Elf on the Shelf (a Facebook post)

It's a blurred line, that one between the things we do to bring joy into our young children's lives and what we do to manage the insanity they introduce into ours. And with that lead in, meet the elf who will begin enforcing Santa's strict behavior control standards at our home this evening...

Aunt Angela Visits (a Facebook post)

Aunt Angela Dryden with her nieces...trying to ignore this Iron Bowl distraction on television.

Pictures From Arts Together

The first term of Arts Together is drawing to a close. With the school taking a full week of break for Thanksgiving (gulp!), we thought this would be a good time to reflect on these first few months.

They have been, to put it briefly, wonderful for Clara. Despite being the youngest in her class (a fact of which she is keenly aware), she is holding her own with gusto. It's stretching her to keep up with kids as old as 5 1/2 as they play outside, learn new skills in art and drama, and interact socially. There have been some growing challenges with that, but Clara has not backed down. 

We'll highlight that while developing nice friendships with several of the kids in her class, she seems to have a special bond forming with a little guy named Alex. Paul is keeping a close watch on this Alex kid, but truth be known it's Clara initiating all the hand-holding, dancing, playing, hugging, and the occasional kiss on the cheek. Poor Alex, by no choice of his own, may have found himself tethered to his first girlfriend!

Sigh. 

First Santa Visit (a Facebook post)

It has begun. Santa season is upon us. Only one month, 8 days, 14 hours, and 35 minutes to go. One of these girls is counting down. The other? Not so much...

Fashionista Clara (a Facebook post)

EXCLUSIVE! Daddy paparazzi snaps this photo of '3 and three-quarters' year old starlet Clara during an Asheville getaway weekend. Starlet does not fool this press hound with her dark-tinted heart-rimmed shades.

(From our extended weekend getaway with the Bakers...)

Drydens Vote (a Facebook post)

Dryden Family group votes this morning in what is likely (though not known definitively) an act of instant cancelling out. 1 vote + 1 vote = 0 actual vote impact. We feel morally superior nonetheless. And the girls loved it. 

City of Oaks Marathon (a Facebook post)

City of Oaks Marathon traps us in our house all morning, so we make the most of it by cheering the runners on this damp, chilly Raleigh morning.

Bouncey House Scenes

From Owen's birthday party at The Factory in Wake Forest...

Hattie Learning to Walk

Anyone care to wager how much longer until Hattie walks?