Jack-O-Lantern Fun (or not)

We had so much fun taking a fall walk today, besides Trevor's constant screaming and not listening. I love the picture of Caleb. So classic of him. His pull-behind toy holding a leaf. So indicative of fall. It really captures who he is. I think this is my favorite picture of him so far. We also raked leaves and played who can fill the bucket the fastest.










We also made jack-o-lanterns. That was fun too, besides Trevor's constant screaming, demanding, and not listening. We cut them, painted them and ate the seeds. McKenna liked it too, believe it or not.





Trevor actually took the picture of me and Caleb. I promised him I would put it on the blog. This was during the 3 seconds that he wasn't screaming, yelling, demanding, pushing, shoving, whining, bickering, back-talking, etc. Can you tell Trevor was really having a "special" day. He was quite the treat. Again, I wouldn't trade him for the world, but I would certainly have traded him for the day.

This is Caleb chillin' and doing puzzles while Trevor was at school.









This picture was taken at our popcorn and Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin party. The boys had a lot of fun and love Snoopy











I love these pictures of Caleb. We took these tonight on our walk. It was a little chilly, but they had a good time. Caleb has to take a truck or a pull-behind toy every single time we go for a walk. The close up picture is priceless. The kids were very good today.

Urology Smurology

I let Trevor help me fill out my absentee ballot today while waiting 2 hours at my urologist appointment. I know we are all sick of seeing the political commercials and seeing the candidates on TV, but I felt the need to put this up. While waiting for my doctor, Trevor informed the whole waiting room (by yelling at the top of his lungs) which candidate I was voting for. At least it kept him busy. Not so much fun waiting so long with a not-so-patient Trevor. I actually let him vote for the county coroner. Not even sure who he picked, but I am sure he will do fine job. Hopefully we will never know. I am not sure which is more embarrassing, though...the fact that at least 20 people I don't know in Cincinnati know who I am voting for, or the fact that my urologist is now seeing me more frequently than my husband.

Being naked with paper plates

I decided my world would be a whole lot simpler if we could all just stay naked and eat off paper plates. No, I am not a nudist, just anti-laundry. And, nothing against China, I just prefer Chinette. At least when you are done, there is no mess. Anyone with me????

Shaw Farm

We went to Shaw Farm today. This time Caleb, McKenna, Trevor, Mimi and I went. It was freezing cold. Unfortunately, Caleb and McKenna will not get to experience the, oh so glorious, hayride. Darn. I think the wind would have blown us off anyway. It would probably have chapped McKenna's face right off her body. Poor little thing. She is still sick. I hope she starts to feel better soon. I really hope that Trevor holds off feeling sick until after his Halloween party at school. He is really looking forward to wearing his costume and parading around the big school. The kids (with the exception of Caleb) were supposed to get flu shots tomorrow, but I think we are going to have to hold out a few days until the baby feels better. Caleb can't have one anyway because of his egg allergy. I am hoping all the adults that deal with him will get one. His little immune system isn't the greatest. So, if he were to get the flu, it would probably be a bad, bad thing. That is all for now. Hope everyone had a great weekend. At least the weather is warmer. I am sure Aaron will be working late tonight. We are supposed to get 40 mile an hour winds. Oh well. Maybe we will get lucky and it will blow the sickness right out of the air...or better yet, some money right in my wallet. That sounds good.

We went to the Natural History Museum today. Mimi went with us. It was a lot of fun. I hadn't been there since I was pregnant with Trevor. We usually go to the Children's Museum. We figured with it being a Saturday morning, it would be a little less crowded upstairs. We were right. We basically had the whole place to ourselves. The kids loved it. The boys really liked the cave and the sand area. I think we will alternate between the two museums now. McKenna is still sick. She spent the morning in the stroller. She has spent the entire rest of the afternoon in her crib. She has taken almost a four hour nap. I know she needs it. Of course, Trevor decided not to nap today. We are going to visit with Aaron's family this evening. Should be an interesting restaurant visit. Between Trevor not napping, and Aaron being at work, I should get my weeks worth of workouts chasing the kids around.

still sick

Well, McKenna is still pretty sick. She has been laying around and whining pretty much all day. Her poor nose is so raw and she is still coughing quite a bit. Caleb is not 100%. But, he is much better than yesterday. Of course, Trevor is starting with a cough. I just love cold and flu season. My kids never miss the start of it by a day.
We took it easy today. The boys played Operation. Candyland, and sorting games. It was a little overwhelming with the whining and crying, but we are in the homestretch. It is 6:30 and time to start heading upstairs for bath and bedtime. Hopefully tomorrow they are all well enough that we can get out of the house. Aaron's great, great, uncle Al is in town and we are going to skip church and go out to eat with them. Hopefully. As I said, we do all things in three's here, and Trevor has yet to have anything. Chances are, he will start his being sick tomorrow. Oh well, there are worse things. I would just like to get out and do something tomorrow, that doesn't include a doctor's visit, grocery shopping, a bathroom or pharmacy run. Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Sick and tired of being sick and tired

This is Caleb's first hot chocolate of the year. He really enjoyed himself. Trevor, not so much. He pretended for a few minutes and then silently put the cup in the sink. Caleb also had a picky breakfast morning. I decided, unlike usual, I would be a short order cook. Usually I make one thing and that is it. But, since Caleb wasn't feeling well, I would divuldge him and make him what he wanted. This included cereal, a caramel apple, fruit and ramen noodles. Yum...Not.




