Office Furniture Boxcar Racing

After 8 years of service to us (and about 60 overall), our retro thrift-store desk chair has been unseated by a newer model that doesn't have stuffing bursting from rips in its once fashionable faux leather.

Of course, that also means we get a big box. And big boxes are cool - especially if you happen to be under six years old (or father to someone who is). Given the sturdy construction of this box, I thought it perfect for Ella's first boxcar racer.

A skateboard, some rope and a saran wrap window later, Ella is ready to roll...with a sister stowaway.


After the success of the first run, I fashioned a boxcar racer box-cam to capture the thrill of the race.


Ella still wants to paint it, and maybe add a spoiler, but I think this is the first of many.

Ella and Sarah - The Secret Audition Tapes

I've been meaning to post these videos of the girls trying out the microphone that Ella got for her birthday from Uncle Scott and Aunt Heidi.

In this video, Ella performs a beloved standard with a little help from her sister.


Next, Ella takes a solo performance as she sings along to "Click, Click, Click, Click" from one of our (and now her) favorite bands, Bishop Allen.


I hope this last video doesn't cause the band to reach out to Ella to become a back-up singer. Life on the road can be hard.

Here's the official Click, Click, Click, Click video, which also exposed Ella to how a film camera works.


Thanks Uncle Scott & Aunt Heidi! Next stop, American Idol.

Happy Halloween!

The ghosts and ghouls were out this Halloween and remarkably, Ella and Sarah took them all in stride.  Ella only refused to trick or treat once at a haunted house decorated by a friend who is strongly committed to providing kids with a good scare (nice work Nicholas).  As we've done every year since we've lived here, we joined a bunch of neighborhood kids at a friends house and got in the mood for some trick or treating. 

Why did the chicken cross the road? Because she was being pushed in a stroller to a Halloween party.

Of course, no Halloween party is complete without a pinata.

It's true that chickens like corn.

All the kids getting ready for the neighborhood candy crusade.

Ella and Sarah are ready!

Ella made sure to get front and center at the first house.

At the end, Sarah enjoys her sweet reward.