Grace in Small Things #30

Brought to you by Henry:

1. Ritz crackers - not the whole wheat ones. Just the regular old Ritz crackers. "Num!" is his comment after he bites in.

2. Wa-Ter. Henry loves his water!

3. Dora - his beautiful brown eyed goddess these days!

4. The arrival of his big brother home from school. "See Char!" he says as the carpool van pulls up to drop him off.

5. His nuk! He loves it! It soothes him! He appears with it when I think I have captured them all and corralled them in his crib. It makes me nervous thinking about the upcoming months of weaning him from it. ugh!

Grace in Small Things #29

I just heated up some hot chocolate...just can't get the chill out of my bones today. It got me thinking...I have several favorite beverages that I choose for different reasons throughout the day....So today I appreciate having choices to fit the moment during the day:

1. Hot Chocolate - when chilled and need a cozy beverage!

2. Simply Apple Cider - steamy and warm if not in the mood for #1

3. Diet Coke - this week I am trying caffeine free

4. Water - when I am out to eat I refuse, most days to buy the overpriced beverage and I also try really hard to get some water in me during the day.

5. Red wine - Now that daylight savings time is ending...margaritas and cold beers just don't hit the spot...but a glass of wine while cooking dinner makes me feel cozy and relaxed. I will also admit that I am NOT a wine snob. So right now there sits a good old box of wine on our counter!

So what are your thoughts on beverages that get you through the day...what do you NEED? What makes you happy? What helps you get through?

5 year old birthday recap

Thanks to my blog Charley's birthday was great. Thank you friends for interacting and giving me hints on making the most of his special day. Haley, thanks for reminding me that kids ride free on their birthday at the ride park at the mall. Not only that but they get into the Underwater World...both requests by the birthday boy! Probably saved us 40 bucks! Thank you Kim for the castle idea! BEST MONEY I HAVE SPENT IN A LONG TIME - on toys! And thank you for all the wishes of happy birthday - I shared them with the birthday boy! This is what makes blogging so fun!

So for Charley's birthday we went to see the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra on Saturday morning. We won tickets to a free family event. There were activities beforehand for the kids. Both boys loved it and it brought the good old days of BAND back for me. I LOVED exposing the kids to the brass concert. I said to Ed, this is what being parents is all about...not signing them up or pushing them early but for exposing and making them realize that there are these wonderful different options out there. After the concert we had a fun lunch downtown and then headed home.

Sunday we got up and opened presents right away. From our household he got some Nerf guns (that I am regretting) and a play dough burger making thing that he played with for an hour on Monday afternoon (score). He also got a few other things. From family and friends he was gifted many generous things. The boy was spoiled. The item I ordered did not arrive in time. After presents we sang happy birthday and had donuts for breakfast - we NEVER have donuts so this was a special treat.

Then we headed to the mall and visited Underwater World. A very cool experience but WAY too much money to go without having a child under two who is free, a birthday boy, and 10 dollars worth of coupons.


After underwater world we went to ride some rides at the mall amusement park. I have taken the boys here before but Ed hadn't been here with us yet. Both boys love to ride! So fun that on your birthday you get a free unlimited wristband! So we only had to buy tickets for Henry to ride...and since both boys are still "little" we could ride with them for free. It was a blast!




Returning home we had a nappy Hank and a boy who was ready to play with his new spaceship. Later we walked over to the nearby garden center to see the pumpkins, cow, and goat. We raked leaves for a bit and had pancakes for dinner. Charley had requested alfredo but we went to Olive Garden for lunch and were all too full. So we had that Monday night instead.

Yesterday the package that I had ordered online arrived. Ed and I had talked that we could wait until Xmas for the gift if it came and I could snatch and hide it...or if Charley forgot...but Charley didn't forget. So when it arrived yesterday we waited all day for daddy to get home so we could open it. My friend Kim mentioned that this item, normally 99.99 was on sale for 49.99 and had free shipping. I went and checked it out and fell for it. She said her girls and her 2nd grade son love it. It is the home to many "guys" and dolls. The castle is AWESOME! It will occupy both boys for hours and years! It is sturdy and has lots of nooks and crannies for their "guys" to live. It is bigger than Henry so there is plenty of space for more than one child to play with it. I AM SO THRILLED and Ed seemed pretty happy with it too! This morning there was no asking for a cartoon and he can't wait to get home to play with it. It is the best money I have spent on a toy for a long time (and normally our money is spent recycling toys by finding treasures at garage sales)! I even want to play with it :) I think this will be one of those gifts that he will always remember!


