Halloween and some adventures

Whew, the week went out with a bang. Yesterday we took the train into the big city to visit the library with the B family. I learned Sarah's maiden last name and I am still giggling to myself. We treated ourselves to a burger and rootbeer at Hires. We totally lucked out at the library--our favorite little Abbie friend was not only working at the city branch--we were just in time for Book Babies.

Today was full of Halloweenie fun. We started out with a party at Sarah's for the bigger kids, but Em and I stayed. Hopefully we'll get a few pics from Sarah, b'cuz I forgot to bring my camera. Then, we saw Grandma Meme at Wendy's, drove way down South to visit Tammy and Bruce, then back to Meme's place for trick or treating. I tried to arrange a few activities for the kids. Augi and Kaedyn were great during the story, but I couldn't get the grown ups to behave so the little kids could pay attention. So, my activities were a flop. Anyway, Augi was absolutely giddy to trick or treat. She is very proud of her loaded pumpkin pail. So, Grandpa Albert is in town and we will go to breakfast with him and Gma V tomorrow, then I need to clean up the house and try to get mentally prepped for next week. 30 hours from these kids is not going to be easy for me. There might be a few tears. Or a river.

Little Politician

Augi is beginning to have an interest in politics. Our recent conversations have gone a little like this:
Augi: Mom, who is that lady we are going to "boat" for again? (she is referring to a political sign in our front yard).
Me: Carol Peterson.
Augi: Oh. Carol. Mom, what is "boating" again?
Me: You mean "v"oting? That is when we pick people who will make decisions for us. We try to pick the people who agree with us and make the choices we want them to make.
Augi: [Long pause] Mom, I want to make my own decisions.

Today Chris and I were talking about how we had voted early because we are permanent absentee voters, and how convenient it was. Augi piped into the conversation as she just noticed an Obama pin Chris had on his hat: "Daddy, why you have that Barrack Obama sticker on your hat!?" She recognized the logo! Either they are advertising during Curious George, or she is listening to every word we say! Oh, the power of parents. Be careful!

Just Checking In

OK, so I've been a little flaky on the blogging lately. I have been a little under the weather, in addition to trying to cram like 10 years into my last week on maternity leave. I can't believe I have to go back to work on Monday. I can't believe my baby boy is almost 6 months old. For those of you who are curious, I decided to return to the district. They gave in to some of my demands. However, I will be back in SLC one day per week to work at the old TCC. I am really excited. But, it will be about 33 hours/week. I realize it isn't full time, but it seems like a lot of time away from my kids when I haven't been away from them much for the past 6 months! And, I am not going to get summers off. I will still get all those rockin' school holidays, though. Whoo-hoo!
These pictures are totally random, but hopefully they catch us all up to date:

We went to Gardner Village to see the witches, then took a trip to IKEA. Augi loved the petting zoo (no pics) and horsie ride. You have to love Tanner's pose.

Oh boy, baby Emmett. He eats peas, and bananas and cereal now. He isn't so fond of the eating solids thing yet, but he is learning. He sits up like a pro and goes from sitting to tummy without flinching. He squeals with delight while he plays and smiles his shy little smile when I look at him. He gives me big slobbery kisses and he hugs me now. He is such a wonderful baby boy.

Another Chelsie and Jessi Adventure.

Dinosaurs!

OK, so I have a beef with that freakin' dino park. It was hard enough to get Augi to walk past moving mechanical dinos, let alone dinos with bloody body parts hanging from their mouths. Sheesh, they could have warned us. Dumb Halloween decorations.

Mama and her girl

Augi claimed this dino as hers because it was purple.

Mama and her boy

The boys discussing their own theory of how the dinos disappeared...

Papa had his 65th bday! Happy Birthday Papa! Augi was not in the mood for posing.

Aaaaa. Grandma Meme has the sweetest smile.

Sleepover N Stuff

Eminem is growin' like a weed. A very chubby weed. I frequently find him in a different place and position than I leave him--but I never actually see him roll or move. Weird. Maybe it is because I rarely put him down. Hmpf. He is really good at wackin' with his right arm.
Augi made some Halloween decorations for her room. Isn't the witch cute?! She was very proud. She has a whole flock of spiders hanging from the ceiling.

Braden, from next door, came over today to play. They like to play together, even though he is 2 years older than Augi. We had two big boxes from our new dressers--so I let them have at them before throwing them out. They made a house. They really should have consulted with an architect on the roof. They took on totally stereotypical roles. Braden was busy taking one of their "bad kids" out to "kill it." while Augi "decorated" and made a garden. (OK, so maybe the killing part isn't stereotypical, but the going out to do the dirty work is what I meant...maybe I should refer him to a good psychologist.) Anyway, Augi used a big piece of duct tape and stuck some twigs and pine needles on the wall of their new pad. She also turned some of the styrofoam into chairs and a table. It was a blast and entertained them for over an hour.

Augi's wall decor.



So, Zion came over for a sleepover tonight so his parents could have a night out. First we made pizzas. Everyone got to make their own.

The finished product turned out great.

Who doesn't love pizza, especially when you make your own!

You can take the girl out of the pizza place, but you can't take the pizza place out of the girl.

