Halloween 2010

This year, because Halloween fell on a Sunday, it felt like a 3-day event!
We wound up with a full schedule due to parades, parties, and the usual festivities. Not to mention, we also wound up taking the plunge and leased a new vehicle, which took up some time as well (looooong time coming!). The weather got pretty darn cold, too. I realized sometime Sunday while stressing over what to do (Family Fun Night at church, regular trick or treating, handing out candy...etc), that Dumbo and Mickey did not care and were not asking about any of it. I think they felt their celebrations at school were "it", and they were unaware that any more fun was supposed to occur (- : !
Are there any other moms out there, who want so badly for their kids to be happy and have fun, that you forget to stop, look and see that they are content? My thought last Sunday was "WHY?".... if they don't care, why drag them out in the cold to get candy that they (and I) do not need? Guilt and uncertainty led us up the street to about 3 houses in costume then back home, where they were asking to go.
Adam at school

Zachary at school... yes, they tie them together, and yes, that's a dinosaur princess

On the porch

5 houses and done!

What's Goin' On.

Seriously, not a lot going on here to post about.

Those changes on the horizon are perhaps a little further off than I thought. Strangely, I am more than at peace with this.

Adam has taken to doing a serious air drum solo when Zachary goes on the potty. He just may be my secret weapon this time around. I hope to have a video soon to do it justice.

Zachary has been managing his anger by beating the floor with his fist when told "no". Hard not to laugh at this, and I am also hoping that he does not sprain his hand.

Halloween costumes have been decided. Although I am not a huge Halloween person, I am also not a fan of making my kids sit out and not be able to participate with all their friends. They are cute, and Zachary would be so excited if he was aware that in about a week he will get a ton of candy AND most likely get most of his brothers', who needs to be bribed to eat most sweets. (If he had not been the only child born in the hospital that day AND be the spitting image of his father I would be concerned here).

I took a walk down memory lane on some of my old Facebook photo albums. Geesh, what a difference a year makes. My babies are growing up and there are days where I wish I could freeze frame them... I have just loved the last year. Does anyone know how to do this? E-mail me.

I am hoping that if we continue to watch this video, which is all the rage at the moment, that Zachary might start to sing it so we can laugh at him.


That's about it! Book review to come soon. Some pics too.

UNCLE! There, I Said It.

I have been resisting. Trying to stop this. Encouraging my son's Little People to "be friends". Forbidding swords and guns. Shouting "NO FIGHTING" repeatedly....endlessly.

What's hitting me is that I am starting to believe that even if I put my son in a room with Gandhi, Mother Theresa, and Martin Luther King, Jr. he would still find a way to make sticks into swords, his hands into guns, and be doing karate moves while trying to kill the enemy.

With sound effects, of course.

And now, I think I am giving in. Originally, I did not accept the "he's a boy, it's what they do" answer. Now, I cannot think of another explanation. It is what it is.

So, here's to what Proverbs 22:6 says "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it"...

Vintage toy gun and slingshot from the 1950's.

We Made This!

We did not get to see Paul's parents for Mother's Day. The boys wanted to make her something extra special... so we did! She loved it, even though Zachary's personalization sort of turned out like O.J's bloody handprint...

A Hairdo Only a Mother Could Love

My kids' hair, at times, can look a little crazy. These are the moments I think they look the cutest!






So this morning, during the kids bath, I caught a scary glance of myself in the mirror. I then realized that perhaps crazy hair is hereditary.

And this confirmed my suspicion.

Weeeeee Wish You a Merry Christmas!

We had a wonderful and beautiful Christmas surrounded by family and friends.
This year the sparkle in Adam's eye let us know he "gets it". Zachary followed suit, when asked what Santa says he says an enthusiastic "ho ho hoooo".

Of course, Adam knows the real reason for the season, "Jeshusths' birthday", spoken with the perfect lisp.
Paul bought a last minute surprise gift for the boys (mostly Adam) which he kept quiet even from me until almost Christmas day. Watch below... this video show so much how my firstborn is. No jumping up and down, no squealing, just down to business doing what he loves to do. Let's just say our Christmas was filled with, er, beautiful music?


Here are some photos documenting our great day:
Santa came!

Mr. Mischeif

A real drum!!

Lots of "Icky" (aka Mickey) for Zachary!

"These are a few of my favorite things!" Einstein's and The Seven Dwarves!!


We are blessed! Happy Birthday Jesus, the real reason for the season!

Brotherly Love

Brothers and sisters are as close as hands and feet. ~Vietnamese Proverb

The Truth About Halloween

Some love it. Really, really love it. Love it to the point of a blow up Homer Simpson on the front Lawn dressed as a skeleton...
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or, other ummmm...."types" of decorations that take a lot of effort to think of...----->





Me? Not so much.
It's not something where I am adamantly against it or think it's a devil day or anything, but I just am indifferent about the holiday. I do love to put the kids in cute costumes, and certainly can put away my fair share of candy, but to me, it's just another day! The truth is that the costumes are hot, the candy, while delicious, is not the best choice for teeth or waistlines, and on top of it all, where I live there are more inappropriately dressed teens than cute little ones out trick or treating.

Nevertheless, here are some pics of the cuties (and no, not the ones to the above right)!

Zachary's thinking "you might be a cute Dumbo, but really you're just a Nuk thief"

Whyyyyyyyy did you make me do this???
I can fly!

Alright, I will give this Halloween thing a shot....

The "I heart fall' series... volume one.

It seems like every Autumn, we have a little warm pop that results in an abundance of lady bugs. This year is no exception! The only difference is that the boys noticed. I wish I had the camera handy when Zachary was bent over staring intently at the ground at a little red spotted friend. I wonder if he made the connection to one of our favorite stories 'Five Little Ladybugs"...
I was able to catch these wonder filled moments, though! Enjoy....

I Heart Fall

Close you eyes and imagine... the taste of sweet cider and homemade chili, bright gold and radiant red leaves, carved pumpkins, crisp cool air... now if that does not make you smile, I don't know what will...


We took the annual trip to Becker Farm today and met up with some friends from church. It was a great time, and the perfect way to kick of the fall season!!

Zachary takes it all in...


Adam's apples (pun intended)


My world...


There are no words to describe that face!


My friends Amy and Melissa


Me and the boys


Z rides the pony


Adam's turn!


They were exhausted!

The Proof is in the Pudding

I have been thinking about the topic for my next blog all day. Needlessly, apparently.... leave it to me to walk of out the dining room for a minute...


This is how I found them...
     
Zachary knows he's in trouble!

Adam sweetly feeds his brother

This is the way they kiss

MMMMMM...

Grin!

Looking a little guilty... or full?

Little Stinker

Daily Dose of Adorableness

Schroon Lake

We had a nice relaxing week in the beautiful Adirondack's. We enjoyed time with family, great food, and best of all got to watch the boys have fun!
(click collage to enlarge)