This weekend we will continue with the festivities when family comes into town for Halloween. He will finally get his cake! So he didn't have a party but I think he had more than enough excitement. So next year when my child becomes a Kindergartner he can look forward to a kid party - or he can opt for more family time! Who knows...maybe the family time will win out!

To infinity and beyond!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The big question this time of year, besides what kind of cake did you have for your birthday, would be: What are you going to be for Halloween?

I ask it to every child I run into.

About a month ago we were grocery shopping at Target and Charley spied the "Haunted House Area" a.k.a. the Halloween Holiday aisle. He begged to stroll down. So we did. Why not?! We left in tears about 20 minutes later because I wouldn't buy any of the 15 costumes that thrilled him. I knew that his mind would change day to day for the next month. The most likely costume was going to be Star Wars...a storm trooper...

I grew up with a mom that sewed us costumes or helped us compile awesome traditional costumes from stuff in our home. My sister was a mailbox- constructed out of a box. I was a boyscout, cowboy, nurse, etc. The first couple Halloweens Charley has worn awesome costumes made by Ed's mom (a Hersey kiss and a bumblebee). Last year he was a pirate (given to us from an old student). So for me to gaze at the Star Wars costume and think about the $30 dollars it would cost, kind of bugged me. So I was on a mission to find the costume that would make his eyes sparkle...and would give him an answer, filled with pride, to the almighty Halloween question: What are you going to be?

I stopped at a garage sale one day and hanging there was a Buzz Lightyear costume! It was 7 bucks..size four, brand new...from the Disney store! I got it and started planning how I would get Charley to go from wanting to be a Storm Trooper to Buzz Lightyear. (You should know that his favorite movie these days is Toy Story. He brought his woody doll for show and tell. And calls Buzz LightYEAR - Buzz LightBEARD") So I swore to myself that I would not tell him I got this costume until the week of Halloween, so that he couldn't be excited and then change his mind. But that night, after buying the costume, I was reading to him and we started talking about costumes. And I said, "So Charley, what about being Buzz Lightyear." And that is all that it took. He loved it! He knew Target had it. And he was excited. And ME...I sighed in relief....knowing I spent $7 on an awesome costume.

For his birthday I wrapped up his costume and here he is....
drum roll , please....

Charley as Buzz Lightyear!

No cake!

Okay, everyone we run into asks Charley, "Did you have a cake? What kind of cake?" and he answers, "No, I didn't have a cake." And of course the guilty mom pipes right in shouting, "BUT WHAT DID YOU HAVE CHARLEY!?" Praying he remembers that we did light candles and sing.

Ed and I talked about it and knew we were making his birthday special in many ways..and we were avoiding buying some big ass cake that would then sit there all week...and who can guess who would eat it...yes, me and my new jeans would be that much farther away. So we decided to think creative for his actual day and save the cake buying for this upcoming weekend when we had some company coming. They could help us devour the delicious Star Wars cake from Target...that was Charley's demand. So NO! we didn't get a cake for his day and I didn't bake this year. I don't think I ever asked a kid about his cake and it is hilarious that everyone keeps asking Charley about the one thing we didn't do. HA! But what did we do...I know you are all waiting with baited breath!

Heaven = Toys R Us Catalog to little boys!

Yep! The Toys R Us toy catalog arrived this weekend and before I could snatch it and put it away for a later date, I like to keep it in my pocket for a crabby day when Charley needs a distraction...closer to Christmas, the boys got a hold of it. Immediately they dropped to the floor and were completely absorbed in dreaming, oohing and ahhing, and squealing over silly toys. Even Henry shouted Dora anytime her lovely brown eyes peered back at him.

tis the season for dreaming ...

Charley is born!

