Flashback to Halloween...

So, it is nearly Thanksgiving, which can mean only one thing: it is time for me to post our Halloween pictures!! Hey, I am actually less than a month late on this one, that's improvement!

Barrett, Savannah and Charlotte at the pumpkin patch! Each of the kids got to pick out their very own pumpkins. They were so proud!!

Carving time! This year, we made everyone try and help, instead of just making it the "Amazing Colby Jack-o-Lantern Party" like usual. The kids actually had quite a good time, getting right into it all, and scooping out the seeds. Obviously, we still let Colby handle the knives, and do the actual carving. I mean, I am a bit of a blase and relaxed parent, and probably let my kids do too much that could possibly be considered dangerous, but I didn't let them handle the gigantic carving knife. Now, a small kitchen knife, or paring knife, that's a different story....!

Savannah pretty proud of her pumpkin guts!

Savannah the Snow Princess, or The White Witch from Narnia, or a Snow Fairy from Barbie in the Nutcracker. Her costume depended on her mood. The official tag on the costume said "Snow Princess," but apparently, that wasn't quite enough for Savannah!

Princess Cinderella Charlotte. She was excessively pleased to have an official Cinderella gown of her very own. I was actually surprised that it took her this long to ask for a Princess costume. Charlotte is such a fluffy, princessy twirly-girl, I thought she would have asked for it long before now. But, she loved it, and said that she is going to be Cinderella next year too. We'll see!!

Cowboy Barrett. So, everyone knows that Bear is totally enthralled with "Toy Story" right now, and that he thinks Woody and Buzz Lightyear are the coolest! So, he decided he wanted to be Woody this year. So cute!!

All three of the cutie-patooties with their costumes and carved pumpkins.

Happy Halloween, now that it's November! Ha ha ha!

New camera

I have a new camera!! So, if you recall, Colby got a new camera for his birthday/Father's Day this year. It is a nice camera, and it takes nifty pictures and all that, but I don't like it. Don't get me wrong, it really is a nice camera, but it scares me. I hate even picking it up, let alone taking a picture with it. It is too complicated and "too much" for me. I liked my other camera, but alas, some completely horrible person with ZERO conscience stole it while we were in Disneyland. So, after much whining about my not having a camera that I like, Colby bought me a new one!

This is basically the newest version of the camera that I had. But, a little improvement over the older model: it is pink!!!
I LOVE IT!

So, I should be able to take more pictures now that I have a camera that doesn't terrify me.
Yay, my little pink camera friend!!!

DISNEYLAND!

I have finally waded through our Disneyland vacation photos. Between Colby and Colby's Dad, there were over 800 pictures to choose from. Just a little overwhelming for me, and it took some time. Plus I suck at posting things quickly anyway!
Here we are in front of the Castle. Charlotte pretty much wanted to stay where she could see the castle at all times. She loved it. We had so much fun, and we can't wait to go back in a few years!

This is Savannah taking pictures of the kids. She LOVED being the third photographer of the group, and she took some darling pictures. I wish I could post them for you, but some total JERK at Disneyland stole her camera, so I can't. Poor Savannah was heartbroken. The lame-o thief took the camera out of it's bag, then placed the empty bag back in our stroller. Talk about malicious and well-thought-out. Dweebs. Honestly, people, buy your own camera, don't steal my sweet 8 year old daughter's camera. Have you no shame? Grrrrr. I am still seething with anger and bitterness over it.

Savannah getting overly excited to get to the entrance gates! She was seriously overjoyed and happy to be in the Happiest Place On Earth!

We were there in time for the Halloween decorations, so that was fun. Savannah thinks the Mickey Mouse pumpkin head was about the coolest thing ever!

All the kids with Tigger! Barrett was preoccupied trying to make Spiderman hands for Tigger, and Charlotte just wanted to go find some princesses!

Charlotte's favorite ride was Peter Pan. I bet she asked to ride that one at least 25 times a day. She loved it, loved it, loved it!

Charlotte at the Princess Luncheon. She had a blast meeting five of the princesses personally: Belle, Mulan, Ariel, Aurora (Sleeping Beauty), and Cinderella. This is Charlotte showing off her Cinderella dress and crown. She had so much fun, and the food was honestly the best food we ate during the whole vacation. Definitely worth the price!

Barrett had a little too much fun, and fell asleep in the stroller. He and Charlotte both took little catnaps in their strollers every day. Kind of nice, they missed out on the hottest part of the day, and Savannah could go on some rides that they were too small for, and they didn't ever realize they'd been left out!!

