Halloween 2012

Halloween went on as expected. Except for the weather, which was the warmest Halloween on record for our location (you never know what you'll get here- snow/horrible rain/sunshine, its a total gamble). I'm not complaining, just stating the facts.

When discussing with the children about what they wanted to dress as, Amelia was pretty adamant about being a cowgirl, but it needed to also be a princess, so that was easily achieved with gluing a crown onto a pink cowgirl hat, and she quickly became a rodeo princess. Miles decided he wanted to be Batman so I went online and ordered him a costume on Amazon a few weeks ahead so the pressure would be off. As for Brodrick, he is in the thick of a skeleton/bones obsessions. We have a song DVD that has this version of Dem Bones, that he cannot get enough of. (Watch the video- your kids will love it!) As luck would have it, most Halloween decor has bones in/on them, and he experienced excitement upon seeing skeletons, rather than fear/disgust like Amelia did at his age. I do not like Halloween decor or scary decorations but am not too creeped out about his obsession since we all have a skeleton and the bones talked about in the video. Brodrick wanted to be "DEM BONES!" Since the The Children's Place site was out of the costume, I called around and located two costumes- one for Miles, (since he likes the video clip and bones too, though not to the extreme level of his little brother) and one for Brodrick at a store several miles away. We made a drive to the store for the super awesome costumes, complete with gloves and hats.

We went to a ward Halloween party the week before Halloween, and the kids had lots of fun playing games, and the food was delicious. We carved pumpkins the Monday before Halloween for FHE, though the pictures didn't turn out too well. Once they were finished, we put them on our front steps. I planned to take pictures of the kids with their finished pumpkins later since it was so dark and past bed time. That plan was foiled when early Wednesday, Miles became a regular pumpkin smasher and heaved them as hard and as far as he could from our front steps to our yard. Read: total boy. I was rather frustrated, but in retrospect, should have taken pictures for proof of the destruction. 

Bags from the dollar store that I sewed decals on to personalize them. Horse for Amelia, Bat for Miles, and "Dem Bones" for Brodrick. The kids loved them- and I was thrilled to toss out those ridiculous plastic jack-o-lantern trick-or-treating buckets that don't stack and take up so much space to store!

At the ward Halloween Party- Brodrick wanted a football painted on his cheek. He was very serious for posing.

We didn't find Miles Batman costume until we were just walking out the door so he went to the ward party as a pirate.

Round Up Princess

Showing off more of his costume that he still LOVES and wears to bed as pj's (they also glow in the dark).

The best group shot I could get...

Picture proof that we actually did carve pumpkins.

Getting ready to cut out Amelia's face she drew all herself.

Halloween night, we went trick-or-treating with two of my sisters and their kids. We did a few houses out of our neighborhood, and then came back to trick-or-treat in our own ward boundaries.  That morning, Brodrick woke up at 4am, and by 5pm could not stay awake. He fought as long and as hard as he could to stay awake- (I had tried repeatedly to put him down for a nap so he wouldn't miss out on his first memorable Halloween) but in the end, he slept right through the trick-or-treating. Miles didn't last too long either. After a few houses, not even the motivation of candy could keep him going. He asked to be carried back home so he could go to bed. It was a school night after all so we didn't stay out too late.

Batman Miles!

Such a cute cowgirl!

Amelia and Miles with their cousins, Jenna, Talitha, Miles, Abrea, and Kierra.

Not pictured was a super scary costume a guy in our ward made a few years ago and wore around while he took his daughter tirck-or-treating. It was pretty creapy looking (Think ghost of christmas past from A Christmas Carol, but with a skeleton face, red eyes that light up, and twice the size you would expect. Even the arms were over sized attachments to the guys real arms and Amelia was pretty traumatized, even know the guy was just wearing a costume. After Miles had already turned in for the night, we went to another house in our ward, and that family had made a haunted house in their garage. Most kids loved it, but Amelia is not most kids, and even though I was with her, ended up carrying her for more than the last half while she cried. I was thankful that the boys didn't have experiences like that, as they have a harder time making the distinction between people in lifelike costumes and reality.

