Halloween 2010

The Halloween festivities began with the annual neighborhood parade and party. It was the boys first chance to wear their costumes (and they're really into dressing up)! The boys favorite part was the inflatable slide-no surprise and my favorite part was watching Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown outside under the stars. I bet it's been 20 years since I've seen that movie! That makes me feel old! Esp. since the boys had no idea who Snoopy was!






Halloween weekend:
Since Halloween fell on a Saturday this year we decided to seize the opportunity and do something we talked about for years. . . host a big Halloween party! The preparations began week before including bringing in hay bails and getting plenty of lights and decorations. I didn't cook (brilliant idea on my part!) we just had appetizers and treats and lots and lots of drinks. Blake makes a mean 'party punch' and I perfected my jello-shot receipe (after several failed attempts! The good thing about messing up jello-shots is that you can happily consume the mistake). I think it's pretty safe to say that between the drinks, spook-alley and friends, a good time was had by all!







Now I need to back up a couple of days and post some pics of the boys Halloween party at their preschool. I volunteered in their class that day and it was so fun to see the kids in their adorable costumes! It was also neat to see the boys in their class. I was very surprised to see that they NEVER sat next to one another! I was afraid that they would be too dependent on one another and that a splitting them for kindergarten would be traumatic. Their teacher said that there are days when they're joined at the hip and days they are on opposite sides of the room. Go figure!


Then the big day finally arrived! The boys were super excited about trick-or-treating (and to be honest, I was feeling a little Halloweened-out at this point)! They ran back from the houses telling us every single piece of candy they got. It was really cute! We let the boys go hog-wild with the candy for the fist 2 days and then I put it up and they didn't ask for it for days. Then it was rationed out.

Hillridge Farm

A day at the Hillridge Farm is something we look forward to every fall. And I should mention that while it's called a 'farm' it's really more of an amusement park. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. Overall, a GREAT day!!

New Ride

So I've had this idea for some time now that before the boys started school, we'd need a bigger car. A not-huge-just-big-enough that we can *comfortably* fit some passengers in the back. Of course if you know me, once I get an idea in my head. . .
Rojo Mama was starting to have a few problems so Blake agreed that it was time. He let me pick and after looking at every small suv I chose the Ford Flex! It's so cool, lots of neat features and a really smooth ride! It's a 2010, but used. It took me a couple days to delete all the gangster-rap from the stereo, but now I think I have a handle on the audio features and we are obscenity free!

Charleston, SC

Since Blake was gone for such a long time earlier this month, he invited us along on a business trip he was going on to Charleston, SC. It is a charming city and we had a great time. Although I'm not sure we'll ever be invited along on another business trip, it was so nice to be together as a family at the end of the day.

First Day of Preschool!

The next chapter of our lives has officially begun. . . we are the parents of preschoolers!! It was more emotional (for me) than I thought it would be. I'm so excited to see my little boys grow, but am a little saddened that they are growing up so fast! I couldn't help but think of the the song from 'Mama Mia' that talks about 'slipping through my fingers. . . I tried to capture every minute. . .' I love that song, although it always makes me cry! As for the boys, last week they were a bit nervous about me not being there the whole time. Thursday was 'meet the teacher' day so I was there, but today was the the official first day. They bolted into the building and headed straight for their class. They both stopped to give me a kiss-wug but were off and busy before I could finish my good-byes. They were so excited to tell me about their day when I picked them up. And said they want to go back on Thursday! This is going to be a great year! **In case you didn't already know, Blake is out of the country, so this is for you babe: I've been scrambling to get these pics posted for you! Been dying to share them w/you!! The race car shirts were from the meet the teacher day and the blue shirts were from today! Miss you sweetie!!







This is a poem the teachers sent home. I thought it was really sweet and worth sharing!

