In which my Pepper Dutchess turns seven

November is a big, full month. I cannot hear tell about Christmas in November, especially this November. Somehow between being fresh from the Halloween push, doing DiNovember, preparing for Adele's birthday and parties, planning for Thanksgiving, and working both these jobs, I am already in survival mode.

Still, so far our execution has been sound! The dinosaurs continue to carouse through our house every night.

They've made cookies,


menaced Optimus Prime,


gone bowling,



attempted flight and many other things so far. We're on Day 21 tonight.

We got Miles and Adele's school pictures recently. We also re-measured them against our measuring plank, and between these two we can say definitively: They Have Grown.

Adele is really flowering socially this year. She's got neighborhood buddies, bus buddies, classroom buddies, and cub care buddies. Her teacher posted these of the classmates at recess:

This past weekend, we pulled off The Party. I had been researching party venues in September and October and found that they're just not affordable here. We made the leap to commit to an in-house party of our own creation, a party that would be, by Adele's request, Harry Potter themed.


The Dinosaurs helped us out on Friday by getting out some decorations:


I made Pin-the-Nose on Voldemort at work:


We did a wand-making craft:


Wegman's came through with the cake...


Jon was Potions Master! He found all these ingredients from various sources, bottled them, and labeled them.

He prepped the measuring devices and led the children brilliantly in making Amortentia, Felix Felicus, and a beautification potion. The kids were equally interested in all three!




He handled that rowdy crowd like a boss.

Adele and her friends had a blast. One of her friends came up and hugged me during hour three and said, "Thank you much for inviting me. This was the best day ever." Two of them cried when it was time to leave. Things got a bit wild at times, but no children or objects were damaged, so I'm gonna call it a win!

The haircut professional who trimmed her hair braided her hair for the party. 

It is a delight and an honor to watch Adele Cynthia Gail grow up. She is a self-styled Ravenclaw who loves math and coloring and cats and Harry Potter. She loves to read and to create, and incorporates so many adult turns of phrase into her discourse that it's often hard to see my baby in there. But I'm here for it, loving every minute. She's burning so bright right now.


We had a family party the next day, with Grandpa Jim, Mercedes, Leah and Matthew and the cousins for brunch and chai and cake. This meant that Mimi and Jon, who are soulmates, got to have an adorable reunion. I just love their bond.


After the family party, we hit the theaters for Crimes of Grindelwald. We wore our gear and were totally fangirling and fanboying all over it. Still... I have questions. And thoughts. And Feelings. And I can't wait to find more people to talk to about this film. And, of course, to watch it again!

We're gearing up for Thanksgiving, which will include a visit from Grandpa and Grandma Grunert! November has brought us so many good things. And still- Advent is coming.