Halloween - Super Powers Activate!

I was very safe on Halloween. I had a red power ranger and superman living in my house and vowing to protect me to the end of time. I no longer have any worries in life! No ghost or beast or goblin or warrior could harm me when the duo team of the red power ranger and superman were protecting me!

Dreamy Love...

When I was pregnant with MJ, I had these ideas that our life would be perfect. When I was pregnant with CR, I thought that MJ and CR would Never fight. As most parents know, those idealism's of perfection do not always turn out exactly how you plan. There is not a single doubt in my mind that my boys love each other every second of the day, but sure...they fight and tease sometimes. But, not this morning. They were so fantastic to each other this morning, it was like a dream. MJ was reading CR books , they teamed up to play a trick on me, MJ got CR a band aid and put it on his finger for him, instead of racing down the stairs and someone "losing" (and it is usually CR) they held hands and decided to tie walking down the stairs this morning, and this seemed to go on most of the day. How do I duplicate today? I will remember all the sweetness they oozed today......soo much oozy goodness.

WE VOTED!

Now, when I say WE, you all can stop with the Chicago Acorn multiple voting jokes. WE included me and the boys. The boys have heard Chad and I and others talking a lot over the past month about who we are going to vote for and why. Quite honestly, I would like to cast my vote for a do-over and pick 2 new candidates. But, I know that is not realistic so I had to do what my heart said would be the best for my children.
I let the boys push all the buttons on the electronic ballot. MJ got to choose the presidential choose (he thought that was cool). They took turns on the other "less important" elections. Then....it was time to submit the ballot. They both had this crazy excitement in there eyes (ok, maybe it was me saying things like.."this is it boys. our vote for the next president of the USA. this is big. are we ready?") Then the pressed the submit button. I felt like balloons and streamers should fall from the ceiling, but they settled for an I VOTED sticker.
It was a little history in the making. Last time we voted for a presidential election, CR was not born and MJ was a few months old. I remember holding him as he slept.
And I love early voting!

This week.

Today was a nice fall day. This morning we had a soccer game for MJ, and it was quite chilly. It was actually the wind that made it seems so cold. However, none of the soccer players complained at all. They are a bunch of troopers! It rained a lot last night, so they spread out a bunch of hay on the field (yes, we live in a small town). I think the kids (especially MJ) were more excited about all the hay than anything! Right after soccer we went to the fall festival at the boys school. MJ was sooooooooooo excited that he got his pace painted like the red power ranger from operation overdrive. CR was cool with just getting a tattoo on his face and was more interested in painting a pumpkin! It was a fun day. This afternoon we chilled and spent time outside and did some grocery shopping and then had yummy tacos for dinner. On a side note: my birthday dinner since I was a kid was always tacos. When I met chad, he was eating about one meal a day...about 5 times a week...and seriously, it was always tacos. Love at first taco! So, now both of my boys are taco lovers and beg that we have them. They continue to make me proud!

The rest of the week was ok. Chad was in NYC for a bit. MJ had a bad fever/cold and CR had a cold too. They both missed 2 days of school, but I think it was good for them. They are feeling much stronger now.

We carved pumpkins. CR had no interest in it whatsoever. He was not going to put his hand in that pumpkin and really just thought the red plastic table cloth I put on the table was cool to play under! He told me he wanted a superman pumpkin and that was that. MJ was more into it by far. He had been begging me to carve the pumpkins. Finally, I gave in and a bit early because they are already getting a bit squishy. He liked it but, he said "this is much hard than I thought it was going to be." He was referring to cleaning out all the inside guts and then actually cutting the pumpkins. He thought it was cool though!

Tomorrow is supposed to be a nice fall day...maybe a good day to finish up the outside chores!

What?

WHAT?

WHAT?

These looks are so familiar. I ask a question, and I just get a blank look sometimes.

All you need is love, love. Love is all you need!

Fly-by nights and Pumpkins

Has another week really gone by? I wish I could make time slow down. If anyone has any ideas, please let me know.

