happy halloween!

covered in fluff

Happy Halloween! In response to the economy (and lack of abilities) I have revised the boy's costumes this year. My intention- as many of you know- was to play up the "how to utilize the 'light/dark' look of the boys"- basically rooted in tv programs of my past. Last year the boys were Siegfried and Roy. This year they were supposed to be Bo and Luke Duke- but I couldn't get the General Lee to work, and really, they wouldn't have stayed seated in the wagon this year anyway. So, I recycled the fur from last year's wagon liner (plus some duct tape, the boys backpacks and the stuffing of a very lumpy pillow) into two lovely and lovable wolf spiders. Oh yeah, I also splurged on some winter hats (you'll be seeing them again, later in the season) and whiffle balls. Here they are, laying in wait for two inquisitive boys to wander by. Who knows, next year they may be the dudes from Miami Vice or Lewis and Clark or Starsky and Hutch. We'll see. Maybe next year I won't procrastinate the idea of the costume away....

now on stage...

Aidan made his way on stage for the first time this morning. He flew through a couple ditties with the grands and then was out on the floor dancing with the seniors of Canby (and Henry & I).

ponies and pumpkins- oh my!

We had a great trip to an AWESOME pumpkin patch today. Animals, grilled corn, tractor rides, giant pumpkins, apple squeeze, old time music, what? These people didn't miss a trick. The boys had a blast and got to ride ponies for the first time ever. Aidan melted down big time when he had to get off Dusty. Henry melted numerous times, but all in all- he was really good. Aidan also loved finding a sunflower, ripping it from the ground and carrying it all over creation. Both little men were amazed by the tractor pulling what looked like 30 consecutive 'cow' wagons. "Wow!" Fun- any takers for next year?

strolling in the park

We took a nice walk this morning. Here's proof!

crazy, fast, fall

We had a surprise visit from Uncle Scotty! We ran and played and ran and tripped and cried and loved up the dog and refused to say goodbye at the end.

friends of old

So Thursday I took the boys over to see Maureen. I haven't seen her for like ten to eleven years. Her twin girls are 12 now- and they were tiny babies when last I saw them. Her sis Kathleen was in town from NM and her folks dropped over for lunch, too. It was an awesome old home moment. A & H loved it. They ran and played and climbed stairs and tortured their dog Annie by hugging her. Dang carnies! I took the camera but didn't take any photos. Boo. Soooooo, I'm posting this photo of us from forever ago. You may not recognize me- I have one chin (well, we all do) and I'm wrapped up in Barry Frisbee. Maureen is super feathery and Kathleen is with her (now) nearly fifty year old husband. Good times.
We forgot the hammer from A's new tool kit- so we'll be going back soon.

visitors from the south!

We had a nice visit with Matt, Mel, Nola and Wren!! Spaghetti Factory fun and then off to the hotel to run and play. Nola shared her toys with the boys- what fun! Aidan left sweaty, sweaty, sweaty. Henry had fun peeking out from behind the curtains and Wren baptized both Michael and I with spit-up. Sweet girl. Pretty baby! Her lips make the perfect bow!

wackadoo kids

Things- as they say- are status quo. If things can ever be status quo with two toddlers in the house. Everything is a mess. Dishes are dirty, clothes get washed at midnight, to get out of the house I go to the store for milk, ride my bike to the park with the baby trailer. Henry's continuing with his 'happy streak'. He is still the straight man to Aidan's eccentricities.
Yesterday we went to the mini-mall for a scoop of payday celebration. Henry wanted to bring his Percy train. Check. Simple enough to track down- should he jettison it. Aidan wanted his tiny kiki (blanket) his hat (green/gray stripes with polka dots and swirls) and the right suede work glove from the toy basket. Of course, he's wearing plaid. (Jennifer will love this). He was pretty quiet- as was Hen, but when some kids showed up A kept waving at them with that giant gray hand. What a weirdo.

This afternoon, while I put Henry down, Aidan found an appreciation for Perry Mason.