Jumping from Election Day to Christmas

We bought a Roku box, which I now think is the coolest thing since I can do multiple things at once on my tv and computer. I hate rainy days and cold days so November isn't my month. I am tired and blah but trying to revive my spirits with coffee and pandora, though unfortunately for me, the songs right now are kinda sad so that isn't really helping. My kids are asleep so that is helping because tired and chasing after kids just results in endless chaos on both sides. I went to bed at 9:30pm the past two nights so I should be well rested, but having young children means that once everyone is asleep doesn't mean everyone is asleep for the whole night. Thomas is still attached to my hip and if I move one inch out of his eyesight he just breaks down, apparently this means at night too. Luke is always impossible to get to sleep at night because he wants you to sit in there with him until he is asleep, that can take anywhere from 5 minutes to an hour. Some nights we indulge and some we don't, many of the nights we don't result in yelling and screaming from both ends. Pete says that when the two most stubborn people in our family decide to have a standoff the results will never be good. Luckily, we can rely on Jack to just go to bed. Now the getting him dressed in the morning is another story, but at night he will even put himself to bed if he is tired and we aren't able to get around to him fast enough. Election night my darling husband worked his study schedule so that he could be home to watch the results, I was pumped because this would be like a date night for us-wine, the kids in bed, and just chilling in front of the tv--ok maybe date isn't the right word. Politics are very important to my husband so I knew I needed and wanted to be there to hear him talk, rant, get excited, predict, and etc. the whole night, but I couldn't do it, not because I didn't care, I just couldn't keep my eyes open. After he noticed my eyes closed and my responses just being, mmm, yeah, uh-huh, he told me I should just go to bed but come 2016 he needed to see much more enthusiasm out of me. I told him I'd get a shirt to support our candidate, he said maybe in my case I should get pjs instead. True.

Now that Halloween and Election Day, which are both like major holidays in our house, are over it is time to focus on..........Christmas? The kids are super busy making Christmas lists. Last year this wasn't a big deal to anyone really, but now that Jack is older he is setting the example by looking through catalogs, going online, and taking our strolls through the Wal-Mart toy aisle very seriously. It has taken Luke a few days to catch on but this morning he asked to look at toys online. So what happened to Thanksgiving? Well, I am not real sure. It isn't even entering into Jack's head at all. This morning he kept drilling me with questions like: Is Cassie going to be there because if she is I have to sleep in the office at Granny's and sometimes it scares me, so where will I sleep? ( by the way he never sleeps in Cassie's room) Who else will be there at Christmas? Even Sean? Will all the uncles be there? How many things do I have on my list now? Can I add more? I just had to tell him I wasn't even thinking about that stuff yet because it was so far away. Poor Thanksgiving. There isn't much draw there. No candy, no dressing up, no ghosts, zombies, monsters, no toys, no team blue or team red, just a large meal and for a kid who doesn't really like large meals--that isn't very appealing. The greeting card companies and the massive chain stores really need to work on making Thanksgiving super awesome because right now my kids aren't buying it.

Fall brings changes

Luke's hair had this huge knot in the back that just wouldn't go away. We would wash his hair, brush it, leave it alone, whatever, and it would come back. This massive bird's nest on the back left side of his head. We didn't really want to cut it out because that would involve cutting his hair and we love our little Luke's long hair plus Pete and I aren't the best hair stylists. We went to the playground one afternoon and saw in the sunlight it was much worse than we thought. In the end there was no real option, a trip to the barbershop was a must. Luke's hair is a bit shorter than we like, but he does look more grown up. He was so good, but then again he does enjoy getting his hair brushed and looking in the mirror.

Jack has wanted to lose a tooth since a girl lost one in Montessori last year. Every other month he would talk about how he had a loose tooth, so when one day his mouth got bumped and he said that he had a loose tooth, I didn't believe him. He kept talking about it and I kept on not believing him. He didn't show me it wiggling and I didn't ask, but that is mostly because that stuff gives me the shivers. Then on Thursday he was talking about it some more to our friends and my friend checked it out and informed me that it was not only loose but it could probably come out right then. Wow, what a total mom fail! I am so sorry Jack. I had him show me that tooth and it was super loose. When I went to pick him up from school Friday it had fallen out during class. How exciting! He got a certificate and a sticker from his teacher. We called all sorts of people, took lots of pictures, stuck it under his pillow, and discussed whether or not Tigran would bark at the Tooth Fairy when she came into the house.

