Happy Halloween

What a busy, but fun Halloween today has turned out to be! I hardly know where to start telling you all about it. I guess we'll start with the strange happenings that took place at my house this morning. When I was in the shower this morning, the door kept opening and the lights kept flashing on and off. Spooky! And while I was fixing breakfast, I kept hearing a sound like chains rattling. It was almost like the house was haunted! Wonder what was causing that?

Wesley and I spent most of the day with Grandma H., preparing for the big night. I went to the Red Cross to donate blood, because it just seemed like the thing to do on Halloween. Although, I have to confess, I was pretty bummed out that none of the people working there were dressed as vampires. I mean, come on folks, it just makes sense!!!!

Aunt Cathy, Sho and Kei came over to Grandma and Grandpa H.'s so we could all have dinner and trick-or-treat together. Grandma and I whipped up a dinner of dirty rats, garden snakes and witches brooms. Doesn't it look tasty?

Of course, after dinner was when the fun really began! Getting Wesley into his costume was a fight. We had tried his puppy costume on him earlier in the day and he HATED it, but I was a mean mommy and was determined to put him in it because it was simpler than his kitty costume. He struggled and cried and Grandma had to hold him down to get his whiskers painted on, but it was all worth it. He looked adorable and as soon as he and Spiderman (Sho) and Pirate Kei stepped out of the door the tears stopped and Wesley was ready to go for candy!

The boys had a great time trick-or-treating. Wesley was a real pro! He remembered to say "thank you" and only tried to go into one house. Grandma's next door neighbor went all out with spooky sound effects, make up and motion detector effects. Wesley didn't bat and eye - he even wanted to play with the skeleton tombstone! Too bad Kei was so scared he wouldn't walk up the drive of that house to get candy!

We made it part way around Grandma's neighborhood before Sho and Kei started saying they were tired and their buckets were too heavy and that they wanted to stop. Wesley was tired too. He didn't have a nap today and by the time the older boys were wearing out, Wesley was completely sleep-drunk (stumbling around he was so tired) but he wouldn't let us carry him or his candy bucket.

Back at Grandma and Grandpa's we had the traditional emptying the buckets to see what candy we got. Something really strange happened though. Each of the boys got a rock in their candy buckets. Huh. Wonder how that happened? Must have been the goblins, right Grandpa P.? It was so much fun to watch the boys and how they treated their candy. Kei ate anything he could get his hands on. Sho was more interested in his Spiderman coloring/sticker book one house gave him. Wesley wanted to sort his candy by color, take it in and out of the bucket, hide it under the furniture, take his cousins candy and do almost anything you can imagine besides eat it. When I finally unwrapped a small piece of chocolate and gave it to him, he totally two fisted it into his mouth and, with a ring of chocolate on his lips, asked for more. Ahhh, that's my boy!

As Aunt Cathy, Sho, Kei, Wesley, Duane and I were leaving, Sho turned around and said "See you tomorrow for Christmas!" ACK!!! Can't I just raid my son's Halloween candy and pretend I don't have to give Christmas a second thought until after Thanksgiving??? Maybe a Snickers and a cup of cider will get the faint sound of "Jingle Bells" out of my head. Happy Haunting everyone!

Reigning WWE Champion

I the current reigning WWE (Wesley W. Entertainment) champion! I defended my title this morning by successfully wrestling my son out of his diaper and pajamas and into his clothes for the day. To secure my place in the WWE arena, I also managed to get his shoes and jacket on! I did learn an important lesson though - one should brush a toddler's teeth prior to getting dressed for work. Oh well, going to work with toothpaste and toddler spit on my shirt is a small price to pay for victory.

Scary Realization

This morning I realized that I talk to my toddler son and my cat in the same tone of voice and using the same sentence structure!!!

Sunday Night at Grandma's

We spent yesterday evening at Grandma and Grandpa H.'s. Duane helped Grandpa dig a trench in the front yard (please don't ask), while Grandma, Wesley and I got Halloween started inside. Wesley helped Grandma carve a pumpkin, but to be completely honest, he was more interested in the whole process last year.