Yesterday we had free tickets to attend a family event concert event at the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. I put our name in for a drawing a while back and we "won" tickets. So thrilling. Charley was excited to go to a concert. We arrived early and were standing and waiting for the doors to open and who should step off the elevator - Mckenna! Charley's good friend Mckenna and her family also won tickets! It was such an ironic moment...if ironic is the right word! Five years ago yesterday we hung out with Molly and Gary and watched a Packer game on a Sunday afternoon. All day I felt a little off...heck, I was three days overdue! I started getting little pains but it never clicked that they were contractions until Molly pointed it out. So for the first few hours of labor we hung out with our best friends Molly and Gary. Hanging out with them yesterday was perfect!

That night our adventure to having Charley enter the world took place. We went to the hospital around 7 to be sent home around 9 after giving me a sleeping pill- like I was going to sleep. I was in so much pain already! By 11 we were heading back into the hospital, epidural at 1, and around 8 o'clock I began pushing and at some point told my doctor he was lying to me about only having three more pushes to go...let it be known he was correct.

Charley entered our world at 8:55 and his life began.

Daddy cut the cord and parents we became.

I remember those first 2 days spent figuring it all out at the hospital. Many moms want to get out of the hospital and get home. For me, when we left I felt a little scared and knew I would miss having the guaranteed support. I still wonder how the nurses can bring all these babies into the world and not want to find out who they became! I guess it is part of the job. You can never get that moment back when you become a parent for the first time. But it is just as awesome the second time around.

A child's birthday might be about parties, balloons, presents, candles, and cakes. But for a woman and a man - it is about when life became more about someone else - it is when they were transformed into the lifelong roles of MOM and DAD!

Happy 5th Birthday, Charley!

Dear Charley,

We kicked off your weekend with a fun day....you have opened one present...lesson learned (This Christmas we will keep all presents hidden until it is time to open because 5 year olds are patient but parents are not when they have to listen to their five year old talk about presents everyminutefortwodaysstraight, sigh!) You are in bed, quiet...gazing at your first 5 year old birthday present a Moon on Your Wall - Thank you Uncle Greg! I have poured myself a glass of wine and am realizing....

Your birthday is exciting for you but me, the mama....it is a slap in the face at how fast life is flying by and how life changes so quickly....and of course...how old I am getting. All week I have caught myself thinking about where we lived when you were born, what our routines were, how I survived working and being a mommy. I looked at Henry and realized how little I remember of your first 2 years...and it made me gasp as my heart rate quickened. Thank goodness for blogging because I feel like I will have documentation of some of these current little things. Part of it is that I look at your baby pictures and see so much of Henry. My mind goes right to Henry...so maybe as we move out of this baby stage with him things will straighten out in my head. But one thing I do know, you were our first. You were our miracle. You were our only for 3 years and we absorbed every second we had with you. Then you became a big brother and have blossomed and grown into such a grand young man!

These days you amaze us with your insight and knowledge, "Do you know what?" Is how you often start much of what you have to share. Your grandparents and Aunts and Uncles that speak with you on the phone are amazed at how clearly you speak and how well you can hold a conversation. You have started reading and are sounding out words and making your way slowly through beginning reader books! You will sit for many many books before we turn off the light at night. You are passionate about Star Wars and are quickly transitioning into "big boy" toys (at least to mama they are big boy toys). You have finally started sitting for long stretches building with your tinker toys and lincoln logs and legos...all by yourself. You still enjoy helping me cook and even helped Grandma flip pancakes! You are casting your fishing pole like a pro. You love school, playdates, parks, and games. You aren't excited about riding your bike too much yet. Maybe next summer. You sleep from about 7 pm until 6 or 7 am. You no longer take naps. You are still our amazing eater, but have grown a little more opinionated about things. You can manipulate yourself around kid websites and love to watch "shows."

But the thing that most amazes me these days - is your attitude about being a big brother. You were excited day 1 when we told you that you were going to be a big brother. You have been patient and loving. Henry is getting to the age where he can play with you and you are so good about slowing down, showing him things, giggling, and teaching him the ways. You get silly and sometimes too rough - but that is what being brothers is all about. You often translate what Henry is saying -- even when it translates into something that you ultimately want. You are a big brother. And you do the job so well.

