It's all as it should be

Ok, here it is - the Halloween post.  I won't bore you with lots of details.  I'll just bore you with pictures.  Here we go!

We started the Halloween festivities by carving pumpkins on Saturday while grandma and grandpa were visiting.

Lauren got in on the action.  Kind of.

Cute happy pumpkin

Lauren was to be a ladybug.  Here we are, an hour before T-O-T time and we decided to practice wearing the costume.  She freakin' freaked.

"Get these GD wings off of me!"

She hated the skirt more than the wings.

SUPERman!

A witch!  With a wart she wiped off before we left 'cause she hated it.

Pottery Barn LOVES me

Oh, I guess I didn't mention that at the LAST minute I threw William's shirt from earlier in the day on Lauren and called her a homeless boy prisoner.

Waiting for dusk so we could head out

3 goons

Ghetto fireflies - mosquitoes! 

On a mission

Tootsie Rolls, Uncle Brandon's favorite!

Last house of the night for the pretty witch

We were out for about 25 minutes, the kids got their bags filled, then we came home to pass out candy.  We don't have too many trick-or-treaters, which is a bummer, but the kids sure love to answer the door for whomever does come by.  Our neighbors are so good to the kids which I think is so kind.  I was pleased with the "thank you" and "have a good night" statements that I heard from the kids without any prompting. 

It's all as it should be, another Halloween down. One had a breakdown because of the costume.  I turned a fun activity into a teachable moment by reminding them to stay on the sidewalk and not to walk on people's lawns at every house we visited.  There is candy to steal from their baskets after they go to bed at night.  Hope your night was as it should be, too.

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THE pumpkin apple bread has arrived

How'd you spend your Saturday morning??

C'mon, let's be honest

A few stats

A couple of my friends are pregnant with their 4th child and a handful is pregnant with their 3rd.  I feel so lucky to be a member of the get-a-tv-in-your-bedroom-why-doncha crowd and was beginning to think (for the first time!) what this really means as the kids continue to grow and get bigger.

• 3 new backpacks every August
• 3 car insurances to pay for, given all 3 have good grades
• 3 graduation parties
• 3 college applications (times however many schools each applies to)
• 3 spouses to add to our family
• 3 cell phones someday

The list could go on forever but holy shit, y'all.  This is looking costly and cluttery.  I mean, 5 cell phones charging on the kitchen counter?  I can't stand the thought.  And 3 backpacks with shoes and sweatshirts?  Where is all that crap going to go?  Not in my livingroom, mark my words.  I'm going to have to become creative and organized here in the next few years it seems. 

This all led me to think about some of the other things in our life and how they add up.  Here are a few numbers:

• On average a a child (from infancy to potty training) goes through approximately 8,000 diapers.  Hello, 24,000 diapers!
• The average family does 300 loads of laundry per year.  We're not average, let me tell you.
• My children take a bath 365 days a year.  Times THREE.

The one stat I couldn't find was how many carseat buckles a mom's fingers do on average in a year.  Then I realized why I couldn't find that stat.  COMPUTERS CAN'T COUNT THAT HIGH.

Love it all.  Wouldn't change one single thing, not even the number of loads of laundry, or number of diapers.  For reals.

Day o' fun

Yesterday the kids were the luckiest kids on the planet.  They had a fabulous school activity that Chris and I were able to attend, only to then come home, eat their treats they were given, and then we headed off to Disney on Ice.

Yesterday was Fall on the Farm at the kids' school.  It's always so fun and so well organized.  Chris and I tag-teamed and split up, switching back and forth.  A few pictures:

William's class, 3 and 4 year olds.  There he is, all swirly at the end.

Chris and Drew on the hayride.  See her there?  Holding up the enormous leaf?  And Chris was enjoying himself but that grin is him mugging for the camera.

Planting a pumpkin seed

Milking a cow

Riding a horse

Hayride!

Later that afternoon I took Drew and William out to dinner and then to see Disney on Ice.  Chris and Lauren stayed home.  Chris is a family activity kinda guy but there is NO WAY we would take Lauren, she's much too young.  For us, anyway.  It's not really William's schtick, either.  Not the Disney thing, not the late-at-night thing, not the anything-that-lasts-more-than-10-minutes thing.  I was unsure how it would play out but was excited to try it.  It all played out exactly as I'd predicted.  None of it stopped us from having a good time, though.

Before we left

We stopped at Panera for dinner.  It's the kids' favorite place and mine, too.

In the bathroom at Panera.  Silly had taken over.

The view from our seats.  We couldn't see the stage on which about 20% of the show was performed - it's through the black lighting structure there, can you see it?  Don't worry, though.  I sent off a niiiiiice email to them this morning.

