Snuggle Buddies

These guys are definitely getting big, and there has been an undeniable increase in wrestling these days, but we're still fortunate enough to enjoy lots of these snuggle moments. Thank goodness for brothers and sisters!

Thankful......

Here's what Lizzy wrote for what she's thankful for..........:)

Tool Belt?

Who doesn't appreciate a little mom ingenuity? I think the real question is, what can't be created with a dish towel and some duct tape- limitless possibilities, I say! Peter is in a big "worker" phase these days. He often talks about "when he's a daddy" (translated means "when I'm grown up") how he wants to be a "worker." I'm not entirely clear on his definition of "worker," but I do know it involves using cool tools, wearing a hard hat and tool belt, and fixing things. When Peter wanted a tool belt at home, I had to get creative. I don't think our home-made version is too shabby, but I think I do know what is a good item for his Christmas list.

Tooth #2 is Out-A-There

We had another wiggler, so we knew it was inevitable. We were hoping for a better outcome with Tooth #2 (remember #1 was lost while eating dinner- very sad!). When I picked up Lizzy from school the other day, I noticed a little swagger in her step, and a very proud smile on her face. Her tooth fell out at school! She said she was playing in line after P.E., pushing her tooth back and forth, and out it popped. It fell to the floor, but luckily she was able to find it! Her teacher gave her a special sticker and her perfect, tiny little tooth in a baggy to take home. Just like that, we've got another new smile on our hands. It's changing so quickly these days, it's hard to keep up! Turns out it's just as vibrant, as brilliant and dazzling as before. We put the tooth under the pillow, and in the morning some fairy chap sticks appeared. Wow, that tooth fairy is creative (or a complete glutton for punishment- we're only on tooth #2 and already feeling low on ideas)!

Big Boy Skate Adventures

You know we love the skate park......... well, recently when we went, there were no big boys (juvenile delinquents cutting class/out of work dead-beats) there at all. We had the run of the place, and for the first time, everyone's eyes were open and they wanted to explore the really big ramps. These pictures may not do it justice- those ramps are super steep. So steep, it's even tricky to climb into, let alone drop-in. So steep that certain people's mom make them wear a helmet just to walk around them (yeah, I can be that paranoid). We discovered a tiny little slice of little boy heaven. They had such fun figuring out how to slide down (on their bottoms), then run around like maniacs, then work soooo hard to pull themselves out, then repeat........over and over. This is a game that could have gone on all day. Now I know, if you're looking for something to do with your boy, just give them a place to slide, a place to run around, and a place to climb and you've got it all covered.

Let's Build!

This just gets me every time. No matter how many different types of "stores" my kids create, "roads," "cities," "houses," I am blown away every single time. I just love it! I love the imagination at work, I love the team work, I love listening in on the little conversation between the two of them that facilitates their work. There may be a periodic disagreement between the meetings of the minds, but I must say, they by and large have an amazing ability to compromise and work together. They are a tremendous team.

The Best Part

One of the very best parts of Halloween this year for Lizzy and Peter was handing out the treats. They were so excited! Every time someone would approach the house, Peter would yell out, "We've got customers!" followed by, "I know you!" even when they were complete strangers. Everyone loved getting to put the treats in the kids' baskets, but then Peter would feel the need to top it all of with, "Now go home! Go! Go!" I guess he didn't want anyone getting too comfortable.....

The Big Night

I just love Halloween. I think it may be one of my favorite holidays. I love seeing everyone all dressed up, feeling so fancy and excited to be someone different for a night. I love the thrill of feeling wild, running down the street from house to house with your friends, staying out late until it gets dark and the stars start to sparkle. I love the sense of community- we're all outside, so glad to be sharing something special with our kids, admiring everyone's costumes and welcoming strangers to our doors for a treat. It's a magical night.

Kindergarteners on Parade

Here we are again.....same song, second verse.......still as special as the first. The Halloween festivities just keep on going around here. Lizzy had her first official Halloween parade as a big-time school girl. It was a hot day, certainly not feeling much like fall. The whole school gathered together to parade around to an adoring audience that oohed and aahed at the adorable procession.

