Cowboys, Kitties and Bees..Oh My!

I am not going to lie - I really don't get into the Halloween spirit very much, but I enjoy picking out the costumes for the kids and taking pictures! I suppose I will enjoy it more once Cael and Aveyn understand the concept, have definite costume ideas and are excited about going trick-or-treating, but this year I merely tolerated the holiday. Unfortunately, Aveyn was sick so we decided that she should probably stay at home with me while Ryan took Cael out for a quick trip around the neighborhood. As usual, Cael was a hit in his costume and got a ton of candy, which he wanted to devour as soon as he got back to the house. Meanwhile, Aveyn had fun handing out candy with Mommy and everyone loved her kitty costume.

I had bought Cael a cowboy costume, but decided that the outfit that Barb made a few years ago was much cuter and made a better choice. I am hoping she will make the costumes for the kids every year because I think she does such a great job and they turn out so adorable. Happy Halloween everyone!! Hope you had a great time and got lots of candy!

{Cael} Kids Say The Darndest Things

Cael loves nuts of any kind and has started requesting cashews as a snack, however, instead of cashews he calls them Cash Tubes. HAHAHAHAHAHA - LOVE IT!

{Aveyn} Quick Update - Health

Aveyn was sick with a fever all last week so Ryan and I kept her out of daycare thinking she was fighting a cold. We took her to the doctor a few days later only to discover that she had double ear infections (owie), which the doctor rated an 8 out of 10 in terms of pain and severity. She also told us to bring her back in if her ears started bleeding (I am sorry, what...... BLOOD??) so they could re-evaluate and possibly prescribe medicated drops. I felt like the worst parent in the world, but she showed no signs other than the fever and being a little more cranky than normal. When Cael had ear infections, he wouldn't sleep unless held in an upright position. The doctor just said that at this age girls have a higher tolerance for pain (I'll say)!

Girl's weekend

Ryan and Chris went hunting so Kyli, Veronica and my mom came to Denver for a girl's (plus kids) weekend. Mom bought each of us a velour 'outfit' so we could all be twins (or triplets) and the idea was to sit around, talk, laugh and watch the kids play together. Although it wasn't always easy, it was still a good time! *thumbs up*!

Given we had the kids, I think we did a pretty good job of entertaining ourselves although we decided that a true girls weekend was a MUST (the boys can't be the only ones who have fun)! We did a little shopping, but mostly hung out at the house, drank, ate and acted as referees for the kids. I had fun and I think they did too!

In an attempt to burn some kid energy, Kyli and I decided to take the kids up to McDonalds (yes the Dreaded McDonalds). Mom stayed at the house for no other reason than my car was out of commission (at the dealership being worked on) and we didn't have the space in the Passat. She graciously offered to stay at home so we could get the kids out for a bit. Cael LOVES McDonalds and it was a great way for all three of them to burn off some energy. 

I am so grateful that they came out because otherwise my weekend would have been a long and lonely one. We're hoping to make it an annual tradition and it will only get better as the kids get older. I, for one, can't wait! Love you both and thanks for a great weekend!

Rescue Us

I think we have already established that when my mom, sister and I get together that anything can happen and their last visit was no exception. I took Friday off and ended up using that time to get my car fixed (brakes were going bad), run some errands (trips to TJ Maxx are a must) and have the carpets cleaned (what a nightmare with three kids in the house). While the guy was here for the carpets one of the fire alarms started beeping like they do when they need a new battery, but with everything that was going on we didn't have time to figure out where it was coming from. After dealing with the kids the beeping was starting to drive me crazy so my mom and I set out to change the battery in the fire alarm on the main level. When that didn't work we assumed we had the wrong one so we went upstairs to change that battery and when that didn't work we changed the battery in the basement. At this point I was ready to pull out my hair because the incessant beeping was driving me INSANE. I unplugged all of the fire alarms and that STILL didn't work so Kyli, after doing some research on the Internet, suggested we call the local fire department. I have to admit I was embarrassed, but I was also completely befuddled and was a little concerned that it was more than a bad battery. The fire department said they would send someone over shortly and soon there were two EMT's at the front door. They spent 15 minutes trying to figure it out until one of them asked if we had carbon monoxide detectors in the house. I apologized profusely and they were wonderful about the whole incident. Kyli and mom asked if we could take some pictures and they were kind enough to oblige. As we opened the door to let them leave we discovered three firemen and a fire truck in the front yard (this was turning into a party). Apparently, things were a bit slow at the station and they decided to respond to the call as well. We got lots of great pictures in the ambulance, fire truck and with the guys and the kids loved every minute of it. Sweet Aveyn was asleep in her crib and slept through the entire ruckus, including when they were testing the fire alarms all over the house.

Thank you to the Aurora Fire Department for putting up with us and letting us take so many pictures!! We had a great time and it is an evening we will remember forever!

Happy Gram - Cleaning Up

Have I mentioned how much I love the Happy Gram? It makes me......well.......happy :) Primrose keeps a folder for Cael that I am supposed to clean out every evening when I pick him up, however, suffice it to say it doesn't happen as often as it should. Regardless, I love seeing the little 'Happy Gram' paper sticking out amongst all of his other school work. They don't make him out to be a genius and they don't try to stroke my ego - they simply acknowledge when he has done something well - whether it be listening, cleaning or learning. It offers me a glimpse into what he is doing while I am at work and I appreciate it more than they will ever know.

'Cael did an awesome job picking up toys at two centers before circle time this morning. Super Job Cael'! ~Mrs Kelly & Mrs Stacee

Bass Pro Shops - who knew?