Case and point: Halloween can be fun. It's so fun to dress up, but I hate being scared. I personally HATE feeling afraid, and was disapointed that Amelia experienced that extra, un-needed unsettling feeling. Thankfully she recovered quickly, but in my world, there would be no blood/death/fear/scary things involved with Halloween. It would just be a fun experience all around.

Amelia's 1st Violin Recital

 Amelia has been playing the violin since a few weeks after her 4th birthday. She performed in her first recital on October 20th.

Since she was itty bitty ( just two years old) she would ask to play the violin, "a pay by-in mommy?!" She would also listen and pick out the violins playing in orchestra pieces on the radio, coupled with "a my by-in!" with a dreamy far off look in her eyes.

When we moved into a house across the street from a certified Suzuki violin teacher, it was fate. We waited for Amelia to turn four and got her into lessons. (For the record- I had heard that Suzuki students start at 4, and didn't realize that many teachers take 3 year old students, and even some times 2 year old students!) For the first few months of lessons, I was constantly hearing, "Is my violin lesson today?!" followed by  tears and "WHY?? Why can't my lesson be today?!" or "I'm so excited I can't wait to go to my lesson!" complete with grins and squeals of delight, depending on the day. I attribute this devotion and love in part (you know the part that is not Amelia's undying love of the violin) to her fabulous Suzuki Violin Teacher, Lauri Driggs.

During our lesson observation period (required before we could become an official student that took up those few weeks right after her 4th birthday)  I got to talk to the mom of the student we observed. She explained that she had 4 daughters, 3 of whom had completed the Suzuki Violin program- which equates to a lot of lessons with several different teachers. She then said that Lauri was, hands down, the best teacher any of her girls had learned from. Now having had Amelia with in her studio for the last 20 months, I totally believe it. This woman is not only amazing on her violin, but is a wonder with the kids.

Amelia with her violin teacher Lauri Driggs at the recital.

Needless to say, Amelia has been self driven for the most part with her violin aspirations. We go through spells of not wanting to practice which is normal and expected but, 9 times out of 10, Amelia loves playing violin.

Here is a clip of her recital performance playing Song of the Wind.

(The students were invited to wear their halloween costumes to the recital, Amelia was was a Rodeo Princess- but we had to take her cowgirl hat-complete with crown- off cause it hung in the way of her bow.)

A Tooth for a Tooth

Remember the last time I took the kids to the dentist? It obviously has been more than 6 months since the last visit. We went during fall break so it was not busy which is always a bonus.

Watching a show in the waiting room.

Amelia going 1st with Dr Markham.

The boys playing with Sunglasses while Amelia has her turn.

A happy smile for no cavities!!

And of course, finished off a visit with balloon swards and a horse.

Highlights for the kids included balloon animals, Brodrick getting to see his very own "ben bones!" (aka x-ray of his teeth) and new toothbrushes/paste/floss. I was a bit nervous about cavities in Miles. Last time I was told that he had weak enamel and that he would likely get a cavity if we did not start using Prevident toothpaste (prescription fluoride toothpaste that should not be swallowed- that involves a lot of swishing water and spitting). Miles has a hard time working his tongue and spitting is not a strong point, so we have not been able to use it as often as recommended. I am happy to report that even though his enamel is still super weak- he is cavity free, "due to a good diet." #proverbialpatontheback The other two are cavity free as well! So thankful!!

And now for my PSA reguarding Pediatric Dentistry:
When Amelia was three she was forcing her jaw forward, especially when she smiled. While Dr Markham was checking her bite and jaw, he felt what she was doing and said that she needed a mouth piece to correct it. When debating about the necessity of the device, he explained that the kids that don't get a mouthpiece/help to correct their bite while they are young, will need to have their jaw reconstructed, wired shut while it heals, and a full set of braces to correct the way the jaw grew. Less than 6 months with the mouth piece and the problem with her bite has been corrected since.
Pediatric dentists know their stuff- and with a bit of luck you will find one that is exceptional. It is totally worth it to hunt one down to take your littles to. Find a good pediatric dentist for your kids. It could make all the difference. The end.