By the time Daddy started his pumpkin masterpiece of the year, it was getting kind of late. Grandma and I decided to make a quick run to Target and get some jammies so we could give him a bath and have him completely ready for bed for when he would (inevitably) fall asleep in the car. I think it was the cutest bath and jammie time in Wesley history. He was SOOOOO adorable! Check it out!

While Grandma and I cooed over Wesley, he has his own personal sound system. He kept requesting songs and Grandma and I were only too happy to belt out his requests. Especially when he said, "Wow! You're great singers! Let's sing again!" Wesley LOVED his new puppy jammies too! I'm suddenly a huge fan of the Nick and Nora pajamas at Target. He looked like such a little man!

Pies and Parties

When I think of everything we've done today, it's no wonder I am completely beat! We got up relatively early and headed to Grandma W.'s house for Duane's birthday present - a pie making day. Yep, Wesley and I hung out in the kitchen while Daddy learned how to make his mom's apple pie. I have to admit, Duane was a great student. He took notes and everything!

Wesley hadn't been to Grandma's for awhile and was in rare form. He read books, played with a truck and his lizards, played the piano, and more! But Wesley's favorite thing to do was play with the apples. Now there were three kinds of apples to draw Wesley's attention today 1) the actual fruit apples that Grandma and Daddy were using. Wesley felt the need to play with and taste two different apples. 2) the glass apple that Grandma keeps on her shelf. It's really more of a paperweight and super solid, so Wesley would have to work to break it. 3) the red and green ornaments of Kirstin and Mark that have recordings of their voices. But since they are round and red/green, Wesley has decided they are apples.

After a delicious lunch and warm apple pie for dessert, we ran some errands and headed home. Wesley slept the whole ride home, but Duane and I arrived exhausted! But there was no sleeping for us since Wesley was now wide awake! We finally popped a DVD in and took a cat nap before getting ready for Kirk and Susan's Halloween party.

Wesley had a little trouble with the whole costume thing. Duane's had really threw Wesley off. Wesley was sure Daddy was a cowboy, but then again the little guy has no frame of reference for a zoot suit. And Mommy as a flapper? Forget it! Although when Wesley saw me in my costume, he did say "Wow! Pretty dress Mommy!" so that's good enough for me.

Wesley is supposed to be a cat for Halloween but he flat out refuses to wear his ears. So instead of being an adorable little kitty, he looks like a random furry animal. Oh well, you can't blame a mommy for trying to make her kid adorable for the holiday, right? Maybe we'll try the puppy costume for trick-or-treat.

Of course, for Wesley parties are all about the girls. He spent most of the night flirting with Susan's nieces - Jana (who is 3 or 4), Maggie (at the left) and Emily. He was flat smooching Jana several times. Oh! And I can't forget Susan's friend Liz. Wesley was snuggling her, kissing her, hugging her. Why do I suddenly dread his teenage years?

Here's a picture of us with our friends Brett and Alyssa, and Ray and Krystal. We left the party pretty early since it was getting close to Wesley's bedtime. He was on a sugar and pretty girl high, so I think he'll have some sweet dreams tonight.

Too Much Diego?

We may be watching a little too much Diego in our house. Tonight Wesley transformed into a "giant orange condor," complete with flapping wings. After giving Mommy and Daddy a quick once over, Wesley decided that I was a "giant pink condor" and Duane was a "giant blue condor." We had to caw (which, in my opinion, made us sound more like crows) and pretend to eat corn - a condors favorite food according to Wesley. So what's with the picture?


You are looking at a rare picture of the Giant Orange Condor in it's natural hunting environment - otherwise known as a grocery store. Despite the condor's claim that it's favorite food is corn, this condor was hunting organic Colombian coffee and an apple. Those of you who may be a little squeamish needn't worry - the bear and rabbit in the condor's net (cart) are his hunting accomplices and not his prey (although he has been known to savor the taste of the bear's tag.)

Repeat and Repeat and Repeat and Repeat

Wesley and I repeated the following conversation at least 10 times in a row today. Kind of cute the first 5 times.

