Halloween 2012

We made good this Halloween, the highlight being our fourth consecutive use of the cow costume Kate bought at a thrift shop for Clara's first trick-or-treat jaunt in 2009. Hattie carries on the tradition with pride. Clara went with a "fairy princess" concoction that mixed her Cinderella costume with some fairy wings and a crown.

We hit the Cameron Park neighborhood first as guests of the Glanvilles, enjoying the big gathering and sending the kids bagging candy from the many houses ringing the park. Then we hit the old Mordecai stomping grounds before finishing up on O'Berry Street. 

Clara did quite well with the loot and fell asleep in her PJs at 8.30 watching It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. 

Zombie Hattie (a Facebook Post)

Seemed a good idea letting Hattie stay up last night with babysitter watching Night of the Living Dead. Not so sure after discovering her like this in the morning. Beware! She comes for you!

Rare Night Out (a Facebook Post)

Rare night out. Milking it for all it's worth!

Soccer: Clara Plays, Hattie Watches (a Facebook Post)

Clara's #1 fan!

Clara On the Playground (a Facebook Post)

Clara on the playground this afternoon announcing to anyone willing to listen, "I'm 3 and three-quarters," then running with the big boys, then showing off some of her gymnastics dexterity.

Pumpkin Chunkin'

Our fourth year going to the Ganyard Hills Farm for pumpkin picking, hayrides and such. This year they added a corn field maze. We got lost. We would make terrible lab mice...probably never get the cheese reward.

Hattie's Wagon Walking

Hattie repeated this loop about 35 times tonight pushing the wagon. She's getting ready to walk.

At Duke Park (a Facebook Post)

Hats off to Franklin Golden for these shots or what?! Wow. A keeper of Daddy and baby sister.

Climbers

Hattie as climber introduces our newest challenge in the Dryden household.

Where does she get it you ask...

Hattie Squats and Stairs

The workout sensation sweeping the nation...Baby Squats. The workout for old men!

Hattie gets her own workout from going up and down the stairs.

Clara and Sunset on Lake Crabtree (Facebook Post)

Clara pondering the sunset last night at Lake Crabtree (with the Hochstetlers).

Arts Together Picnic

Clara's preschool had a picnic yesterday at Umstead Park. Some pictures of getting face-painted and prancing about as a kitty (which she remained for the rest of the day).

Clara and Cavities (Facebook Post)

Funny that the sight of a 3 1/2 year old daughter prone before the dentist while getting cavities drilled evokes the phleklempt response from this dad. My trooper.

Hattie at Target (A Facebook Post)

Most likely to earn father of the year after allowing little Houdini to pull this stunt in the aisles of Target. Many disapproving glances from fellow patrons. When should I expect that call from child services?

Fashionista Clara

For about a month now, Clara's preferred outfit each day includes a skirt with a dress worn over top of it. We have no clue from whence this fashion inspiration was devised...in fact, I'm not even sure we've asked. It's just part of our radical acceptance that this 3 1/2 year old will march to her own beat.

Hattie at 10 Months

It's been an exciting development month for Hattie. She's speed crawling everywhere, often sleeping through the night, cruising around the coffee table, climbing up (and down) stairs, waving (and now saying) bye-bye, and occasionally blowing kisses.

She's playing "where did it go?" Complete with shoulder shrug, palms facing up, and inquisitive grunt. Hattie seems to understand much more of what we say, and responds with a "ah" that seems to have universal meaning. 

She's also learning to stand her ground a but with her older sister as the increased mobility seems to have brought with it a burgeoning sense of sibling rivalry. Clara is often guilty of instigating, but Hattie has her fair share of the blame.  Whereas a month ago she reverted immediately to wailing when Clara snatched a toy from her, she has now developed an iron grip to hold on and instigate a match of tug-o-war. Little Hattie, while still quick with a smile, has plenty of fight in her!