Halloween 2008

The excitement built all day. There was no nap to be had for Big Boy Charley. He is pretty much done with naps on a daily basis. And with the excitement of the evening ahead it was a long shot to think I could get him to sleep for a little while this afternoon. Grandma and Grandpa arrived around 3. At 5 we sat down to the traditional meal (in my house) on Halloween of chili. My mom always made chili on Halloween.

Then we took a few pictures of the boys in their costumes. Charley was a pirate...a cute one but of course I am biased. Henry was an adorable Hersey Kiss. I hadn't put this costume on until tonight and am now regretting not using it more this week with him. He was absolutely yummy looking. I tried to capture it on camera. This costume was made by Grandma Charlie and worn by Charley on his first Halloween. We hit the road around 6 and headed to a Halloween party at the firestation which is in walking distance. From there we took a longer route home and trick or treated. Charley's bag got so full he couldn't carry it. He was so excited at every house. Tried to remember to say Thank you and Trick or Treat. I loved seeing him so honestly excited about all the costumes out there this year. He admired them all and even told kids they looked cool. He talked about how many pieces he got and had to show me all my favorites and explain that they were his favorites and he was eating them. We'll see about that :) Henry came a long and was a trooper in the stroller. He didn't fuss much and I think was stumped by what on earth we were doing. When we got home Charley dumped his loot and Henry spied a green apple dum dum sucker. He grabbed hold and decided it was his. He picked up other pieces but wouldn't let go of that sucker. At one point Charley took it from him and Henry cried so hard with the biggest lip sticking out--it was adorable. He spotted other dum dum pops in the pile but it was the green one that had him at hello. It was tempting to unwrap and let him really taste it. We laughed that Charley didn't have candy until he was older than 1 for sure...isn't it so funny how different parents are with their second. Off to bath, stories, and bedtime. It was a great night. Did I mention the temperature was in the low 50's. PERFECT! I was in heaven since we could all be together. Happy Halloween Everyone!

Out of the blue

Charley said this...just now...while playing....


"Mama, if only we could have my birthday at the cottage."

"Why?" I replied.

"Because, if only we could have my birthday at the cottage that would be so cool."

The cottage is my favorite place on earth. I have been going there for 32 years with my family for the same week each summer with the same people. The people have become very special to me and now my boys are getting to know them and the experience of the cottage. I love that they are doing many of the same things there. Obviously Charley's time at the cottage has had an impact because on an exciting day like Halloween he can take time to think of that glorious place. AHHHH! To be sitting on the dock, eating cheetos, waiting for the fishermen to come in with nothing in their baskets but smiles on their faces, and nothing that HAS to be done but spending time with family and friends.

Good times! Miss you all!

A Perfect Fall Afternoon

We pushed Henry's afternoon nap back so that we could enjoy the gorgeous fall day. We met our friends Elly and Lynelle at a Park nearby. We walked (40 minutes) to a nature center and explored. We saw real wild turkeys that come hang out in a nice little area outside the building. We also saw a red tailed hawk, an owl, snakes, turtles, and other nature. We walked back (40 minutes) to a favorite outdoor climbing park. On our walk we found an old bee hive. The afternoon was beautiful. Henry refused to keep his socks and shoes on. Yikes, his feet were a little cold but what can you do. I really enjoyed the afternoon and am tooting my own horn because my goal this fall is to get outside more with the boys and I feel like I Am doing a pretty darn good job at it.

The Jobs of a Four Year Old

Ed and I have been pondering the idea of chores or responsibilities. It is hard as a parent to decide on how you want to set up these values in your household. We have been wanting to get Charley more involved in some of the responsibilities around the house yet keep it age appropriate. We didn't want to offer rewards but rather teach the importance of helping the family in our day to day life. So this morning, now that he is four, Charley and I sat down and talked about things he "Could" do to help around the house. These could be jobs that he could help with. I also explained that now that he is four there were a few jobs that mama and daddy wanted him to do every day. So we started with those:
1. Put his clothes in the hamper.
2. Brush his teeth in the morning.
3. Clean up food under his chair after breakfast.
4. Clean up food under his chair after lunch.
5. Clean up food under his chair after dinner.
6. Get dressed with a smile on his face.

