Pumpkin Patch Pictures

Okay, I call it a pumpkin patch, but it's really the play area that intrigues the kids.

A birdseye view of the play area

J. &C. on the swinging tunnels

Wesley gave it a try too

J &G and the water pump duck races

Ryan and Wesley in the big gerbil wheels

 

Ryan takes in a turn in the duck race

The closest thing to a good picture we could get of all five kids.

Wesley attempts to impress G. with his bookmaking skills

Still booktalking on the hay ride

Getting the lay of the land

A happy boy with his candy

That's My Boy!

Ryan informed me this evening that he is going to carry two trick-or-treat buckets this Halloween. "That way I can get even more candy!" he exclaimed.

And we all know that more candy for the kids means more candy for the parents. I like his plan!

Not Me Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to http://www.mycharmingkids.net/ to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I have not started carrying an expensive chocolate bar in my purse just in case my stress level reaches a place where chocolate is required immediately. And I did not justify it by telling myself, "Hey, at least it isn't a flask."

I did not plug my headphones into my desktop computer, start Windows Media Player and proceed to get very annoyed when the CD didn't play, only to discover that I hadn't yet put a CD in the computer.

I was not embarrassed to ask my one of my oldest friends for help, even though I knew that she would be more than happy to help and probably annoyed if I hadn't asked her.

I did not start taking my kids cold medicine because I didn't have any of my own to counteract my first bout of sickness since having my tonsils removed last year.

Mostly Sweet(est) Day

Yes, Sweetest Day is a Hallmark holiday. Yes, everybody knows it. And yes, I adore the fact that my wonderful husband never forgets it even though I never remember it. So this was my surprise when I came downstairs at 5:30 this morning.

What was I doing awake at 5:30 on the one Saturday all month that I'm off work? Well, the boys (including Duane) had dentist appointments. At 7:00 in the morning. More than half an hour away from our house. Good times.

The boys weren't exactly happy with us when we loaded them into the van, but they did great at the dentist. This was Ryan's first appointment and even though he whined through Wesley's exam, he was a real champ when it was his turn. His favorite part was the little suction thing to get the spit out of your mouth. Oh! And the sunglasses weren't a fashion statement. The dental assistant had the boys wear them so the bright exam light didn't bother them.

We had plans to go to a pumpkin patch with some friends this afternoon, but it rained a lot this morning and we rescheduled for tomorrow. Probably a good thing since the boys decided to share their colds with me. It figures, the only thing they willingly share is illness!  On the upside we have something to look forward to tomorrow as well.

Training for Halloween

This evening we joined some friends at the Ohio Railway Museum for the annual trick or treat train event. Wesley and Ryan had never been before and were really excited to go. I'm not sure if they were most excited about the idea of a ride in a real train, getting to wear their costumes, getting treats, or a combination of all three.

Who are these green guys, and how did they get in my kitchen?

Loco Bob shared some train history and spooky/silly train "horror" stories.

That's some conductor!

This guy had to wait a LONG time for the train to leave.

Waiting for our ride to begin

Our quarters for the ride

Listening to one of Loco Bob's stories.

Spidey and Leonardo (the Ninja Turtle) sharing superhero secrets.

Keeping their eyes peeled for ghosts.

Enjoying our treats

 

After our excursion, Ryan told us several times how much he loved his costume and that the loved trains and that he really loves Halloween. I'd say this was a winning evening.

Sickness Roulette

I'm not a gambler. I don't play cards. I've never played the slots. I don't play the lottery. But I sure took a gamble today. Today I was faced with the age old question of working moms everywhere: How sick do you have to be to be too sick to go to school (and for me to call off work).

Wesley complained of his head hurting a couple of times yesterday and I could tell both he and Ryan had a bit of a cold. Wesley was in our room at 2:00 in the morning coughing, hacking and complaining of a sore throat. Now I am not the most compassionate person at 2:00 in the morning. I don't want to be woken up and I certainly don't want to get out of bed (I know, bad mommy.)  Luckily, Duane is able to function at that hour and got up to give Wesley some medicine.

So at 6:45 I was debating whether or not I should wake the boys up for the day or let stay home sick. Like I said, I knew they both had colds, but a cold can be such an iffy thing when it comes to the "stay home" decision. Plus I knew that if we stayed home and they both acted fine all day, I'd be quite annoyed.

I crept into Wesley's room and felt his cheek and forehead - totally normal. I often tell the kids that if they aren't throwing up or running a fever, they have to school, and since neither of those things were happening, I decided take a gamble. I woke the boys up, got them ready for school and gave them each a dose of cold medicine on the way out the door.

