Carving Pumpkins

Nothing screams Halloween like a pumpkin carved into a scary monster. 

The kids had no problem picking out the faces that they wanted on their pumpkins, 

but were not at all thrilled about the whole de-seeding process. 

 

I may have had to say at multiple times, "Do not eat that stuff?"

"Is your pumpkin biting you? Why the face?"

This little guy basically had a dinner and a show. 

Yeah, he's anti-bibs right now. 

My bottle of  oxy-clean thinks an intervention is in order. 

3 seconds prior to this picture, she was screaming her head off. 

What is about cameras that get kids to act right. 

And I just noticed one of her annoying older siblings stuck the pumpkin sticker on her.

Ethan's pumpkin is on the left and Gracie's pumpkin is on the right 

which really means Eric's is on the left and mine is on the right.

A year it has been, we've had so much fun and now little Eli has turned ONE!!

“Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is you-er than you.”

- Dr. Seuss

 After I read the above quote, I just knew that Dr. Seuss was going to be joining us for Eli's 1st birthday.

Eli has been such a blessing and we are so very thankful that he came into our lives.  Like any parent, I still can't believe how fast that first year goes by.  Eli's such an easy baby, that it almost feels criminal to have a baby that is so happy and mellow.  Whenever people comment on how mellow he is, I always say, "God probably thought I was close to losing it so he gave me an easy baby as a peace offering." It usually gets a laugh out of people.  Seriously though, I was so sure that Lexie was going to be our last that I'm shocked by how much I've enjoyed having a new baby.  We had always planned on having 4, but after Lexie I was too scared to try again and accepted the fact that we were done. However, and you would think that I would've have figured this out by now, it seems we don't really have a definite say about what is in store for us.  Eli has rounded out our family beautifully and has helped his sister Lexie grow into the little girl that she is, far better than we ever could have.  There's something that happens once a child becomes an older sibling. It's like they realize that there is someone far more dependent and they help them become more independent themselves.  I'm anxious to see not only what the future holds for them individually, but also how they interact as siblings. Thankfully Lexie enjoys making Eli laugh and loves on him like any good big sister should. I just wonder if they will ever know how alike they really are.  Of course, Ethan and Gracie are constantly fighting over Eli as well so it's pretty much a given that Eli will always have someone to hold him.  I have to say that one of the most irresistible things about him is the adorable dimple on his left cheek we get to see whenever he smiles or laughs.  

Why can't he stay this small forever?! 

"Green Eggs and Ham"

(pretzels, white candy melts, and green M&M's)

Blue jello cups with red fish swimming.

I took a photo from each month of Eli's first year and made a little photo table runner.

Each photo had a Dr. Seuss quote printed on it.

Not a big fan of ice cream. 

Don't worry, it will grow on you!

Seeing how it's always so busy during the party, pictures are few and far between. 

The one above is Eli giving his friend Lacy a kiss and the one below is of Lexie and Lily riding in the wagon together.

Life in Between

A couple weeks ago a radio station was asking callers to call in and give their two cents regarding a topic.
They were giving away a gift card to the famous Georgetown Cupcake.
The topic was mommy guilt
You can say I rocked it!

Gracie has resumed her drums lessons now that school has started. 

Unfortunately, that means the other kiddos and I have to wait for her while she is playing. 

The waiting area is full of really expensive musical instrument. 

 Ugh, Lexie and expensive equipment just don't mix. 

I think the shop owners and my mental state of mind agreed that my car would be the best place for us to wait. However, I needed an extra set of eyes to keep an eye on Gracie. 

Video monitor to the rescue!

That is a drape on the floor and the drapery rod leaning against the door. 

Now do you understand why keeping expensive musical instruments away from her is a good idea.

 This was taken at 7 in the morning. 

Gracie and Ethan usually like to sit next to each other. 

This morning they both woke up grumps and without any instruction from me
choose to sit the farthest away from each other as they could get. 

Yikes!

 Parallel parking can be so daunting, but if you drive anywhere in D.C., you got to get used to it.

I took this picture because I was so proud that I was able to get my car in that small space. 

I promised my kids a trip to the museum and they are going to get a trip to the stinkin' museum!

And they say woman can't drive.

It's that time of year! 

Lexie was cool with the wig for about two seconds

Can you tell what book we were reading at bed time the night before?
Maybe we should hold off on reading Goldilicious until I can hide my jewelry.

 Oh the joys of Cub Scouts.  

Eli's first birthday is coming up. 

Who doesn't love Dr. Seuss?!

We had a visit from Flat Stanley recently. 

He followed us around D.C. and I think his favorite spot was

 the Korean restaurant where we had lunch.

Eric and I were able to visit the Holocaust Museum sans kids. 

It was heartbreaking and horrific.

One day I will take the kids there, but not any time soon.

Just a dad hanging out with his kids in the front yard.

Love him.

Want to come on vacation with us?? 

Yeah, I figured you would say no. It's fine...we have no room for you anyway. 

This is the one thing that I wish we didn't have room for.

Dirty laundry follows us wherever we go. 

No wonder the kids think the laundry is my favorite hobby. 

County Fair 2013

It's county fair time!  I think my kiddos wait all year for this because as soon as they saw the flyers, their constant asking to go just doesn't end. Why do we teach them to read?!  Plus it doesn't help that the school gives them a whole day off to spend at the fair.  Ethan and Gracie did get a kick out of the fact that this was Eli's first fair.  I would catch Gracie trying to explain the fair to Eli because she was sure he was listening by the enthusiastic way he was kicking his feet and smiling at her.  Needless to say everyone had a great time!

I can't even look at this picture without smiling. 

Watching Eric with kids has to be my most favorite thing to do.

1st Day of Preschool

Yesterday was a big and exciting day for Lexie, yet I wasn't nearly as excited.  Lexie has been to school before, but this was Lexie's first day at a regular elementary school where she would be in a classroom with regular children.  She is enrolled in a inclusion program where she sits in the same classroom and participates in age appropriate activities, but once they move along to more educational topics that are too advanced for Lexie, is when Lexie is taken aside and receives her occupational, speech and physical therapies. Plus, unlike her last school, she goes every day for half a day. So far she appears to be loving it and her teachers have not told me otherwise.  I can't fully convey how excited she gets when I pull her backpack out of the hall closet or how she practically runs to get into the car.  She loves to give her teacher a hug and a kiss every morning and I simply love how accepting her teacher is of this morning ritual.  It makes me smile when I see how much her teacher tries to include Lexie and help her communicate with the other kiddos. (I think High Fives have to be the best and most used hand gestures out there) Her teacher is very patient with Lexie despite her constant need for movement. I have always relied on Ethan and Gracie to tell me how their school day went and if they were having any problems.  However, I don't get that luxury with Lexie. It's very hard to send your child who can't communicate her needs and wants to a strange place with strange people and just pray that she is being well cared for.  Thankfully, Lexie thrives on routine so I know regardless of any rough patches we may encounter, as long we stay the course and keep doing the same thing,  hopefully everything will turn out beautifully. *fingers crossed*