Unity
I dreamed I stood in a studio
And watched to sculptors there.
The clay they used was a young child's mind,
And they fashioned it with care,
One was a teacher; the tools he used
Were books and music and art.
One a parent with a guiding hand,
And a gentle, loving heart.
Dav after day the teacher toiled
With touch that was deft and sure,
While the parent labored by his side,
And polished and smoothed it o'er.
And when at last their task was done,
They were proud of what they wrought.
For the things they had molded into the child,
Could neither be sold nor bought.
And each agreed he would have failed
If he had worked alone.
For behind the parent stood the school,
And behind the teacher, the home.
-Author Unknown

All good things must come to an end!

Boy have I fallen behind! I should probably make a few different posts, but I'm rolling it all into one. It could be a long one so stay with me. . .

Sadly, our trip to Boise finally came to an end. Blake's sister and her family came up from San Antonio and added even more fun to the mix! The boys LOVED having all the kids around. And while I'm even more certain now that 2 kids enough for me, I miss having all those sweet faces around! For days the boys asked when we were going back or when Aubrey and Carson would be coming to visit! Breaks my heart that we're not closer but I'm so glad that they haven't gotten to know one another.


Roaring Springs Water Park


Cousin cuties!!


Now I'd like to give a 'shout-out' to some of the best mothers I know. Of course my own, but Patti, Steph and Kacee-this is for you! I can't thank you enough for the positive changes you helped me make this summer. Spending time with you has helped me be more patient and relaxed with the boys. But has also helped me hold my ground and follow-through with them!! Ever since we've been back, I've been excited to cook for my family and thanks to you-the boys are eating! Everything! So not everything, everything, but they are trying whatever is put on their plate and each day there are fewer tears and fights. And they do their chores w/o any whining or complaining, in fact, I think they like having their own jobs around the house. It's amazing what a little time away(ok, so maybe a month is more than a little) can do to get you excited about your life. I love you all!

The next good thing that's come to it's end? My 20's!! I had a really nice month (did you know I get a month, not just a day). My dad came out to visit and took me on a shopping spree! Always a good time-shopping with my dad! But dad, you owe me a pedi and a talk, I'm gonna hold you to that! Our sweet kitten Nacho tore a hole in our carpet while we were away so instead of replacing just the one room, we recarpeted the entire house! It looks amazing!! The carpet throughout the house was white and in need of being replaced some time in the near future, but yes, I took advantage of the situation. Blake and the boys had plenty of surprises for me on my actual birthday, my favorite being the yellow cake! Can you guess who picked it? And I will take this opportunity to explain the wording on the cake as it is one of my favorite expressions from Doodlebug. While at the museum building race cars, Blaine told me that his was the 'fastest in the town-hall!' What he meant to say was in the 'whole town!' We think it's so cute so we say it all the time. I can only image what the bakers at Target must have been thinking when they were icing up my cake! Love it!! Blake got me an ipad which I'm (slowly) learning is useful for things other than checking my email and facebook! I'm still using a flip-phone so the whole data-plan stuff is very exciting for me.



And finally, our days as the owners of an un-used pool table have come to an end. Although it won't actually be picked up until Thursday, I have already been paid, in cash, for it. Now we can have the kind of bonus room I've been dreaming about. Poor Blake is trading in yet another toy for the good of our house (coincidentally, he sold his motorcycle right around the time our last house needed a roof). J/K, he's a good sport and some day when our kids are older we'll have a pool table again. And in case you're wondering, there's no negotiating his convertible!!

We are really forward to what's about to begin: a very exciting fall! I LOVE fall-my favorite time of year. The boys are starting preschool next week, we have some fun vacations planned, and we can't wait for it to just cool down so we can get outside!

Boise part 2

Still having a blast!! Enjoying the weather!! Loving our family!! We have been able to do so many fun things-I wish I had pictures to share of everything!



First some random pics. . . it's 100 degrees outside and the kids want to be in the hot tub! Second is after a movie w/cousins!


Eagle Island State Park


More at Eagle Island (needless to explain why we waited for Blake to get here before going to the lake)!


