Happy Halloween

We spruced up our Halloween costumes a bit for the big night. We added some stars to the cowboy hat along with black chaps I cut from some fabric. We also added a duct tape papoose filled with one of her baby dolls to Ellery's back. They really enjoyed dressing up this year, or maybe I just enjoyed it more. Rob was sexy as can be in his mullet wig, while I rocked a pink one minus the mullet part. Surprisingly I didn't get a picture of us, maybe before we pack them away we can snap one to share.
We carved pumpkins late afternoon and let Mason place stickers all over his when he was finished poking holes with one of the carving tools in ours. Ellery wasn't too interested in helping, but she loves to point them out where ever we see them.

We hit the streets with a few of our neighbors. They all made out like bandits while my kids only lasted for 6 houses and then jumped in the wagon and basically went for a walk. Mason kept informing us it was past his bedtime, since it was dark out, while I think Ellery enjoyed the warmth of the blanket in the wagon. I am sure in the years to come we think about these good ol days. We also tried giving them a Kit-kat and both took a bite and pushed it away and requested a sucker. All in due time they will discover what candy really is, but for now the only candy they like is a sucker.

MallOWeen

Oh me oh my. Anyone ever questioning on killing time and hitting the mall trick or treating is in for a treat yourself. It was an experience I wish to never have again, but if I wouldn't have had it I would always be curious of it. No free candy is worth the lines and mass chaos. It was however fun looking at all the costumes and my children didn't seem phased by it at all.

Pre-School Halloween Party

I volunteered to help out at Mason's preschool Halloween Party. I have to say his teacher, Mrs. Ziemba, had everything under control and didn't really need much help. I was shocked out how well the kids played and did their stations with no outbursts, noise, or fighting. They each have a button with their picture on it and only two kids to a station. When you pick your station, you put your button on the velcro button holder to hold your spot at the station, so if anyone starts to scuffle over a station, it is easily solved by who claimed the space first by placing their button on it. I wish that concept would work at home. I have to admit I had an ulterior motive other than being an active parent in my child's life, I had to meet Brielle. I was having a conversation with Mason in the car the other day and he kept telling me about his friend Brielle and how great she was. Going on and on how he "really really really likes playing with Brielle". I then ask him if she is pretty and he comes back with a yes, this is where I should have stopped because I wasn't prepared for the answer. I ask him if she was prettier than mommy and he said......yes. I could have substituted smart, funnier, nicer, etc and all the answers would end up a yes. Brielle is pictured above in the black cat costume with pink fur.
Also, meet Mason's new friend Jack the storm trooper. Jack's dad stays at home and I had my first request for a play date from a dad. We met at Burger King the other day and let the kids play in the rat cages and they loved every minute of it. I was nervous on what I would talk about with Jack's dad and had no reason to be. We had the same ahhh's and woe's on being stay at home parents.

Dentist Check-Up

I took Mason and Ellery in for their dental check up and we have no cavities to report. Neither one of them cried and I was proud of Mason because he is my sensitive child, but he was a champ. I was concerned about Ellery because she has a germinated tooth in the front and we don't have to seal it. The dentist reported is was mild and everything in her future teeth should be just fine. They pulled out floss and flossed Mason's teeth and I thought for sure he would freak out and show that it was something new to him. Instead of him ratting me out, I ratted myself out, but then learned I ratted for no reason. His teeth are spaced far enough apart I don't need to be flossing them. We also don't need to get him x-rayed because Dr. Bryan can see between them so no need for them to find cavities we don't have anyway.

