Halloween

It was a busy weekend. The girls wore there costumes all weekend at school parties on Friday, a faculty party on Saturday and trick-or-treating on Sunday. We carved pumpkins on Saturday as well. Fun and exhausting weekend!

The girls were beguiled by each others' head gear.


Finley grabbed a chance to put on Maya's costume while she wasn't looking!


Carving pumpkins. Finley was pretty disgusted by the whole process.


This was the first year that Maya was really interested in carving. In fact, she drew her face and carved with Dad's oversight!


Our finished product. From left to right--Maya, Finley, Danny, Jen and Puss Puss.


Maya in full gear as "Soccer Fairy Princess".


Finley as a snarly little Ladybug!


Trick-or-Treating with Odin.


Marching along.


The kids did great. We did the entire block around Mel's house which had to have been around 40 houses. Fin started off strong but eventually lost steam and took a break in the stroller. She eventually got back into the game at the end. Odin and Maya ran hard the whole time. It was great to see them together!

Maya made conversation at nearly every house. Sometimes it was to comment on exterior decorations, other times to talk about the pets inside the house and other times just to tell a funny story. One of which went something like this:

Maya: Is that a poodle?
Homeowner: Yes.
Maya: My Auntie Kate does not like poodles.
Homeowner: Oh, really?
Maya: Yes. She definitely would not like your dog. No way.
Homeowner: Oh, that's interesting.
Maya: Yeah. Happy Halloween!

What a character.

Finley charmed people with her cuteness and politeness. I was proud of both girls for their "Thank Yous" and "Happy Halloweens"!

Maya's shadow on the fence.


Finley's shadow.


It was a wonderful weekend at home for the whole family. I was able to take Sunday night off from rehearsal so we would be able to hang out together.

Playroom Princesses

Dress up is still a huge part of our everyday existence. Finley is really getting into the play now and frequently requests help into a dress.

Here they are in all of their glory!




They both look quite morose in this picture but they were both "posing"!


Here they have a bit more vigor!


Grandma Barb gave the girls a princess tent and they have been putting it to good use.

Here they are "sleeping" which quickly gave way to...


pounding the crap out of each other!


Maya has taken to winking an awful lot. I actually manage to capture her mid-wink!

Mid-Semester Break

This weekend was mid-semester break at Concordia which meant we had a four day weekend! We decided to head down to Owatonna since we hadn't visited since moving back to the midwest.

It was a packed trip! A few highlights included: visits to Geneva and Albert Lea to see Grandpa Jack and Grandma Barb, an overnight stay with cousin Porter, a long bike ride for Grandma Sandy and Maya and supper with Grandma Babe.

I only took one picture but I know mom took more and when she does I will update with her shots.

Captain Sass-a-Frass

Danny and Maya often have a bit of time to waste on Mondays and Wednesdays before preschool. Apparently this is how they spend their time together! :D








I just don't know where she gets it from?!?!

Saturday at the State Park

After a relaxing morning of pancakes, reading books, naps, videos and music we decided to head out to Buffalo River State Park. A perfect fall day--a little breezy and a whole lot sunny!

Some family shots.





Some good chasing.


We got some great light for a few shots on a rock in the middle of a field! Beautiful strong girls!









A little bit of ballet in the woods.



A mid-hike nap.



Giddy-up!


Some leaf throwing!

Another Daddy Blog

An Open Letter to the Ladies at the Park

October 14, 2010

The Next Family

By: Danny Thomas

Look, I know…
Maybe it’s not what you’re used to…
A man in the park, with his kids
on a weekday morning.
Maybe it’s just how mixing the genders
Changes the chemistry of the room
Maybe it has nothing to do with me being a man.

But, jeeze you sure seem shut down.
You won’t look at me
Even when I say hi…
That’s weird.
And it makes me feel weird about myself.

Seriously tho,
I may have a bit of chaos in my bearing
Possibly a little more kid than parent,
Possibly a little aloof and awkward myself,
But, you have nothing to fear.
I am not after you or your kids.

I’m sorry if it seems like I am leering, scowling, or grimacing…
It has more to do with my lack of sleep,
Or need of a bathroom,
Than any misdeed I may be planning.

I have felt this way before, with other moms, at other playgrounds
In other parks
In other parts of the country.
I have also met friendly ladies
And other dads too
Willing to converse
At least share a “Hello, sure is nice out?”
Or more…

I don’t know what it is
But there is something in how you react to me,
Is it your body language?
Your downcast eyes?
Or just a distance you maintain…
I wonder if you think I kidnapped my children,
That I am some kind of Stromboli, or Brian Mitchell, or some other dark shadow lurking…
I really just came to watch my kids climb
And push them on the swing.

I wonder how much of this comes from my own baggage – and how much comes from you…
I did spend the better part of my youth cultivating feelings of existential angst and cultural aggression…
So I s’pose I am naturally predisposed to feeling excluded, via my training or whatever…
Could be a little bit of the old Mr. Mom complex is at play here too.
As the only dad at the park today
I feel out of place…
Like I walked in to the Red Tent…
Or opened the wrong door at the party.
It’s a lot like how I feel when I go to the spa…

Somehow it makes more sense at the spa.
But listen, here’s the thing: let’s at least smile and wave…
It’s a good place to start – it might help us both get past our baggage, and maybe make a new friend, at the very least we can be comfortable with each other here on this playground.

Skeery Balloons

After hanging up Halloween decorations Danny and Maya decided to do a little craft project!




Perfect joy!


This was one of Maya's favorites..."Sunshine".


A collection of them taped to the wall in the garage.

Too Much

Sometimes it is just too much...


Fin came downstairs after bedtime and instead of making it back up to her bed she laid down on the landing and went to sleep!

Pumpkin Patch Field Trip

Maya's preschool took a field trip to Dakota Carriage Company for pumpkins and fun. Danny, Fin and I were able to tag along!

Fin was having a bit of a breakdown in the car while we waited for Danny and Maya to check-in at preschool. So I distracted her by taking a few pictures. Here's captain crazy!!!!


Once we got to the pumpkin patch we had a ton of fun. Here are a billion pictures!

There was mini-golf.


Lots of silly signs...





Some block building


Sitting in carriages...um, these two are clearly related!


Who is that grown up looking kid?



The girls loved the "ponies" and loved how the dog kept them in line!


Fin got a bit tired going through the maze.


Then there was the "takeover"!




Look at the joy!!!


Some of the happy passengers!


Mid breakdown we were able to get this shot...barely.


And the event ended with Maya tantruming at the tailpipe!