Totem Pole...

After having our children, my husband often comments on how he and "the boys" have fallen to the bottom of the totem pole.

Having kids keeps me busy...

Yes, I have NOT taken a photo of any of my boys for a long while.

Well boys, I am here to reassure all of you that you have NOT fallen to the bottom of any totem pole.

I still adore you all...
your over-sized paws,

the way you can no longer hear and love your sleep (even letting your little sisters play with you while you rest),

the way you paw me when you want me to take time to pet you,

and the way you boys stick together. 

In need of Sophie

We love Sophie.
She has been an invaluable teether/toy for my little babe.  She is perfect, not to mention, adorable!  Her natural rubber and soft squeak seem to soothe the little babe's gum's like no other.  Let me tell you, I have bought one too many teether toys searching for one that doesn't get thrown down after one gnaw.
Sophie is it.
Sophie is a giraffe...the babe loves giraffes.

Our dear Sophie has been misplaced.
I wasn't too worried because I knew after a day of ransacking the house  playing, she would turn up.
No Sophie.

The babe is now teething again and she is gnawing on everything.
This morning she reached out for the apple I was eating for breakfast.
I handed it to her thinking she would just hold it and then throw it down on the floor.
To my amazement, she sat and gnawed on the entire apple (down to the seeds) for 30 minutes.

Yes, 30 minutes!

It was the perfect substitute for our lost Sophie.

Too much candy

We have:
sorted candy
counted candy
found letters on the candy packaging
divided the candy into groups according to color
grouped the candy by size
Now she wants to eat it.


Not just one piece...

she wants it all!

Have you successfully dealt with the influx of candy after Halloween?

Does your kid want to eat it all?  I know I did when I was young but I just can't fathom my girl eating all of it!

One mom I talked to said that she just lets her kids eat whatever they want, whenever they want for about 2 days.  After that they are so sick of it, they don't want anymore.

Anther mom lets her daughter trade in candy for toys.

What do you do?

Halloween

It's Halloween!  It's Halloween!

The moon is full and bright

And we shall see what can't be seen

On any other night.

Skeletons and ghosts and ghouls,

grinning goblins fighting duels,

Werewolves rising from their tombs,

Witches on their magic brooms.

• 
  

In masks and gowns we haunt the street

And knock on door for trick or treat.

• 
  

Tonight we are 

• 
  

the king and queen,

For oh tonight,

It's Halloween!

• • 
    
  
  
  
  Note:  Different costumes were utilized by the big girl as our her costume preferences changed daily.
  Poem by, Jack Prelutsky

All Done!

Yesterday morning we took our little babe to the hospital for ear tubes and adenoid removal.  It was the "perfect" time for her.  The night before she ran a high fever due to another ear infection (despite being on antibiotics for an ear infection).  The fever was heaven-sent.  I was so worried about having my baby operated on, given anesthesia for the first time, the IV, breathing tube, etc.  But after being up with her all night, I realized that this was the only way she would get better.

Even though I was a complete wreck at the hospital, our babe did great and we were on our way back home before noon.

I told my husband as we were waiting, this is such a big event in our lives (just like having a baby).  I was appreciative to all the doctors and nurses who recognized that, even though this type of procedure is their everyday job.

We are looking forward to a healthy year ahead. (fingers crossed)

This little light of mine...

via

Recently, we (the children) are having major troubles sitting at the table for mealtimes.  This is a peeve of mine.  I like my children to sit at the table while we eat.  You may get up when the meal is done or when you are excused.

We have begun using a little candle to signal the beginning and end of mealtimes, especially dinner.  My girl helps light the candle at the beginning of the meal and when the candle is lit, she must stay in her chair at the table.  At the end of the meal, she may blow the candle out and leave the table.

It has worked wonders and saved many a reprimand.  I am always amazed at how a visual cue can really help.

Plus, the candle holder has become a collecting place for all the innocent blooms picked by excited hands on our evening walks.

Tube time...

In this case it is our babe. 

After a rough year of many illnesses, ear infections and sleepless nights (who can forget those), our babe will have tubes placed in her ears to help alleviate infections.  The poor kid had a hearing test and doesn't hear well at all because of all the fluid trapped in her little ears.  

We are ever-hopeful that this procedure will help her.

Thankfully, she is highly fascinated with doctors and their stethoscopes right now, so hopefully things won't be too traumatic for any of us.