Happy Halloween!

Its been a while since I have had both kiddos for myself all day long. No teaching, no grading papers, no babysitters, no school--just at home all day for halloween. We did lots of cooking, playing, decorating, and enjoyed making one big mess. What a blast!

We put a big bowl of candy on the front porch and took both kids on their first real trick-or-treating date. (It rained last year and it was 70 degrees the year before! )

Van loved ringing the doorbell and saying "hi," but was more interested in striking up a conversation than getting any candy. Instead he would ask: "okay if I come on in?" ... and proceed to walk past their candy bowl.

Van doesn't know a stranger.

The spirit caught me a little too much :) Happy Halloween!!

As if meatloaf isn't scary enough... we tried "mummy meatloaf"...despite the 'frightening' appearance it was actually delicious.



Oddly enough, adding "eyeballs" to food caught Van's interest. Perhaps this is the key to some culinary variety? :)

This might be our Christmas card. Love these sweet tarheels!

 

Van is Three--Bubble Party :)

To celebrate his third birthday party, we got Van a trampoline (which has been difficult to remove him from) and had some of his friends over for a bubble party/lunch. Since I expressed my sentiments so verbosely in the last post, I will let the pictures do the talking this time :)

 

 

I slept throught the entire party?

 

 

Oops!

 

 

Happy 3 years bud!!

Happy 3 Years, Van

A little mom in me just crumbled a little. This evening as I was putting Van to bed, I couldn't leave his bedroom. I wanted to hang on to every last second of his 3 year old birthday as if staying longer would keep him this age forever.  I kept reading books, saying prayers, and singing songs, despite his eye-rubbing, yawns, and heavy lids.  Eventually he said, "Mom--I wuv you...Van's too tired to sing...Van goes to sleep."

I love watching him grow up, but in only 3 years, I have witnessed the capacities in which he needs me as a mother alter and slightly dwindle. More love, patience, independence, and forgiveness...less hand-holding, carrying, helping, and snuggling. Today we experienced a Van-lead menu (cinnamon coffee cake breakfast, Snoopy's Hotdogs lunch, and bacon-egg-and-cheese biscuits for dinner) and he helped me bake pumpkin cookies for all of his friends at school. We spent a long time playing outside and enjoyed his new microphone! [Thanks Auntie Snags!] We are looking forward to his party on Sunday.

A note to Van on your 3rd birthday: You have made such wonderful bonds with everyone in our family--which seems to me a sign of a very loving, nurturing, and peaceful soul. I am so lucky to be your mom. I hope I can continue to open my heart each day and dive into loving you more and more.  Will you give me front row seats to your concerts? Please stop growing up so quickly and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Love, Mom

Happy 5th Birthday, Oliver!

 

Things have been quite fun around here! And by fun, I mean so busy we are both asleep in 5 seconds after our heads hit the pillow. I am trying so hard to keep blogging because I have so many stories/pictures/events/house projects I want us to remember down the road:)

 

We had so much fun celebrating cousin Oliver's 5th birthday this weekend.

He has, and continues to receive, the COOLEST toys ever. Thats a great thing for Van and Jean-Margaret because we get some awesome hand-me-downs.

 

Jean-Margaret is putting dibs on the cash register...its good to know she's a smart shopper.

 

 

We have an exciting week ahead... another big birthday and a couple of dinner visits from friends. Did I mention the Lackey handymen completed a gorgeous marble tiled patio out back? Pictures to come soon.

 

Also, Evans and I had the opportunity to learn about this charity over the weekend, and won a few neat items at the auction.

 

We are loving a fancy date night in the truck! :) It just feels right. Happy fall!

 

 

 

Someone's Life Will Never be the Same!

Sending Some Love

From our two snuggle bugs...

 

In less than three weeks, Van will turn 3 years old.

 

He is such a sweet, helpful, and loving big brother.

 

That same day...Jean-Margaret will be 8 months old!

 

She is very um... poised? ... for a 7 month old. I love every ounce of her fiesty little snuggles. I still think of her as a newborn and find myself surprised when she waves, smiles, and cries out "ma-ma!!"

 

She is still nursing, eating baby pureed meals (chicken noodle soup seems to be a hit!), and of course she loves the puffs (and I love watching her chubby little fingers learn how to pop them into her mouth!). It is not uncommon to find a little trail of half-eaten puffs from her walking cart, down the hall, into whichever room Van is playing in.  

 

She has developed a bond with her little lovie, who Van has named "Bitty." There are days when two hands do not feel like enough, but for the most part, those end up being some of the most fulfilling days. :) Love you two.