Wesley: Hi Mommy!

Mommy: Hi Wesley!

Wesley: How you doing?

Mommy: I'm doing great! How are you doing?

Wesley: I doing fine.

Mommy: I'm glad to hear that.

Wesley: Hi Mommy!

and I'm sure you get the picture! At least I know he is capable of making polite conversation.

No Dogs Allowed

The library I work at has a strict no animal (except guide dog) policy. All I can say is, it's a good thing that Wesley can't read the signs. Something at the library turned my son into a puppy today.Wesley was fine for about half an hour, but when Grandma and I went to check out his books, a puppy appeared in his place. This blond puppy looked an awful lot like Wesley, but he crawled/hopped on all fours instead of walking. He barked instead of talked and instead of giving Mommy a kiss when they left, he licked my cheek. Sure sounds like a puppy to me! Guess we'll have to start packing a leash in the diaper bag.

Take Two

I'm happy to report that today was much better day for everyone in the W. household! No accidents, no incidents and many more smiles!

Wesley spent the day with Grandpa P. and I just have to relate a story that Grandpa told me. Grandpa and Wesley took a nice long walk today - all the way up to the clubhouse in the condo complex. They went inside so they could get to the deck that overlooks the pond. As they entered the clubhouse, Wesley said "Birthday cake!" Both of his birthday parties have been at the clubhouse. I'm just shocked that he remembers! Guess he has a mind like a steel trap - just like his daddy.

Some Days Are Like That

I can't believe it's not even 11:00 yet! I feel like this day needs to be over already! It didn't start out so bad - well, not for me. Duane slept on the floor in the living room last night because Wesley went to bed with me and he's a little bed hog. Wesley didn't fall asleep until after 11:00 (Duane didn't fall asleep until after 3:00!) At 6:30 Wesley rolled over and said "I missed you Mommy.Give me hug!" I was glad to oblige. He took my face in his little hands and said "I love you Mommy. So much," and then gave me a big ol' kiss. That was the highlight of today.

6:45 - Wesley wants Daddy, so we go downstairs

7:00 - Wesley, Mommy and Daddy go back to bed

7:02 - Wesley wants to play in the play room, but not by himself

7:10 - Daddy and Wesley go back downstairs (Mommy was supposed to sleep, but read a book instead)

8:00 - Mommy comes downstairs to find Daddy trying to sleep while Wesley climbs on him.

8:30 - Mommy decides to make some muffins and coffee before getting into the shower

9:00 - Out of the shower, muffins are almost done

9:15 - Mommy attempts to read the paper and eat breakfast while Sanders lays on the paper and Wesley tries to pull the table runner off the table.

9:20 - Wesley stands on a chair to reach for the crystal candle holder. He slips and does a gold medal flip in which his feet fly under the table and he cracks his head on the chair.

9:30 - As Wesley's tears subside (and Mommy can't find a lump) Mommy decides to make breakfast for the little boy. Wesley sits on the counter while Mommy scrambles an egg, peels a banana, gets yogurt and lets Wesley pick out a muffin.

9:33 - Wesley burns his hand on the frying pan as Mommy scrapes the egg onto his plate. Tears resume until we sit at the table.

9:45 - Wesley begins to shred his muffin and spills his yogurt.

9:46 - Mommy and Daddy decide there is no way they are going to risk taking this danger prone boy to church.

10:00 - Mommy calls Grandma H. to say they are not going to church, nor are they taking Wesley to Boo at the Zoo tonight since it's supposed to be 80 degrees today and Wesley's costume has long sleeves, long pants, a hood and is black (he's going to be a kitty) I'm a little bummed about not going, but I don't want to torture my child.

10:10 - Wesley announces he wants to sit on the potty. We drop everything and run to the bathroom. Wesley cries while sitting on the potty.

10:20 - Wesley gets upset watching a tv show about a lost school bus. He tells us he wants to play with his school bus and can't find it. He doesn't have a school bus here.

10:30 - Mommy prays today will get better and day dreams of going back to bed and pulling the covers over her head.