He was excited about all of these. I wrote them on the backside of some smile cards. He colored the cooresponding picture that I tried to draw. He worked very hard. Then we talked about other things he could do if he felt helpful. I actually had a list already to go from but I wanted him to feel involved. He was super excited and worked very hard to color each picture. I have never seen him use colors to decorate little items so nicely. We had nice chats.

So the deal: After he does a job he flips over the card so that the family can see how helpful he is during the day. Charley thought he could do his 6 "Have to" chores plus 2 other chores everyday..but he could do more. I am really excited to see how this goes. There is no talk of rewards at this point but I am guessing at some point the excitement over this could go away...in which case my plan is to have experiences be the rewards...like extra time at night with daddy or playing a game with mommy and daddy. We'll see how this goes. There is plenty of room for growth, improvement, and challenges if needed. Any other ideas? What do you do with your kids?

Pumpkin Carving

This year we were determined to find the most affordable pumpkins in the twin cities...since the pumpkins that we planted didn't produce this year. We will have more luck next year planting them earlier. The last few years we have spent nearly 20 dollars for a pumpkin or two. Out of control! This year right outside of our favorite apple orchard we found a seasonal store that sold all their pumpkins for $2.98! What a deal. The boys picked out their pumpkins (well actually Charley picked one out for himself and his little brother). Tonight we carved them. Charley helped his daddy make a superhero pumpkin that is smiling. Mama made the ghost face. It was a sucessful carve. No blood was lost. I do wonder why my son who loves to dig in the dirt and sand won't stick his hand in the pumpkin and get crazy with the gunk. So daddy and mama had to do the dirty work. I hear from friends that their little ones are the same way. Okay, time to go check on the pumpkin seeds. Yum!

Charley's words

"Enough with the hugs!" Said Charley to his Grandma Barb who has been counting the hugs she gives and gets from him during the day.

Charley's "Real" Birthday

Charley was a patient boy all morning waiting to open his presents. The first one he opened was his very own tackle box. All day he played fishing with Grandma Barb.

Grandpa and Charley played with his new Leapster.


While the "Biggest Boys" took afternoon naps...

We took an afternoon walk over to Cal's market with Grandma.

I was of course not organized in ordering a cake. So we went on a cake hunt this morning, the day of his birthday. So what he found was a baseball cake. Well I wasn't too excited about this personally so I had them throw a player on the cake...Diego his favorite...but they also added a compass and palm trees...so it was a busy cake.

Henry had to make an appearance in his birthday suit in honor of his big brother who turned four!

The evening ended watching part of the movie Star Wars. Ed and I decided he would get to watch this movie when he was 6. But daddy gave mama the look that said, he is ready. Daddy purchased this gift and they snuggled and watched this evening with Uncle Greg and Grandpa Bob. We'll see if there is an issue tonight when it is bedtime. I am really nervous. I really don't know if we made a good decision letting him watch this movie yet.

An awesome moment captured today!

They were supposed to be raking...

Will he feel any different?

Tonight as Charley went to bed I could tell he would have to work that much harder to fall asleep. Tomorrow is his "real" birthday. According to Charley "Thursday (the day we surprised him) was his pretend birthday." Today he wanted to know what school he would go to when he was four. I had to explain that he would stay in Ms. Heather's class for the whole school year. He looked relieved. I asked him if he thought he would feel any different when he was four? He didn't think so. "I think I will stay this size when I am four tomorrow. I won't really be taller? Even though I will be a 4 tomorrow. I will just be a different number. I won't be taller but I will be a 4."

Last year we moved him to a big boy bed on his third birthday. We were conquering potty training. These were all huge milestones. This year we are just thriving on all the new learning he is doing with us and at school. He is so aware of all around him and is so much more aware of his birthday this year. We wrestle with what to get him as a gift. Do we get him what he dreams of or what we know will make him happy in the long run. Tonight at dinner he excitedly told my mom what he wanted her to go get at Target tomorrow. It was the same thing he told the other Grandma to get. YIKES! This seems to be his big dream. Daddy and I looked at each other across the table because all the shopping is done and we know he will be excited about all that he gets tomorrow. But it is so tempting to go get that damn Diego Dinosaur thingy. My mom explained that every parent worries about the birthday gift thing. Balancing it, teaching gratitude, thankfulness, and patience. I know our boy will have a great day tomorrow. And he will love all the gifts.