My son tomorrow you are five! FIVE! Some kids are in kindergarten for their fifth year of life. I am so grateful that I get you for this last year before our life is ruled by school. It is going too fast...I will admit that I really miss your toddler smell. You are starting to smell more like a boy and to cuddle you at times...well let's just say I miss burrowing my face in you and sighing. It just reminds me to relish that time with Hank. However, I love that we can play Sequence now and you are getting the strategy part of the game! I love that I can reason with you, discuss the world and how it works, and am inspired to enjoy and play each and every day!

I hope that this "Family time" birthday is wonderful and happy for you. We are so blessed to call you our son. Happy Birthday!

Love,
Your mama

A few more favorites of my almost 5 year old!

A Large Range of Mountains and one Little Valley...

A few mountains today....

• The other day I ran to Target with Henry to shop for Charley's birthday and I priced a toy at 14.99. Then Ed and I went to Toys R Us and got it...for $15.79. When I told Ed that it was about a dollar less at Target he encouraged me to take it back and get it from Target. Of course I was a little annoyed, but I get it. Every dollar adds up and in a year it can add up to a whole lot! So this morning Henry and I ran to Target and guess what! It was now on sale for $9.99! WOO HOO! Score! Another thing we bought was $3.49 instead of 5 something at Toys R Us so on Monday I will return two things to Toys R Us! We didn't stop at Toys R Us right away because it was pouring rain and I didn't have both items to return.

• We had a nice happy morning without turning on the TV! Awesome! Charley and I challenged ourselves with the TV for the next week. I will blog more about it later. But for now! Pumped that the TV didn't interrupt our morning before preschool!

• However, when Charley was at preschool I couldn't resist turning on Dora for Henry. He loves her. I am determined to video him watching it. He shouts answers to her questions and is even right at times. He wandered about the house with me saying, "Dora, Dora, Dora Go Dora!" So cute!

• On Charley's ride home from school the carpool mom said her daughter invited Charley over to their house to play and Charley replied, "Well, you see, I have this little brother and his name is Henry and he needs me." This just warms my heart.

Okay and now my valley....the moment that has me fuming...just a little.

So it is raining and snowing all morning. And the mail truck pulls up and I am watching from the window to see if there is going to be any excitement with the mail today (being Charley's birthday). And I can see she has pulled out a large envelope. She tries to put it in the box - dumb because it is too big. Then I watch her try to bend it. Pissed! What if it shouldn't bend. So I quickly rush outside in my slippers in the rain and snow. She sees me coming and I am half way down the driveway (which is not that long). She yells...I will just set it here and tries putting it on top of the newspaper box....by now I am within reach and the package falls to the ground and lands in the gutter. I sighed loudly, tipped my head, and said. It is my son's birthday. She replied, "Sorry about that." She was a sub today...not our normal lady. Our normal lady runs to the door if there is something too big for the box....AND IT IS RAINING! If it wasn't raining...fine but come on! I was RIGHT THERE! It just really bugged me. If I hadn't seen her and come out would she have just let it lay there as water rushed over it!

Note: The package was dried off and placed on our hearth...I guess that is what it is called since no one corrected me in a prior post :)

Book Box...

Something to do one of these cold fall days...have your children dig through their books and pull out the holiday books and if you don't have any ....GO TO THE LIBRARY! I know I have a slightly obnoxious amount of them from my classroom. But it is so fun for the kids to just sit and look at them or ask you to read books that celebrate the season. Right now we have our Halloween, Thanksgiving, and fall ones out on our hearth ( I think that is what this part of the fireplace is called...actually I don't think that is what it is called...damn)....anyone...anyone....

A Parenting Staple...

If you are a parent you probably already make this...but if you don't you should try it. Kids love JELLO. Well, most do. There are some kids that hate it. I have a feeling that Henry will opt out tonight. It has been awhile since I made it. But Finger Jello has been a treat that I have grown up with. My mom used to make it often. She would cut it up into small squares...yummy. It isn't full of nutrition but there are plenty of snacks that are far worse! So here is the finger jello recipe that I grew up with. It is NOT the recipe on the box. When people make the jigglers on the box I am not impressed. They usually are mushy, and aren't great for kids.

Try these! We cut them out into shapes using cookie cutters. There is even a restaurant on our way up to Ed's parents that has jello on their kids menu. They bring you a plate with some cookie cutters...perfect for an appetizer for kids...keeps them busy! Sadly, they must use the jello box jiggler recipe because the last time we ordered it you couldn't even cut out the shapes. I should send them our recipe! Here it is...