I spent all morning half expecting my phone to ring at work with one of the schools telling me to come pick up my kid. But we made it! Or should I say, we made it this time?

Color Him Impressed

Now that soccer is over for the season, it's time for the boys to pick new activities. That is totally my own rule. I need them to be involved in something one day a week. I don't care if it's dance, swim, basketball, art, acting, gymnastics or pottery. I just want them doing something.

Ryan wants to start swim class again, but Wesley chose art for his autumn activity. I scrambled around looking for an art class that sounded decent (i.e. not just cut and paste), but that didn't cost an arm and a leg. We wound up selecting a one day a week, after school class at an art center near my work. 

Wesley's first class was today and he LOVED it! Apparently he didn't really want to go because he has a cold and said his head hurt. Grandma told him he couldn't miss the first class and took him to the MAC. I'm so glad she did, because when I picked him up he was all smiles and excitement. He couldn't wait to show me the sketchbook he made and tell me all about the drawing game they played. He even wants to recreate the game at home.

Wednesday is also Wesley's art class day at school and he told me his class at the MAC is even "artier" than Mr. V's class at school. I think my little Picasso is going to really enjoy the next few weeks.

Mostly Brave

Last night Ryan told us, "I'm not afraid of anything! Well, except for dragons." 

Whatever happened to being scared of spiders? Good thing it's pretty hard to find a real dragon, 'cause they'd be really difficult to squish with your shoe!

Not Me Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to http://www.mycharmingkids.net/ to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I did not attempt to iron part of my shirt with a curling iron because I felt too lazy to get the real iron out. And I certainly did not make such an attempt while I was wearing the shirt.

I did not ask my hairdresser for a brand new style the day before my 20th high school reunion.

I know I did not break out my 20 year old letter jacket from high school and wear it for the homecoming parade. I mean, I laughed at "those old people" when I was high school!

I did not feel annoyed rather than excited or hopeful when the realtor called with our first showing in 2.5 months!

All Hallows Eve

We joined some friends of ours at the Ohio Village last night for the All Hallow's Eve Celebration. Lots of fun!

Playing at the school yard

Just hangin' around

Wash gentle cycle and drip dry

Me and the big man

Wesley did a little grave digging. Very little. His form was poor!

Whew! Grave digging is hard work!

Little ghouls

Hey! Let's haunt over there!

Tug of war

Ryan and Danny pulled their weight with the big boys!

Mr. S. helped Ryan on the stilts

Stilts are harder than they look!

Mask making

Daddy scooping pumpkin guts

Drawing an alien pumpkin outline to carve

Ryan worked hard on his pumpkin

Carve carefully Daddy!

Armed and dangerous!

We listened to the reading of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and saw the Headless Horseman ride across the bridge and throw his head into the fire. The boys were all VERY impressed by that!  We had a late dinner out and finally had to call it a night when Wesley's tummy started bothering him.

I love the city we live in! There is always something interesting and fun to do! This was just the start of our Halloween festivities. We still have the trick-or-treat train, Boo at the Zoo, the pumpkin patch and farm play area, COSI's Spooky Science, school parties and the actual trick or treat night.  And that doesn't begin to cover the festivities!

Looking Back

Last night was my 20th high school reunion. I can't believe it's been 20 years since I graduated! Even though I live in the same town I went to high school in, and a lot of other grads do too, there were quite a few people there that I haven't seen in 20 years.

Me in 1992

The 2012 me - I guess wine isn't the only thing that improves with age ;-) 

A small contingency of the class of 1992 walked in the WHS Homecoming parade. It was at 5:30, so it was rough for a lot of people to make it by then. After the parade we did a little tailgating and then the gang posed for a picture.

A lot of people wore our letter jackets and we all wore our senior pictures. The person who arrange the pictures/nametags on the board teased me by saying, "I know it's not strict alphabetical order, but I had to put your picture next to David's." David was my high school boyfriend (didn't show at the reunion though).

We sat on the cold bleachers through halftime, then headed over to a sports bar for drinks, talk and fried goodness. And still more people showed up! It was a little strange how we all immediately went into our groups from back in high school. I mean, everyone talked to everyone else, but if you looked at the tables, it was who you sat with 20 years ago.

And there were so many people who weren't there that I really missed. I missed Cheryl terribly! California is an awfully far way to come from, especially when the reunion is during the school year and you have kids. I missed her laugh and smile and the extra confidence she always gives me. I did send her multiple pictures and text messages though, trying to give her a taste of the night. I didn't see David T. (although I keep up with him on Facebook a bit). My friend Kris (who I have known since I was 4) is retiring from the Air Force tomorrow, but he's still overseas.  And there were the people who seemed to have disappeared since high school. No ones knows what happened to Mabel, Martha, Jason D., Jeff R. - can't even find them on Facebook!

