Superman....All the Time

And so it seems...... we've created a monster. A blue pants-suit wearing, cape flying monster that won't take off his costume ever. As we were trying to get ready for church this morning, Peter was having a terrible tantrum. He was trying to tell me something, but I just couldn't understand what it was. Finally, after much yelling and crying, I put together that he wanted to wear his Superman costume, and he insisted he wear the costume with only his diaper on underneath. Since today is Halloween, I really didn't have too big of a problem with this. Plus, I must confess, I've always had a soft spot for little kids turning up in random places like the supermarket, or school pick-up, or the park joyfully wearing their ridiculous costumes. I remember when I was a teacher in Los Angeles, there was this little girl, probably only three-years-old, that would come with her mother every day to pick up her brother wearing a hand-made Spiderman costume complete with the super tight red face mask that the mom had drawn the black lines all over. Every time I saw her I smiled at how she mastered simultaneously looking so ridiculously out of place yet so joyfully confident and content. The true beauty of being a child oblivious to our critical social norms. So when Peter was the only child dressed in a costume at church today, I said to the other mothers in an exasperated voice, "He just won't take that costume off!" But inside, I had a smile a mile wide, remembering that little girl I once knew, and now enjoying this little boy of my own. And when he insisted on eating his lunch, and riding his scooter, and even taking his nap in his costume, I still felt that silly tickle inside my heart. Because I just love that Peter loves being Superman, and that he gets to feel how awesome it is to unabashedly wear your costume every darn place, just because you can.

Our Party

Every Halloween, we have a big party for all our friends. This year was our 4th annual party, and it may have been our best one yet. What's really special is that lots of the kids have been to the party each year, so it's so wonderful to see how big they are now, and all the little brothers and sisters that have joined them. It seems like each year I go through the same emotional stages before the party. First, I'm really excited to begin planning new fun games and to get all the cute decorations organized. Then, I get a little worried as the cost of all the food and supplies starts adding up. Then, I begin to get discouraged that it won't come together. I feel like the Captain of the fantastically inefficient and mind-numbingly slow ship the USS Molasses. Have you ever attempted to herd cats? That's how it can feel trying to reign in a two-year-old, a four-year-old, and sometimes even a daddy, to get everyone helping out and on board with the Captain's vision. Oh, and I guess I'll have to admit I can be a bit bossy and controlling about party planning sometimes;) But then, as it always does, the haze begins to clear and it all starts coming together. Every year, as we start to cut, and paint, and glue all our games and decorations, the magic starts to happen. I love feeling our shared excitement, and marvelling at all we've created. And when it's the day of the party, and everything is set out, I love seeing all the little imperfections in our work, the marks that this was all created by children and our family, and that we wanted to share this with all our special friends and family. I love that we have this tradition, and that right now, while Halloween is still sweet and simple, and kids still want to be with their parents and dress up like princesses and pirates, we can all join together in one wonderfully fun night. It's always worth it in the end.

Daddies Go Pumpkin Crazy

Brian asked Pat if he wanted to come over after the parade and carve some pumpkins with the kids using his drill. Ever since these guys were teenagers, Brian has always been the idea guy, out-of-the-box, a little crazy, and sometimes hair-brained, and Pat is the instigator, the guy ready to make a quick, quiet escape when the inevitable happens and everything starts going to hell and your mom/wife is going to get really mad. I wouldn't exactly call either of these dads "handy" with a drill, so there's the first problem right there. But the kids were really excited so we went along. After about five minutes the kids were distracted and off playing, but the dads were determined and still inspired. The best thing about being friends with a great "idea guy," is that you get to ride along on his apron strings and try new things you'd normally never think of, or be too lazy to try. When things started looking totally ridiculous, I left to take Peter home for his nap. Much to my amazement, a short time later Pat and Lizzy made their triumphant return, with Lizzy holding her pumpkin with a perfect Cinderella face etched onto it. "Look what my daddy made me!" she said. And there's the best thing about Brian: he doesn't always read the directions, he can come up with crazy ideas that are often messy/dangerous, but he's always ready for fun and wanting to include you in the chaos. We're so lucky to be "dragged" into all his great ideas!

