A busy weekend

We don't have a large--or even functional at this point--back yard, so for Avonlea Jane to get to run around outside, we walk to a local cemetery. The cemetery is more like a park, with plenty of open spaces, jogging trails, and a large pond. We are fairly close to a couple actual parks with playground equipment as well, but one of them is currently underwater and the other one is under construction.

Avonlea Jane walking with Alma in the background

The girls watching geese at the pond

The pond is normally full of geese, ducks, and seagulls; this is a pretty barren day. All of the birds rush toward you when you walk up, as they are used to being fed. We are never a disappointment, as we always bring bread to feed them.

This weekend was the Children's Drop & Shop, a consignment event held twice a year on the North Shore. The event is held in a large banquet hall or gymnasium where they sell kids' clothing, maternity wear, shoes, toys, books, children's furniture and decor, strollers, and baby gear. We have gone to every one since the one just before Avonlea Jane was born, and we always leave with a full season's wardrobe. At this sale, we went early on Friday and got plenty of nice summer wear for the girl, and she was able to pick out a few books and toys. These items were especially nice to use as entertainment while we were in line, because we had to wait over two hours to check out. The two hour wait was certainly worth it, as for around $130 we got her 20 tops, 7 pairs of shorts, 3 skirts, 5 dresses, 3 pairs of shoes, a sunhat, a lion backpack, a windbreaker, 7 books, some camping gear, a few brand new toys, and a couple of new birthday presents for upcoming parties!

Afterwards, we had a picnic lunch at Woodman's of Essex (one of the 1,000 Places to See Before You Die) with her friends Violet and Caedmon. Here is Avonlea Jane chasing seagulls in her new windbreaker.

Another big thing to happen this weekend was the release of the film The Twilight Saga: New Moon on DVD. I make it no secret that I am a fan of the series, so we celebrated with a DVD release party for those friends who had read all of the books. With as much work as the two of us put into it, we thought we would share some of our handiwork.

Our invite

Our table decor with hard-to-locate red and white ruffled tulips like the ones from the book cover

Moon-themed wine we found in Cambridge

Our Team Edward and Team Jacob cupcakes David decorated

New Moon confetti

Favors and prizes

Book jacket art candle sleeves

Avonlea Jane getting ready to go on a date with Daddy on Saturday night before he leaves town on business

Avonlea Jane showing off a pair of shoes she picked out at the Drop & Shop

In pajamas but not ready to give up her shoes

Monday morning she discovered lipstick

Avonlea Jane's latest skill is identifying the parts of her body. So far she can do: head, eye, nose, mouth, teeth, arm, hands, fingers, belly, leg, foot and toes. Because, as a rule, she doesn't perform, it was hard to get some of this on video, but we were able to get to her pointing out a few body parts. This video is followed by a couple of her getting ready for bed and one of her walking around the cemetery.