This past week was good, with mostly the usual happenings. CR had a 12 hour fever, we had soccer practice and games, wednesday spent with G/G Troast, painted pumpkins, rode rides at the fly-by-night pumpkin patch, and a lot of other normal stuff. How is this for an exciting post!

One side note for MJ and CR later in life: When we were at the fly-by-night pumpkin patch festival, MJ saw this turning ride that went high up in the air. After my 4-year old begged me and Chad agreed and I put my better judgement aside, all 4 of us hop onto this ride. Yeah, within 5 seconds of it starting, both boys were screaming, and I wasn't thirlled either. The carni-man slowed it down for a few more spins, then let us off after Chad's plea. MJ and CR (and me) did not like that. There it is, I am not a carnival ride lover...or even liker. They make my head hurt and well, dang it, I am an adult and I don't have to go on them!! So, my sweet boys, I hope that todays ride didn't ruin you and damper your desire to go on rides in the future. :-) They did have fun after that on more age-appropriate rides!

Happy Hayride!

Sunday was a gorgeous Indian summer day, I did lots of yard work and the boys actually played in the water! Chad was a little tired because he had a gig on Saturday night, but he was a trooper. I think the next time Chad has a gig (sometime in November...date pending) we should all go and see him!! More details later.

So, on Sunday morning we had our annual neighborhood hayride and bonfire. We normally have about 10 families, this year it was only 4 families. We still had a great time, although the bonfire was a bit hot on a sunny 80 degree day! :-) Here are some pixs:







We are family...








Ever wonder where CR gets his cheesy smile from?


How can a scarecrow be so darn handsome? He was trying to scare the birds!








Our friends!

Where did I leave off...We are experiencing an Indian Summer currently (an extreme warm up after a first frost). I love the fall warmth. It gives that last warm rays to warm our soul and bones before the snow arrives.

So, MJ has a friend from his soccer team named James. James' parents invited our family and Jesse's family (our next door neighbor) over to there house for a bonfire last night. I don't know who was more excited to go to there house, MJ or CR! We had a really great time (I will leave out the part about the flaming stick CR was holding in the fire burnt my face....really, not as bad as it sounds). James' parents are great. It is re energizing to meet new people! Thanks for having us over! But, we didn't get home until 11pm. My children are early to bed children. So this morning we had a soccer game and Team Crew did awesome (although 3 of the members were exhausted). MJ took no nap today....needless to say, both of my children are asleep right now and Chad is gigging.

MJ and James...monkeying around after soccer!

CR has been digging the guitar lately. Hum... go figure!

Creative Minds...

Minds create when inspired, right? It amazes me sometimes that no matter how many toys CR and MJ have, they are inspired and want to play with the "non-toys". They love the outdoors, and digging in the soil, and .............our kitchen stools. Yes, these plain kitchen stools (that also, unknown to CR and MJ, keep there heads from hitting the corner of the island) are actually airplanes. Yes, that is right, they are airplanes. They climb in and on and around these stools. They are airplanes, sometimes they are one-seaters, sometimes two or even three. But yes, these are airplanes!

Love

Sometimes I forget how my small boys can love so much. They don't just love us (mom, dad, brothers, etc.), they love comfort, and happiness, and consistency, and smiles, and warmth, and all that makes them feel whole and loved. For my sweet CR, all of these characteristics reside in his stuffed Elmo. I inadvertently left Elmo in his cubby at school tonight when I picked him up because we were rushing to get MJ to his soccer practice. Tonight, CR was in his crib slowly sobbing for his Elmo. He begged me to go back to school and get Elmo (believe me, if I could get into school, i would go get it). He has slept with Elmo every night for the past 1+ years. To him, this really is important and takes away his comfort. I rocked him for a while until he was almost asleep, but then he sobbed again. So, I gave him the sock monkey that Uncle Ronnie gave me for my birthday (thanks Ronnie)...some how having something of mommy's in there, seemed to make him feel better. Sorry CR, I promise to never forget Elmo again.

CR getting hugs from sock monkey....it is not Elmo, but it seemed to do the trick.

Politics - In the eyes of a 4 and 2 year old

Hi all! Again, it has been a while. Chad was out of town part of last week and all weekend, so blogging was pushed to the back burner. All is well and October is busy and exciting.