Ellery 20 Months

Ellery is growing up so fast. She is talking more and more and gets quite excited when she wants something and also when she wants something she can't have. She uses her yes and no appropriately 80% of the time. She is starting to show some interest in dolls and stuffed animals. I think a mini stroller for her dolls is what Santa is going to bring her this year. She also loves doing puzzles and reading books. It isn't surprising to find her sitting on the couch or in a chair reading books. I feel bad because I have to tell her no to reading books at certain times in the day. She also loves coloring. She gets really intent and serious on her coloring. She concentrates and tries to draw who knows what and attempts to stay within lines. She has also started taking her hand and waving it in front of you like follow me or look here to show you something. I need to capture that on video because it is pretty cute. I used to be able to pretend to look, but now I have to actually turn my head and acknowledge what she is trying to show me. She loves singing songs and shows a preference to ones with motions (example: she likes the Ants go Marching, but prefers Wheels on the Bus more). She is starting to learn the concept of sharing and we have good sharing days, but I think we might have more bad sharing days. Goals to work on. She eats so much better than Mason did at this age, but she also loves to throw her food when she is done. Rather than set it aside or push it away, she tosses it onto the floor. Rather than admit defeat on this, my theory is she is feeding the dog.

Fire Pit at Vala's Pumpkin Patch

Our fun pumpkin patch has fire pits you can rent out of for the evening and have a cook out. We roasted hot dogs and smores. It was Mason and Ellery's first smore. The only remains of the smore is what was smeared on their face. Mason had to wait 3 years for one and wasn't going to waste any. Funny how the second born doesn't wait as long for things. Before we hit the cook out we toured the grounds. We met up with our friend Jill and her boys and having older siblings/friends around is a treat. Mason would run around with them and tried things he normally wouldn't do. Jill's boys, Conner (8) and Carson (5), talked Mason into going into a small haunted house. He came out crying of course, but said he liked looking at the pumpkins in time out aka jail! He also went into a tree house that had a large slide with them. Parents couldn't fit in. Mason went in with them but only her boys came out, so we had to send them back through to help him up a ladder and then he came out as well and did it again. He also enjoyed jumping on the large pumpkins with Carson and started doing flips with him off the edge. Carson is taking gymnastics and I think I might enroll Mason. It was a great night filled with fun for all!

That Left a Mark

I was cooking in the kitchen and the kids were playing together with the match box cars. All was going well until Mason started crying and ........

Would you believe this....

Or this was responsible.......

For Leaving this Mark above Mason's right eye by throwing a match box car????? Ouch!

Fall Fun in the Leaves

We were on a walk the other day and came across a jack pot of leaves across the sidewalk. I let the kids get out and we played for almost 30 min in the leaves. I am not sure they were done playing, but we had to leave and get dinner going. We threw them up, down, and all around and even threw some all the way to California where daddy is for a conference. Mason even tried to pile them up so he could step on top of them to help him climb the tree. A big high five for a plan of action even if it didn't work.

Halloween Sneak Peek

We had a Halloween dry run yesterday. We went to a Halloween Party at our gym for the kids. What an experience. We debated on our kids costumes for the longest time, but once I ran into Ellery's "Indian Girl" costume I fell in love. I can literally say I have little cowboys and indians running through our house. We kept asking what Mason wanted to be for Halloween and he would say "Pumpkin". I nixed that idea and then he wanted to be Spiderman. I also nixed that idea due to the fact that every other 3-5 year old would be Spiderman. I didn't nix it until I went to the store and attempted to buy one and found out they were sold out or picked over. I then got creative and put the movie Toy Story on and really talked about Woody the cowboy. Look at his boots, hat, etc. and to also "reach for the stars". He was sold after that and we now have a cowboy and an indian. Yes, I realize I gave my kids toy guns and a tomahawk.

Mini Van

Uncle Tom had to go out of town on business and flew out of the Omaha airport and brought down one of his company mini vans. He conveniently left it at our house and suggested we test drive it for the week. We took him up on his offer and I am surprised to say it wasn't as bad as I had made it out to be. Don't get me wrong you definitely don't feel sexy and feel like anyone is doing a double take on you driving down the road, but something has to be mentioned about its convenience. The kids loved getting in and out and opening and closing the door by a push of a button was nice. Mason really loved pushing the button to close the door and I had one of those slow motion moments when Ellery pushed the button while I was on the other side and she was happily smiling at me and leaning on the van while I watched the door coming at her. As I sprinted around the car to get her I missed her get away move and she was smiling as big as can be and tickled she got to push a button. I'd still prefer an SUV, but my mind isn't so closed to a mini van.