Overall the night was fun. There was a picnic today, but I had to miss it due to work. It would have been fun to let all our kids run wild together, but I'm glad I had last night.

Is That a Threat or a Promise?

Ryan has informed me that he is going to draw a picture for my desk at work. According to the artist, the non-commissioned work is going to be a picture of "Fluffy Kitten pooping a star."

Is that what they call modern art?

Little Detective

I love the three/four year old age. Always have. I loved it when I worked daycare. I loved it when I did storytimes. I love it during Sunday School and VBS. Little kids still need you so much at that age, but they have also discovered their independence and are just soaking in everything they see and hear.

Ryan has been taking in so much lately. The other night I was reading in bed when Ryan came in. He watched me for a minute then asked, "Mom, are you reading in your mind?"

"Yes, I am."

He nodded, "I thought so 'cause your lips weren't moving."

Then tonight he came up to me after dinner, placed his head against my arm and said, "I'm saying my words to you in my mind." 

Ryan also surprised me with his attention to detail when the two of us stopped at Target tonight. As we got out of the car, Ryan noticed a silver car parked next to us.

"That's not Daddy's car," Ryan told me. "It's silver like Daddy's, but the tires are different and the letters are different (meaning license plate) and it doesn't have the bump on the back."

I think those are some pretty impressive observations. I also think I'm going to have to be really careful about where I hide his Christmas gifts this year.

A Better Morning

I took some advice from my dear ol' dad and Wesley and I had a bit of a better morning today.

I woke Wesley up about 15 minutes earlier than I normally would and told him that he could read, or go downstairs and watch TV, or color, but that he could not go back to sleep. That bought me a couple of minutes to finish getting myself ready and gave him a chance to wake up a bit more fully.

When I went back in his room he was sitting in bed in a bit of a stupor, but still awake.

"Would you like to get dressed now, or have breakfast first?" I asked.

"I want breakfast," he answered a little grumpily.

"Okay!" I said, "Let's go."

"In bed!" he demanded with his arms crossed.

Now unless some one's grandparents do a super duper bang up job spoiling him on sleepovers and have failed to mention it to us, this child has never had breakfast in bed. And the first time wasn't about to be this morning.

"No, Wesley. You are not going to have breakfast in bed."

"But I want it!"

I sighed. "Too bad, babe. Breakfast will be downstairs. So do want to get dressed first, or come down stairs?"

He threw the covers off. "Fine. Breakfast downstairs."

So we went downstairs and I got his breakfast ready. While he ate, I went back upstairs and got Ryan up. Ryan was anxious to join his brother downstairs, so I got his breakfast ready next. Then I let the boys get dressed and watch a little TV before doing hair and teeth and walking out the door.

I have to admit, it's a lot of running back and forth for me. I much prefer getting the boys up at the same time, having them get dressed in their rooms, then go downstairs for breakfast, hair and teeth. I felt like I never stopped moving this morning and was already tired by the time I got in the car. But it was the first time in a few weeks that neither Wesley nor I have ended up in tears before 8:00. I guess I'll have to shelve my Type A tendencies and be a little more flexible in the mornings.

Not Me Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to http://www.mycharmingkids.net/ to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I did not catch myself listening to Kidz Bop when the kids were not in the car.

I did not completely forget that the tags on my car expire on my birthday until about 2 days before said birthday, causing me to go to the BMV as part of my birthday celebration.

I have not been contemplating a change in hairstyle less than two weeks before my 20th high school reunion.

Missing: My Sweet Boy

I am having a big problem in my house. My darling sweet Wesley - my mama's boy - has gone missing and has been replaced with a surly teenage attitude in a seven year old body. He and I cannot get along these days, especially in the mornings, and I miss my little boy.

I am so tired of hearing him sass me, of me yelling and of him asking me not to yell. I am tired of one us getting so frustrated with the other that someone ends up in tears. I am tired of the eye rolls and the tone of voice that tells me I am the dumbest individual to ever breathe, even if the words aren't exactly saying that.

I know my job as a parent isn't to be my child's friend, but isn't it a little early for us to be each other's enemy?

Breakfast Math

I woke up this morning in the mood to make pumpkin donuts for breakfast. That sounds a lot more impressive than it actually is. I have a babycakes brand donut maker and it makes baked mini donuts in just a matter of minutes. The hardest part is mixing up the batter, which isn't hard at all. So after being awake for half an hour, there were two dozen mini pumpkin donuts cooling on the stove.

