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.

The sun returns!

The start of July has finally brought with it the return of that big, glowing, hot thing in the sky, and Cat and Jeff had to fish out their sunglasses for the first time this summer. Yay! Our first officially gorgeous weekend of the year fell on the 4th of July, which felt entirely appropriate. The I. family was lucky enough to watch the Boston fireworks from up close and personal at their friends' Keith and Kelly's house on Comm. Ave - a rooftop view that couldn't be beat.

Wreaking havoc at Old Navy.



Enjoying a lazy morning with one of her favorite Babies.



Attempting to scale a picnic table at the zoo playground - wearing sassy bib as fashion accessory (sure to be all the rage next season!)



A happy pair.

Rainy days

With a record-breaking grayest June in Boston's past 100 years, we've had few chances to get outside and enjoy the summer. Happily, we had an opportunity to skip town for a weekend to see our friends in Ithaca and then Toronto, with a stop at Niagara Falls on the way home - at which time we discovered the sun really does continue to shine (just not in eastern Mass.)!

Definitely up to something.



Toddler in the mist



Looking out toward the Falls.



Keeping this strange whale-like creature in line, at a playground on the shore of Lake Ontario



Snack time - delish!



The closest we've come yet to a beach day this summer, at Revere Beach last weekend (note sweatshirt and ever-present gray sky)



And introducing...Eva's big girl bed! (hastily procured after a swan dive from the crib by a certain enterprising small person)