Halloween- Part II

This evening, I decided to take Lexi out for another run of trick-or-treatin'. Mostly to try and visit the homes of our friends in our 'hood. We visited a couple of the businesses that we frequent (our bodega, the hardware store & the dry cleaners) and then headed to the beautiful street of townhomes where Lexi has made some friends. We ended up joining forces with the other kids and took them all down Amsterdam Avenue for some more treats. I discovered that Amsterdam shopowners had better candy than Broadway shopowners- things like M&Ms, snickers, Milky Ways & Nerds.
(Grayden the clown, Olivia as Belle, McKenna the gypsy, Quinn the cowboy & Alexis the Butterfly)




Here is a photo of Lexi with all her loot! A bit much for a not-quite-three-year-old, wouldn't you say? Mom & Dad will have to help her out!

Halloween- Part 1

In our neighborhood, it is customary to Trick-Or-Treat at the businesses in the area instead of door-to-door on the street or in an apartment building. This morning, Lexi and Aiden Smith headed out to Broadway to get some treats. They had a great time running from store to store and did well with the magic phrase "Trick Or Treat". Lexi even said "Thank you" to most! After each store, she came bounding out and looked up at me and asked, "We get more candy at another store?" The thing that most shocked me was the *generosity* of the store owners... we're talking not just one or two measly pieces of candy but a HANDFUL!! By the time we had gone 4 blocks, Lexi's candy bag was so heavy she couldn't even carry it anymore!

Halloween Party

A couple of shots of Lexi in full Butterfly uniform. Thanks to Nanny Susan for supplying the wings & colorful tutu & boa!

Halloween Celebrations

Today, Kristy Smith hosted a cupcake-making extravaganza at her home! Lexi & Aiden had fun decorating the cupcakes with oreo spiders, licorice legs & M&M eyes (although they probably ate more than they decorated!) I failed to get a photo of the finished product, but you can see the idea by clicking here.

Lexi Riding Her Trike

This is an old video from back in August, but I never posted it for your viewing pleasure. And I especially wanted Grandma & Grandpa Elliott to see that Lexi loves her tricycle!

The Little Red Lighthouse (Again!)

Today, the Little Red Lighthouse was open for the general public to explore, so we took a trip down with Grandma & Aunt Allie (the budding photographer). It was a cool and windy day, so much so that once Lexi got out on top of the lighthouse, she wanted to climb right back inside! It's a bit of a climb up the circular staircase to the landing where the bulb sits. Then, you have to climb through this little door- more like a cubby hole!- practically on your hands and knees to get out onto the surrounding balcony. It was a gorgeous fall day and we had a fun time exploring the LITTLE red lighthouse.

One of the park rangers said it is still *lightable*, although she was unsure if they actually do still light it and what the schedule would be.

 

Thanks, Nanny & Pop-pop!

Great-Grandpa & Great-Grandma Elliott took a trip to Nauvoo, Illinois to visit the historic Mormon town and temple. They picked up a little bonnet for Lexi- and she really likes it!


I have many fond memories of reading "The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge" with my grandmother. She sent a copy of the book to Lexi. Lexi was so happy to read about the little lighthouse and the big bridge that she has visited several times!

Piano Players

A couple of weeks ago, Lexi's friend Jonathan moved with his family to New Jersey. Sad! This week, we had the use of my mother's car while she was on a business trip, so we took a trip out to NJ to visit. Here are the little maestros pounding away! It's hard to hear, but Lexi is singing "I Am A Child of God" and Jonny is singing "BINGO".

152 Avenue C New York, NY

I recently started attending the Family History class during Sunday School at church. Both of my grandmothers have done substantial work on family history, leaving me unsure where I could spend my effort. After looking at the family tree I was given, I realized that my maternal grandfather's line has some work to do. I have begun trying to find my great-great-great grandparents (parents of Catharine Dodd Elliott). While researching Catharine & her husband, Brett Elliott, I found them on the 1880 census in New York City. I know that I have a lot of family history here as my mother's ancestors all settled here after immigrating from Ireland & Germany. Anyway, I got their address from the census and we took at trip down to the Lower East Side to see if the building was still there. Unfortunately, it was not. It has since been replaced by a community garden, but I took a picture of buildings across the street as I imagine they are similar in style. The Elliotts were part of the large Irish population that lived in the tenement buildings. I hope to take a walking tour of Irish New York on the Lower East Side, too, to learn more about what life was like for them.