Privacy Please

Mason is a big boy and doesn't always tell us when he has to go to the bathroom, he just goes by himself. He usually goes on the regular toilet, but since Ellery has expressed an interest in the potty training toilets he has now found a rekindled interest in it as well. I was walking by the bathroom today when a little voice inside informs me he isn't done yet and "he needs some privacy." Being the super mom that I am I decided I needed to grab the camera and capture the moment.
PS Everyone is fever free and feeling much better.

H1N1???

I think we might have H1N1 in our house. Ellery has been sick since last Friday. Mason spiked a fever yesterday and tells me he doesn't feel well. When I ask him what specifically doesn't feel well he tells me his finger. On a side note, he cut his fingers with scissors in school last week. He cut it pretty deep and Mrs. Ziemba said he didn't cry just kept saying "oohh" and was thrilled to get a Nemo band aid for it. It has required band aids in very opportune moments, right before bed, nap time, etc... So he can't pin point what doesn't feel good he just knows something isn't right. The good news is that they want to feel good and attempt to play and they they like to snuggle more. I can actually keep up with them today instead of them running circles around me.

Happy 80th Birthday Grandma Ellen

We had planned a weekend get away in Kansas City with the family to celebrate Ellen's 80th birthday. On the morning we were scheduled to leave Ellery woke up with a 102.5 deg fever. We decided to send Rob and Mason on without the girls to celebrate. They had a good time in KC with all the family and had a wonderful time celebrating Ellen's birthday. Mason did come home with the croup, so I don't know which end of parenting was more desirable. Being stuck in KC with a sick coughing kid or back in Omaha with a snuggling kid.
Ellery and I did miss some exciting family news. TJ and Melissa are expecting and due April 23rd. They surprised the family and gave Tom this wonderful sweatshirt. We are very happy for them and really excited for Tom and Laurie. Congrats TJ and Melissa.

Dancing Fools

Ellery isn't quite the dancer her brother was or is, but it seems Mason was more into it this round for sure. He is feeling the music and getting down in the back ground. I am going to give all the credit to Rob, I think the kids get their moves from him.

Ambulance

Rob took the position of Medical Director of Transport and Children's Hospital here in Omaha and has been working hard at getting it launched. We are very proud of him for all of his accomplishments and wish him luck on all future endeavors and challenges the job brings him. He is very passionate about pediatric transport and I think it links him back to his EMS days. We were able to see the new ambulance at a health fair this past weekend. It is the first of its kind for this area being used specifically for pediatrics. Very nice and fancy. They did have a scary looking manikin in the back that Ellery wouldn't go near and Mason wasn't that found of either.
I also recorded Rob's tv debut onto the camera to share. He is becoming quite the celebrity appearing on local networks through work and cable channels through traffic stops. People just might start to recognize him.

The Shoes

I have had a few requests to see the fabulous shoes. My neighbor stopped by the other day unannounced and caught me ironing in them. I still love them.

Mini Me

Mason is loving school. He goes 3 times a week for 2.5 hours. He isn't upset that they don't get to play the whole time and is making some new friends. He is really learning a lot and it has helped to reinforce the things he already knows. He is also very proud of his back pack and I think daddy is a bit proud too because it looks just like his. Rob ends up taking a back pack to work rather than a briefcase and when the two get ready and walk out the door it is a cute little sight.