He's My Little Pumpkin

Wesley made another trip to the pumpkin patch. I didn't get to go with him last year, or this year when he went with Grandpa and Grandma P. But since I had the day off today and the weather was cooperating, Grandma H. and I packed Wesley in the car this afternoon and headed to a farm a little ways south of town. I couldn't get over how many people were there, but we had a really good time anyhow! We had to pay an admission fee at this farm, but it included a corn maze, a hay cave, a sunflower maze, a hayride, a fun barn full of hay with slides and animals to see and pet, plus a snack of juice and a doughnut.

Mommy and Wesley on the first pile of hay we could find. Wesley loved climbing up and down this mountain!

Right next to the hay mountain were several of the biggest pumpkins I've ever seen. Wesley had to sit on each of them in turn, but this one was his favorite. He even tried to pick it up to take it home!

Next stop were the bunnies! We also saw goats and chickens, but the cute, furry animals were tops in Wesley's book.

Time for the first maze of the day - the hay cave. The sign said

you had to be shorter than 4 feet to be in it, but Wesley was not about to step foot in a bunch of hay tunnels without his mommy or grandma. Since Grandma has a few years on Mommy and bad knees, Mommy got to crawl around in the hay. Totally worth it.

The second maze was the sunflower maze. We stuck to one path and one path only! Wesley kept telling us we were in a sunflower jungle. I think he was right!

We ate our snack of doughnuts and juice in a red and white tent (hence the funny color of this picture). Wesley did a great job with his doughnut - only the second he's ever eaten! Of course, he was also pretty intrigued with the bees flying around. I told him not to try and touch the bee because they had stingers and could hurt. "Bees say 'Buzzz. No touchy!'" I told him. Wesley repeated me, but added a hiss. Duane and I told him that cats hiss when they mean "no touchy." Apparentley bees do the same thing in Wesley's world.

The fun barn was indeed fun and I think they greased those slides! Wesley and I flew down the one we chose!

When it was finally time to choose our pumpkins, Wesley went all the way to the back of the garden and chose this gem that was just a little too heavy for him.

But he was determined to carry it all by himself.

Even after he almost dropped it....

......he managed to get it to the front of the garden.

Wesley wrapped up in a jacket on the hayride to protect himself from the wind. Doesn't he look like a little Jedi?? Obi Wesley Kenobi.

More Proof He's Growing Up

Wesley stopped calling his Aunt Melissa "Issa" today. She's been Issa ever since he learned to talk. However, today she was upgraded to "Ann Belissa" which is pretty darn close to Aunt Melissa. Sigh. He really is growing up isn't he?

Home Sweet Home?

How do kids know exactly where your guilt buttons are? I know I didn't spend a great deal of time with Wesley over the weekend and I have been feeling a little guilty about that. This morning as I was getting ready for work, Wesley told me he wanted to stay home with Mommy. I told him that I wanted to stay with him too, but that I had to go to work. We loaded up the car and drove up to Grandma and Grandpa H.'s. What does Wesley say as we pull in the drive? "I'm home!!!!" ARGH! Twist that knife just a little deeper please. I'm glad he's happy to go see his grandparents, but does he have to be THAT happy?

Spitting Image

I'm reading the above book right now. Last night, I was lying in bed with Wesley and watching Dancing with the Stars. Ok, I was stretched out on the bed, Wesley was doing his own show - Dancing with the Toddler. In the middle of his routine he noticed this book next to me and became very intrigued with it.

Wesley: Mommy, what is that book?
Mommy: It's the book Mommy is reading. It's called "Miss Spitfire."
Wesley: Miss Spitfire (in a way too cute tone that text will never convey)
Mommy: That's right.

A few minutes passed and I wanted to hear Wesley say "Miss Spitfire" again - I guess I'm a glutton for cute.

Mommy: Wesley, what is Mommy's book called?
Wesley: (looks at the cover) Miss Spit Apple!!!
Mommy: (laughing) No, not spit apple. You know what it's called!
Wesley: Miss Spit....say it with me Mommy.

Let's just say that Mommy knows who the real spitfire is.