Holes in Her Ears

When she was not even three years old we had the conversation of how people can wear earrings. That you have to go to a special store and people poke holes in your ears and then after a long time, you can change the earrings. She was relentless and kept telling me, "I want holes in my ears." I took her to Claire's to see a little girl get her ears pierced. The girl was a few months younger than she was at the time. After seeing the other girl get her ears pierced (a slight flinch/jump that could have easily been from the loud noise right by her ear vs the pain- no tears were involved), she decided she didn't want her ears pierced any more. So, we went home and I would ask her every now and again, until just recently she was adamit that she did NOT want to have them pierced.

Fast forward to the beginning of October. She would casually ask about the pain associated with getting her ears pierced. After my answers she would say something like, I might want to get my ears pierced some day. Then, one day, she just decided she was ready. I called that day to see if there were two workers at Claire's so that both ears would get pierced at the same time. There was just one person working, so we didn't make it in that day, fearing that we would end up with just one ear pierced. Then finally on October 13th Amelia and I went to the mall to get her ears pierced in the early afternoon on a Saturday- to be sure to have two workers there. She was so happy about choosing the little flower earrings that had different colors for each pedal. Both ladies came over and just like that it was done. Amelia did cry. A lot. It took a few minutes for her to calm down and she wasn't completely recovered until she was offered a sucker.

That night before bed. So happy with her earrings!

The first day or so her ears were quite tender and she did not enjoy having them cleaned. She now doesn't mind it (we still need to clean them three times a day) and feels so grown up having her ears pierced! I can't believe how fast Amelia is growing up!

Don't Play with Fire...

Alright, this Wednesday was just cram-packed! (The same day as Pumpkin Land and the girls only date.) I have a calling in cub scouts right now and so when we decided to have an activity for the boys at a local fire station's open to the public, once a year, all day carnival, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to take the kids.

There was a fire demonstration that really scared Brodrick (...as in screaming hysterically and clinging onto me for dear life...). When they were setting up for it, we were told where to go, but it was too close. The fire was so huge and hot. Amelia and Miles decided it was pretty cool a while after they had extinguished the fire, but like myself, were taken back by the intensity. I guess it was a great lesson for them to not play with fire.

Watching the firefighters gear up for the demonstration.

Brodrick in an ambulance. I intend for this to be his only time inside one, unless of course, he decides to become an EMT someday.

At the station the offered plastic fire hats, cotton candy, popcorn, pencils, stickers, to try on real fire suit equipment and more.

The kids watching the life flight helicopter land (LOVE the look on Miles' face...). I had been close to a helicopter when the motor was turned on before, but was in the car. Its pretty neat to feel the wind and hear the loud engine when you are so close.

Checking out the propellers

The four of us had a great time! It was a day of learning, to be sure. Brodrick told several people later in the day, "Go to a fire station, fire REALLY hot!" and enjoyed re-watching the landing of the helicopter. If we stay in the area post graduate school, we hope to make the carnival a yearly tradition.

Girl Time

The same day the boys and I went to pumpkin land, I decided to take Amelia on a little girls-only outing. We ran an errand and ended our outing with a special treat. We went to a local bakery to try some desserts. Of course of all the delicious selections available, Amelia chose the caramel apple, because she, "loves apples!" Smart girl. It WAS delicious. One of the best caramel apples I've ever had...

Its always so good to get to spend some alone time with each child. Since Amelia has been in school, we have both missed the spending time together like we used to. We are adjusting, but getting out together once and awhile definitely helps!

Pumpkin Land

A week and a half ago, the boys and I went to a pumpkin patch with Miles small preschool co-op group and the play group from one of our old wards. We had a lovely time, and it was before the weather really turned nasty cold, which was an added plus.  It was so fun to get to spend time with old friends, and let the kids frolic about, expending their boy energy. On our way out each boy chose a pumpkin to take home.

The color of the day was orange, so I dressed both boys accordingly.

Brodrick, Miles, and their cousin Miley

Check out the tall sunflowers.

Could these two be any cuter?!?

Smiling for pictures. Brodrick is in the - don't-look-at-the-camera phase. Also, note the baby. That sweet little one is the two month old of an old friend who brought her three girls with the groups. I carried that baby the whole time I was there. It helped curb my baby hunger- she was the best baby ever! so it also aggravated it a little. ;)

Brodrick loved climbing and dancing all over this little play fort.

I was loving the blue sky in the background...

With the chosen pumpkins.

We had a great time! A huge thank you to my dear friend Debbie who organized the fun for all.