Happy 97th Birthday Grandma Gray

My Great Grandma Gray turned 97 and we threw her a party. We didn't expect to wake up to 5 inches of snow on the ground in mid October, but thank goodness is didn't put a damper on the party. Everyone had a great time and she is still doing great for 97. I'd say she is more graceful in her movements and others might say she is slow, but needless to say her mind in intact and I think she is doing wonderful for 97. We had 5 generations represented at the party with Ellery being the youngest female and Grandma Gray being the oldest female. I think that is impressive, maybe I should have wrote into the paper. I'll add it to my list of to dos, I might be onto something. All the kids were excited for the cake and especially Mason. I think I have the same picture of him sitting at the table right next to Grandma when the cake came out and this year he is perched close beside her while she is sitting on the couch. I think I see a pattern. I think I passed on some cake genes to this child, he seems to enjoy cake as much as I do. At the end of the night Mason came running into the kitchen and took a hold of Grandmas hand and started leading her towards the door. Everyone was loading into the cars and he didn't want her to get left. He told her she had to go now and was very concerned for her. It has been a blessing moving to Omaha and getting to know Grandma Gray.



http://chaplinclan.blogspot.com/2008/10/happy-96th-birthday-great-grandma-gray.html

Lowe's Build and Grow Ball Toss

Nana and Papa George happened to be visiting when the next Lowe's Build and Grow clinic was happening. Nana was brave enough to work the hammer with Mason this time, Rob worked with Ellery. I felt useless just standing around, I felt like the paparazzi taking pictures of them. Papa Jim got the short end of the stick when he did the clinic fire truck he made with Mason. It had multiple smaller parts, over 10 nails to hammer in, and short and long nails along with longer directions to follow. Nana had only 3 pieces to work with that took 6 nails and she didn't have long and short nails and you didn't even have to read the directions to put it together. Bottom line the kids love it, and I need to get busy and sew the patches on the aprons.

Nana and Papaw George Visit

Nana and Papa George came up for the weekend. I think they had a fabulous time, but were ready to go. Something about watching kids move non stop for a few days seems to wear them out, I don't know why, I am never tired. I wish!
A big thank you to Papa George for bringing his tools and helping us change the outlets from white to black. They look fabulous and I think we all were secretly proud to be honorary electricians for the afternoon.
Nana brought all sorts of trinkets for the kids and they love every bit of it. She brought glow in the dark sticks that are going to be very useful for Halloween night if we have any left by then. She also brought KU outfits for the kids and has inspired me to take a family photo in KU fan attire. We are very thankful for all that they brought and did for us.
I am not so sure we are thankful for everything they did. Nana treats Mason like the big boy he is, but he just doesn't know he is that big of a boy because his mom doesn't let him in on the secret. We try to live by the rule, let's not start something we aren't ready to do every time. We know Mason is very coordinated but he never knew he was coordinated enough to use a real camera, but Nana let him in on that secret. He was pretty adorable taking pictures and surprisingly took really good ones, but now every time the camera comes out he wants to take a picture. I know they have to grow up eventually but between how fast they grow on their own and with Nana making me realize they are capable of doing things I don't think they are, really puts it all into perspective. Needless to say the kids had a great time bonding with them and we really enjoyed their company.

Vala's Pumpkin Patch

We went to the pumpkin patch yesterday. Vala's was amazing last year and yet they still added more fun items to do. It is so big you need a whole day to do everything so we had to pick and choose what we did for our afternoon visit. It was a beautiful day and rumor has it will be the last for awhile because we are calling for snow this weekend. The kids had a great time and I think Ellery really enjoyed herself and was a shadow to every where Mason went. We had mix feelings over the pig races this year. Ellery enjoyed them and so did Mason, but he kept covering his ears while they told the jokes, but would raise his hand to be picked to be a pig watcher. I am not sure what was going on with him during the pig raises, but he came home and I caught him saying sewwweeeee to his stuffed animals and that is what they have you say to call the pigs to start the race. They had a fabulous time crawling and playing on the pumpkins. I found myself having to say something I never dreamed I would ever have to say. I looked away for a few seconds and turn back to find Ellery licking the pumpkins and saying, "Ellery, we don't lick pumpkins, please stop licking them."
http://chaplinclan.blogspot.com/2008/10/pumpkin-patch.html