What a Pumpkin!

Three guesses as to who went to the pumpkin patch with Grandpa and Grandma P. today!

To the Faire

While Wesley partied on with Grandma and Grandpa H., Duane and I headed to the Renaissance Festival with Susan, Ray and Krystal. Let us say that a good time was had by all and I'll just give you the highlights.



Susan with Dirk Perfect - one of The Swordsmen

I got to be the fair damsel in distress at the Toga Party. Susan got a picture of be diving into the "volcano." Orpheus and Tickle Me Yoda Hades had a battle of the ballads as to who would win my love.

Prior to the Mudde Show, I had to get my picture taken with my favorite Mudde man, Chunky. The goofy look on his was on purpose and is due to a long story I really don't want to relate here. Chunky asked Duane if I belonged to him. When Duane said yes, Chunky said "I'll buy her from you." What did my super romantic hubby reply? "What's your offer?" Nice to feel loved. Not to worry, Duane made it up to me by getting me a copper rose that is scented like a real one.

Krystal got her hair braided while we were there. Check out her fancy new 'do below.

Ray hooked Krystal up with some beautiful amethyst jewelry too.

Sometimes you just a goofy group picture.

By the time we got to Grandma and Grandpa's to pick up Wesley (at 7:45) I was dying for a kid fix. Unfortunately, Wesley didn't feel the same way. He opened the door, took one look at me, said "No!" and shut the door. Hum. Too bad he missed us so much. We did finally get him home, but instead of cuddling with his parents, what did Wesley want to do? Play Guitar Hero!

In Memorium

Today was a special day for the W. family. We gave Wesley his middle name (Paul) in honor of Ken and Sandi Paul. Ken was a very close friend of my dad and always treated me and Kirk as if we were his own grandchildren. He passed away in 1996. Today was the dedication of the new stadium fencing, visitors bleacher and scoreboard, purchased in his honor by Sandi for Otterbein College. They even renamed the street in front of the stadium for him.

Wesley had a hard time deciding what to wear for this big event. He wanted a red shirt, but his mean ol' mommy dressed him in something a little fancier. Then there was the whole issue with his shoes. See, I wanted him to wear shoes that would actually fit him, but he wanted to wear Daddy's shoes. Bless his little heart, he even managed to walk/stumble into the kitchen wearing those boots.

The dedication was lovely, my dad spoke about his friendship with Ken and Sandi talked about why she wanted to leave this kind of memorial for her late husband. We were introduced to the college president and the head football coach (it was homecoming) and we soaked up the mid October sun while remembering a man who was very important in my life. I wish Ken could have met Duane because I KNOW they would have gotten along famously. I wish he could have met Wesley, because then the little guy would have one more "grandpa" wrapped around his little finger!

Ken's street sign by the stadium

Grandpa P. and Sandi Paul before the ceremony starts. Can you believe she is in her 80's!?!?!

Kirk, Sandi and me (and Ken smiling down at us, I'm sure)

After the ceremony we went out to eat. Well, most of us ate. Wesley was not interested at all, which is kind of strange considering he hopped right up in the chair at the restaurant (have I mentioned he has begun to refuse a highchair or booster seat when we eat out?) and started browsing the menu. The waiter thought that was a riot and not only pretended to take a drink order from Wesley, he even pointed out some of the house specialities for the little guy.

Unfortunately, even sitting in a big boy chair and looking at the menu doesn't ensure a toddler is going to eat. He refused almost everything that was placed in front of him. Thankfully, Aunt Susan was sitting right across from us. She called him over to her and they read books for awhile before walking next door to visit the animals at the pet store. Wesley came back telling us about the rabbits, and birds, and doggies he saw. He wasn't too sure about the snake though. He took one look at it and informed me that he was scared of snakes. Of course, that didn't keep him from looking at it from safe distance. Wesley was sure to say goodbye to all the animals as he left too.

Wesley's ending his day with an overnight at Grandma and Grandpa H.'s. They just got back from vacation and need a little fix (and Mommy and Daddy are going out of town tomorrow.)