Finger Jello

2 packages of knox unflavored gelatin (I always have several boxes in my pantry)
1 6 oz. package of jello or 2 3 oz. packages
2 1/2 cups of water

Dissolve unflavored gelatin in 1 cup of cold water - set aside.
In a pan bring 1 cup of water to boil.
Add jello.
Bring to boil and remove from heat.
Add gelatin mixture. Stir and add 1/2 cup of cold water.

Pour into a greased pan (I use a 9x13 glass pan). Set aside in fridge for ONLY 2 hours! That's all it takes...you can leave it in more but some jello recipes take 4 hours...so I am bragging that these only take 2! Cut into squares or shapes using cookie cutters. Store in air tight container in fridge. Don't throw away the scraps....they are just as yummy!

With the flu season starting up I hope this recipe can be in your back pocket. We're having it tonight with our pineapple / ham homemade pizza! I'll add a picture when we have one to share!

Spur of the moment date night!

Ed flew to Kentucky early Tuesday morning for business. I was set on the idea that I would get sick while he was gone. But I DIDN'T! YEAH! He was set to get home yesterday around 4ish. I called our neighbors around 2 to see if one of the girls could babysit. YES! Love that she can arrive in slippers! After eating dinner with the boys we left them excited to play (yes, both of them love her)! Ed and I headed to Toys R Us to get Charley's birthday presents figured out. I LOVED having Ed there to help me make the decisions. I realized, as he paused a little longer in the LEGO Star Wars aisle, that we are quickly approaching the stage where Ed is going to be just as excited about some of Charley's toys. ha! We looked at a lot of fun stuff and at one point when we were looking at "guys," I think they were Star Wars....

I said, "I just don't get it! At least with Barbies you can get outfits and change their clothes, shoes, and hairstyles. For $10 bucks- this really does it for a little boy?"

Ed replied, "Get to? Boys don't have to."

Okay, so my mindset is growing up girl and I don't get that boys are glad they don't HAVE to change outfits, hairstyles, and shoes. Boys just get down to business: saving the world.

We walked out with a couple fun things that both of us are very excited about. I have one thing I ordered yesterday and I am praying it arrives on Saturday, but if it doesn't, I will wrap up a picture of if it! Stay tuned for the revealing of the birthday presents....on Sunday...they will be unwrapped!

After getting the birthday present shopping accomplished we headed to the movie "Couple's Retreat". I LOVED it! I don't think it is getting great ratings but as I was sitting there I wondered if someone married was reviewing it...or was it some single 20 something year old. I laughed out loud several times during it and walked out smiling. Ed grabbed my hand a few times, laughed, and enjoyed it as well. There were three other couples in the theater and they all laughed out loud too. GO! Enjoy it! It had little messages thrown in the whole movie that are good reminders! I was glad we took the time to go see it together.

Mission accomplished!

Box Tops for Education....

Charley's school, like most, are collecting the Box Tops for Education. He is wondering if any of those friends and family that love him could collect the box tops and mail them or give them to us when you see us. We will be using it as a counting and cutting practice. His school earns ten cents for each box top. They use the money to replace books in the library and to buy other equipment used by the children.

He also earns free meals at local restaurants for every 50 box tops submitted. Keep your eyes peeled for box tops...you can give them to the grandmas or aunts and uncles and I am sure they would make sure they got to Charley too.

Happy Wednesday!

Baffled by birthdays....

So after dropping Charley and friends off at school, Henry and I took a slow stroll through the toy aisles of Target. While pondering what to give Charley for his birthday, Henry happened upon many toys that spooked him by purring, moving, or shouting robotic phrases at him....it kept him close at my side. We walked away with a few ideas...but nothing that really stood out as a GREAT gift. We do have a lot of toys in our house, Ed would say we have too many. However, we are here every day. We play all day, all winter in our house....we don't head off to daycare where a wonderful lady has a room of rotating toys. So we do need some things here to occupy our 12 hours of play, 7 days a week, during the day. And this winter we will be sticking close to home more than usual.