Ellery 19 Months

I forgot to give an update on Ellery on the 26th so I will give a short and sweet version today. I can't believe how independent and grown up she is now. We let her do things we never dreamed of letting Mason do. I find myself asking Mason questions like "Where is your sister." They play so good together that it gets quiet and I can see him and not her. Usually when it gets quiet they are doing something they shoudln't be, but here lately it can get quiet and no mischief is going on. We also have stopped strapping her in when sitting at he table. If we do the buckles around her waist she manuvers herself out of them, it is very impressive. If we buckled Mason into the chair now, I don't think he would figure out how to get out. It is also hard to believe that we brought Ellery home when Mason was this age. I am not convinced Ellery would be as warm and welcoming to a new baby like Mason was. I think Ellery might be ready to potty train, but I am not sure I am ready to potty train her. She went and sat on the potty chair with her diaper still on the other day and went #2. We were impressed, so I think I am going to have to take a day here soon and put her in big girl undies, wish us luck! She still loves reading books and singing songs. She Loves the alphabet songs and will sing with you. Her animal noises are coming along, and she can name most of her body parts. We are working on colors and shapes, but they still prove to be a challenge for her at this point. She does love to color and draw. The other day she found one of her bows on the floor and it was bedtime, but she still insisted I put it in her hair to wear during story time. She makes me smile everyday and will do the cutest things.

Happy Anniversary 8 Years

Rob and I have been married for 8 years today! What a blessed 8 years it has been. We haven't been as tedious on celebrating the traditional gift the last few years, but are trying to get back to it. Bronze is the traditional gift for 8. We feel our trip to Aruba was an anniversary trip in the sense that we bronzed ourselves while we were there. We also decided to make a bronze plaque that will hang on our wall or the outside of our house for a really long time because bronze is very durable. It will be a plaque that the kids will look at in 75 years and wonder what they should do with it and then tell their stories about where it was hanging and referring to it as a member of the family because they can't remember life without it. I can honestly say we have had some ups and downs in the 8 years, but I still wouldn't change my answer of yes. The answer will always be, YES YES YES! I don't think I could have made it through everything without my wonderful husband by my side. I am so grateful for everything he does for me and our family.

2009 Children's Hospital & Medical Center Gala

We went to the Children's Hospital and Medical Center Gala last night and had a wonderful time. It was a date night on steroids for us. We got all dressed up and I wore a pair of fabulous red shoes that I am in love with. I never understood the love for shoes and shoes have never spoken to me, but these were screaming my name. The quest started when I tried on a $300 pair of red pumps that were so comfortable because they had Nike Air inserts. I didn't buy the $300 pair, but it did inspire my quest for a red pair of shoes that I could afford. Needless to say they looked fabulous with my dress and with the jeans I have on earlier today.
The Gala's theme was "Fun in the Sun." They were creative and booked a band that sang Beatles music hence why we have on the glasses. We are giving the glasses to our kids today so they are on a ticking time bomb schedule before they are broken and find the trash. It was nice to put faces with names on Rob's peers and meet other fun people. We also had a good time bidding on the silent auction items and we may or may not be new members of a country club from the ordeal. Have to iron out some logistics that the club didn't place in the packet of information but slipped them in the packet after you won. Hmmmmm. All in all it was a fabulous night and a great time. A good atmosphere, food, music, and wonderful company to dance with.

FBI Citizen Academy

I wish I could say that I nominated Rob for his FBI Citizen Academy. He was like an eager school boy leaving the house for his class tonight and whoever nominated him has won his heart. I couldn't have enrolled Rob in a better class than this. It is as if Rob is able to fulfill a dream with this class. In his past while he was in college he went and got an FBI application, but never filled it out. The FBI Citizen Academy is pretty fancy, they have detailed agendas ranging from national security, CSI crime scene for real life, much much more I won't mention now, and they actually hit a firing range to shoot guns men only dream of with real FBI agents and SWAT teams. Rob is floating in the clouds!