As for me, the WOMAN, that birthed that little guy. I will take a moment to realize that we did it. We made this smart little guy who is growing up before our eyes. He is learning and growing and changing. And with each year we will come that much closer to him turning into a man. I am proud of what Ed and I, along with all our close friends and family, have done to help him become who he is. And I hope that we can continue to guide him so that he grows into a respectful young man who in some way changes his world for the better, but stays "Forever Young" in our hearts. Happy Birthday my son. We love you.

My Mother In Law

I think about this often: When you are going through the first 20 years of life you don't often take time to think about who will end up being in your life as family. Lately, I have been taking time to realize that because I married my husband Ed I have amazing people in my life. First of all I have my children. Our boys are definitely a combination of us in looks and personality and I love every thing about them (well maybe not the whining). I have also gained a brother and sister in law and my brother in law brought his new wife, Becca, into my world. I have't written too much about these important people because we haven't done much with them since I Started blogging. But we will be seeing them in the next few months several times so I hope they are ready. These are all people that I realize now, will spend holidays, other celebrations, lazy weekends, and the ups and downs of family with. I love this! I have also been gifted many friends that are so fun and so supportive.

This past week my mother in law came, once again, to support me during a time when Ed left for a few days for business. It is funny that she often comes when Ed isn't even here. I have so many friends that are amazed by this. My mother in law said before she left that one of her friends was amazed by this too. I think there is a stigma (if that is what you call it) about daughter in laws and mother in laws. I have truly lucked out. I love that my mother in law is comfortable to come and stay here and help with the kids while dealing with my moods and constant babbling. I love that I have learned many things from her and look forward to learning more. I love that she is very much like my mom but also very different. I love the grandma that she is to my boys. You never wonder who your mother in law will be when you are going through the world in your 20's wondering who you will marry. I truly enjoy having her in my life.

Thanks for a great weekend! Unfortunately I didn't really get any good pictures of her with my boys so I will have to pay more attention next weekend when she comes to celebrate Halloween and Charley's birthday.

The Infamous Birthday Crown

Today Charley got to celebrate his birthday at school. He has been talking nonstop about this "Birthday crown" that he was going to get to wear at school. I swear that was why he was awake this morning at 6:15 roaring and talking in his room. So he is proudly wearing his crown and will probably continue to wear it all weekend.

SURPRISE CHARLEY!

Charley's birthday is on Saturday. We have been counting down and playing surprise birthday party the last few weeks. We meet regularly with a group of friends (yes, you will notice all girls ---I know Charley will just have to buy a tux around prom time!) Anyways, I thought how fun to throw him a mini surprise party. So the girls came over this morning and hid behind the couch and Charley's Grandma Charlie took him on errands. Ed has been out of town since Monday and he snuck into the house this morning to be part of the surprise. When Charley came home he came running into the living room looking for me and was greeted by 8 excited friends and their mom's all yelling Happy Birthday. He slunk behind the chair right away and got a little shy but was very excited. It was a great way to kick off the next week of celebrations. These friends and their mom's are people that have become so important to us. Thank you for taking time out of your busy days to celebrate with us.

My mom and dad arrive tomorrow and then Ed's family will come the next weekend for Halloween. We will celebrate this fantastic son of ours that has been in our life for 4 wonderful years. We are so proud of the boy he has grown into and we look forward to watching him continue his journey.

Hot Bag Game!

Pumpkin bread! Haha!

Watching the World Go By ---

At the Children's museum they have a window that the kids can see out and watch the city. How awesome! Henry didn't want to move from his post up on the fourth floor.

Our Children's Museum Outing...