I think we have made wise choices so far in our toy investment....most have come as gifts or garage sales. I try really hard to invest and accumulate toys that will stretch their imagination and grow with them....Tinker Toys, Lincoln Logs, fort building kit, blocks, cars, "guys", kitchen, balls, instruments, dress up clothes, Lego's...etc. I have also gathered a TON of puzzles and board games because they are quiet family activities. There is a lot of stuff out there that the boys want but I know they would play with for a few minutes and then it would sit there. Now as Charley is getting into "bigger" boy toys I am stumped on what is the right choice...is it the star wars figurines that would make him happy and be played with for years...or is it the ships...and should they be Power Rangers, Star Wars, Transformers, or a few of each....sometimes I think more tinker toys then he can build bigger. Maybe this would be wiser than buying some new set of building toys. I just want to know what toys for this age are going to be "worth it" and meet my expectations of fun, imaginative, safe, and will occupy the boys for more than a season....oh, and most importantly make our house a fun place for play dates because those are key!

The other stress for a parent is making the day special. Charley has really been to only two birthday parties...I think....and those would be for his friend McKenna. Last year he had a small surprise party with our playgroup. His first birthday was of course a big family party. So this year when Charley started dreaming up his birthday he knew way more about parties than I thought he would. I started to freak out over how I was going to do this. Originally, I remember telling Ed that I don't want to do a big kid party thing until he is school age - kindergarten. So then I heard of a friend who does a party every other year and then the off year is a fun family activity. So since we did a party last year I figured I could convince my little boy that family time would be fun. It took a week or two but now he is convinced. Yay! However, he doesn't quite get it. The other day he told a friend that he won't have any presents on his birthday this year. I had to explain that he would still have presents on his birthday. Last weekend he told Grandma Charlie in a thoughtful voice, "I am not having a birthday party this year, I am just going to spend time with my family."

I just want him to have a magical day. I know he will. But I think most parents stress over these magical days. What is too much? What is going to make their eyes twinkle? What is going to make us, as parents, feel secure that we are doing the right thing...not too much that they are spoiled or set up for bigger and better every year. My hope for my boys' birthdays is that each year is different and special without the feeling of doing it bigger or better. I want Charley to appreciate his little life so far and know that we are glad he joined our world. I want him to feel special and loved. I want there to be balance and tradition....

So for the next few days I have to of course share a few old pictures that I love...I wasn't blogging back then....so can't help but include a few.

Grace in Small Things #28

1. Extra caution - laying low - means we are all healthy here!

2. Caught up on all my mindless TV.

3. Realizing that this weekend I will become the mom of a 5 year old - 5. YEARS. OLD!

4. Mowed the lawn yesterday. I love that I mastered this chore in 2009 and enjoyed it!

5. Now that I don't have to buy applesauce, jam, or corn.....I will feed my family for $75 this week...this does not include a birthday meal out for Charley if that occurs. But I went grocery shopping on Monday and spent $75 and I am determined to make it! Heck, we can always live on apple sauce....if anyone has any recipes that use apple sauce...email them to me! I would like to find a favorite!

Another comparison!

Last year we had Uncle Greg help us rake leaves...pausing to toss Chuck into the pile.
Now Uncle Greg lives too far away to help us rake....and give Charley lift off.

So this is all he's got this year...so far!

Already playing games...

I grew up in a family that played a lot of games. We played most of them when visiting our grandparents. We still play a lot of games when we get together. Charley is already excited about games. The video below is of Henry and Ed playing a favorite game in our house. Charley went to bed early tonight since he isn't feeling 100%.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Fall is here or rather - tis the season for hacking and sniffles..

fa la la la laaaaa la la la la!
The day started off with Ed not feeling well and Charley not a 100%. Henry and I have been lucky so far and haven't been hit by the head cold + fever. Both Charley and Ed have experienced it and when it struck both boys were out. Today Charley just had a head cold...no fever. So he was himself but a little more crabby. All you mom's out there know what it is like when daddy is sick. Even though our day wasn't that much different...since he is normally at work...but, we all know that when Daddy is around but "not around" it makes everyone a little off. When moms have that feeling of being the sole parent for the day it is overwhelming and weighs heavy on one's shoulders. I did get to run to the grocery store first thing -all by myself to get our fridge stocked for the week. Returning home and shooing Ed up to bed the boys and I continued to keep ourselves busy playing, cleaning up, unpacking, etc. It was a beautiful day so we even went outside for a bit. In the afternoon while Charley rested and watched my favorite childhood movie, Annie, for the first time, I got some Oatmeal Bread baking. This is what we all needed...some soup and homemade bread.