A Halloween Miracle

I like to credit myself with "knowing my audience." I know my kids, I know what they like, and I like to think I know what will make them completely crazy. Peter, being a two-year-old, can be a bit persnickety about some things. Since he'll only eat the same cereal every morning, only down PB&J's for lunch, and cried when I got him different color tennis shoes, I wouldn't exactly call him...... flexible. It was with this knowledge that I picked out his Halloween costume. I didn't go for a certain character, but rather tried to find the least restrictive, most like regular clothes thing I could find. I figured this Superman "sack" would just be like his sleeper, and we might have a fighting chance of getting him in it. But when he cried when we tried it on him, and then kept saying a firm, "No, Thank You!" every time I asked him if he wanted to wear his costume, I figured it wasn't looking too good. But then, on the morning of the Halloween parade, Lizzy said she wanted to put on her costume. Peter, overhearing this, ran to get his, and put it right on and happily began running around the house, hand-in-hand with Lizzy. How could I forget the power of the big-sister influence? Thank goodness for Lizzy- she saved the day!

A Religious Guy?

Peter found these rosary beads in a drawer the other day, and they have quickly become his new favorite accessory. I couldn't decide how I felt about this. Is he channeling his inner connection with God, or am I totally tacky and creepy that a) I let my two-year-old run around with rosary beads around his neck, or b) I have a random set of rosary beads stashed in a "junk" drawer in my house? Then the true purpose of the beads became clear. I forgot the innate practicality of children. The crucifix on the end has the dual benefit of being a great teether and a perfect "key" to put in any door. Pat's response was a sarcastic, "Well, Jesus is the true key, right?" I'll go with that for now.....

Carving Fun

We got down to business the other day and carved our pumpkin. The absolute best thing about holiday traditions is getting to share them with your children. We got a "ghost" pumpkin this year, and wondered if it would be white on the inside too. Turns out, it had the same yellow "guts" and same wonderfully rich pumpkin smell as the old orange kind does. Lizzy and Peter helped take out all the seeds, and I was left with the dirty work of scooping it clean. Don't feel too sorry for me, my OCD kicked right in and I had that pumpkin thoroughly scraped within an inch of it's life. Then the fun part- making the face. I'm always a traditionalist when it comes to jack-o-lanterns- triangle eyes and nose and toothy grin. We're ready for a spooky good time now!

Halloween Parade

I'm constantly surrounded by so much cuteness, it's really difficult to decide what is the "cutest," but today is certainly in the running. I just love Halloween! I love the excitement, the thrill of trick-or-treating, the wonder of dressing up and pretending to be someone else, someone as elegant and beautiful as Sleeping Beauty, if only just for a few minutes. And seeing a whole crowd of four-year-olds in their Halloween finery is truly adorable. We went to Lizzy's Halloween parade today at school. All the children were dressed up and very excited. We took a lap around school, through the office, and then back to the yard. I loved seeing Lizzy's proud little smile, so happy and so confident in her pretty dress. Then we made a big circle, and Teacher Kelly called out each type of costume so the kids could "show off" their stuff. We ended the day singing Halloween songs together. There are those moments when I'm so keenly aware that I'm witnessing something so precious and special, I try not to cry and just enjoy....... These days are so so fleeting, but I feel so lucky that today, I got to watch a roomful of beautiful children, joyful and happy, so thrilled for Halloween to come. It was the best!

Learning My Lesson

I got to be the Helper Mommy in Elizabeth's class on Wednesday, and all around were signs of Fall and Halloween. The children were busily working on all sorts of Halloween art projects, and raking the leaves in the yard. It's always a special treat to spend time with the children, and to watch them learning and playing. Elizabeth and I had a lot of fun building with blocks. There is an entire room full of hundreds of blocks, all different shapes and sizes, that are perfect for creating, well, anything you can imagine. A little boy named Oliver came in to join us. As he began building his castle, he put a triangle shaped block on the top of his building. I almost said, "If you do that, you won't be able to put anything on top of it," but I held my tongue (a difficult task for me). As he kept building, I was amazed how he managed to balance blocks in a way I never would have thought! What an interesting little mind, and how fascinating it is to see how different people approach things! That is the essence of what is so special about Lizzy and Peter's school- meaningful activities centered around play that allow your mind to explore and grow. When you have that freedom, the possibilities are limitless.

A New Friend

Elizabeth has a new friend at school named Ellie, and we were invited over to Ellie's house for a playdate. It was such a breath of fresh air to spend time with Ellie and her family! Ellie had a beautiful home, but it wasn't "perfect," or decorated out of a Pottery Barn catalog, or lavish. All around were signs of Ellie and her brother and sister- pictures, art projects, the fingerprints of children, both literal and figurative, were everywhere, just the way I like it. Their home wasn't stuffed with toys, but there was plenty to do. In the back yard was an amazing tree, just perfect for climbing. The children had lots of fun running around the back yard, and then later putting on a "show" for us. It was really wonderful to spend time with such a lovely family, and I hope we can have Ellie over to our house soon.

