Well, we are making H’s Halloween costume this year, of course I am loving it! I was a bit hesitant to ask her right out what she wanted to be. I thought about giving her a few choices and narrowing it down for her. In all honesty, I just didn’t want to do a Disney Princess. But then we were in the car in early September and I just asked her, held my breath and waited. It didn’t take but a few seconds and she said “A pumpkin princess!” Perfect! I can do that! Still a princess but a unique one! So a plan started to form in my head and away we go. Of course it’s turning out to be more expensive than buying say, a Disney Princess costume….but I think it’s worth it!
We found this wood pumpkin “mask” and I thought it would be perfect as H’s contribution to the costume:
I think we’re going to add some glitter to the mask too. Try to contain your excitement in seeing the finished product!
Haley seems to have quite a knack for thinking of, shall we say, unconventional names. She isn’t totally happy when her toys or dolls have what you might call a “normal” name. For instance, her favorite baby doll was given the name Sally at Christmas when she arrived. Probably 6 weeks into their new life together, H renamed her Vena.
Also at Christmas H got her doll house. She loves it and all the people who live there. For her birthday this summer we got her the “Wedding couple” who could live there and come dressed for a wedding. (Something she is very interested in right now)
Right away the woman was named Tiona. My only thought on where this name came from was that she had recently seen Shrek and maybe Fiona had turned into Tiona in her mind? I think it was also later that day that Tiona was given a last name: Genia. I don’t even have a thought on where that came from. But there she was, the bride: Tiona Genia.
Somehow I was able to name the groom and I picked the name of a good friends son: Kenneth.
Later that night we were all 4 in the car and telling daddy about the new names of her people. H got loud and said “Everyone think of a last name or Kenneth!” So I said “Smith!” and right away she declined that suggestion. I laughed and said “How about Azari?” It struck her fancy and she was so excited! Kenneth Azari and Tiona Genia! The perfect doll house couple!
(Please notice H making the kissing sound with her lips!)
I does make me wonder, what will this girl of mine decide to name my grandchildren someday? That should be exciting!
P.S. Later that week we were at the zoo with auntie Jen & the cousins. H decided that the 2 jaguars were named “Leapo and Leo” and that the Panda was “Amanda the panda” – in actuality it was a stuffed animal at the gift shop, there is no Panda at the MN Zoo.
A church softball game with one child on the playground and my boy throwing a ball and/or rocks around the dugout. A huge victory and a church ice cream social after with root beer floats and blankets on the grass.
My daughter insisting it’s not too hot outside and begging to stay out. Sweating but loving the heat, playing with her princesses on the playground. Asking me to climb up and put them each down the slide and she’ll catch them. Knocking on the patio door to tell me I can have a drink of her water on the steps if I need a drink. Knocking again to ask me “Mama, what do you wish for? I wish I could fly!” then changing her mind to “I wish I could play on a rainbow!” Summer to me today is a girl being 3, with a skinned knee and 2 bug bites on her head!
I realize that waiting until next month would make the most sense, Matthew will be a year and a half (an obvious blog age) but he seems to be changing so much, growing up so fast and I need to get some things “remembered” about him right now:
*he always goes for saltine crackers first when he can get into the pantry for food.
*he’s a boy after my own heart; he has really taken to Mickey Mouse. “Running” back and forth at the Disney store between stuffed animal displays, pointing and yelling at each one.
*he runs, almost. It is more a swift walk but what makes it different from his normal walk is the left arm fully extended and swinging as far as it will go back and forth while the right arm doesn’t move an inch.
*2 things that totally get his attention in a store: sunglasses and hats. He has them at home but won’t wear them for more than a few minutes. He is currently sure that his sunglasses are only to be worn in the car even then, only for dancing to “Baby” by Justin Bieber.
* he said bubble last week, it’s probably his most concise word. Second would be “ahhh done.” – He also added “Opa” to his list on Sunday (My dad was pretty happy about that!)
* although he is not allowed, he LOVES gum, trying to get his paws on it in the van at all costs ~ this is a constant struggle since his sister is a gum-a-holic.
* the gum in the van has lead him to believe that the cars are actual play grounds and he could spend hours sitting/playing in them if I’d let him.
* he loves his green blankie but it doesn’t leave his crib, only once in a blue moon (and for photos!) This blanket was given to H by Justin’s cousin but it didn’t become an offical “blankie” until Matt took to it.