Drew was freaking out at the height.  She was very uncomfortable until it started and then she was fine. Don't they look like they are having so much fun?

By the way, that popcorn box was $7 and the Flounder snow cone was $10.  I know.

It begins!

This is how William spent almost the whole program.  That $20 thing cost more than his ticket and kept him more entertained.  He was bored out of his freaking. mind.  He was awfully well behaved, though, for being so bored.  He asked repeatedly how much longer 'til it was over.  I finally told him when the lights came on he'd know...

Peter Pan and his shadow

Cotton Candy!  Remember this cotton candy story?  Redemption!

The guy who sat next to me smelled like vinegar which was odd and a little gross.  The kids kept switching seats because they wanted to sit next to me but not next to anyone else (stranger).  William asked after 32 minutes in "how much longah?" and never really stopped.  Drew enjoyed it and made sure to point out certain parts to me, that was fun.  At one point she said we could go but I told them both we were going to stick it out.  I think she could have taken it or left it.  Honestly they enjoyed the popcorn, cotton candy, snowcone, and twisty thing more than the show.  And honestly, I just enjoyed being with them.  Just another confirmation that these kinds of things are still not quite what my kids enjoy completely.  We do enough stuff that they get out and experience a lot.  These BIG productions aren't their game, though.  Not yet, anyway.  It stings a little to spend SOOO much money and then have it end like this:

He's not ungrateful, he's just not ready.

I'm fortunate to spend the time with them, though.  No daddy, no Lauren, just us.  That's important. 

Extravagance, kind of

These are a few of my newer finds, all of which I put into the extravagant category.  By that I mean they are ridiculously overpriced, I don't disclose their purchase to my husband (and if he sees them I don't disclose the price), they are not necessities, and I absolutely buy them anyway and will continue to do so.

"Snot your average wipe!" is their slogan and they ain't kiddin'.  These are awesome.  When you have kids who have snot crusted on their face and who have been miserable with coughs and sneezes for days, this is just a nice way to wipe them clean.  I even use them and like the grape the best. 

Breakfast at Starbucks.  A pumpkin anything with a nonfat latte or a nonfat toffee mocha?  I'm good for the day.  I could save $6.15 and have a piece of toast and a cuppa coffee at home but... well, that sucks in comparison.  This is a once a week thing.  May explain why I'm still wearing the same size jeans I wore last winter which I swore wouldn't happen...

If you have horribly dry skin and you're a sucker for a fantastic smell, this product is for you.  I just love.  Hand therapy, indeed.  Jergens may work just as well but this is a nice product to have.

'Tis the season!  Well, almost.  Of all the things I bake, I don't make peppermint bark.  Costco has some but it's not nearly as good as the bark from Williams Sonoma.  Have you tried it?  It's a great little gift to give, too. 

Williams Sonoma again.  These sponges are AWESOME.  Sponges by nature are gross.  They are germ catchers and smell and spread grossness all over your counter.  I microwave mine everynight to sterilize it and it stands up to that very well and it's just so absorbant.  They come in a package of 12 and they are flat little sticks like you see and when you get them wet they pop up and grow and become the most awesome sponge ever.

Do you have something you buy that you consider to be extravagant?  If so, let me know!  You know I'm always looking for new cool things.

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stuff

I'm loving Fall for lots of reasons but I have to admit the fact that it's dark earlier (and the time hasn't even changed yet!) is one of my favorites.  The kids are asking to take a bath by 6:45pm.  I do the whole, "Yes, we can read one more book *sigh*" or "Yes, you can watch a bit more Phineas and Ferb *sigh*" at 7:15pm.  By 7:30 we're upstairs and they think they've duped me and they got to stay up later than normal.  It's awesome.

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I'm taking the big kids to see Disney on Ice tomorrow and I am so excited.  I don't think William is quite ready for it yet and he may rain on our parade completely but we'll see.  The arena, the size of the ice rink, the number of people - I think he'll give it 10 minutes before he asks to go home.    

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Am I the only one whose car is an absolute disaster?  If Chris ever leaves me it's going to be because he either found out I spent $40 on gravy at Williams Sonoma for Thanksgiving or because I can't keep the inside of the car clean.  Honestly, with three carseats and three little people it just can't stay clean and it's not really on my radar to clean it everyday.  Starbucks straws, starbucks napkins, pretzels, Leapster, sippy, sweatshirt, pacifier, notebook, crayons, artwork from school...  I'm not alone, am I?  

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We've never allowed kids in our bed.  When each was an infant and I was nursing it wasn't uncommon to have one fall asleep in our bed but once they were in their crib in their own room that was it.  Our bed is our bed.  It was never an issue, we've been lucky that sleeptimes were never an issue with any of the kids.  I've been waking up next to DREW, however, for the last  month or so.  She climbs into bed with me after Chris leaves for work.  And I kinda like it.  I think because she and I have some negative interactions throughout the day, that time is just us and we chat when we wake up and it's not involving anything or anyone else.  

