On To Halloween 2011

Halloween 2011 we went all out.  We picked pumpkins off the vine at a local farm.

 

Elias finally felt brave enough to try the bouncy houses at the farm.

One of the pumpkins Elias painted at school, the other we carved.

 

 The kids had wonderful costumes that Mom had made/fixed up for this year.  Elias was a doctor, complete with real stethoscope, mask, and giant syringe.

Ezra wore Elias' first Halloween costume.

 

 The kids wore their costumes to music class, to school, for neighborhood trick-or-treating (Elias only made it half way down the block and back), and to our annual Fraser Halloween celebration.  They have a free photo both, and this year I discovered you can download the pictures.  Here are the 2011 photos:

 And here are the 2010:

 

I've already started thinking about what the boys should be this year.

Last October Girl's Weekend

I know.  I know.  I'm still catching up.

Last October, Mom, Steph, Ethan, Tate, Elias, Ezra and I went up to Fraser to for our yearly "Girl's Weekend."  We had a blast.  There was a tiny bit of snow, so the Arizonians were thrilled.
 
  We hiked along the river,
   
 
  made crowns,

 
 played at playgrounds,

  
 
 
 

 made Halloween mobiles (Ezra's is still hanging above his bed) and painted Halloween jars,



 

 played with string (who knew it could entertain kids for hours), made bracelets, ate awesome food (had a great breakfast out), talked, laughed, and had fun.  I'm glad I got around to posting about it before this year's get together.

Almost 15 Months

Since I still have to catch up from last October, let's just combine Ezra at 14 and almost 15 months.

Ezra:

-loves to play the piano.
-gets into everything. He unplugs anything in outlets; nightlights, the doorbell (which I had to move), even the outlet protectors. Sigh.
-laughs when you give him kisses.
-likes to scurry up the stairs when no one is looking, and then laugh maniacally when he is discovered.
-puts his fingers in your mouth.
-is finally starting to understand signing milk, more and all done. If he wants anything though (a toy, a drink, some food), he makes the milk sign.
-loves to pat his own belly...and yours.
-bops to music and claps when songs end.
-says up, dog (although it sounds like daaaawg), off, Hi (although it comes out Hiiieeee), Ahhh (after drinking milk or water), doddle (who knows what this means?).
-gives kisses and hugs when he is in the mood (but that open mouth still makes me nervous that he is going to bite).
-is a gigantic pain in the butt to feed: spits food out, throws it on the floor, hides it in his chair, takes off his bib.
-helps with putting his clothes on.
-has some favorite toys: dog bones (yummy), the bowls in the cupboards, any container he can put stuff in.
-convinced mommy and daddy to get a new dog food container that is Ezra proof, so he would stop cramming dog food into his mouth at all possible moments.
-has a ticklish belly and toes.
-gives high 5s.
-always has a big smile for Daddy.
-finally got adjusted to his new class at school and now plays instead of crying at drop off.
-plays by himself in his crib at bedtime.

Playing Adult

With all this kid stuff, sometimes it is nice to pretend to be an adult for a change. My friend Dave organized a night out to see Les Miserable back in September. Six of us went out to dinner and enjoyed the show. Matt stayed home and watched the kids. Eventually, I suppose, we might just go out together...but better not hold your breath.

Party, Party, Party

With Elias' birthday only a little more than a month away, the planning for his party has to start soon. Since last September, Elias and I have been to 4 birthday parties for his classmates at school.

Miles' birthday was at the Botanical Children's Garden. We decorated pots, got soil and seeds for planting, played in the stream and ate lunch out in nature.

Sienna's birthday was at Jungle Quest. This is a great place for kids 5 and up, with a climbing wall, zip lines, rope bridges, the works. Elias was scared out of his mind. There was a playing area that didn't require "gear", but it was almost pitch black, so just getting the kids to go in was a challenge. There were two small slides and a rope bridge to cross...that was about it. Near the end of the playing time, some of Elias' younger friends from school decided to try on a harness and ride on the zip line. Elias wanted to go too. He got on his harness, waited in a very long line, but then decided he wasn't so sure he wanted to go (some of his other friends had already backed out). I was up on the platform with him, counted down and pushed him off (yes, I am THAT Mom). Needless to say, he didn't go again.

One of Elias' Best Friends, Joey at Jungle Quest

Lucias celebrated his birthday at the Denver Firefighter's Museum. Last year Dylan had his birthday party there. The kids get to wear firefighter gear, play on a fire engine and slide down a mini fireman's pole. I think Elias enjoyed it, but I don't find the place all that great, and it is really, really hot. For the next party there, Matt can experience the joys.

Elias as a Fireman

The best party (at least for me) was Isabella's. The magician Ann Lincoln came to Isabella's Dad's loft downtown. She did face painting while all the kids arrived. Then she put on a show that I thought was fantastic. She was silly with juggling, losing a wooden bunny and peanuts. She had a real bunny (that the kids got to pet at the end) and a bird. Everyone left with a balloon animal. While I was cracking up during the show, Elias (the only boy at the party) was visibly upset. I think he was worried that Ann was really struggling, and he felt bad for her. He didn't realize it was supposed to be funny. Such a sensitive soul.

Elias as a clown

What to do for Elias' 4th birthday party? A cooking party, amusement park, craft party, bounce house...the options are endless. Better start cracking.

Thank Goodness for Friends

They keep us sane. Last fall we had visits from Serena, Sara and Joe. Oh, how we miss them!

Must Be Noted

Back in early September, Matt held his annual bike ride from Empire, up over the pass, and to our condo in Fraser. This year passed without incident. A group of friends did the ride with him and had lunch at our place afterwards. He is bound to hold it in September this year and everyone is invited, so you better start training!