Season's End

We knew it had to happen- Lizzy's inaugural season as a "real" soccer player has come to an end, and the Pink Roses are officially over. We had a small party to commemorate the end of the season. Lizzy received, of course, a pink rose, her team pictures, and her favorite by a mile......a real trophy (and it was gold)! I'm so very proud of Lizzy. She was just an awesome player- full of hustle and heart. I can say this because I'm her mother, but with a little bit of coaching and guidance, we may be onto something here (I get to brag because this is my own blog, right?). While Lizzy loved her trophy, I loved her team pictures, specifically the button I specially ordered with Lizzy's picture on it. Why, you may ask? Because my mom always wore my button to my games, and my reaction as a little girl was always external embarrassment mixed with secret delight. I put that button on right away, and as soon as Lizzy noticed it, she initially was intrigued then quickly said, "Mom, can you take that off now?" No, Lizzy, I'm never going to take it off.......I'll always be that nerdy mom wearing the picture button because that's how proud I am of Lizzy. And perhaps that's how old I am now, I love my kid so much, I don't even care if I look ridiculous. Isn't growing old weird?

Friend-filled Parade

Our neighborhood had it's annual Halloween parade. It's so funny, because I remember when we first started going to this parade how much I loved it- it's simplicity, it's display of adorable children in their array of costumes, it's all-American feel. It seemed like one of those things we would always do, and never, never miss. Thank goodness my kids were both totally into it this year, but Lizzy was on the older end, and there some friends who didn't come because they were too busy with sports or other things. It was another reminder to enjoy the precious moments so much, to just soak them in, because they are so very fleeting, and things are ever-changing. This year was another great parade. We loved getting to spend a morning with special friends, see all the kids all dressed up, so excited and proud of themselves, and let the comfort and warmth of tradition swallow us up in it's contentment.

Ah, Rats!

Lizzy was fooling around with paper and discovered how to make this rat-shaped face. She became totally engrossed in her project, and even drew on eyes and a nose, and cut out rat shaped ears. She found a "costume" (by zipping up her school sweater and dressing all in dark clothes) and suddenly transformed into........rat-girl. Peter caught the buzz, but unable to make his own mask, solicited the assistance of his ever-ready partner in crime. Soon, there wasn't just one rat running around, but two. Thank goodness for me that these were friendly rats, only interested in innocent mischief. They were so thrilled with their transformations, that they showed anyone walking by what they had become. Isn't it amazing what fun a mask can elicit? It can be so exciting becoming someone new.....if only for an afternoon.

Mater

Introducing Mater, as played by the ever-lovable, Peter. Peter shocked us all by opting for the quirky sidekick of the sleek and stylish Lighting McQueen for his Halloween costume. Don't let the semi-serious face fool you- Peter was totally into the Halloween parade at his school. I wasn't sure how this whole thing would play out. Peter has been known to shy away from the spotlight at times, but on this day, he was in his element. He loved wearing his costume, including the hysterical too-small hat, followed right along with the parade, showed the whole class his costume during circle time, and sang along with all the Halloween songs during music time. In a word: adorable! I love preschool anyways, but seeing everyone all dressed up, so excited for this special day, was priceless.

Basketball

This is what a pick-up basketball game looks like in our world. Peter and Connor, coincidentally both wearing their Supermen shirts, are on the same "team," and therefore hold hands while defending the basket. Oh, if only games could always be this good natured, they would be wonderful (if perhaps a bit boring) to behold.

Birds

Our friend Kelly had told us about a local duck pond that she loved taking her boys to. She said it was so fun to feed the birds there. One afternoon we decided to give it a try. We came well equipped with tons of bread. Already, the kids were excited for an adventure. They always love to go to new places, get lost in nature, and let their imaginations run wild. You could tell immediately that these were some well trained birds. As soon as we stepped out of the car, the birds made a mass exodus out of the pond, and veered right over to us. In my mind I had imagined that we would throw bread crumbs to a few patient ducks who would then elegantly swim away. In reality, we were swarmed by all kinds of birds, who were very bold and quickly worked up into a food frenzy. Of course, Lizzy was fearless, and amazed by the birds. She ran all around, laughing and having the best time. She loved all the different kinds of birds she saw. Peter was a good sport, feeding lots of birds before shouting "go away!" and running to safety. I was, I'll admit, pretty freaked out. There were a lot of birds, and they weren't shy. The best part for me came after we were done feeding the ducks, and we went for a walk around the pond. That's when imaginations opened up and the kids were suddenly in their own world, deep into their own games, having the best time.