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Tomorrow is a Fall festival function at school for the kids.  A great friend of mine is keeping Lauren so Chris and I can go together.  That is, after we drop the kids off and go to breakfast together. ALONE.  Going to bed tonight feeling a bit congested but awfully lucky. 

Ignore the comma after life - it should not be there.  Sorry, had to point it out.

 

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A Spongebob inspired conversation

Deadbeat definition

I picked the kids up from school this afternoon and while William was buckling in he said, "Mommy, did you know that a deadbeat is someone who is lazy or who doesn't work hard?"  I said, "Yes, I did know that.  How do you know that?"  He said, "I asked my teacher what deadbeat meant and that's what she told me."  I said, "Where did you hear that word?"  He said, "I don't remember but I wanted to know what it meant so I asked my teacher today."

If a newly 4-year old asked you that question what would your assumption be?  Mine would be that he heard the word at home probably from the mother in reference to the father.  Isn't that what you would think?  Or am I totally paranoid?

I sat in the front seat of the car in the parking lot debating whether I should go in and inform the teacher that he didn't hear the word from me.  Ever. But I didn't because I thought that's exactly what a mother who used that word in reference to the father would do.  Am I totally paranoid? 

I'm guessing he didn't hear it on Curious George or Special Agent OSO so I'm wondering what he saw or heard that I wasn't aware of.  It's not a bad word but it sure is a funny word for a 4 year old to know, remember, and then ask the definition of.  Could be worse. 
 

My motto backfired

Our new house motto is SHARING IS CARING.  Don't you think that's nice?  Like when one child is running frantically away from another who is chasing them to get whatever it is that they have and won't let go of and you as the parent scream, "SHARING IS CARING!" but they can't even hear you because they are running and chasing and one is screaming and the other is crying?  Yes.  That's how it is here.  And because the kids are so into this new motto they've decided to share with me their germs.  Me.  Their mother.  Their nursemaid for the last two weeks.  I guess I need to be more specific about what to share and what not to.  Too late now, however.  I'm hanging in there and expect to be my cheerful energetic self (ha!) by Wednesday.  In the meantime I'm going to moan and nap and sneeze and serve chicken nuggets and tater tots on paper plates.

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Worthless post

Embrace

I think this is such a great idea!  I've said before that Chris is allergic to the camera and every picture that you see of me I've pretty much taken myself.  Well, thanks to the anderson crew I don't have to feel badly about that anymore!  She has a mommy challenge once a week to embrace the camera.  You can go here to read a bit about it if you're interested.

Here I am, embracing the camera AND my sick little girl.

Join in the fun and every Thursday from now on embrace the camera!  Get some pics of you with your little ones.  No matter how messy the hair, how awful the lighting, or lazy the outfit, you'll never regret having pictures of you with your kids later on.

 

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Cha-ching!

Hallelujah!  William learned to swing by himself!  He is so very capable in many ways but still so incapable in many as well.  I guess he is only 4.  This is one thing he absolutely loves to do yet he always needed help.  I hated to say no when he'd so sweetly ask me to go out back and push him on the swing but a lot of times I just couldn't go out with him.  We started really practicing about a week ago - I sat in the swing next to him and would hold his hand as I'd swing so he was always going my speed and he'd just watch my legs and mimic.  I've said, "Out... back... out... back... out... back" probably 4,000 times in the last week.  Today, after his fever broke and his strep throat swab at the doctor's office was finished, we went out back for another practice session.  I told him today was the day.  He tried it and Hallefrickinlujah!  This is yet one more job I can cross off my list.  2/3  of my kids can ride a bike on their without training wheels and now 2/3 of them can pump their legs on the swing by themselves, too.  This is today's paycheck.  Cha-ching!  

At the beginning he says, "While I'm swinging do you want to have a conversation?"  Man, I love this kid.

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Blook

I've mentioned that I had the blog published into a book as our family diary.  I did it after the first 6 months and just did the second book of the second 6 months.  I thought I'd show you how it looks.  I am in love with them.  The main reason is that I don't do baby books (well, I did for Drew, but you know how the subsequent babies often get screwed?  GUILTY.)  I'm pleased to have these and will tuck them away and let the three kids fight over them when I'm gone and they're old. 

Not very original.  Same color, same picture.  I didn't realize I'd done that til it arrived.

Picture by Kia Gregory Photography

One of the pages in the table of contents

The pages are heavy and glossy

Volume I and II

Do you keep great detailed baby books?  If so, good for you, I wish I did/had.   How do you record your family's adventures or the growth of your children?