Too Cute to Spook

For the past week the East Coast was on lock down preparing for Hurricane Sandy. Over October 28-29th it hit the NYC Metro area. Thousands of people lost their homes, some lost their lives and many more were without power. Towns across the various states made calls on whether or not to go ahead with Trick or Treating. Out here on Long Island some rescheduled for another day. We usually trick or treat in Farmingdale and the town made the call to allow it to go forward as long as parents practiced caution.

It was nice to be able to go out and do something with the kids after being cooped up for days. We felt fortunate as it was as we had our home and power. Also grateful to those who were happy to see the kids and give out treats. Even those without power.

After months of debating Leah finally decided on a pirate costume.

Back at home

Kids couldn't wait to have their Halloween cupcakes

Happy Halloween!

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

Boo Bash

This was my third year co-chairing the annual PTA Halloween party at Leah's school. It went smoothly and all the kids had a great time. Leah said it was the best one yet. I didn't get many photos as Leah was too busy having a good time but I managed this one.

Argh

Let Liberty Ring

We had a weekend to spend in Pennsylvania because Leah and Matt has off for Columbus Day. We decided to head to Philadelphia  for the day before heading home. Leah was looking forward to another visit to American historical sites. Add another city to our road trip belt for the year.

Waiting at the Visitor Center for our Liberty Bell tickets

Getting ready to wait in line to see the Liberty Bell

Slavery and how it worked---Leah read it all

Looking at some "Founding Fathers"

The Liberty Bell was a symbol of freedom not just for the revolutionary fathers. Quote from Frederick Douglass.

The Liberty Bell and its crack

 

Washington Square Fountain

Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier

Congress Hall

Franklin Square Park

 

Cloudy Days Sweeping the Sun Away

We headed to Sesame Place for their Halloween themed entertainment. As it was on our last visit earlier in the summer it was rainy and cloudy again. We came prepared and bundled up so the kids didn't mind it at all. Leah was a great sport and was excited about seeing everyone all decked out for Halloween.

Telly Monster

Cookie Monster

Oscar the Grouch & the kids in their Maid of the Mist ponchos

Zoe

The Kids watching and enjoying one of the Halloween themed shows

Big Bird & Elmo

Waiting for the evening parade

Silly

Pumpkin Picassos

Best Big Sis

I know I've written this a dozen and some times but Leah really is the best big sister. Louis had an accident in the house and bumped his head pretty hard. Matt took him over to the local after-hours pediatric care center to have it looked at and Leah went along for moral support. Louis said she helped him feel better about it and less frightened. So proud of my little girl.

Off to 3rd Grade!

Today was Leah's first day of school, off to third grade she goes.

O Canada - Day Six - Centre Island

After visiting the Ontario Science Centre we headed back to downtown Toronto. Our plan was to spend the rest of the day visiting Centre Island. I found this part of our trip to be a nice bargain. An $8 parking fee (for the day and evening) plus a $7 per adult ferry ride bought a really nice leg of the trip.

Due to it being the last weekend of the summer (Labour Day weekend) everyone that didn't head up north for the holiday seemed to be making their way out to the Toronto Islands. There was quite a crowd of people waiting to get on the ferry. 30 minutes of waiting and Leah pointed out how nice everyone was. No arguing, no pushing or shoving. Very different from what we are used to back home.

Finally we made our way onto the ferry and short, nice ride brought us to Centre Island. Leah went with Matt & Louis up on upper deck while I stayed with Gabriel down below.

 

O Canada - Day Six - Ontario Science Centre

We started our day with visiting the Ontario Science Centre. From the minute we walked in the kids were in love. Immediately they ran off to get a look at the long hallway that lead to the first level of exhibits. It was a chronological walk through botany of all the different changes over the billions years on Earth. The first exhibit was a great one, on the circus.

O Canada - Day Five - Walking Tour & CN Tower

We continued our visit to the City of Toronto by heading downtown. I was most looking forward to this part of our trip. The rest of the family? Not so much. We walked to Kensington Market. Leah an Matt grabbed some burgers for lunch while I window shopped. I felt at home. No surprise there. Leah loved this car, dubbed the "hippie mobile" by Matt.

O Canada - Day Five - ROM

We had a loose itinerary for our first trip to Downtown Toronto. Traveling with the kids we know we have to play it by ear and go with the flow.

Day Five:
     - ROM
     - Walk to Kensington Market, Chinatown, Queens Street West, Harbourfront
     - CN Tower

O Canada - Day Four - Toronto Zoo

After a few days on the road and lots of sightseeing we made our fourth day an easy one. Our hotel was located about 10 minutes from the Toronto Zoo.

Day Four:
- Toronto Zoo
    - Animals
    - Splashpad

- Head back to the hotel for swimming and night in

O Canada - Day Three - Niagara Falls

***Picture Heavy Post***

Our plans for our third day on our road trip were centered around Niagara Falls and then eventually heading over the border to Canada.

Day Three:

- Niagara Falls State Park
     - Maid of the Mist/Observation Tower
     - Picnic Lunch
     - Aquarium of Niagara
     - Discovery Gorge
     - The Cave of the Winds

-Cross US/Canadian Border via Rainbow Bridge

- Canadian Side of Niagara Falls
     - Dinner
     - Skywheel

- Drive to hotel in Scarborough, ON

 

O Canada - Day Two - Darien Lake Fun!

 Day Two:
- Darien Lake Amusement Park

O' Canada! - Day One - On Our Way!

We took our first international trip as a family to wrap up our summer. Final Destination was Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Day One:
-Leave home & drive to Ithaca, NY.
-Swimming &  Lunch at Robert H. Treman State Park
-If time allows visits to Cornell etc.
-Drive to hotel in Niagara Falls.

A lil Mad Hatter Tea

Leah wanted to have a small tea party for her birthday this year. She picked out pink and black as her theme colors and left the rest to me. Leah loves Alice in Wonderland and especially the Mad Hatter.