SO, on Tuesday night Chad was gigging. I put the boys to bed and grabbed a bowl of cereal to watch the presidential debates. MJ wasn't asleep yet, and snuck downstairs (he said to keep me company while I ate dinner). He and I watched part of the debate together and he had so many questions, it was awesome! He instantly asked "mom, do we like the young blacked skinned guy or the old white skinned guy"? WOW. Children really pick up on the differences. I explained to him that we live in the United States of America and that everyone gets to vote for who they want to run our country and the one with the most votes wins! Then he asked me who mommy and daddy were going to vote for. I told him President Obama! He asked "why him"? Another profound question. So, in as simple terms as I could, I explained that I had to look deep into myself and evaluate what was important to me and who I believe would make this country the best place for my boys to grow up in, and I believe that would be Obama. MJ agrees. Then we worked on MJ's pronunciation of Barack Obama.

The yesterday I was driving with the boys and MJ was telling CR about how they are going to go with me to vote and how important it is. CR asked, "Mommy, you vote for Elmo"? Then MJ said, if "Elmo was running, would you vote for him?" Another 30 minute conversation.

I love that the boys are getting into this and understand the importance of our decisions. Most importantly, the point that I tried to get across is tolerance and acceptance. That yes, we have a voice that needs to be heard. However, if the majority of America thinks McCain should run the country....then that is OK and we will accept that and make the best of the next 4 years.

Everyone, please vote...and take your children with you.

Its been a while....

Life has won over the blog. Sometimes there just is not enough time in the day, or desire, to blog. But...here I am. There is so much going on in the past almost 2 weeks. My work is crazy busy with the Hurricane Relief efforts coupled with the cold weather creeping up. So, that is crazy, but good. Chad is busy also and getting ready to head out of town soon.

Memorable things over the past couple weeks.:


MJ had his first soccer game of the Fall season. Now we are Team Crew and we are Yellow. Go Team Crew! OK, fall soccer is colder than summer.


MJ and CR had there first Twinkie yesterday. They asked me what it was. I told them it was a twinkie and it is a spongy-like cake thing and that everyone needs to try one once in there life. MJ took a small bite of the spongy cake part and seemed to dig it. Then he took a big bite and got some of the "creamy goodness" inside.....his eyes got as big as a full moon and he said is a profound loud voice, "AWESOME". Chad and I laughed for a while. CR liked his too, but did seem to think it was the greatest thing in the world. MJ has my sweet-tooth. CR would take soda any day over sweets.




MJ didn't take a nap today. Oh my. He still needs them, but fights them sometimes. This picture is him about 2 hours before bed in a content daze....almost just holding on until bedtime. CR still takes very good naps (at least 2 hours)...thank goodness!

Tonight when I put MJ to bed he said, "mom, you know what I like best about you being my momma?"..I said, "What"..MJ said, "How much you always love me!". Yes, I do sweat heart.

CR...when he tells us he loves us, he says "Momma, I love you SOOOO MUCH". Ok, you probably have to hear it to get how adorable it is, but dang...it will melt you.

Now, CR is 2 year and 3 months old. He has hit the age where he wants to have an opinion. This picture cracks me up because it is just him being so strong and independent. I am proud of you for keeping to your beliefs, CR! But...your killing me! :-) Not really, I know what makes him tick and we are implementing all the tactics we learned from MJ. He is such a sweetheart, but is trying to find his limits.




So, we are Cubs fans. The cubs lost tonight. We had our first fire tonight and put the heat on today for the first time. We had one of those hang out and chill by the fire nights.

Finally, I got a car! My van just wasn't going to make it much longer without a lot of repairs. I got a 2005 Ford Freestyle. I love it! It is pretty good on gas mileage (for a 6-seater), it is AWD (a must for the snow), and just pretty cool looking. So, I am happy, but boy we spent a lot of time the past 2 weeks on looking for this car! The boys are happy because there windows go ALL THE WAY down. It is the little things in life that make you happy.

So, all is well with us. Sorry for the hiatus on the blogville, but you know....

OK....Off to get some work done.