These last pics were taken last night. After the floating the Boise River we went to get burgers and shakes. The kids found this little plot of grass and a hill nearby and played (w/o fighting!)until 9:30! The simplest kind of fun and one of the funnest nights!!

Boise. . . so far

We made it to Boise! We're having a great time and I'll let the pictures speak for themselves, with the exception of the first few which were taken in the Minneapolis airport. The boys had a blast riding the train and running around due to the fact that we were delayed 3 hours (making our departure time 1:00 AM Raleigh time)! And yes, the boys are actually sleeping in those black chairs. We're so glad to be here, we might never leave. . .

A bicycle built for 2

Ok, so the bikes are built for one, but with these handy-dandy co-pilots we are able to take the boys for rides with us. They are such a blast! I feel like I should be a sales rep for them because I have so many positive things to say about them-and don't worry, I won't list them all here-but I will tell you the best part: NO fighting!! I just got a new bike this week and now I'm able to take the whole family with me to train. Hopefully the extra weight I'm pulling will help me improve my speed for the big day! And let me just say, I think I'm in love with my Novara!!

VBS: Prelude to Preschool!

A neighbor friend of mine suggested that I consider sending the boys to Vacation Bible School this summer at her daughter's school. The timing was perfect because it was the week that Blake was in Paris. The night before it started, I got an email asking if I'd be willing to volunteer the first day because one of the teachers was sick. So it wasn't the break I was hoping for (at least not the first day) but I thought it would be great to see how the boys interacted in a 'school' setting. They LOVED it! We hadn't planned on sending them to preschool until next year. I love them being home with me and we keep a pretty structured schedule, but when I saw how well they did and the excitement on those little faces, I couldn't resist! So. . . I signed them up for preschool at the same place!! It's only Tuesdays and Thursdays so I still have plenty of time with them but I'll be getting a break-during the day! And I have fallen in love with the church and pastor too! On Monday, Blaine was upset that he wasn't going to VBS, I guess he thought that's what we do every day now! We are all sooooooo excited!!! (The theme was 'I just wanna be a sheep' so the pics are my sweet boys in their sheep ears)

A second day at the beach!

Since Blake was in Paris and missed all the beach fun last weekend, we decided to go again today! The heat index for Raleigh said it was gonna be 105 today so we thought it would be a perfect day to hit the beach. It was a little cooler on the coast because it was a little windy but that just made it more pleasant. It also made the waves a lot rougher than last weekend. We brought tubes this time and the boys had a blast surfing and riding the waves! Can't wait to go back. . . I LOVE the beach!!!!

Day trip to the BEACH!!

Wrightsville Beach, NC

Since our summer vacations this year were our trip to Indiana (so fun!) and our up coming trip to Boise (17 days-I can hardly wait!!!!!) we didn't make any plans to visit the beach. And recently, I've been going through some beach-withdrawals. I was thinking about making a day trip out of it. Well as luck would have it, my neighbors were feeling the same way and planned a day trip for today and they were nice enough to let us tag along! It was a blast!! The boys were much braver in the water this year-which is good and bad. I wanted them to stay w/in 3 feet of me and they wanted to run like crazy in the waves! And the water was amazing! It was so warm!! We had a few melt-downs since no one had a nap today (I'm including myself in the melt-downs due to lack of naps) but overall a really great day. We can't wait to go back!! I love NC!!

My baby brother tied the knot!!