This is Barrett the first day in Disneyland. Talk about overwhelmed and overstimulated! Now, you must understand that Woody and Buzz Lightyear from "Toy Story" are just about Barrett's most favorite characters of all time. Barrett even dressed up as Woody for Halloween! So, on the day he gets to meet Woody and Jessie in person, he is so scared that he literally was crying and begging to go home! Poor little guy! By lunchtime, he had acclimated and had a good time. But of course, we never did see Woody after that!

Barrett trying to pull the Sword in the Stone. Big muscles, Bear! Pull harder!!!

Dani with Eeyore. You are all no doubt aware of my fondness of Eeyore. He is hands-down my favorite character from the Winnie the Pooh stories, and I was so excited that he was here! So, I just had to have my picture taken with him. Dani and Eeyore, King of the Gloomy Doomsayers!!

Savannah and Colby riding together. Colby being Colby, and sweet Savannah totally oblivious to Daddy's charming teasing!!

And, finally, all of the girls with Princess Aurora. I really do understand that Disneyland is more for the kids, and that the whole experience is for them, but, you all should know by now that "Sleeping Beauty" is my absolute favorite Disney film of all time, and hence, Aurora is my very favorite Disney Princess. So, I could not resist, I had to jump in for this picture. Savannah, Charlotte, Dani and Princess Aurora!


We had so much fun, and other than the camera being stolen, and a minor irritation with Snow White that I am still trying to get over, it was so wonderful. I think the only thing that could have made it better for me was if I had been able to meet Grumpy!! He is my other favorite Disney character. But, maybe next time!!!

Pumpkin Seeds

Okay, so Halloween is over, and I promise that pictures of the kids in costume are forthcoming, but first, I have to say something:

I LOVE PUMPKIN SEEDS!!!

Let me explain. I have never, ever before attempted roasting/toasting/cooking pumpkin seeds. But my dear friend Tami assured me that it was easy to do, and that even I could handle it.
So, with a fair amount of fear and anxiety, after Colby carved the pumpkins, instead of chucking the seeds in the garbage, I rinsed them off and toasted them.

You know something? It really was easy, and I did it, and,
drum roll please......

They are so yummy and tasty!!
They're pretty much my new favorite snack. Well, maybe my 2nd favorite, trailing behind anything chocolaty and minty!!!

Thank you Tami!!!

Music Appreciation Lesson...2nd Semester

A few months ago, I posted some of the kid's favorite songs. Then, today I heard a song on the radio that I had not heard in probably 20 years. It immediately brought me back to my younger childhood years, and it just made me reflect on the songs that I heard a lot growing up.


My house was always filled with music, many types of music. Some of my earliest musical memories involve a record turntable, a Beethoven record of his 5th symphony, and having it played nearly full volume while we helped (!!) my Mom clean the house. Other records that received heavy rotation at my house were the Pointer Sisters, Michael Jackson, The Moody Blues, Foreigner, The Bee Gees, The Beatles "White Album," and another one that I cannot recall; I can hear the music and the songs, but the name of the artist and record title have escaped me. Even today, when I heard the Pointer Sisters, it made me feel like a six-year-old kid trying to wash windows as well as my Mom could, and trying to make vacuum lines perfectly straight, like she could. Funny, isn't it?


Then, I started thinking about what kinds of music my kids will recall from their childhood when they get older. My house is always full of music, and I'm beginning to think I am actually afraid of silence! Ask any of my poor visiting teachers, or friends and neighbors who have dared drop by- my house has music on at all times, and at a very high volume. If the music is to be played, then it should be played LOUD, in my opinion. Savannah does not agree. Most of the time, she covers her ears and yells at me to turn it down. But try it my way- next time you play Beethoven's 5th, turn it up so loud that the windows rattle and the glasses in your cupboards shake. It's much better that way. There are very few songs that should be played at a quiet, soft volume. Maybe that's why I'm not such a huge fan of "church" type music, it just doesn't sound that great LOUD.


Anyway, I love music, and I hope that my kids always love music too. And I hope that someday, 20 years in the future, they will hear "Shake the Disease" by Depeche Mode on some "classic rock" radio station, and they will instantly feel compelled to turn the volume up so loud that their car windows rattle, and then, they will start to remember random things from their childhood, and maybe even smile as they think of dancing around like maniacs to Duran Duran; and singing along with ABBA at the top of our lungs, and.......


I like that idea.

T-Ball Time!!!

Barrett was finally old enough to play baseball! He was absolutely thrilled!! He played on a PeeWee T-Ball League, and it was so much fun! Barrett's team was the New York Mets. Close call- it could have been the dreaded and scurvy New York Yankees! Colby said that if that was the team Barrett had been assigned to, he would have had to throw a major "interfering-with-the-kids-just-having-fun" type of parent temper tantrum, and have Bear reassigned to another team. He was only joking.....I think!! :0)

We were in Disneyland for Barrett's team picture day, so this is the best we have. The coaches had the kids all line up on the pitcher's mound when the other team was up to bat, and then each kid got a chance to try and field the ball. So cute...a bunch of 3 and 4 year old kids running after the ball in a mass huddle!