Don't forget that I worked at a pizza place for 5 FREAKIN' YEARS. They are so sweet. I really loved my cousins as a kid, and I hope they are always close.

We didn't forget our pearly whites...
As they laid in bed, I could hear Augi interviewing Zion. "Do you like pancakes? What about ladybugs? How about spiders? Do you like eggs? What about pumpkins?" Zion just gave me a pleading "Help" look. Poor kid. They fell asleep after a few minutes, though. We'll see how the night goes. Last time they stayed asleep all night without a peep.

Oh Rats.

Ok, so I spotted a rat in our backyard TWICE this week. Ew. Ew. Ew. I really hate rats. I thought of getting a snake to eat the rat, but I am afraid it might also eat Nanny or the bunnies. Today I was talking about getting rid of the rat--poison vs. trap, etc. Augi suddenly chimned in to the conversation and said: "I know mom!!! Let's poke it with sticks!!!" Aaaaa. My gentle child.

Marine Life

Augi went on a little field trip today with Auntie Lester and Zion--to the Aquarium. I didn't go--and it was surprisingly hard to drop her off. I realized today how little we leave her unless we have to work, and even then it is with Sarah. But, she was very eager to go and she had a blast. Lester gave me this picture--it is so cute. Em and I did some grocery shopping while Augi played, then we went home for a quick nap. I needed it. I was sandwiched between the two kids last night, and they took turns waking me up approximately every 30 minutes. We were all tired and had the grouchies today. I am determined to be in bed by 10 tonight. Wish me luck. I always find some little project to obsess over--like making little hair clips for Augi. I rarely do anything productive!

Mama, don't beat me...

So, Augi likes to put her seat belt on faster than me in the car. This was a little game I started to prevent her from fartin' around for so long. But lately, as we are loading in the car, she says, "Mama, please don't beat me..." in a very sad, pleading voice. She means "don't put your seat belt on faster than me" but I have gotten some very odd looks from people parked near us in the parking lots. I am expecting a visit from a nice CPS agent soon.

Zoo and Oobleck

O.M.G. Today was a whirlwind of a day, but not stressful. First, we left before 9 to go to the zoo with Addie, Sully, and their mommy. It was a great time. Then, on the way home we picked up Zion, stopped at Target to buy cornstarch for Oobleck, then finally made it home. Augi played nonstop from 9-8 pm. She crashed during her story. Now, I often doze off while Chris is talking (hee hee), but she never does! I have so many fun pictures from the day, it was hard to just pick a few to share.

Here is Emmett hangin' at the zoo. It was colder than I expected, but we were well prepared anyway. Em was an angel, despite his sick tummy (which is getting better, btw)

The girls, running to catch a preview of some of the winter lights they do at the zoo. I will only go again this year if Augi promises to bundle up. Last year she froze her tooshy because she wouldn't wear socks.
It is nearly impossible to get both girls to look at the camera at once. Augi gets along really great with her BFF Addie.

The new carousel at the zoo was a big hit with Augi.

I really love this picture of Addie. I wish it was a little more clear.
If only we had this playground without the zoo. I think they think it is the best part. I was just realizing they took the swings out sometime in the last 20 years. I loved the swings when I was a kiddo.

I have a picture of Connie and me in these turtle shells when we were just graduating from high school. It feels really weird to think back on that time. I had no idea where my life was going, but I wouldn't change a thing.

Two chicks in an egg.

OK, so here are Zion and Augi working on their Oobleck. It ended up in the sandbox. Oh well. It's all about the process, right?

Later, after outside time, Augi was cutting paper with some scissors. I asked Zion if he wanted a pair too. He said, no his mommy says no. Augi told him, "Zion, your mommy isn't here, so it is ok. We won't tell her." WTF? Where did she learn that?

Em entertained himself during the Oobleck time. Check out the cool new hoodie. Note: he is not sitting on his own. He is sitting in his super duper Bumbo--special ordered from EBAY!

These last two shots are not related to our day. They are from earlier this week.

I love Augi's eyes in the pic above.

Emmett is such a sound sleeper.

First Bites

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I have sort of disappeared for a few days...too tired and busy to blog, or even read others' blogs. Emmett tried cereal a few days ago, and again today. It was really anticlimactic. He wasn't excited or disgusted. He just continued playing with his toys. Maybe he will get more excited when it is the good stuff, like mashed up avocados--Augi's favorite!

Just for Fun

We used this jumper way too late with Augi, so she never really got to enjoy it. Emmett seemed to like it. He was twisting all over and trying to catch Augi. Chris went out of town for a few days. I definitely appreciate him more now that I have experienced caring for the munchkins alone. We stayed busy and that helped. Shopping helped too! Today we were all really tired and we sat around being lazy.

Emmett looks so little in this high chair! He likes sitting at the table with us. I think he gets a new perspective. Babies require so many stinkin' accessories. Between his equipment and Augi's toys we can barely walk around the house. My toes are getting used to banging in to a variety of hard objects. Ouch.

I'm not sure if he is whispering to her that he loves her...or about to bite her cheek. Either way, he is enamored with his big sister. Down below is one of my great hair-do's.