Yesterday Grandma Charlie, Charley, Henry and Mama went to the Children's museum. Charley loves going there. We got a membership and plan to use it often this winter. The place is filled with ways that Charley can use his imagination plus interact with more props than we have at home. Here are a few jobs he tried yesterday.

It was Henry's first time interacting with the the museum. Last time he was too little. They have special tot areas for children to explore. Here are a few pictures that are my favorite.

Preschool...

Charley has been going to his preschool class for alittle over a month now. He goes on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the afternoon. He loves it. He adores his teacher Ms. Heather. He is just starting to name kids in his class. He beams when arriving and departing. When I drop him off I often sit there and take in the moment because my "big" boy seems so little when he is in the school. The things he chooses to tell his teacher, the way his cheeks turn pink, and what all the other kids choose to say is so cute. As I sit there and watch as the class of friends grows I wonder how Ms. Heather does it. My experience teaching first grade has shown that even at the age of 6 or 7 children can't always sit still or understand that it is the teachers turn to talk and that they can't tell every story that relates to every topic discussed. So I wondered what it would be like with preschool.

Well today Ed's mom was here and so she watched Henry and I got to go in and volunteer. I can't believe it! I volunteered in my son's classroom. I have been wanting to get in there. When I was a teacher I always wondered why the stay at home mom's weren't in the classroom more helping out. But now I get it. They all had one, two, or even three kids at home that they had to get taken off their hands in order to come into my chaotic classroom. Anyways...I understand now. They always say you become a different teacher when you become a parent because you see the other side of things.

Anyways, getting back to Charley's class. I entered to a circle of 19 3 and 4 year olds all listening to a story, commenting periodically about their lives, but sitting still. Then they transitioned into centers and the students all chose where they would go first and I didn't get to see how they moved from station to station...really curious.... but everytime I popped into the classroom Charley was busy and often times at a different station.

I can see how teaching preschool can be exhausting but also so good for your soul because you are working with these little miracles that are so excited with the new world and you get to introduce them to the world of education. Anyways...I truly enjoyed my time today and hope that I can do it again soon...I just need to find a place for my Henry to nap.

Ms. Heather if you read this. Thanks for all you do. Charley is lucky.

Baked Potatoes

Henry finds that baked potatoes aren't something he wants to eat. He finds the need to show us this by sweeping them off the tray. However, when mixed with cottage cheese he finds them delicious. Our boy is an eater!

We have been caulking...

A friend emailed me this morning asking where I have been. She was missing my blog. What a nice compliment. It totally made my day. My response...I don't know. I guess we had one of those uneventful weekends - which is really actually nice after a few busy ones. Looking ahead we have visitors here the next few weekends with Charley's birthday on Saturday etc.

So this weekend, before Ed left for a business trip to Vegas (again). I gave him a to do list.

1. Put gate on the bottom of the stairs. We have had the one on the top up for a few weeks. Henry beelines it to the stairs if we don't have the movable gate up. So he spent the morning wrestling with this task.

2. Then I wanted him to caulk around our front door. I had a feeling tha a few of the cracks that might have been where some of our spider friends have entered through this summer (ugh). And so he got the caulk and then had to go find the caulk gun. Charley wanted to help...he always wants to help his daddy. So Ed handed him the caulk bottle and told him to hold onto it while he went to find the caulk gun.

Charley immediately sat down criss cross and held the caulk and responded, "Daddy, I will hold it and I will sit right here and wait for you."

Ed responded, "Charley you don't have to sit right there. I might be a minute. You can find a place to put it and then go play."

and Charley said, "No daddy, I will hold it and wait."

I tipped my head and looked at Ed trying to send him the message "Look at your son, he is so proud that you have given him this responsibility." He looked at me like he might have recieved my silent message and continued out to find the caulk gun. Meanwhile, I had to explain that a caulk gun shoots out caulk just like the glue gun that mama used this morning shoots out glue. Our son is getting to the age where guns are exciting, which we haven't even exposed him to guns and he doesn't watch cartoons with them...I think it is just something that happens naturally. (well except when exposed to his Grandpa Bob, Thank you Grandpa Bob.) Okay, getting sidetracked.


The to do list continued throughout the weekend. Didn't get enough done. But that is okay.