Barrett in the dugout, warming up his arm before going out to bat!!

Barrett ripping a ball along the third base line! He was so funny- every time he hit the ball, he would run after it and try to catch it! We tried to teach him that the other team fields the ball when he bats, but he just liked to chase the ball anyway!

YAY! Barrett made it safely to first base without losing his helmet! Honestly, I know these kids are only 3 and 4 years old, and that safety is the number one priority, but the helmets they make them wear are as big as they are!

Barrett showing off his awesome uniform, and demonstrating his baseball stance.

He had so much fun playing, and it was the most adorable thing in the world to watch! I honestly think that PeeWee T-Ball just might be my new favorite sport in the whole entire world!
Oh so cute!

The Awesome Red Devils!

Behold the mighty Red Devils! Savannah ended up deciding to play softball this season instead of soccer. She did really well for her first time! We were in Disneyland on the team's picture day, so this is the best team shot we have. Her team was, obviously, the Red Devils, and they had a blast!

Savannah liked playing second base, which worked out well, since that was the position she was asked to play nearly every game!

I don't know how or why, but there isn't a picture of Savannah batting while facing the camera! Sorry! She was a pretty good hitter! She did like to play during practices better, though. At practices, she hit the ball hard, and hit it far! But she was so nervous at the actual games, she rarely swung the bat. However, she is a very patient batter, I think she drew a walk more than any other girl on her team; Daddy was so proud! Can't you just hear Colby: "Good job, Savannah! Way to make them pitch to you! That's right, wait for a good pitch!"


Anyway, she had so much fun, and it will be kind of interesting to see if she chooses softball next season, or if she goes back to playing soccer. Either way, she will have a good time, and we will love and support her, and yell and cheer so loud that she gets embarrassed!!

Lucky Us

So, hello there. We are currently in the throes of a nasty bout with....are you ready....wait for it......

The Swine Flu.

Yes, it's true! Aren't you jealous!

Well, you should be.

I mean, you too, could have 5 solid days of being a zombie, chills so severe they actually make the bed or couch shake, fevers so high that you could cook eggs on your forehead, and an absolute zero appetite. Not to mention the general feeling of what it's like to be run over by a truck hauling 37 tons of concrete at full speed ahead.

I know that all of you are secretly jealous!

For the record, we have 3 confirmed cases of this ridiculous piggy flu virus. My dear sweet Charlotte started things off, then Colby joined in the fun, and then Barrett jumped in as well.

So far, Savannah and I have remained immune. Everyone, please knock on wood!!

Anyway, poor Colby has definitely had the worst time of it. He was the zombie I mentioned earlier. Poor guy. You know Colby is feeling REALLY, REALLY, REALLY bad when he can't stay awake during a Red Sox game, and when he doesn't show the slightest bit of rage or anger that the Red Sox totally blew it and got blanked by the Angels.

Other than the lovely sickness, we are still around and doing okay.

I will try to get the pictures from Disneyland posted soon, it seems that I am pretty busy with demanding patients around here for the next little while!

;o)

This is for you, Savannah!

Poor Savannah is always telling me that she thinks Sneezy loves me more than her. I keep telling her that he does not, it's just that she is in school all day, and I am home with him all day, so he is just around me more, that's all. Then she tells me that even when she is home, he always comes to me, and jumps on my bed to catnap, and he always snuggles by me, and loves me more. Sometimes that is true, but I keep trying to help her understand that Sneezy is a cat, and therefore, he is fickle, disloyal, and completely impossible to understand!

But, here you go Savannah.............

Here is my bed....completely Sneezy-free. Nowhere in sight. He is somewhere else in the house, working on becoming even more lazy and fat, which is just the way I prefer cats to be! Fat cats rock!! But, I wonder where he could be.......

How about curled up on Savannah's bed, sleeping on her Tinker Bell pillow!

See Savannah- he does love you, and he does miss you! And, he is here almost every single day. Not on my bed, but on yours!!!

Like mother...like daughter

As many of you already know, our dear little Charlotte is a little bit like her mom. Okay, okay, maybe she is A WHOLE LOT like me! Below are some proof-positive photos that the likeness extends beyond just looking like my Mini-Me. :o)

This is Charlotte with her little treats, a bag of Skittles candy. Well, they started out as a bag, then ended up inside the little pink princess bowl, for a few moments, anyway...

and this is how they ended up: yep, in little color-coordinated piles! Charlotte even eats her food just like me- in carefully separated little portions. Although, Charlotte ate all the yellows first, and I eat the oranges first, so, maybe she isn't a total clone of me!!

