Getting ready...

My mom and I continued our tradition of spooky treat bags. We worked on them this weekend and are set for Halloween! Nick, Amy, and the kids came over on Saturday to take Halloween pictures in front of our house. All four of the kids were so cute and had a blast! It really is amazing how much Sean adores his cousins. They can do no wrong in his eyes.

It was a great weekend of catching up. I was able to see all of my sisters and spend a little time with each. Better than nothing! It is amazing how we can all live in the same town, but have a hard time connecting. Life is too short.

I guess the funniest thing that happened this weekend is from Sean. He loves looking at the Halloween decorations, we call them "spooks" and he calls them "doots." Well at my mom's house, he was saying hello to all the "doots" and I was telling him what they were. When I said "witch," he said "itch." Now he can't stop talking about the "itch." Between that and the "moo" (moon), we are busying searching for one or the other. Have a great week.

Horse, Apples, Goats...

Graham and I had planned on taking Sean on a mini vacation over MEA break, but it just didn't work out. So we promised to do something fun and new with him. We took him to an apple orchard where he got to experience many, many new things!

He rode a big horse named Tootsie! Graham led the horse and I had an arm around Sean while trying to take pictures. It was amazing, and he loved every second of it! So sweet!

He was able to go on a tractor ride out to the orchard where he picked apples! Some were easy to pick, others not so much. He'd pick one and put it in the bag. Toward the end, he picked one and began eating it right there! Don't be alarmed, there are signs posted everywhere telling us to try the apples on the spot. It was adorable!

Then we went into their "petting zoo." Remind me next time to leave the animal food at the door. We walk into this gated area, carrying the "food" sold to us at the counter, when we were nearly run over by a family of billy goats! It was quite scary for Sean, because they would not back off! We didn't know that the animals ran free, and it was a cool experience, that is once we ditched the "food!" He was able to pet the babies, see some cows up close, and even be followed around by an Alpaca (kinda scary for mom)!

He had so much fun that once we got him fed and to bed for his nap, he couldn't stop talking about the horse! Needless to say, no nap. Which later meant, no date for mommy and daddy because he was soooo crabby. We couldn't leave him with a sitter acting like that! We improvised and ordered pizza after we put him to bed early. Worked out great for everyone involved, except the sitter who I canceled on. Oh, well. Life happens.

Facebook

I have finally joined the ranks thanks to my husband! He is so much more "with it" than me. I try. I have a new computer, so I need to get my camera hooked up and start downloading pictures. That is my MEA break goal!

New Stage

We have hit a new stage at our house. It is called "Independent Sean" and it can be wearing and exciting all in the same time.

The other day he was in a time out in his crib for hitting (the "wearing" part) and he was being awfully quiet, so I thought he was ready to come out. Low and behold, I walk in and there he is straddling the crib, swinging his legs, and smiling the biggest smile. I couldn't help but smile inside as I ran to get him safely down. I tried not to make a big deal about it, hoping he'd forget he'd done it. Wrong. His time outs are now on the chair in his room. At bedtime, he is usually too tired to goof around (as of right now), but daddy plans on changing it to the toddler bed very soon.

He loves to be outside and recently we took him to get pumpkins. He loves them. We got a quite a few and used them to decorate the front of our house. He calls them "apples" and rearranges them whenever he can! He also has discovered the moon, and he always wants to look at it and bring us with him. We read "Goodnight Moon" regularly and do many window checks. These would be the exciting times that we are having.

He is truly amazing! Although, I could do without the hitting! Where do they learn that!

Getting with the times

I have been admiring everyone's blogs and didn't now how to get mine so cute! My sister finally gave me the directions. Next, I am hoping to get my pictures updated. We'll just see how fast I move!

We have spent what seems to be millions on the cutest toys for our growing boy. The toys he prefers are the life-like toys we got at Tractor Supply of work trucks! He carries them everywhere. Runs them on the floors, window sills, counters, tables, legs...where ever he can. We are also learning about his temper as of lately. Wow! All I can say is it can't come from me;) I am praying that the timeouts will help this "stage" move quickly. I am praying that it isn't permanent!

Hope you have a fantastic Monday. Mondays are the toughest day at my house. It is so hard to get back into the swing of the week again.

Husbands...

"I have a new appreciation for all you do," are the words spoken by my husband after I wrenched my neck and back the other night and HE had to do all the weekend chores. He did a wonderful job, and I am thinking that this is great! We recently watched an "According to Jim" TV show (one of our favs) and the main character ran an errand for his wife, and he did a great job at it. Soon his wife was sending him on all of her errands. His motto, "When you do a good job, it becomes your job for the REST OF YOUR LIFE!" Made us laugh then, and now I can totally relate to his wife. :)

I just don't know when this neck thing will heal... ;)

Back On-line...Again!

I have to apologise for being so slack on this! I think summer went to my head and I didn't keep up with anything! Now that I am back to work, I am on a regular schedule and getting this accomplished. So, here is a quick catch up on our family :)

Graham is still working on smaller projects around the area. He is staying very busy building decks and remodeling bathrooms. Seems people are in the mood for a little change, so that is good for us. He is deeply invested in applying to medical schools. It is a lengthy process and he is holding it together well. He is a really great writer, as he is writing tons and tons of essays. We are praying for the next step. . .an interview. . .because getting to talk with someone will be his way in. I have faith, and I know there is a plan for him/us, and I am excited to see what that will bring. Keep him in your thoughts.

Sean is absolutely incredible! He is almost 19 months and amazing us with all his new skills and desires. He is so passionate about everything he does. He is a climber, he would climb to the highest point of anything, that is if we let him. He loves cars, planes, and trains. He makes all the motor sounds, so boy. He is also learning about "time outs" and so are we. He laughs and thinks we are playing around, so that is working well. We put him in his crib and he has a hay day throwing everything out. He is able to make fun out of about anything. Mondays are the hardest day for both of us. I hate dropping him off and he hates me leaving him, but then it is over and we are both on our way for the week. Check out his new pictures at http://www.dinsmorephotography.com/ Click online photos, type in "king," and the code is Patsy. Enjoy. He is truly a gift.

I am busy learning a new grade, I moved to teach 2nd this year. I am loving their independence and I have the pleasure of having some of the same kids again. I am tired of writing lesson plans, as I can't reuse anything from previous years, but that is how it goes. I have a student teacher working with me this fall, too. She is eager and tries hard, so it is fun teaching her, too. Otherwise, I am trying to organize my time better so that I can get in my exercise. I think I need to get up at 5am, but who am I kidding?! I hate mornings! Nights are tough because I always have school work to do after Sean goes to bed, so I have to figure it out.

We are looking forward to getting our basement done soon. Graham is working on the trim, then it is just carpet! Hooray! Hope you all are well. I will update pics soon.