That night the downtown businesses had trick-or-treating. We had a great time. Luke's favorite part was pointing out who all the guys were. His favorite was a dad dressed in full Batman gear. There were lots of Spiderman and baby Batman costumes. There was a Jake from Jake and the Neverland Pirates and every time we passed him Luke would say- yo ho!

Jack had his final soccer game Saturday and this involved getting a trophy. Jack has longed hoped for his very own trophy. His Uncle Danny has loads of trophies and medals and Jack really wanted to start his own collection so when he found out he would get a trophy and that it had his name on it-wow, he hasn't been so excited.

Hindu-Jewish Wedding Weekend

Pete and I were able to attend a wedding that isn't your every day garden variety wedding- this was a Hindu-Jewish wedding weekend. I really wanted to be able to come back and write all about it and tell you so much about everything I saw, but I didn't truly follow everything I saw.

 Our first night there I got henna.

can't touch anything for 2 hours

flower on the left hand a peacock on the right

got some bindi

what it looks like when dry

The Hindu ceremony was the next morning--very early. Many women wore saris or salwar and men kurta. I didn't wear Indian clothes, but Pete looked handsome in his.

he didn't wear the Indian pants but is rocking the top

As an American chick just sort of watching the ceremony it seemed very laid back, come and go as you wish, go out and have a snack and come back in, chat a bit to friends and relatives while the bride and groom are on the altar, some people took phone calls, and it appeared in this case that even the priest was ad-libbing some- suddenly there was a call to find a baby- and this was not entirely expected by anyone involved, other than the priest. Finally a baby was found and the bride held it on her lap. Games were also played by the bride and groom-- see who can get the coconut and who can find the ring in the turmeric water. It was an awesome experience and I am glad we were able to be there.

The next day was the Jewish part of the wedding. It took place outside under a Chuppah, it was started off by the blowing of the Shofar made by an animal's horn. I must admit that I was super excited by this-probably way more than was warranted. Then we sang the bride down the aisle. It was a short ceremony that was beautiful and meaningful and of course ended by the breaking of glass and shouting Mazel Tov. Prior to the wedding Pete was able to participate in the signing of the ketubah. I really enjoyed the Hora and seeing the bride and groom thrust into the air. Pete got to give a toast and while I think he tried to freak/kill the bride first by claiming to have no knowledge of having to give a speech and asking if it was really such a big deal, he did a great job!

It was so touching and meaningful to see so many people happy, blessed, proud, and excited to be joining these two faiths and traditions. More people should follow the lead of our wonderful friends.  Congratulations.

How we manage tv withdrawal

In the morning I go on a walk with my friend, but Luke decided he would much rather just stay at home and chill in front of the tv. As soon as Pete leaves the car Luke begins to scream and cry-- SHOWS SHOWS SHOWS!! He knows that sadly his shows will have to be postponed until after our walk. You would think that he would be used to this by now, we have been doing it for a month or more. His cries of protest were getting louder and more violent, even through the walk, which of course made chatting with said friend very enjoyable. It isn't like he wasn't getting his show fix, he got shows as soon as we got home. He became such a disruption that a couple times Pete and I worked it out so Luke didn't have to go on the walk and could in fact say home to watch his shows. Then his shows began to creep into every part of our day. Before naps, after naps, before picking up Jack, after picking up Jack, waiting for Pete, during dinner, and any free or semi-free moment in his day. If no was the answer then a toddler type meltdown was assured. I decided what we needed was a three day break from tv. Luke has been having his ups and downs just like any addict but we are getting through it. I have been getting through it because let's be honest tv helps a mom out. Assistance from the tv allows me to do lots of things like- take a shower, do laundry, wash dishes, clean, and even simple things like check my email before 1pm.