Late afternoon, Ed perked up and we all ventured outside for some fresh air. He is still not a 100% but claims he is good. Here are some shots of the boys enjoying our leaf pile.

Comparison...

October 2008

October 2009

Have to share...even if I am disappointed in the topic...

So Henry's talking has really picked up. And today he spoke his first three word phrase...

"See toy please."

This would be after I grabbed the bags of fast food from the drive up window. Yes, so disappointed that this is his first three word phrase...since Charley never ate at places like McDonalds until he was older than 2 years of age. We don't go that often but I guess we go often enough.

"See toy please." Yep, that would be his first three word phrase.

Grace in Small Things #27

1. Safe travels for myself and friends. Arriving home, unpacking, and even vacuuming out the car so it is all set for the week.

2. Finally, a warm fall day. The boys and I ran around outside, raked leaves, and enjoyed some fresh 60 degree air.

3. Two boys who didn't fight bath and bedtime...both sleeping within minutes of leaving their rooms at 6:45.

4. It is Charley's birthday week! He turns 5 next Sunday! Let's celebrate all week!

5. Catching up on some of my shows that I missed while relaxing in the North woods!

My Fall Boys

Expanding our Horizons in the North Woods

We have had a delightful weekend "Up North".....well, Charley actually got sick and we had to lay low for a few days but that gave me time to learn how to can applesauce with my mother-in-law. We canned 11 Quarts and 47 pints! Incredible! Today Charley finally felt good so we headed out for an adventure...we stopped at a couple garage sales, a local coop type store, and then we hit the neighboring town's marina. They were taking the large sailboats/yachts out for the winter. We were all entranced and I couldn't help but take video so that my dad could see what we saw. I thought he might be impressed.

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

After Henry's nap we headed outside to dig up some potatoes that Charlie planted with grandma earlier this summer. The boys had a blast digging them up.

Always something new to learn at Grandma Charlies....now we can head back and Charley can go to school on Monday and say:

Do you know what....I dug up potatoes.
Do you know what...we have enough applesauce to feed the town.
Do you know what...

You know you are a mom of boys...

...when you have these in your laundry pile.

Pondering...

I have been having a lot of thoughts about my blog lately and I am pondering the idea of re-starting with a new title that doesn't include our last name. I need ideas for a new title....HELP! If you have any ideas send them my way! I hear a good title is key! I am not rushing into this, but want to really think it out so that I don't have these second thoughts and have to restart again. I am just thinking about trying to expand my reader base and questioning the use of our last name. Thanks for reading!

Up til midnight doing what?

Canning applesauce!

47 pints
11 Quarts

The best part was falling asleep and hearing the jars seal with a pop from a distance! Satisfaction!

Grace in Small Things #26

1. Warm apple cider - okay, I guess I like cider. Today instead of my Simply Apple I had some actual cider brewed in the north woods with Hauser apples! yummy! And sipping it in the their living room surrounded by the fall trees makes it that much more delicious.

2. Ed's mom who is taking time to teach me how to can applesauce today and into the wee hours I assume tonight.

3. An understanding husband who assures me to not stress about the mishaps that I preform in this thing called life. Counting my blessings, glad it wasn't worse, and moving on. I will sleep better tonight.

4. I have a young man with a fever who is napping and tired all day. Mr. C is not himself...I knew it when he slept until 9am this morning! Henry happened to sleep until 8am...was I taking advantage and sleeping...No, I lay there wondering what the heck was going on?

5. Reading...I have been reading lately. Feels good. Calm. Cozy. The last couple books I read have been excellent.(Check out my shelf on the left side of my blog). Heading north for the weekend I knew I wanted a book. I appreciate my friend Sarah allowing me to stop in early yesterday morning on our way out of town. I walked away with a pile of books to read! Yum!