(can you tell he’s saying “cheese” in this one…it sounds like “eeese”)
* prefers water to drink and isn’t a big fan of sweets, at least not compared to his sister. Won’t touch ice cream.
* LOVES to read books and we always sit on the bottom step of the stairs when we read, his top 4 books being:
Good Night Moon
The Foot Book
Oh, The Wonderful Sounds Mr. Brown Can Do (one of my faves too!)
Tractor book
* there are two things he will start whooping and dancing for: his gummy vitamins and an occasional fruit snack.
* he only takes one nap and it’s gotten down to about 2 hours or he won’t go to bed until 9pm.
I’ve had a few moments this week (since it’s FINALLY warming up here) where I’ve thought, “that is summer!” So, I’m going to do a little joint blog series this summer to share moments that feel like the epitome of summer. Last night we were really really late in getting to bed. It’s been so bright so late that even I lose track of time and then all of a sudden it’s time for bed. When Matt finally went down, I came back downstairs and Haley said “good, brother is in bed!” She hadn’t said anything like that before and at first I was a bit sad, but since Justin was gone at work on an emergency it turned out to be fun for just her and I to spend a bit of time together before bed. She twisted my arm and I cut up the watermelon we got yesterday for her. She had been asking me all day. I personally hate watermelon with every fiber of my being, so honestly, I don’t even like to cut it up. But we sat at the counter together and she ate while I cut. It was a nice time and when I looked over at her, all sweaty from playing outside, big red drips of watermelon juice coming off her chin – that’s when I thought – “that is summer!”
This is what summer looks like to me today, so beautiful!
Tonight at dinner she couldn’t get enough of the steak off the grill. She told us that she was going to tell Auntie Mandy and Uncle James when they ask that her favorite food is steak. Then she turned around in her seat and said “thanks mama for this beef.” Who taught her that?
I’ll admit, the volume of pictures dwindled as the days went by: Monday I took 147 pictures, for today I took 45. It was nice to see Friday arrive and Matt was happy when he woke up which is always nice. There is a trend in Matt’s interests: things that you can push. He gets so excited to see a broom and takes it right out of my hand.
Matt was also happy to see Ben & Ayden show up this morning. Matt was already dressed when they arrived so he spent the hour playing with them while I dealt with Haley. Once again, Ben took over and loved on Matt like he always does!
We made Orange rolls as a tiny celebration on Friday and then took off to drop Ben at school.
As the week was a bit crazy, I messed up yesterday’s blog and today was when sister woke up with the puffy eye and we made a stop at Target on the way home. Then it was playing and reading of books until lunch time. One thing that didn’t get captured this week is Matt’s love of the van. Whenever we get home I get him out of his seat, stand him on the garage floor and he instantly turns around to climb back in the van and do some exploring. At first it was all about the gum, he would find it and start chewing a piece with the paper on. Now that it’s hidden he wants to “drive” or just sit and relax in the passengers seat. I often get in and find the wipers going or flasher lights on only to remember it was probably Matt.
After his normal nap today I tried to sneak into a dark room and snap a picture of him sleeping but neither of them turned out before he woke up to the noise and flash – sorry Matt! We got up and headed right to the DeBoers to meet Ben off the bus. Then in a moment of pure insanity I decided to take 4 kids to the grocery store at 4:30 on a Friday afternoon. It was a bit chaotic to say the least and for some reason people kept commenting to me about “having my hands full!” Matt did a number on his shirt with the free chocolate chip cookie that kept him entertained while I shopped.
Aunt Jen and Oma came to take the big kids to the golden arches for dinner and play time while Matt and I were on our own. It was amazing how quiet the van ride home was! Matt pointed right at the stroller when we got in and I agreed, perfect time for a nice quiet walk. We ate dinner with just dad and then played until bed…the end of a very long week with lots of errands, trips, playing and family. A small glimpse into the life of Matt.
We got going early again today. Hoping this trend of 6am wake up will take a break this weekend. There are 2 things Matt is very excited about in the morning: Brushing his hair which he does when I am brushing mine and helping us brush our teeth. He loves to hold onto the end of our electric toothbrushes and feel the vibration. He even asks us with his “please” to brush our teeth. (a pink paci is what you get when you have an older sister…we don’t usually take that one out in public with us)
As soon as dad took off and we had some breakfast it was into the tub for both of the kids. Lately Matt has decided he doesn’t like a bath. He doesn’t care about toys anymore and wants to get out asap.
