Yummy.

Eva's been preparing for the holidays in proper fashion - entering the season with plenty of practice chowing down. We were delighted to join Eva's BFF Trudie (and her parents Beth and Tom, of course) for Thanksgiving dinner, where Eva both played and ate til she dropped.

We then spent the next weekend in Martha's Vineyard, our first-ever trip to "the island" (though no Obamas to be found in December during a nasty storm, alas) and had a lovely time. We've also found time here and there to fit in some early-winter hiking (during a few last unseasonably warm days) and serious playing at our local indoor playground.

Mugging for the camera with mommy in her new "tutu".



Eva at Thanksgiving, already anxious for the meal to start...and wearing the pearls she somehow conned off Trudie's grandma like a trophy.



Enjoying a little indoor pony ride on an otherwise-stormy November afternoon.



Is it possible to avoid the carnival food at a carnival? Eva would vote no. Besides, who doesn't love pizza??



Besides, look! She eats real food, too!



Look out!!! Braving the waters at Sharky's on MV.



Clearly rethinking a plan that seemed more appealing from inside our hotel room, where the wailing wind and freezing temp were less appreciable.



Enjoying a nice warm bath at the end of a long cold day.

Terrific Twos: Party #2, or Bounce House Attack!

Eva was fully recovered and ready to par-tay well in time for her rescheduled birthday party on the 8th. And even more important, the bouncy house was still free as well! Worth every penny. The look on her face when she saw that giant inflatable room of fun was absolutely priceless.

Happily, most of Eva's best friends from daycare and otherwise were free for the 2nd party as well, making it a truly kid-tastic affair. Much sugar was consumed that day... sorry, other parents! We're guessing bedtimes might have been a bit tough that night.

The big party happened to fall as well at the beginning of a fabulous week+ with Grandma Kibbe and Bob, which saw us out on the town taking in the sights, in fall Boston weather both unseasonably lovely, and, alas, very seasonably not-so-lovely...the latter of which found us enjoying a tour of the North Shore from inside our car. Sure, it's no Freedom Trail, but at least we could all feel our toes by the end!

A dangerous quantity of sugar and spice all in one enclosed location.



Balloon!



My balloon.



Bounce house: round one.



Monster cake time! Note Eva looking dubiously at slices of HER cake going to all her friends...and maybe reassessing whether this big-party-thing might not be such a good idea.



Thankfully, we then moved on to present-opening time (where she of course needed the help of all her friends), when she settled upon being quite happy with having a big party after all.



Bounce house: round two. Watch out.



No, seriously! Watch out!



Feeling ferocious on a chilly afternoon in the North End.



Feeling less ferocious and more sassy after warming up at the Omni Parker House with Bob and Grandma K.



Happiness is a warm, cuddly toddler.

Terrific Twos: Party # 1

Due to an unfortunate fever-producing bug going through the household, Eva's birthday party had to be postponed a week...but the upside of this was, of course, two parties! Our first party was a bit more little-person-free, but don't cry for Eva: she didn't hesitate to cover herself in cake and frosting, enjoy Poppy's face painting skills, and squeal repeatedly over her first way-fun toys and presents at Party #1.

Mmm...delicious. A whole lotta frosting; hold the cake.



Modeling the next big thing in foot creams: frosting. Her feet remain silky smooth.



Party time!



Giving three cheers for her new kitchen set from Grandpa P-M (opened post-bath, if the exposed belly and wet hair didn't tip you off).



Modeling a pair of 3-D glasses from Auntie Lauren.



Peekaboo!! from beneath her new quilt, courtesy of Great-Grandma Kibbe.

Ribbit

For Halloween this year, Eva decided she would most like to be one of her very favorite animals: a froggie! She very dutifully greeted all our trick-or-treat houses with a polite "ribbit". Everyone knows polite froggies get more candy.

We were all so happy to have the chance to celebrate the above with Grammy and Poppy I., who visited Boston during the most beautiful leaf-peeping week of the fall.

Festive!


Enjoying a close-up view of the Green Monstah.



A sleepy but happy little frog.



Which is a brighter orange: Mr. Punkin, or mommy's hair?

Fall-tastic

As followers of All About Eva may or may not have noticed, we've fallen a little behind in our blog-related activities...we could give a litany of excuses involving unfortunate viral illnesses, most fortunate visits from loved ones, and a few awesome parties, but we know all that really matters is that we make up for it PDQ. Therefore, onward!

We launched October with a visit to Drumlin Farm in Lincoln, where (very patient) sheep were poked in the nose and pumpkins were carefully selected, and embarked as well on a few outings dedicated only to high quality playing. Eva takes her job in this regard very seriously.

Making friends, influencing livestock.



Less enthusiastic than predicted at the HONK! festival in Somerville. (It really was fun, we swear! An inadequately-napped toddler is a harsh critic.)



Hard at "work" on Cambridge Common.



Yee-ha!

Goodbye, Summer

Where did September go?? Before we knew it, amidst the whirlwind of Cat's new job, a few out-of-town trips for both work and play, and a whole lot of furious toddler play, an entire month passed by before we had the chance to blink.

We did, of course, find plenty of time to frequent a few local playgrounds, and catch up with some old friends.

Enjoying a beautiful afternoon at our favorite playground on the water in Cambridge.



Your eyes do not deceive you - Eva is actually hanging from the monkey bars without our assistance. She will totally be able to take Cat in arm wrestling any day now.



One-day sale - free baby with purchase of enormous flower pot!



Having a ball with her friend Lily.



Why hello! Peek-a-boo at a playground on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.



Modeling the latest in sunhat fashion on the water at the Duttons' on the Chesapeake.



Absolutely, Eva - that hat DOES suit Lula just so. And she clearly agrees!



Lauren and Phil were crazy enough - ahem, KIND enough - to allow Eva her first experience captaining a boat. She's clearly up for the task.



Who could have guessed that Eva loves drumming?

Lazy summer days

Enjoying the sand sculptures (and one delicious finger) at Revere Beach.

Showing off our sassy headband.

Daddy can be thanked for creating this fetching (har har) accessory, which Eva then refused to remove for several hours (a tantrum might have been involved towards the end).

Taking the babies for a stroll. Around the house. In a swimsuit. (No, we weren't going swimming that day - it was a purely fashion-related choice.)



Canoeing on Spot Pond, in front of our fabulous newly-discovered picnicking island.



A happy girl with cheeks full of tasta.

Exploring the wilds of this uninhabited island (in the middle of Spot Pond, which is itself in the middle of densely-populated greater Boston...but still, quite adventurous! Really!)

Another nontraditional fashion choice. Anyone can wear shades right-side-up. But upside down? Truly inspired.

Plotting some sort of trouble...

Eva's first time swimming in a real pool...and definitely not her last!

Sunning herself after a long day spent hard at play.