Game Time

Perhaps I'm late to the game here (pun intended;)), but it suddenly struck me when I was in Target the other day that we don't really have any board games. Lizzy's the perfect age to really enjoy this, so I decided to dive in with a classic- "Candyland." On a rainy afternoon, could there be anything better then a little board game fun? Lizzy loved it right away, and we played several rounds before daddy got roped in for a few more. I have to say, Lizzy does have a competitive streak (where could she get that from?!), so I wondered how she would do with a "real" game, trying to stick pretty closely to the rules and taking turns. She was awesome! As luck would have it, she "won" the first game, so I think that set the tone for her. When I "won" the next game, Lizzy was a really good sport, and even said out loud, mostly to herself, "That's okay! I'm not even going to get upset! I'll just keep going!" It's weird when moments of maturity sprout up, often when you least expect it. Now that Candyland is such a hit, we'll have to try some other games soon. I'm seeing many afternoons full of board games in my future....

Bittersweet Splashing

I believe it's been said that insanity is doing the same thing over and over, while expecting a different result. If that's the case, then I had a bout of insanity this afternoon. Puddles are everywhere, so when we got back from church, Lizzy and Peter decided to put on their boots and enjoy a quick splash before lunch. The moment Peter stepped into his first puddle, he got really upset and wanted out of his wet pants. I took him inside to change, then he went crazy that he didn't have his boots on anymore, and insisted he go back outside. We went through this pattern about three times, then when we were running dangerously low on dry pants, I decided enough was enough. Playing in puddles=getting wet, plain and simple. I guess this is a lesson in coming to terms with the price of "fun." If you're not willing to get a little messy, then you miss out on the puddles. Hopefully Peter won't mind so much next time.

Umbrella Fun

There's a picture I remember seeing of myself when I was a little girl. It's a rainy day and I'm standing outside in my rain jacket holding my umbrella with a big smile on my face. I still love that feeling of being protected and shielded from the wet and cold under an umbrella. Feeling like you're inside a glass jar and you get to look out at the chaos around you while you're snug and cozy inside. It almost feels like you're cheating the rain- like you get to enjoy it's beauty without any of the hassle. I found two little umbrellas at the toy store and was hoping Lizzy and Peter might enjoy them as much as I do. I think Lizzy may understand how I feel. She likes to walk around in the yard under her umbrella, checking out the world. Peter seems to want to like it, but can't quite figure out how to work it yet. He keeps wanted to drag it by the handle behind him, and it's tricky for him to hold it over his head. I bet by next fall, he'll enjoy an umbrella stroll as much as I do.

Peter At School

I got to be the Helper Mommy in Peter's class the other day. I tried to explain to him that I would be staying with him the whole day at school, but it took a while to sink in. As we walked into the classroom I could sense his anxiety. I think he thought I was going to bolt at any moment. But as it became apparent that I was there to stay, he started to relax and enjoy himself. It was so wonderful to see him so happy in his classroom, playing around and having fun. Peter loved the cars and the parking garage toy. He also loved putting his hands in the bubbly water and playing with the sponges. He enjoyed water coloring and was really great at puzzles. My favorite part of the morning was snack time. Every time I ask Peter about his days at school, he always tells me he pours water. And indeed he does! It was so darling to see all the children clean their hands and the table, then get ready for snack. They poured their own drinks from the special pitcher, then took turns passing the snack. After snack we played outside, which of course, Peter loved. I'm so proud of you, Peter! You are such a big boy, and you are doing a great job at school:)

Playing Hookie

Daddy had a free day from work so we decided to visit Happy Hollow. He hadn't seen it since it was remodeled, and boy was daddy in for a treat. Grandma and Papa decided to join us too, which meant we were all in for a special day. Lizzy and Peter were so excited! It was a gorgeous fall day, and Papa remarked, "I guess there's pretty much nothing better than going to Happy Hollow on a beautiful day." And really, there isn't. Watching the kids run around, excited to explore each hidden spot, was wonderful. We're so lucky to be in the "before school" time where we have lots of "free" days to have fun. Next year, with school everyday, we'll be so busy with the school grind, and I'm so thankful for these fantastically free days where we have nothing but time to enjoy one another's company. Really, it's the best!

Too Quiet

The other day Lizzy and Peter were playing in Peter's room after lunch. Suddenly I realized it was far too quiet in there for anything good to be happening. Usually I follow the rule that if no one is screaming leave them alone, but it was an eerie quiet so I decided to check it out. When I opened the door, I saw Peter completely snuggled up in a pile of blankets. He even had a blanket to cushion his head. Lizzy told me she was putting Peter down for his nap. She had given him his binkies and a bedtime buddy too. Peter looked to be in heaven. He had a big smile on his face and was totally relaxed. I guess everyone loves to be pampered once in a while.

