Mercer went to Emma's birthday party.

Emma had a birthday party at a local gymnastics center and it looked really fun. I think there were more than a few parents who wanted to jump into the foam pit.

Mercer wrote Emma's name on the card but ran out of room. I think that's happened to all of us a few times.



The birthday girl and Mercer eating some pizza.

Shaina's 4th birthday party

Shaina had a birthday party today to celebrate 4 fun-filled years. There was a fun bus and of course cake, snacks, and pizza. I think everyone had a good time. The fun bus did lots of activities with play mats, cushions, music, and swings. The chocolate cake was delicious and Shaina got plenty of help from her friends opening presents. A fun afternoon all around.

An afternoon at the theater

Mercer's teacher organized a nice Sunday trip to the Emelin Theater in Mamaroneck, NY to see a black light puppet performance showcasing three of Eric Carle's famous stories. All of Mercer's school friends were there and everyone seemed to enjoy the show very much. The puppets were whimsical and the the stories were executed perfectly for the audience.

Since photography was prohibited during the show, here are some images straight from the website of the Mermaid Theatre, the company who produced the play:



After the show, the performers took some questions and demonstrated how some of the puppetry worked.



Mercer, Emma, and Shaina goofed around in the lobby after. Boundless energy.

Mercer's school friends

Mercer gets along particularly well with two girls at school - Emma (middle) and Shaina. All three have been together in school since infants.

Mercer's Halloween parade at school

Mercer had a Halloween parade at school this morning. Here he is with some classmates, from left to right: Mercer, Dexter, Emma, Shaina, Lee.

Batman.

All smiles as the kids lined up in the hallway, ready to march.

Not naptime yet, Shaina.


Once it was time to march, Mercer wanted no part of it. He started to cry and hid in a corner. I realized later that he probably wanted Pop to march with him. Still, I took his hand and we did a few laps. Mercer whispered: "I want to go home, Daddy." I told him, "I'm sorry Mercer, but I have to go to work." His reply: "I want to go to work with you, Daddy."

After the parade, the kids made masks, for some reason.

Emma, concentrating hard.

Shaina, too.

Time for cupcakes.



What a cute couple. Mercer and Shaina's Halloween marching goes all the way back to 2008: Happy Halloween 2008