How to play trains with Evan

1. Evan starts by saying "Pway twains Mom."

2. Do not touch the trains until Evan gives you permission.

3. Only play with the trains that Evan gives you.

4. Do not touch Evan's trains.

5. Your train is always shorter than Evan's.

6. Do not touch Evan's trains.

7. Your train cars are always the ones that Evan doesn't like.

8. Do not touch Evan's trains. (remember the first rule of Fight Club?)

9. Continue to drive trains in figure-8 pattern from now until infinity (or bedtime, whichever comes first).

Sunday Snapshots

Lots to share with you today.


Rainy day activity #231: pots, pans, spoons and lots of water on a blanket on the kitchen floor.



It's not that I really wanted to post another picture of myself dressed as Cinderella, but I just love this picture of Grant!

Could you say no to that face?

Or this one?

I can't wait for when he can really rake the leaves. And bag them. And drive them to the yard debris dump.

Evan and Tai doing what boys do: play with trains.

I took a series of pictures of Grant this week and I think he looks noticeably different. He has really developed a new look to his face.

Kind of reminds me of Michelangelo's The Creation of Adam.

Off to school!

Evan in his classroom. Can you tell that he knows I'm snapping a photo? So coy.

Evan in his size 3T footie PJs (I think he looks like an astronaut) and Grant enjoying the jumperoo that I set out for the first time this week.

And I'm ending this post with a photo of our pathetic little sick boy. Once again, Evan turned up with an ear infection on Saturday (3rd one in 2 months). This time, it really threw him for a loop. I'll spare the details, but he's felt just awful since Saturday afternoon. We're headed to see an ear-nose-throat doc this week.... time for tubes!

Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo

We took the boys to a Halloween party hosted by my mom's group this morning. The weather was beautifully crisp and sugary treats were in abundance...what more could you ask for? Except one thing. I was told that there would be some adults dressed in costume at the party. So, I donned my best impression of Cinderella (complete with a past bridesmaid dress--thanks Heather T!) and off to the party we went. I'm sure you've guessed where this is headed. Yes, I was the ONLY adult dressed in costume (anyone seen the movie Legally Blonde?). Love-ly.

Regardless, we all had a good laugh (at my expense) and enjoyed the party. I was even accompanied by my very own pumpkin carriage:

Thankful Thursday

This series is a deviation from [Deep] Thought Thursday. Thought I'd switch it up a little. It's that whole "not consistent" thing.


I read an article yesterday about keeping a "Gratitude Journal." Essentially, the idea is to record the things--big and small--that you are thankful for. It's a simple concept really, but all too often, we tend to focus on things that are upsetting, annoying or stressful. What a novel idea to seek out the good in place of the bad!

So, on this Thankful Thursday, I am thankful...

Back to blogging...

After a crazy week last week, I am now a little more rested and a lot more relaxed. After 4 days of single parenthood (Jason was in Florida for his FIT alumni week), I traveled to NYC with Baby Grant for sis-in-law Kim's baby shower while Evan spent a weekend with his girlfriends. Did you catch all that?

The weekend was a success--for everyone. Evan had an awesome weekend with the Gauthiers--he loved it so much, in fact, that he called Heather & Andy "Mommy" and "Daddy." Feel the love. Jason had a great time in Florida, as the events he helped plan went off without a hitch. And, my travels to NYC with a 5 1/2 month old in tow and ensuing baby shower were lovely. Grant was just peachy on the plane ride to and from the City, and apart from a couple of wakeful nights, he was great the whole weekend. The baby shower was a smash! (or at least I thought so) It was a joint effort between myself and two other sisters-in-law. Kim (who is now around 35ish weeks) received a mound of wonderful gifts and books and books and books. It was a fantastic weekend--good food, good friends & family, and good times.


Parents-to-be. Doesn't Kim look great? Sorry Shane, Kim is the star these days, but you look pretty swell too.

Shot of Grant & Mommy (notice the stylish burp cloth over my shoulder? Grant is a notorious spitter-upper; just ask Aunt Heather).