I called the boys into the kitchen and asked them each how many donuts they wanted. Wesley happily took four and put them on his plate. Ryan was a bit more cautious and only took one. They ran into the front room to watch tv and eat their breakfast treat. Wesley dug right in, but for some reason Ryan was suspicious. He poked the donut a couple of times and said, "It feels pretty good."

"That's because it tastes good!" Wesley told him. That was all the encouragement Ryan needed and he gobbled his donut up.

"Can I have three more please?" Ryan asked me.

"Let's start with two more," I told him.

Wesley couldn't resist jumping in. "No Mom. You have to give him three more. Three plus one equals four and I had four donuts. You have to be fair!"

"Wesley, there's no way Ryan is going to eat three more donuts. He's not as big as you," I tried to explain.

"Mom, you have to be fair! Three more is fair!" Wesley insisted.

It was a pretty logical argument. And who can argue with logic? Especially when donuts are involved. So I gave Ryan three more donuts.

He ate one.

So much for fair.

Ready for a Whole New Me

Maybe it's the fact that my birthday was yesterday and I am just barely under 40 now. Maybe it's the fact that my 20 year high school reunion is next weekend. Maybe it's the fact that I haven't been to see my hairdresser in three months, but I think I am ready for some self improvement.

My mom and I have done some major sale and thrift store shopping over the last couple of days, so my wardrobe has gotten some much needed new pizazz. Well, maybe pizazz is not the word, but it at least got some new pieces. My sis-in-law went make up shopping with me and helped me pick out some flattering shades for my eyes and lips.

I have an appointment with my hairdresser next Thursday. I was thinking about doing something new (although I have no real idea what), but it's the day before my reunion, which is probably not a good time to go for change. I'm still thinking about it for later though. Shall I bring back bangs? Add some color?

Now if I could just bring myself to start exercising again, we could have a total transformation.

Happy Birthday to Me!

I've spent the day ringing in year 39.  Truth be told, I feel older than that, but we won't hurry the years along. 

It was pretty much a day long celebration

• I went out to breakfast with my mom
• I did some major thrift store shopping
• I had a fabulous dinner and terrific cake

Wesley made me a really sweet book too. It's called "My Mom".  Here's the text although the pictures are what really make it special. And the italics are all mine:
     "This is my mom. This is Dad, Ryan and me. My mom likes theys (these) colors (imagine pink and yellow here.) My mom likes Mickey (mouse that is). Mom likes Tinker Bell and Princesses (a picture of all the Disney princesses with me and Jasmine on the flying carpet) but she loves Maleficent and the computer."

All true. And the perfect gift for me.

Just Not Funny

Ryan walked up to me last night and asked if I'd like to hear a joke. I told him sure and waited for him to begin. And waited some more. Finally, he whispered in my ear, "You need to say knock-knock."

Hmmmm....seemed backwards to me, but I was willing to go with it. "Okay, knock-knock."

Again, there was a big pause,

Ryan told me quietly "You say baby"

Um. Something about the joke seemed off.

"Alright. Baby who?"

Ryan began to crack up "Baby pants!!!"

And that's a joke only a four year old could love.

It's All About the Timing

Dinnertime at the W. house

Ryan: What the heck!?

Wesley: Don't say "heck" Ryan. At school they told us it's a bad word.

Duane: Well, it's not exactly a bad word, but it's not a nice word.

Me (somewhat admonishing): So do not say that word at school.

Ryan: Only at home!

Not Me Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to http://www.mycharmingkids.net/ to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I did not get the heel of my shoe caught in a crack in the sidewalk outside of work and walked right out of my shoe. Nope. Didn't happen.

When I saw an incident report in Ryan's school bag my immediate thought was not, "Uh-oh! Who did he hit?" And I was not relieved to discover that he "only" tripped over his own feet and hit his head.

I did not send Ryan's picture form and check back to school paper clipped to his school bag (like they sent it home) only to have it fall off in the rain. And there is no way I didn't realize it until I got to Grandma's. And I certainly didn't call Duane in a panic asking him to go home and find it in the rain when it didn't even have to be turned in until the next day.

I did not completely miss an email from the soccer coach and show up to a practice that had been cancelled.

I know I did not make Wesley wear shoes that were a bit too small for him until I got a 30% off coupon for the store we buy shoes at. And I know I did not buy all "tie" shoes even though he still needs work on the whole shoe tying thing. 'Cause that will just make mornings so much easier, right?