So without the tv here are some things we have done.

painting gourds and squash

Thomas has taken to eating paint

Luke likes smiley faces on his belly

Luke and I finished this morning

Luke proud of his awesome new "toys"

snap circuits anyone?

everyone in our family got tattoos

red velvet spider cupcakes-- with no black food coloring I had to enlist in Jack's help to get the color just right

Here a two short videos of Luke playing with the snap circuits

Say it ain't so

Last night I was upstairs with Jack, helping him brush his teeth, when he told me some startling news. This was news I was nowhere ready to hear and did not expect to be hearing it anytime soon. I have a girlfriend. Nope, no way, nada, I don't think so. I took a deep breath and shook it off-surely he means he has friends who are girls. Yes, that is what he means. Then I look at him and ask him to clarify: girl who is a friend or girlfriend? He looks at me and says-girlfriend. Hmm... Ok, well really what is a girlfriend in kindergarten? I mean just a girl you call girlfriend right? You think she is pretty, you want to pull her pigtails, and maybe make her scream by shoving a frog in her face. So I ask him what exactly a girlfriend is? I mean he may not even know what that word means. He looks at me like I am an idiot. Then he says-A girl you might marry one day. Deep slow breaths. Deep slow breaths. Well, yeah I guess he does know what a girlfriend is. Then I ask him how he knows she is his girlfriend. He says-we hold hands all the time and there is even a rule about not doing it but we do it anyway. Again I repeat--NOPE, NO WAY, NADA, I DON'T THINK SO!!!!!!  Maybe I passed out for a minute, maybe I turned white, maybe I turned red, maybe I yelled-THAT GIRL MAKES YOU HOLD HER HAND?! I don't really remember. The next thing I remember is him still talking about how last year at Montessori a couple people had girlfriends but he didn't. I just sort of nod and say in a slow calm voice- I am glad you waited.

Now my head is swimming with all sorts of things like= no kissing, no sex, no babies, respect, does he know how to treat a girl with respect, I haven't even gotten around to that yet, I bet that girl is tricking him, wait -no that is mean, and all types of crazy thoughts that are probably overly exaggerated for a simple kindergarten girlfriend. Then I think- Where is Pete? I need Pete.

Let me just say Pete was not on the same page as me at all. When I called Pete he was proud that Jack had a girlfriend in kindergarten because Pete didn't have his first girlfriend until 2nd grade. What?! No no no. Then he says maybe this is why Jack has been acting better at school this week-he needed a girl to reign him in and exert a positive influence over him. Again-No, no, no.

To top it off, this morning when I took Jack to school he told me I didn't need to walk him to class or even into the building because he knew the way. So I was left standing on the sidewalk just watching him walk away.

Deep Slow Breaths, Deep Slow Breaths, Deep Slow Breaths.

Jack started soccer

Yesterday Jack entered into the world of team sports. He is playing 3 v 3 soccer with no goalies. He and Pete have been practicing for a couple weeks now. Of course, when we arrive at the field a sense of fear overwhelms Jack, he no longer wants to play soccer anymore and believes that everyone will think that he is stupid. After some prodding we get Jack to walk over to his team. Once the game begins and he is able to kick the ball all fear leaves and he even scores the first goal of the game--his first goal ever! After this it all becomes about how fun it is to run after the ball, kick it, and even 'explode' other people. He didn't realize that people ran into each other or even fell down sometimes and he thought that was awesome.

When I arrived to the informational meeting for Jack's soccer team I was asked to be team manager and said sure. So last week I was helping to sort, label, fold, and pack up t-shirts for the whole league, sending out an email to assign snack duties to the other families on the team, and working the concession stand. In the concession stand I was in charge of making pretzels, nachos, and popcorn-making popcorn causes slight finger burns just so you know. Pete says I am turning into one of those moms that gets super involved in everything. I believe he might be right though that is not what I intended. For Jack's school we have signed up to help in the library, bring in snacks for the teachers, help with classroom parties, and the book fair.

Luke became very interested in puzzles. We have a 12 piece Melissa and Doug puzzle that he sits in front of for over an hour every day. He breaks up the pieces, flips them over, then reassembles the puzzle all by himself. Last week he would have me sit with him and help him out but this week he doesn't want me anywhere near him as he turns the pieces in various directions to get them all to fit correctly. Occasionally he will ask where one goes but mostly he just wants to show me the finished product. I am impressed with his focus and the repetitiveness of this task. He will just sit and do this one puzzle over and over and over again for at least an hour without stopping.

Thomas loves toilets. He loves to splash, slam the lid, and apparently throw things in the toilet. Thomas loves the toilet so much that I have tried to impress on Jack the importance of closing the lid after finishes but he doesn't always remember. On Saturday Jack did not remember and I heard Thomas making his way in that direction, so I asked Jack to go back and put the seat down, but instead Jack said, " Mom, I can't. Thomas put my pajamas in there!" I think we may have another mischief maker.

