe that's due to Meredith's propaganda ("You two are best friends!").

Maybe it's because they have become co-adventurers in exploring San Mateo.

At any rate, it's welcome.

Here are some pictures of the two.

  

Top photo: Enjoying ice cream at Beresford Park.

Next:  Rosemary scoots with Silas to his school every morning.

At left:  First haircut on the west coast (missing Ray's barbershop in Inwood).

At bottom:  Glow sticks for evening ghost stories.  (Listening to my fractured version of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow.)

Soccer!

Rosemary is playing soccer, which she refers to as "baseball."

She looks great out there.  This will come as no surprise to anyone who knows her -- she can really kick the heck out of the ball.

Rosemary is the only girl on the team.  Which is so lame! What is up with the other parents of three-year-old girls around here? 

Tuckered out after Sunday afternoon practice.

Silas and Sisters

Silas and Rosemary spend half their time fighting and half their time having a ball.



This is the game they call "tread":



Silas could not be sweeter with Tess:

First Day of Preschool

Rosemary loved her first day at
preschool.

Standing (with support)

Tess, now eight months, loves to pull herself into a standing position -- and is so pleased with herself every time she manages it.

In Meredith's words: "Tess, you're a biped!"

New School, First Day

The fact of our move really sunk in today, as Silas arrived at a new school filled with strangers. He waltzed right in, though.