We just got home from an amazing weekend in South Bend, Indiana!! That's right, I said 'amazing' and 'Indiana' in the same sentence. Kyle and Ashley had the most beautiful wedding and there were so many fun things to do, leading up to the big day.
Our trip started on Tuesday, when we drove 13 hours to Valparaiso to visit Tricia and family. I had a fantastic day with Tricia, spent a few hours in her salon and my hair looks awesome!! Thursday we spent in South Bend with the happy couple. They were so nice to take some time from the wedding madness to play with the boys at a neat playground.
That evening, the wedding festivities began with bowling, putt-putt golf and go-carts. It was a blast! But I must share a *mommy confession* that I'm sure every mom has encountered. There was a small go-cart track for kids ages 4+. Bryce is taller than most 3 year olds and he really wanted to try it by himself, so for 30 minutes I coached him on saying that today he's 4, not 3. Of course no one asked so I made my kid rehearse lying for nothing! And he LOVED those go-carts. Since it wasn't crowded, the kids working the track let him go until I cut him off. He probably spent an hour in those cars! Blaine had so trouble reaching the pedals, but not to worry because he had a great time riding with us in the bigger (and much faster) cars!

On Friday we took all the kids to the zoo. Ashley has a younger brother and sister who went with us too. It was a really cute zoo. Bryce mentioned that he would like to see some lemurs at the zoo and guess what was in the very first exhibit we saw! And right next door was one of Blaine's favorites, a 'boa stractor'-yuck! There as a farm exhibit with a petting zoo and pony rides!! These boys might be following in my foot steps because they a crazy about riding ponies!! Friday evening was the rehearsal. Blake and I both needed to be there and there wasn't much for the boys to do. We brought their Leapster video games and they were soooo good! I love to talk about all the crazy/annoying/wild things they do, but they sure can hold it together when it really counts.


Saturday was the big day and I can't tell you what the boys did because I spent the whole day with the bridal party getting pampered! Catered breakfast, 5 hair-stylists, a make-up artist and a room full of girls, it was so much fun! The afternoon was a blur, but then it was time for the main event and it was beautiful. Ashley has incredible taste and she planned everything perfectly. I was so emotional-seeing my baby brother marrying this beautiful woman, the empty seats for both Ashley's and my mom, my wonderful family all together for such a happy occasion, I'm emotional just reliving it! After the ceremony, the party began with the best dinner ever! Could have easily gone for round 2. Then the cake-my favorite-was a *real* cake, no fondant! I managed to scrounge up 3 pieces! I would have had a 4th but the boys were getting antsy and it was time to dance. Kyle and Ashley started the dancing off with a dollar dance, in which all the money was collected will be donated to breast cancer research. Our moms would be so proud! And they raised a lot of dough! While it may seem that we left early (around 10:30) that was very late for us. In fact, we weren't in our hotel room until after 10:00 every night we were there because the boys kept going and we were all having such a good time.


Then Sunday, all good things must come to an end, and it was time to embark on another 13 hour car ride. Did I mention before how great the boys did in the car? They're getting to be quiet the road-trippers. Thanks to new DVDS, Leapsters, and lots of snacks, it was smooth sailing. I'm not interested in doing it again any time soon though!

"Sunny days, sweepin' the clouds away. . .

on my way to where the air is sweet. Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street!" The whole family went to Sesame Street Live today! I don't think there was a child there as excited as Doodlebug! It was really cute! Bryce was sitting by Blake so I didn't get to see as much of his reaction. He was excited too, but he's a little timid when it comes to the real characters. The boys don't really watch Sesame Street anymore (actually, they've never had a huge interest in the show) but they know all the characters and we thought it would be a fun show to see on a hot Saturday morning!



After the show (and a nap) we hit the pool! My name is Erin, and I'm a pool-a-holic! I love being up at our pool!! I love being out in the sun. The boys have a blast. We can pack a lunch so there's no mess to clean up at home. And on the weekends, the boys want nothing to do with boring old mom so I get to drink my lemonade and chat with my friends. So really, what's not to love? I finally remembered to bring my camera today so I got a few pics of the boys. Bryce turned a big corner the other day when he decided to dive underwater. It was thanks to our favorite pool buddies, the triplets, as they are quite good swimmers and have no fear of going under. Blaine is still pretty timid about putting his face in, but I know it will come in time. They have been taking swimming lessons for a few months now and I am so pleased with their progress. Especially their comfort level in the water!


Bryce showing off his new skills!

Blaine being Blaine, just happy to be in the water!