Charlotte's first day of school

Charlotte waiting to go inside....

Waiting patiently while Mommy gets one more picture.....

And now, not so patiently while Mommy takes yet another picture!!

She was just so happy to be back in school, and she was so proud that she is a big kid in the Pre-K class! Also, Barrett tried to convince her that their preschool is really the Batman school...Charlotte was not the least bit impressed!

Barrett's first day of school

In front of the doors...ready to go and play.

In his very own seat in his classroom.

Barrett was excited to go to school, although we did have to explain to him, many times, that he would not be:

1- Riding on the bus to school. (why are all kids so flippin' fascinated with riding the bus?)

2- In Miss Jesika's class (Miss Jesika is one of the teachers at the school, in fact, she was one of Savannah's pre-k teachers! But, alas, she is not his classroom teacher. He was very sad about that, she is his very favorite teacher!)

and

3- Going to the Batman Preschool. (We really don't know where he came up with the notion that he is going to Batman Preschool, but he did have his adorable three-year-old heart quite set on it. I think he will settle in nicely, and even come to like preschool, despite the lack of Batman!)

Oh, such a cute boy! And how is it possible that he is old enough to be in school, anyway?

DEPECHE MODE!!

So, Colby and I went to the Depeche Mode concert last night!! It was so awesome, even if it was the 5th or 6th time we've seen them live. They just get better every time! Now, before anyone says anything negative or lame about the fact that we've not only seen such an "80s" band in concert, several times, just stop!! I've already heard enough of that from my darling sister Steph, who continually reminds me that I am hopelessly, and yet happily, stuck in 1985! Know what I say to that? "You're right!! And what a great time and place to be stuck in!"

Dani and Colby...literally a stone's throw from the stage!!! Isn't Colby just the most hot and handsome man you've ever seen??!! You don't have to answer that, I already know he is!! :)

The perfectly adorable and marvelous Martin Gore....he is Dani's secret
(or not-so-secret!) celebrity crush, ever since about 1985!!! Don't worry, Colby knows!! :) He even downloads pictures of Martin for me, and teases me about what would happen should Martin ever show up at my house!

Martin and Dave Gahan...they put on such a fun and rockin' show!

This is a picture of Martin from the last concert a few years ago...isn't he just delicious?!?!

So, I know you are all jealous that we got to see them in concert...again!! Anyway, it was soooo much fun, and we can't wait until they come to town again!!!

And, a big thank-you to my Dad, who watched the kids overnight so we could have a fun date night! Thanks Dad, you're the best!

Little Miss Sassy!

So, Charlotte has a funny little sassy and fiery attitude to her personality. I have no idea where she gets it. I mean, Colby is so mellow and easygoing, and I am most certainly not sassy and fiery!!! So, where did it come from? Hmmm...it must be one of those unexplained mysteries of life.

Anyway, Charlotte has this new thing she says lately if she gets asked to stop doing something that is naughty...or if she gets asked to do something that she just doesn't have any interest in doing.

She will say "I know!" with a fair dose of attitude and sass. When the inevitable happens, and I ask her a second time, she usually says "Stop telling me!"

When the third time comes around, which I am always hoping is the last time, you know...the whole "third time's the charm" thing? She now says "Mom, just turn around and stop looking at me."

Hmmm....so if I turn around and stop looking, you'll suddenly feel this incredible newfound desire to be obedient? And to think, all this time I thought it was a clever ploy!

So today, Charlotte and Barrett wanted a granola bar with their lunch. I said okay, and proceeded to give them a granola bar. Charlotte says "Are these chocolate granola bars?"

I tell her those are all gone, and she can just eat the honey nut flavor and be happy.

She then tells me "When it is your payday and you go to Harmon's, I will tell you to get me some chocolate granola bars, and you can say 'Okay, Char' and you can't say 'Not today, Honey.' Okay, Mom? Just do that."

Honestly, the fire and sass in this girl! I love it!!!!!

Come on, pull yourself together!

So, my little Savannah is not so little anymore. I realize this is old news, and that she hasn't been my "little girl" for a while now, but it hit me quite badly this morning.

Today is Savannah's first day of school, and she is now officially a big, grown-up third-grader.

Third Grade!

Sigh.

What in the world is happening? Someone please, oh pretty please, stop pressing the super-duper-ultra-fast-forward button on my kid's growing-up years.

Before I know what's what, Savannah will be in high school, driving a car, and thinking that we'll let her date! :o)

I need to go now. My eyes are drippy and Charlotte and Barrett are wondering what my problem is.

I'm sure they are thinking something like "Come on Mom, get it together! We're still home, we don't start school for two more weeks!!"

Aaaaarrrggghhh!

My babies start school in two weeks?!?!?!?

Maybe a lot more Kleenex.......