Aunt Frances (we're so glad you made it!) and Baby Grant. Grant was well-loved-on that day. Grandma Soon & Grant.
Look at that pregnancy glow!
The sisters-in-law that be. (L-R: me, Aileen, Kim & Heather)
Mound of gifts (see my diaper cake?!).

Baby Grant... and his best friend.

All of the above photos are courtesy (and copyright) of My Four Shamrocks/Aileen/Make Mine a Quad. Thank you Aileen!

And, though this picture has nothing to do with the shower, I couldn't help but include Evan. I hope to have pics soon from his girls weekend.

Annoying "Anonymous"

[I know I've been MIA for a few days... more on that later]

I'd like to vent about the people that leave comments anonymously (see a couple of the comments under my previous post). If that is your intention because you have left some kind of snarky, sarcastic comment, well, then fine--be a coward. But if it's not your intent, sign your name for cryin out loud!

I'm done with my rant.

Vote on my poll

See my poll to the right. I can't figure out who Grant looks like... YOU decide. (it is voting season after all)

Being cute is tough

Accidental photography

Sunday Snapshots

Evan looking cool at the airshow this past weekend. I'm not sure what he liked more--the airplanes or the bouncy slide.


Evan in mid-fit. Can't remember what set it off this time.

This is how I was greeted after a good night's sleep (Grant's, not mine)... isn't he the cutest??


Love those eyes!

This is how Grant enjoyed the airshow. Until the F-16 fly over.


And this is why my Sunday Snapshots was posted on Monday... we had a blackout (a real blackout!) last night.

House guests

This weekend, for less than 48 hours, our family of 4 became a family of 10, with a visit from our friends the McDonalds. It was, according to Rachel, "controlled chaos."

And, it was lots of fun.

Story time.
Play time.

Snack time.
Cookie baking.
Cookie eating.

[Deep] Thought Thursday: A Mother's Motto

While the origins of this sign have nohing to do with motherhood, it's completely applicable.

And, on some days, it needs to be the ticker tape running along the bottom of my mind. Oh, Evan, how I love thy tantrums.

Playing on my laptop right now? Beethoven's Symphony No. 6.

Links I love

Here are a few links I love to visit (again & again):

Simple Mom - awesome blog filled with info on all kinds of things for moms and non-moms alike
Lisa Leonard jewelry - unique & rustic jewelry; I recently ordered a necklace from here as a gift to myself for selling off a bunch of baby items (*sniff, sniff*). you can see it in future posts w/ my picture.
Flipflops & Applesauce - great ideas for crafts & activities to do with your kids
Make and Takes - same kind of site as above (can you tell I like crafts?)

Maybe

Don't quit your day job

Jason and I will never go into the home remodeling business.

Today, FINALLY, we finished remodeling our guest bathroom. It only took us ONE YEAR. And one year isn't just a guesstimate. I looked on the label of our paint can and it read: 10/26/2007. So technically, we're under one year, but who's counting?

I'm not posting any pictures. Why? For a bathroom that took ONE YEAR to remodel, you might expect tiled walls, a garden tub, double sinks, maybe a bidet. Nope, not here! And unfortunately, I can't blame it on Jason. This was our project--we each had our respective tasks, and we each, respectively, procrastinated like hell! At this rate, we'll be finished with the house by the time Evan starts college.

Sunday Snapshots

You should see the other guy!

Anytime I play with Grant on the floor, I can always count on Bullit and Evan to join us.

I love the way Grant looks at Evan. The camera caught a glimpse of it here.

Yet another picture of Grant chewing on something. Still no teeth yet!

Yesterday we went to a movie--Horton Hears a Who--at a local outdoor venue in PTC. Before the movie, there was live music, a bunch of instruments for the kids and the limbo with a line that stretched on forever. Evan tried the limbo once, then spent the rest of his time dancing (what else?) and playing with instruments. The movie, although we didn't make it to the end, was adorable. We'll have to catch the end of it another time--Grant and Evan were just too tired to stay awake beyond 8:30.

Last night, J & I had celebratory anniversary margaritas.



And this morning, we had some [rare] cuddle time with both the boys. Not pictured in these photos are our coffee cups, which we also spent time cuddling.