Over the weekend, Ryan needed to go to Bass Pro Shops to pick up a couple of things for his upcoming hunting trip and the kids and I went with him to make sure he didn't spent too much *wink* Normally we run errands and the kids have had enough after about 30 minutes, but at Bass Pro Shops they have created a kid friendly environment with the animals {Cael kept roaring at the bear and wanted to pet them}, fish and sheer size. It was easy to keep them occupied and Ryan was able to shop without worrying about whether or not the kids were driving me crazy. I had fun, the kids had fun and Ryan got what he needed....sounds like a perfect shopping experience to me.

I kind of want to start going to Bass Pro Shops every weekend to give us something to do and a reason to get out of the house, especially because the weather is going to start getting cold. Too bad the store is so far away from our house - although who knows, it might not stop us if the kids need a way to burn off some energy. 

Bye bye Bodie!

It was a tough decision, but Ryan and I elected to give Bodie back to the Rocky Mountain Lab Rescue. Not only was he dripping pee all over the house, but he was still very much a puppy and was TOO much for us to handle at this point in our lives. We both decided that although we would miss him, he deserved better. One of the volunteers offered to foster him since we are going to Mexico at the beginning of November. It was sad, but I think this is the best decision for everyone including Bodie. We will miss him, but he is in a better place and so are we!

You've Been Boo-ed!

A friend of mine recently told me about a Halloween tradition that her neighbor started several years ago while they were living in Omaha. Once she explained the concept I was hooked. We live in a great neighborhood, but everyone is busy and we don't get a lot of time to socialize so any opportunity that allows me to interact is a must.

I started off by scouring Target's $1 section for fun Halloween goodies, which included two buckets, magnetic note pads, picture frames, key chains and LOTS of candy. I assembled the buckets and added the poem and a picture of a ghost from BeenBoo'ed.com, donned black clothing and then Cael and I, by the light of the moon {and numerous porch lights}, headed towards the two houses I had selected. I was actually quite surprised when I saw a BOO sign already posted on the first house {and here I thought I was the first and only one to think of it}! However, I recovered quickly from the shock and moved onto the next house only to discover that they did not have a doorbell. I literally stood there forever thinking I could magically make one appear, but no such luck. I knocked as loudly as I could and then we ran around the corner of their house and waited breathlessly to see if we would be caught! I didn't hear anything and was worried that they were not going to see the bucket, but upon further inspection I could see that it had been taken inside{whew}. We crept to the next house only to discover that once again they too had already been Boo'ed {seriously people?} so we decided to head up the street to find our next 'victim'. All went smoothly and we escaped unscathed, however, Cael did not understand the concept and kept telling me that he was 'shy' and 'scared', that he wanted to 'go home' and then finally when we got back to the house he kept telling me that we had 'forgotten our pumpkins'!

Cael is still talking about how we couldn't find the doorbell and that we knocked and had to run. LOL, I think our first year of BOO-ing was a success!!! I can honestly say I have learned a lot and by next year I will be a pro -- and will hopefully be able to locate any and all doorbells!!

Halloween With Horses

Don and Alyssa invited us to attend Halloween With Horses with them this year and since we had never been we were thrilled. We got the kids dressed in their costumes and off we went. Cael was so excited about the horses and kept asking if Bapa was going to be there too. After we paid for our tickets we headed to the rides where the lines were short and the horses were plentiful. Cael rode a couple of times - once where I was allowed to walk the horse - and once being led by another rider. Alyssa asked if she could ride with Branoch and their initial response was no, but we were soon told that as long as we were all wearing helmets it would be fine. Aveyn was all smiles as she rode next to Cael, in front of me on the saddle with Daddy snapping pictures as quickly as he could. I am pretty sure the three of us would have been content to hang out with the horses the entire time, but there was so much to explore. We picked out a pumpkin for Cael to paint and then headed to the Trick or Treat barn where Cael and Aveyn accumulated WAAAY too much candy :)

Unfortunately, it was a bit of a chaotic morning and we left the house without a bottle, diapers, sippy cups, snacks - any of the items necessary for an outing such as this - which meant to we had to leave earlier than we would have liked. However, now we will know exactly what to pack for next year!!! Thank you Sylvester Family - we had a blast!!!

Happy Gram - Circle Time

At the new daycare, they hand out 'Happy Gram's' when the kids do something special or something worthy of being mentioned. I didn't know they did them until I got one for Cael and I was THRILLED..... what a great idea - not to mention it made me so proud! Every day when I pick him up he tells me how much he loves his new school and he seems to be excelling in the new environment. We love him so much and couldn't be happier about the transition!

'Cael's doing a great job listening and paying attention during circle time, he was the only one all week that could remember that the month was October.' - Mrs Kelly & Mrs Stacee

{Aveyn} Quick Update - B.A.N.A.N.A.S

Our daughter is bananas for bananas. She literally cannot get enough and we have to hide them in the pantry because if she sees them she will refuse to eat anything else. She is the complete opposite of Cael who ate everything at this age. She only eats bananas, yogurt, bread, cheese and the occasional Gerber's Graduate meal, but that is far and few between. Ryan and I are going crazy trying to find things that she will put into her mouth rather than throw a fit.

Car seat carnival

3Once again as the kids get older, we are faced with the prospect of having to switch car seats. We knew Aveyn was going to use Cael's old seat and that we needed to find one that would last until the law said he was old enough for a booster {4 years in the state of Colorado} - thankfully the one we ended up purchasing turns into a booster and {fingers crossed} we should be all set until he no longer needs a seat of any kind {fat chance}. Anyway, I digress.....Ryan unpacked the box and put the seat together in the living room and Aveyn LOVED playing in it! She crawled in and sat down, she walked over it, crawled over it, stood up in it and giggled the entire time!

She was having so much fun and it was pretty darn cute to watch. Although on one hand it is kind of aggravating to have all of these toys for her to play with and she chooses the car seat - money well spent I'd say! LOL!