Halloween 2010

Let's just summarize by saying that when candy is involved, 3 year olds are very quick learners.

We went out trick or treating tonight (well, it was just Owen and I; Asher was in bed early tonight after missing a nap for church today, and Daddy had some homework from the lab anyway).  At the first couple of houses, I really had to convince Owen to go up to the door.  He was pretty intimidated and shy.  But by house #3, once he realized there was the potential of amassing a large quantity of sugar-containing goodies, he was running up and ringing doorbells as fast as his little legs could carry him and shouting 'Happy Halloween!' as he departed.  After a handful of neighbors, we went home for his bike, and he quickly realized that this would enhance his candy-gathering ability.  A dragon on a bike with his big tail swinging out behind was pretty darn cute, too.  He came home with a very full plastic pumpkin saying, 'Is it ALL MINE?!'  Interestingly, the ability to vastly overconsume junk food must grow with age because after 2 goodies, he gave me the last half of his 3rd and said he needed some milk and some healthy food.  Wow.  I guess Reuel and I will be the only ones needing to restrain ourselves from dipping into his bucket while he's not looking.

Too bad Asher didn't get to go with us, because he was edibly cute in his little triceratops outfit.  But he was also a major crankypants after 2 days of only a single 1 hour nap in the middle of the day.   You may notice a strange pucker face in his pictures...this is because the only way we could get him to keep his costume on and not scream during our picture session was to periodically stuff an M&M in his craw :}  So he got his Halloween treats too.

I'll include a few too many pictures since I'm having trouble weeding more out...

Treats

Footage of Asher + Sugar:

http://vimeo.com/16346996

Owenisms of the week

B4 I forget them!

[Bringing a handful of foam letters that belong in the bathtub down to the living room] "Mommy, I brought a bunch of smelling letters!  I'm going to smell some words wif them!  What word can I smell?"

[Heard by mom from around the corner]  "Asher, you have got to listen to me.  Asher, listen!  Put that down!  It's a no-no for you."

[Upon hearing me join in on a song he began singing]  "Mommy, stop singing!  Mommy, little kids don't like it when grown ups start singing when kids are singing first."

[Putting on my shoes and strutting around]  "I like these shoes very well.  My feet are almost big enough for them and they are not very much too big."

[Standing at the checkout of the grocery store waiting for me to finish paying]  "Mommy, it's so good that we're all done shopping.  My energy is starting to come out."

[While helping me make cookies]  "I love ALL of the ingredientses.  I love these marshlellows, and these chocolate chips and this frosting because all of these ingredientses are made out of sugar."

[Upon opening package from Texas]  "Corn candy!  Mommo sent me and Asher corn candy!!"

Family

Deb and Mom were here last weekend, and we all went to a wedding (Reuel and I left the children for approximately 7 straight hours with our awesome, loved-by-our-kids neighbor...can you believe it?!).  Mom stayed until this morning, and sniff, I miss her.  I really do miss her...really...but the childcare help?  Well, I might not make it through this coming week, I was so spoiled.  Today I was sitting around with two crying children who were used to being played with all week and they were just climbing all over me, demanding something, and I was just a deer in headlights because I'd nearly forgotten the whole mothering gig.  Well, that's a mild exaggeration, but my mom takes playing with those two pretty seriously, and I'm guessing she'll sleep for 4 days straight now that she's home.

Anyway, off to bed, but I hadn't signed in for so long I thought I'd say boo.

Happy Birthday Daddy

I prodded myself for the last 2 weeks to remember Reuel's birthday (I cannot remember these yearly events.  Isn't being maxed out with childrearing tasks a sufficient excuse for having a weak memory?  I wish I could blame it on that, but I was the same before children...Reuel always had to remind me it was our anniversary, and even my own birthday :}  ).  True to form, I forgot it was coming in the couple of preceding days, when the preparations really should have been made.  Luckily, I had bought him a spiffy new pair of work shoes a week back, so I didn't seem completely horrible.  I realized my mistake late on Friday night before his Saturday birthday and the guilt kicked in.  I spent Saturday trying to make it up to him, so now we have a kitchen full of apricot sweet roll, Nancy's strawberry cake, pizza, and the leftovers from a fine steak dinner (including hollandaise sauce and a salad of local arugula).  AND, it ended up being a pretty bountiful birthday for him, because Reuel and Owen headed off for the morning to a local ski mountain where there was an equipment swap, and he ended up with a pretty schnazzy set of *new* skis and boots.  So, I may just have to remember my own birthday this year in order to get a fund-matched gift ;)

They had a great time at the mountain...gorgeous clear day, and they took the ski lift up and hiked the rest of the way to the peak and could see the Boston skyline from 50 miles out.  Owen loved the lift, and had big eyes telling me all about it at home...special father/son day.

When Reuel and Owen returned from the 1hr trip, Owen was sacked out.  Reuel went to sit in the car and listen to his mp3 player until Owen woke up.  I went to take Reuel a drink and found this snoozy scene through the window:

After their nap, we finished icing the cake:

And then the old man ate his Omaha steak dinner (thanks to Granlily!):

We have the cream of the crop when it comes to Daddies and husbands, living right in our house!  There is rarely a moment this man isn't loving and serving his family, with a golden attitude and character, and a joyful smile.  (The only mistake he possibly made was settling for me ;)  We love you!  Happy Birthday Reuel! 

Babysitter for Butterball

Finally figured out how to get some things done while I'm in the kitchen...as long as it doesn't involve doing dishes or draining pasta :}

Thursday comics

Setting:  Daddy has taken boys upstairs after breakfast to brush teeth, get himself ready for work.  Mommy is coming up from basement after having retrieved some clean clothes for everyone. (Do other mothers actually get the clean clothes into the dresser drawers before they are needed?  I applaud them.)

Asher:  [Wailing.  Sees mom coming up the stairs and runs toward gate and starts crying all the harder to be picked up.]
Me:  Asher!  Hi pumpkin pie!  What's the matter?  I'm sorry you're sad!  Daddies don't pay babies any mind, do they.
Asher: [Getting picked up, sniffling in relief and quieting down.]

We head into Owen's bedroom and commence getting dressed.  After a while, Asher starts fussing about something (probably getting dressed...he loves his birthday suit the best!)

Asher: [wailing]
Owen: [walking over to Asher, patting him on the back]  I'm sorry, Asher.  Don't be sad Asher!  Daddies just don't pay babies any money.  [Walking over to Daddy in the bathroom]  Daddy, time to go to work and pay me some money!

:)

Farmer Dave's

 Farmer Dave's CSA (community supported agriculture) had its fall potluck today at the farm, and we joined in the fun.  There were lots of activities...corn maze, hay rides, live music, donut-eating contest, hay toss, etc. and then a giant potluck with really quite amazingly good food (you have to figure most people in a CSA enjoy cooking with fresh stuff, and cooking well).  We had a great time.  Farmer Dave is passionate about what he does, and it was neat to see him in person and watch everyone enjoy the fruits of his and his employees' labors.