Pumpkin Carving

After a quick visit to the "Pumpkin Patch" we had to stop at two stores to look for a pumpkin carving kit. We used the kit to make a ghost, witch hat, and spider. Once Nicholas finished painting his he wanted dad to carve it like the others. The he piled all the pieces and the tops into mine and wouldn't let me empty it back out. Alli tried to eat everything that fell on the floor. It wasn't the same without Uncle Markie though. Jason had to get the gooey stuff out of his pumpkin himself. Happy Halloween everyone!

Bash's Party

Nicholas went to Sebatian's Halloween party last night. He was disappointed that his dad couldn't be there but he understood that "Gampa has a bee boo, Gampa go doctor." Jason's dad fell off of a ladder at work yesterday so Jason had to rush off to the hospital. We think Gampa broke his pelvic bone, leg, and possibly his back. Until the swelling goes down we can't be sure. Again, Nicholas wouldn't wear his costume. But he did enjoy collecting the candy from the pinata. He wouldn't let Bash's dad help him hit the pinata but when he saw the candy he quickly began stuffing it into his bag! He also did the limbo with the other kids, they were so cute! Kailey came with us, it was the last day of her visit. She was adorable in her JoJo costume. The party was a huge success! Thanks Joe and Kristyn!

The Costume

Well, again Nicholas would not put on his Halloween costume. He did have his truck shirt on and a little track hoe with him. A few parents thought he was dressed as a truck driver until they saw the ghost costume tucked under my arm. I also brought the costume he wore last year, Winnie the Pooh. He will wear that at home but it was a no go at the party. He did have a good time running around with his buddy Sebastian, who was dressed as a dinosaur. Sebastian came for a visit this morning and brought his dino costume. Nicholas wore it for most of the morning. Jason took him to Walmart to find one for tonight's party. Jason found one that was a different color and put it in the cart. Nicholas turned around, picked it up, and threw it on the floor. When Jason tried to put it back in, Nicholas threw a fit and kept trying to grab it and throw it on the floor again. Instead of buying a costume, they bought a . . . truck! I guess there is always next year.

Playground

Today our little playgroup visited Lithia Springs. There was a beautiful playground and the kids had the best time. The weather was absolutely perfect, too. It was sunny but cool with a breeze. Nicholas had a great time but was very protective of the truck he brought with him. He even held in the swing so that no one else could play with it! I, being a horrible mother, didn't pay attention to his diaper so it was hanging out of the side of his shorts by the end of the morning. I didn't even bring another diaper so he was forced to wear a Cinderella pull up that a good mother brought for her child. The poor kid, at least he had fun digging in the dirt!

Halloween Picture

Today we went to Sears for Nicholas and Kailey's annual Halloween costume picture. Nicholas would not put his costume on but Kailey was so adorable! The photographer did manage to take a picture of Nicholas kissing Kailey and one of Nicholas alone so it wasn't a total loss. I just can't imagine what he will be like when I get his picture taken for Christmas. I just don't know where he gets his stubborness from.

Sweet Dreams Mommy

Nicholas' vocabulary is just incredible. I can't believe how many words he knows. The things that come out of his mouth are too cute! Our nightly routine inclues watching Spongebob with dad on the bed, teeth brushing, a diaper change, and then reading his three favorite books. I will lay with him for about five minutes, slowly counting down, until it is time for hugs and smooches. I always say good night and sweet dreams to which he usually replies night night. The other night, o my surprise, he answered "Sweet dreams, mommy." Those were the sweetest words I have ever heard!

A Visit to Ne and Poppy's House

Nicholas and I went for a little visit to Ne and Poppy's this past weekend. During the ride, Nicholas informed me that "mom stay home, Ne and Poppy's house me" meaning sorry about your luck mom, but you can't stay with me. Once we arrived, he didn't seem to mind that I stayed. Then he wanted "Ne and mom go, stay Poppy me" so we told him that we would go shopping on Saturday and he could stay with his Poppy. He thought we should leave right away. Saturday arrived and Poppy fixed Ne's car battery which had died the day before. "Poppy fix me Ne's car" was the phrase we heard until Poppy was finished. Nicholas desperately wanted to be in the garage helping Poppy fix "Ne's car broken" instead of inside with us. After lunch we left and Nicholas had the time of his life with Poppy. They went swimming, had cupcakes, and watched Monsters Inc. (Nicholas favorite thing to watch at the moment). When we came home, Nicholas said "No mom, no Ne, Poppy stay home me". I really don't think that translates to "Welcome home, Ne and mom." On Sunday, Ne made Nicholas the cutest ghost costume ever that he refuses to put on. Hopefully, when he sees the other kids I'll be able to talk him into it. When it was time to leave, he held onto his Ne for dear life, as if he would never ever see her again. My dad finally told my mom that the longer she dragged it out the harder it would be. Ne put Nicholas in his seat and he screamed and cried for about 45 minutes. He passed out for an hour and then woke up crying which continued for another hour. Luckily, Monsters Inc. was in the DVD player and he calmed down. I just don't know how parents ever traveled in the car without a DVD player.

It's Just the Beginning

Nicholas and his friend Sebastian have been going to Gymboree for over a year now. Kristyn and I think the boys are getting bored. So we decided to spice things up by trying out the program at the science museum, MOSI. The first day was a little much for Nicholas, he isn't fond of big crowds or adults hovering over him. He cried a little in the middle and then stayed one step behind the group for the rest of the class. The second day brought trouble. Nicholas wanted to bring his truck to class. His truck is like a security blanket for him and it goes almost everywhere with us. I tried and tried to keep that thing in the car but he wanted to bring it or go home. So I thought, what's the harm, Kristyn can hide it after we get in there. Well, Mr. Nicholas would not be separated from that truck. He also refused to make a human body cookie choosing instead to make a dragon. There was this mother there who refused to let her child do any of the activities himself, she made everything so it would be perfect and he wouldn't get dirty. She was not happy with the truck in the room or the dragon and she made sure I knew about it. She gave us dirty looks and told her son that making a dragon wasn't what the teacher said to do. I ignored it and carried on with the dragon making. After several looks and comments later, I had had enough. Nicholas was watching the kids do the limbo and putting crayons in and out of his truck when that mother started whispering about us while standing about two feet away. I wanted to cry but instead I picked Nicholas up and we left. We both cried the whole way home, him wanting to go back and dance with Sebastian and me because I couldn't believe that another mother could be so cruel to a child. When we arrived home and I took Nicholas out of his seat he pinched the tears off my face and said "No cry anymore mom" and hugged me. That sweet little guy made feel better and cry harder! After telling the story to my mom, she said "You are going to deal with the parents like that all the time now that Nicholas is getting older. It's just the beginning." Gee, thanks mom, I feel so much better.

Chuck E. Cheese

We went to that wonderful place yesterday with two of Nicholas' friends, Hannah and Sebastian. Nicholas was very adventurous. He did not ride Bob the Builder over and over, instead he only rode it four times. We played skee ball, drove race cars and tractor trailers, and used a water gun. Quite a change from the last trip there! I am still not brave enough to let him climb through the tunnels overhead. I just don't know how I will get him down if he gets stuck or worse, what is up there, left behind by other children. I wonder how, or if, they ever clean those tunnels. I can imagine left over crusts and hot dogs, molding away or little bugs feasting on the remains of someone's lunch from a couple of months ago. Yes, I think we will stay out of the tunnels for quite some time!