I would have to say that even though this picture is blurry, she is, by far, the cutest Obama endorsement I have ever seen.

And, this is Trevor playing a new game. He absolutely loved it. So did I until the "butterflies" ended up in my garbage disposal. Good times...

McKenna and Caleb are still under the weather and I am hoping for at least one night when I can sleep in 2-3 hour or longer increments. That would be nice. It seems like my kids always have one thing or another. I know I am luckier than most. At least we only have colds, ear aches and such. Nothing serious and I pray for those who have things much, much worse. Nonetheless, they are sick and cranky. It is what it is, though. I'm sure they will sleep and I will have to pee all night anyway.

Pepere for president (and Oma too)

Trevor informed me this week that he was voting for Obama and Biden. After further negotiations, we decided that we would elect Pepere for President. If I hadn't already mailed in my absentee ballot, I would have surely written him in. They, as usual, helped me today. Not only did they take the kids this afternoon so I could rest, they took McKenna and Caleb to the doctor to find out nothing is wrong with them. I am so lucky to have them to help. I did rest a little (swept, put away dishes, started laundry, wiped counters, etc.) but rested more than usual. So,if anyone is undecided for the 4th, I vote Pepere and Oma for president of the United States. At least this way we wouldn't be voting for the lesser of two evils. We would be voting for the best of the best.

The pumpkin patch

Well, yesterday was a great day. Trevor got to go to the pumpkin patch with daddy and his preschool class. Of course, Aaron was the only dad there. But he had a great time. He got to dig for pumpkins, take a hayride and play with his friends. I got to go have a bladder distention. Yippeee. However, the doctors were finally able to give me a reason for all of my pelvic pain. I am so thankful. I am thankful for God, and thankful for my doctors and I am thankful for my family for putting up with me. Although the procedure was extremely painful, I am feeling better today. With the exception of feeling like I am peeing shards of glass. that should get better as I recuperate. I am just so glad we know whay I've been hurting. So, no more ER visits, no more specialists, no more freakin' copays. I just have to be under the care of a urologist. It is called Intersitial Cystitis. Basically, the lining of my bladder is kind of deteriorating. As I learn more, I'll post. Right now I am just so happy that I am not crazy and that the pain was not all in my head. I was beginning to feel like I was nuts. Oma and Pepere watched the kids in the AM and Mimi helped make dinner and helped in the afternoon. I am so grateful for the help we have. Hope everyone is well. I'll post more tomorrow. Going for a rest now. The house is quiet and the kids are gone.

This picture is of the kids with their night sticks. Mimi brought glow sticks for the kids. She was smart and brought three. God forbid there were only two. McKenna just had to have one too.

Caramel apples

Doing puzzles in the AM



McKenna's georgeous face





McKenna reading her book sitting on the
colander while the boys play with tinkertoys




unwrapping carmel candy

McKenna chillin...this is how she will break a bone someday





Eating our caramel apples






OK. So we played, read, made caramel apples. We also tried to dye our hair. Well, I did anyway. I got the hair dye in, folded about 3 loads of laundry while waiting for it to set in. Got most of the laundry put away and got into the shower to rinse it out. As soon as the water hit my head, the boys decided it would be a great time to scream and run around hitting one another and waking McKenna up. I had to get out of the showe sopping wet and put them to bed. Not to mention the hair dye that was running down my face and body all the while. I have not been that angry with the kids in a long time. The only 5 minutes of "me" time that I got today was interrupted by screaming, nagging, overactive, jumping, crazy children. My proceedure at the hospital tomorrow will be a vacation for me. I am not griping or complaining. I am very fortunate and love my kids, but I am so disappointed that I can't even take a 10 minute shower without all hell breaking loose. I will be glad when the house is quiet tonight. It is almost 9:00 and I don't think it will be soon. The boys were punished and put to bed in the midst of crazy wet head mommy moment. They are getting a little quieter, but it doesn't sound like they will be asleep anytime soon. Trevor gets to go to the pumpkin patch with dad and preschool tomorrow.

PS. Sorry about the photo alignment. I am still trying to figure the photo thing out. Anyway, had a great time doing caramel apples and the kids loved them. I think we will do them again soon. They are really getting into the holiday spirit this year. It is a lot of fun doing these things as a family. The kids are really at a great age to start enjoying all the holiday season has to offer.

I hope everyone has a nice week. I will update you all after my procedure tomorrow. Love you all