January Recital

Margot is becoming very confident with her piano recitals. She claims nervousness beforehand, but she's able to channel it into adrenaline. This past Sunday she played two pieces in a recital - check it out!

December Round Up

Oh, it's been a little while since I've posted, hasn't it. (Statement, not a question.) Well, my beloved Min turned 8 years old today, and we celebrated by taking her to get her ears pierced. We also got her doll Emily's ears pierced ($14 at your local American Girl store).

We also celebrated by hosting a sleepover party, complete with a penguin cake (Min's request). Tell me those hand decorated Oreos look like penguins. Don't they? Sort of? Well, Margot was happy with them.

Of course, there have been other celebrations this month. For example, Min visited Santa. And following this visit, he brought her three coveted items on Christmas morning: a sewing kit, a digital camera, and personalized writing paper. Lucky girl!

Happy Halloween 2012!

What a fantastic Halloween! We found the 'good' block in our neighborhood for trick or treating this year. And by 'good,' I mean it had all of the following: pate, alcoholic beverages for the parents, a cotton candy machine for the kids, an Obama sighting (Malia, not Barack), and people who take their yard decorations very, very seriously.

Margot gathered candy with a pack of her friends and never lost steam. She really has grown up quite a bit. The weather was perfect: chilly but not freezing.

Here are some photos from the day:

Margot and Portia, in costume.

Margot and her cowgirl pal at the school parade.

(Seriously, cotton candy!?! Way to set the bar against the measly peanut M&M!)

2012 Pumpkins

Behold, the 2012 Ruland pumpkins! Mine is the one in the middle. Margot's is on the right.

Zombie Apocalypse

Margot and her friend Leah, showing their vampire teeth at today's Fall Festival.

Tomorrow is our annual pumpkin carving contest...stay tuned!