I bought a couple new sippy cups for Thomas, some without handles, and now he refuses to drink anything. For a few days I was really at a loss as to what to do because he really didn't want to drink out of these new cups. Well, we figured out that Thomas wants to bypass the no handle sippy cups for just the real thing. Once we handed him a regular cup and a bottle of water he drank like a pro.

scissors and toilets

After a phone call from my sister and a brief look at my calendar it was decided we would make a last minute visit to Henderson. On Sunday we decided to go feed the ducks at the State Hospital and then follow that up with some frisbee golf down at the Riverwalk. While at the Riverwalk it began to rain but we weren't quite done playing so we didn't let a little water stop us, but once we (me) got cold it was time to go home and change out of our wet clothes. Jack thought it would be a good idea to cut paper, and I agreed that it would give the kids something to do while I got changed, so I handed out the scissors (safety scissors for Luke) and paper then headed back to dry off. It was just moments later when I heard Pete say, 'Hey Beck, maybe next time Luke should use safety scissors and I could use some ice.' Totally calm unlike me who would have been like, 'OH MY GOODNESS THERE IS BLOOD EVERYWHERE AND IT WON'T STOP! WHY WON'T IT STOP AND WHY ARE YOU PLAYING WITH SCISSORS YOU KNOW BETTER!!?? ARGH!!! ' (even though I had given him the scissors).  Pete used ice and pressure but the bleeding wouldn't stop so we loaded up the boys and headed to the ER. Only Pete and Luke were allowed in the back so I hung out with Jack and Thomas in the ER until my sister picked them up and then I was able to go in the back with Luke and Pete. We kept constant pressure on it and realized that the Henderson ER is nasty, extremely slow, and not very good at what they do. After 4 or more hours, a dirty room, and a nursing staff who just ripped the gauze off Luke's finger to look at it but then just left without saying anything to us or re-wrapping his finger we finally got our little guy taken care of and he ended up with about 5 stitches in the tip of his right index finger. He was very good the whole time and earned the prize of ice cream for dinner.

Thomas celebrated his first birthday! Luke apparently thought it was his birthday because he has claimed Thomas's presents as his own. We had some cake in Henderson and then once back home I made spaghetti and cupcakes, but Thomas wasn't in a great mood on his birthday and ended up sleeping through dinner and wasn't overly interested in anything that was going on- he only wanted to cry. Now our baby is no longer a baby but a toddler-if only he would start toddling. :)

This brings us to today. Luke and Thomas went upstairs to play and while I heard laughing I also heard splashing-hmm. I have raised Jack so I know about mischief and this was definitely some no good merry making. Part of me thought I should just hang out downstairs because I didn't really want to deal with it- I was just drinking my coffee so I didn't have a ton of energy yet. After trying the yelling stop from downstairs move, which I knew to be futile, I got up to check it out. Luke had made a run for it but Thomas isn't wise enough to know how to scatter when mom is walking up the steps so he was still hanging out by the toilet. I always scan the environment first and I noticed a few things: floor was covered in water, toilet was covered in water, water in toilet was kind of murky, and Thomas was wet and I do mean head to toe sopping wet. At first I wanted to flush the toilet to get rid of that murky water but then I realized something had to make the water look like that and flushing it before investigating would not be a wise mommy move. I ask Luke why the bathroom was wet and what happened to the toilet and he yells from Thomas's room, 'Sarge.' I ask, 'Where is Sarge?' After getting nowhere with this I ask him to put Sarge in my hand. He finally emerges from Thomas's room, also wet but not as wet as Thomas, and points to the toilet. I ask, 'Is Sarge in the toilet?' Luke answers, 'Yes. Sarge truck.'  Now I take a deep breath, stick my hand in the toilet and begin to fish for Sarge. Luckily, he was only a little stuck and I was able to retrieve him fairly easily. Luke was very happy to have Sarge back and when I begin to ask about how Thomas got so wet I realized this 2-year-old was not going to give me any more information. So now I am left to wonder how the boys got so wet when the toilet was still full of water when I arrived on the scene. Sneaky boys.

Now some pictures of the boys.