Bonus: I hate to go get my haircut in the evening. When Ed gets home I want to sit down as a family to eat and then be cozied in with my family. Running to St. Paul for a haircut is not appealing...even though I relish going kid-free so I can enjoy the head massage. I have been trying to get in with my gal but it just hasn't matched ...her openings and my time to run there. On Tuesday we hightailed it to St. Paul so I could get my haircut- finally! Feels good. Then later we ran over to get my brows waxed. Both appointments they were quiet, calm, and troopers. Someday they are going to make GREAT husbands!

These are the days...

Today my boys and I headed out to a nearby nature center for a class about pumpkins. It was a perfect fall activity. Inside the nature center the boys did puzzles, looked at seeds in various fruits and vegetables, dug out the insides of a large pumpkin, painted and did pumpkin stamping, built with logs and animals, did coloring sheets, heard a story, discussed seeds and how pumpkins grow. Then we headed outside for a 30 minute hike. We hunted for seeds and then got to find pumpkins that they hid in the prairie grasses. It was a wonderful morning out in nature. It inspired me to get my boys out there more often. Henry hiked his way through the forest all.by. himself. Charley chatted wisely with one of the instructors. I was in heaven. I can't wait to go back in November! It is times like this...when we are out of the house, spending time together, when I can focus on just being present with my boys...no laundry, cooking, cleaning, computers, phones to distract. Love these moments. These are the moments I don't want to forget.

The Fall Treat...

Today Lynelle's Fall Treat arrived on her doorstep. Conveniently, I could deliver it and skip the post office errand (the post office is not a favorite errand, hence, my mom's comment not believing that a fall treat would ever be delivered)...Next give away will be here before you know it! I made her 2 dozen m & m cookies and got her one of my favorite fall things these days, Simply Apple juice. My sister will testify that my response to any of her new mom stresses....a cup of warm Simply Apple juice. So enjoy Lynelle! All kidding aside...some of you are skeptical of Lynelle winning...she won fair and square...you can ask my all to honest husband who didn't catch on when I asked, "Do you think I can send everyone a fall treat?"

Happy Fall everyone....enjoy every second because the snow is really anxious to get here...as you can tell - those of you who live in these parts yesterday.

Inspiring Playdates...

Lately, I am realizing how a finished basement will be nice for our children. Right now when Charley has a playdate they play right under my feet. This can be a good thing and a bad thing...
I love that I can hear and see what they are doing. Listening to four year olds interact is very entertaining...but listening to them disagree or argue at my feet...it is really hard not to step in. I try really hard not to. So a basement would give them the space so that mama isn't stepping in. Lately, we have had some new playdates that are reoccurring. Charley goes there one week...they come here the next. I think this will be so nice this winter when it is cold and we are trying to avoid the indoor play/germ areas.

I don't know if it is that Mr. C is turning 5 soon or if it is the influence of these playdates but there are some neat things occurring because of some new friend time. From some of his playdates he is being inspired...

From Miss Elly - is inspired to imagine and play make believe whether it is house, spy camp, or other stuff.

From our neighbor girls- he preforms dog shows and plays with his stuffed animals -which I love because you collect these stuffed things and then they just sit.

From Mr. Hayden- Charley now pulls out his building toys (tinker toys, lincoln logs, blocks, legos) and builds for 30 minute chunks of time - all by himself!

From Mr. Talon - he is seeing that you can take your time to color and use many colors.

It is really fun to watch your child play with other children. You see their personality, how they problem solve, their tendencies with those he knows well and those that are strangers, and his confidence in what he knows and believes. Playdates are such a gift. And some people might shy away from having another child come over to their house, but really - the truth - I get so much done when there is another child here. Charley is happy and I can see and hear his happiness. And the toy mess that they make - totally worth it (if you don't feel like having clean up breaks from time to time).

Tickle Tickle!

Here is Mr. H giving E-bug a tickle tickle!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

E-Bug!

This weekend I savored every second of getting my hands on little E-bug. I got to hold him a bit, go on an outing, see his room, and become his Godmother - a job I will take very seriously. It will be my excuse to spoil him with random love. I wish we lived closer so that we could see him more often...but we have lucked out this summer and have seen him periodically. He is now in the double digits for weight! Mr. H was almost twice E-bug's weight at this time...makes me feel like we got jipped out of this tiny stage. So fun to hold a baby again. Here are a few favorite shots from the time with E-bug.