Snails Beware

And so it begins...... Rain comes, and with it........ snails! It looks like the love affair Lizzy began with snails last year is still going strong. Stronger, in fact, because a new fan has joined her ranks. Peter, too, seems to have an affinity for the slimy shelled ones. As soon as it started sprinkling, Lizzy began shouting about snails, and ran around seeking them out. That girl has an uncanny snail-finding ability. I've never seen such tiny baby snails, or such big hunkers as the ones she easily finds hiding out in our bushes. Snails, I feel like I owe your entire species an apology. While they are certainly well intentioned, and they do love you so, Lizzy and Peter are not always the gentlest with you. Thanks for letting us admire your slimy wonder, and we'll try to keep an eye out and not step on any one in your family. Wish us luck!

First Sprinkle

I guess these must be California kids, spoiled by constant sunshine and blue skies, because the slightest change in weather gets them super excited and ready to put on their "gear." Today, after weeks of unseasonably hot weather (we were just picking out pumpkins on an 85 degree day), the sky was gray and cloudy. It was chilly (for us at least) and finally felt like fall. There was a hint of rain to come, and perhaps a slight sprinkle here and there. Lizzy wanted to go play in the "rain," and somehow managed to squeeze into her boots and jacket from last year. Peter was eager to join in. This is always one of my favorite scenes of fall- boots and jackets, squeals of delight, searching out puddles and mud and bugs. Welcome Fall- we're so glad you finally made it!

Children's Liturgy

I had an epiphany the other day. Those second kids, they totally have it made! Of course being first is pretty awesome. You were the "first," the one that opened mom's and dad's eyes and hearts to the joy of parenting. The one who enjoyed the "newness" of everything, and got an absurd amount of attention just for breathing. But those second kids, they have a built in friend right from day one. Someone that's totally cool, super fun, and great at everything that they can watch and learn from. There's always someone to sit next to, someone to watch out for you at school, someone to lead you when you feel lost or nervous, and someone to share everything with. While the first kid is busy figuring out how to navigate their path, the second is trying desperately to keep up. It can be painful for both at times, but it's also an amazing testament to teamwork, tolerance, and love.

Disney On Ice

We went to see Disney on Ice with our cousins- how exciting! Lizzy is a seasoned expert at shows, but Peter was a rookie, and he did a great job. Everyone was very excited for the show. How can you not enjoy snuggling with your little guys and watching them marvel at the wonder of the lights and all the pizazz? Honestly, I must admit, I always get a little choked up in the beginning of these things because it's so fun to see the kids having a great time, feeling the energy of the crowd, and getting sucked into the thrill of the show. I already know I'll be a mess at Disneyland. Afterwards, the kids blew off some steam playing an impromptu game of tag in the parking lot. After a few rounds, Peter found a nearby bench and stretched out. You gotta love a guy who knows his limits. It certainly was a big, and very fun, day!

Rock Stars

On Friday we had dinner at the Nelsons'. Lately, when the kids get together, they love to play "rock star." Drew and Trevor bring their guitars and jam. Jack snags Paige's guitar and joins in. Peter lurks around until someone puts their guitar down and he can quietly grab it, or Drew gives in and offers him a turn. Lizzy leads on vocals and Paige backs her up. They go through all the hits like "Happy Birthday," "ABC Song," and "Twinkle Twinkle." Yup, these kids know how to rock!

Photographer

Lizzy got a hold of my camera this morning. Of the 132 pictures taken, 131 were blurry, random, or bizarre. Thank goodness for digital photos, and not wasting film! Here's the one winner of the photo shoot- Peter's sweet face resting against a pillow on the ground. I guess he's a pretty easy subject to shoot:)

The "Magical X"

Okay, I don't mean to brag, but I am a bit of a hair braiding expert. Perhaps it stems from my childhood dream of becoming a "beautician." Feast your eyes upon my latest creation: "The Magical X." For me, there is something so delightful about fixing Lizzy's hair. Every morning, as part of our "get ready" routine, we set aside a few minutes to "do hair." There is certainly a part of me that loves the finished product- the pretty braids, the darling bows, hair out of the way so we can see that pretty little face. But to be honest, I love those fleeting five minutes when the hair is getting "done." I love brushing it out. I love quietly admiring it's pretty highlights and soft curls. I love our chit-chat and stories shared. When I see those braids running around, it's a visible sign of my love. It's me saying, "I love you so much, and I want to take such good care of you, that I'll take the time to give you a special hairstyle each morning." Plus, as I've already learned, I'm sure my mornings of getting to be the hair-stylist are numbered. All too quickly it seems, children begin to get their own ideas.....