He makes it very difficult to wash him off and puddles are all over the floor when he is done; not a good time.
Our plans got changed again today when H woke up with a few bug bites that she seemed to be allergic to. One on her temple was swollen and puffy near her eye. So, we all piled in the van again and headed off to take Ben to school. It makes me happy to see 4 happy kids in the morning!
Next we stopped at Target to get some medication for her. I know it was early but I let the kids enjoy their free cookie anyway. I think the bakery lady looked at me funny since it was only 10am. Oh well…then Ayden asked if we could “look” at the toys. I couldn’t get a picture of Matt trying on his Captain America mask but the big kids were more than happy to oblige.
Another unplanned event came up next, so we headed over to my mom’s again. The pool wasn’t working and she wanted me to check on it AND the sprinklers weren’t coming on for the newly planted garden. The garden especially was concerning so we went to play and check it out. Matt took a little nap on the way there and I learned a lesson (again) – don’t open the door to the van if you want a picture of the baby sleeping, he’ll wake up and he might not be happy about it.
We played on the “restaurant” for a while and checked the pool then headed inside for me to figure out the sprinkler system. We left with the plants watered and the pool filter running.
The afternoon for Matt was uneventful and fairly typical. Lunch, play a bit, bottle, nap. He woke up a bit early and did some more playing, found his favorite room open and did some exploring.
The boy LOVES electronics, where could he get that from??
After we picked up Ben we actually went over to mom’s again and I finished planting in the garden and helped mow the yard. Matt went along with Auntie Jen to pick up the pizzas for dinner and they took this last picture. We ate, we played more and it was again…time to head home for bed! Another day over.
Before Wednesday even started I was determined to stay at home as much as possible and have a low key day aka less driving. I was reminded once again that I have a higher power in my life and He has plans for my day that I am not aware of! “The LORD knows all human plans; he knows that they are futile.” Psalms 94:11. I am happy though that I can see God at work in the regular everyday things!
On to Matt! He woke up early again today but it allowed for some play time with Justin that they both enjoyed. There are days that Justin leaves seeing none of us in an upright position so a bit of kid time is always appreciated before work.
We did the normal morning routine (at least for this week) got dressed and then played with the cousins before heading out for school drop offs. Today was Haley’s last day of preschool and she got dropped first then we took Ben.
I decided to give Ayden a treat and we headed to CUB for a doughnut. I cannot express to you how much he loves doughnuts – don’t tell him but I’m thinking of giving him a doughnut coupon book for his birthday next month! Matt was pretty fond of the chocolate ones with sprinkles himself.
We had some time to kill before H’s closing program at school and stopped at a park. In just the last week Matt has gotten much better at walking on uncertain terrain and going up the steps, coming down the slide. They had a good time together, spending about 30 seconds at each thing before moving on, typical boys.
We jumped around and sang at Haley’s school then said good bye to her teachers. When my sister had arrived in the AM she had brought 2 pieces of news with her from my mom’s house: 1. Sam has a huge tick over his eye and mom thinks you should look into it. 2. There is a big coyote in the neighborhood so watch out if you take the kids over or let the dogs out while you are there. Well, we weren’t headed over during the day but I was getting concerned for Sam’s tick. So, we came home from school for 2 hours, Matt took a quick nap and we were off again to pick Sam up and head to the vet.
Matt is a typical 1 yr. old in situations like the vet to it takes at least 50% of my attention watching him, keeping him entertained on the side and away from things he shouldn’t be into. We got through it and started to make our way across town again to get Ben off the bus. We stopped for a slushie at McDonalds and finally got our new library card opened up – let me tell you, Matt & the library don’t mix yet – therefore no pictures were taken. We played at the DeBoers for a few minutes, got Ben and then it was off to Oma’s house. Tonight was a quick dinner night and time to plant the garden! Matt was interested in following me around and shovels. He didn’t help too much but what can you expect from a 1 yr old?
When we got home he was still awake, unlike his sister, and followed me out to check the mail. There was an abrupt stop when he got to the driveway from the garage and realized he was walking without shoes or socks. This was really the first time since he started walking and the weather was nice enough that he walked outside bare foot. He seemed to enjoy it, going up and down the driveway quite a few times. Proud of himself! He couldn’t quite stay awake for a bath, so off to bed he went.