Car Wash

We've had a hot few days here. Every time I bring out the hose to water the plants, it somehow turns into a game of "Squirt Me With the Hose, Mommy!" Don't get me wrong, there is something wickedly alluring about nailing someone with an ice cold stream of water and watching them scurry away, shrieking in delight. But then there's the "problem" of wet clothes, slippery cement, and soggy towels. Well, it was a hot afternoon, and those little red cheeks did look pretty hot, so I gave in and sprayed away. Interestingly, but not surprisingly, we figured out a good system. Peter held the hose, getting very little water directly on himself, and Lizzy ran around getting soaked. I stepped in now and then to increase the accuracy and strength of the water stream. After several minutes of watery delight, the game changed from washing the kids, to washing the car. Out came the washcloths and bowls of water, and those kids got down to work. Now the car is sparkling, even if the kids aren't. I guess it's an okay trade-off.

Halloween is Coming

"Look what I made, Mommy! I made these Halloween pictures for my friends to see. These are pumpkins, and that is a witch holding a ghost pumpkin."

Lizzy's New Trick

Hey, look what Lizzy can do! After much practice, she is now a winking expert! Over lunch today she was showing us her new amazing trick. Of course, Peter had to give it a try too. He gave us a good round of giggles watching his scrunched up face try to wink. We'll call Peter the blinking master, and Lizzy is the winking aficionado.

The Secret Garden

There's a special deli that Pat and I can't pass up when we go to Half Moon Bay. The bread is made fresh daily, and it's so delicious. We always grab sandwiches for a picnic when we go to the beach. Since we were in town today for the pumpkin patch, I just couldn't pass up a sandwich and a fresh loaf for dinner. Another great part of the deli, is the "secret garden" in back. Really, it's a small, semi-secluded grassy area probably used for weddings. But in our minds, it's a magical garden hidden away for our own playing purposes. We've been to this "garden" many times over the years, with several different families that we love. We've played hide-and-seek in the flowers, rocked on the swing, and run on the grass. Somehow it always feels like "our" place, and that's what makes it so wonderful. As I ate my sandwich, I loved watching the kids play around. They, of course, loved the swing, and took turns giving one another rides. But then they started doing their own things. Peter played around with the swing, and Lizzy chased the same butterfly for what seemed like forever. It really felt like the butterfly was playing with her. It would fly right near her, then flitter away, then land on a nearby branch. She patiently chased it all around. Eventually, and I swear this is true because I was watching, it flew up the front of her dress, and landed for the shortest of moments on her outstretched hand before flying away for good. As "holding" a butterfly has been Lizzy's dream for ages, I was thrilled to see it really happen, if only for the tiniest of moments. Miracles can happen in a secret garden.

A Pumpkin Patch Bender

Even though we just went to the pumpkin patch yesterday with Caroline, I just couldn't pass up the chance to hit another one when Kelly called this morning. It was either have a ton of fun on a gorgeous day outside, or go to Safeway and do our chores, and since we all know how we feel about Safeway, it was really an easy decision. Honestly, I think I was doing a service to the shoppers at Safeway by staying away, so it was a no-brainer. Boy did we have a busy morning! We fed goats, jumped in bouncy houses, and rode the train. But the highlight of the morning was the pony ride! I thought Lizzy would probably do it because she seemed excited about it and is usually a pretty good sport about those types of things. But when Peter and Charlie started to chime in, I figured we just had some big talkers on our hands. But much to my surprise, everyone went for a ride (some white knuckling the saddle with tense, but proud, looks on their faces). I guess it's another example of when a trusted friend paves the way, you're ready and eager to take a chance and try something new.

Pumpkin Patch Fun

We went to the pumpkin patch with Caroline and Auntie Elizabeth and had the best day. I shouldn't say "pumpkin patch" like it was just any run of the mill patch. It was a great pumpkin patch, and the kids had so much fun. Of course it had all the standard fare- lots of fun and unique pumpkins to run around- but it had so much more: a petting zoo full of only baby animals, that the kids could hold and touch. Well, needless to say, they were in love! And I was in love too, because if there is something cuter than a "baby" holding a baby (kitten, chick, duckling, bunny.....you name it), then I'm not sure I know what it is. The kids loved exploring all the animals, but Peter really loved the kittens. I think he could have sat there all day holding his kitten, and he is still asking to go back to visit him. There was an awesome hay maze complete with tunnels and a tiny "house," and wonderful places to explore. I really wish I could sneak in another trip to see the animals because they are just too darling!