Ten on Tuesday

1. This past weekend Zach's parents came in for a visit and the boys were over the moon excited upon their arrival. Well Zane was and Rowan warmed up quickly to Grammie and Papa. I missed Saturday's fun, since I was working, but hear that they had a great trip to Otto's house and even got to see Otto himself this time.

 

2. Zane apparently took a little stomach bug home with from Otto's and woke up early Sunday morning throwing up. I stayed home with the boys from church while Zane tried to recoup. I don't know how kids turn it around so quickly, but by lunch he was eating pizza and had lots of energy the rest of the day. If only that is how I dealt with the stomach bug. So much energy that he actually pulled it together to bob for apples. Bobbing for apples was hysterical, but the boys loved it.

3. Sunday we enjoyed the beautiful weather, playing hide and go seek until almost dark. We grilled and soaked up all the lovely fallish weather as we braced for today's cold front that came through just as expected, sad face.

4. I didn't eat anything yesterday, fasting for what I was sure was going to be my turn with the stomach bug. Zach, who usually never gets it, was sick at work all day, but somehow I made it through the day and night feeling pretty good, if very hungry this morning. I kept thinking that I'd have to go home sick, barely ate anything again, but made it through the day feeling good. Fingers are tightly crossed that I can make it through unscathed.

5. Last night Zach quarantined himself in his room so I was single parenting the evening ritual. The wheels had fallen off long before this since I was pretty crabby from not eating. Finally we settled down with on old favorite, Dinosaur Train. When Zane was Rowan's age this was his most requested show. Luckily, it is now on Netflix and can be watched at anytime. Rowan was skeptical, since the choo choo didn't make an appearance for awhile, but was won over by the songs and was soon dancing. I caught these priceless pictures of the two of them enjoying the show. Zane's perfect memory kicked in and he said "I use to watch this at the little house, when I was a baby." Yep, sure did.

 Yep, Zane had on a cape made out of a wash cloth.

6. Zane has been asking to learn how to read for awhile, specifically since he learned how to read the word Boo during Halloween prep. I have been putting it off for a few reasons, first off I doubted his attention span, and secondly I have zero idea how to teach someone to read. I did order some new workbooks online and yesterday Zane was completely convinced that we had to go to the bookstore to get books he can read. We started by making the little books of short words from the workbook but got some stuff at the bookstore as well. So far he knows -at, -ig, and -ug words, sort of. He loves it and spent a large part of the day working on it. Fantastic!!

7. I also got Zane new cutting skills workbooks, which he loves, randomly. He asked me about five times yesterday "Mom, can I work on my cutting skills." Sure son. If only he didn't tell me everyday around 10:30 or 11 that he is tired and is ready to go to sleep I would think this kid was ready for kindergarten next year. I just can't send him to kindergarten if he is still that tired everyday.

This was Zane working on cutting when I got home tonight.

 8. After weeks of asking, and seeing how incredibly windy it was outside yesterday, I finally gave in and took Zane to the bouncy place he has been dying to go to forever. I really should try to go on Tuesday or Thursday when we could take Maggie with us. Going through bouncy things alone just isn't as fun. Rowan tried a few, but pretty much stayed to the baby area. There was one with a little slide he could handle, but that was far too boring for Zane. Next time we will bring a friend.

9. I almost forgot to mention Zane and I's day of fun on Friday. Zane has been very excited about going to the dentist, I'm pretty sure because this meant Ro had to go to school and he didn't. So after the dentist, where Zane did smashingly, we had lunch with Uncle Able, then back home for naps. Uncle Able joined us in the afternoon to watch the Panda movie at the Imax as well. We learned lots of things about Panda's and with a little bit of struggling during the last ten minutes of so, he sat through the whole thing. It was a great day together, though Zane did admit to missing his brother. In a mother of a TET baby fail, I forgot to pre-med Zane before his cleaning, so we had to track down antibiotics in the midst of all that fun.

10. I never cease to be surprised at how little Rowan is compared to how big Zane was at this age. Zane was solidly in 3T-4T clothes and Rowan is solidly in 18 month old clothes.  Here he is in his newly found Choo Choo Jammies that he loves! Or his new little green jacket, 12 to 18 month size. Love this little boy!!

Ten on Tuesday

1. I was one hundred percent over Halloween by the time we were done with trick or treating. So first thing on Sunday morning (I worked Saturday) we started de-halloweening our house. This took awhile, but after buying two new storage bins for all our new stuff, success!!! Next up, "chicken day!" Zane is very excited about chicken day, I can't bring myself to tell him it's really a turkey.

2. Since my walls were no longer covered in spider webs and scary things, I was finally able to start hanging some pictures/decorations up in this house. My decoration style is basically trying to not over think it and just start hanging stuff. It's turning out pretty good, I guess. The picture collage went up this evening. It's all starting to come together.

 The TV also got hung up, love it!

3. Yesterday I got called off from work and was at home, on call, all by myself, for most of the day. Turns out my house is creepily quite when there aren't any kids in in it. I couldn't motivate myself to do anything and so missed the constant noise of my boys. I got called into work at three so I couldn't even pick them up early to play. Sad Face

4. Today the boys finally got hair cuts. I have been putting it off because I've been pretty terrible at it the last few times I've done it. Today went well, but sadly little Rowan can't rock the fo-hawk for a while. It's probably for the best. 

5. The boys were terribly exhausted after there very exciting week and due to the time change. This led to some adorable, brotherly cuddles on a very sleepy Sunday afternoon. 

6. This weekend Zach's parents are coming into to town. I've been asking Zane what he wants to do with them while they are here. So far Zane has come up with that he wants to take them to Yogurtland. Get excited Grammi and Papa. Possibly go to Otto's house and Uncle Able's shop. I'm sure we will come up with some more ideas soon. 

7. Let's see what else is happening.... I've been watching a lot of Gilmore Girls on Nextflix. This has led me to realize that I am freaking old. The first time I watched it I related wholeheartedly to the ups and downs of a teenage girl. This time around I'm the age of Lorelia and relate to her parental problems. Don't get me wrong, still love me some Gilmore Girls!!

8. Zane is unbelievably excited about his dentist appointment on Friday. He can't wait. He is probably most excited about Rowan having to go to daycare on a day when he doesn't have to. He will get a day of fun out of it, just him and I. It should be fun. 

9. Oh I forgot, one more Halloween thing, look at the amazing pumpkins we carved the day before Halloween. We found this idea on the front of the National Geographic Halloween Fun Addition, so not totally our own, but it turned out so well. 

Skeleton guy!

 Twas the night before Halloween!

 This was my earlier carved pumpkin, huge sad guy.

10. Ok I'm out of fun things to say, here is an adorable of picture of Rowan. Love this kid's crazy, funny, personality. I sure wish he actually loved me. I just want to cuddle this little man, but I rarely get the chance. 

Rocking his fedora, just like Uncle Able.

Halloween 2014

Here's what is tough about holidays with little kids. The build up and excitement for them can never be fully met when the actual day arrives. They are too young to understand that the entire month, the crafts, the parties, the outings, the funtivities that we did all month long, not just on the day, is actually Halloween or Christmas or whatever holiday it happens to be. This is proving to be a huge issue with my eldest son. Zane goes full force in celebrating everything, beyond anything I could ever imagine or try to force on him. I'd be good with one Happy Halloween or Boo sign, somehow we ended with six signs and tons of other decorations, lots of which he made himself. I also had a list of maybe five crafty halloween things to make, but everyday, first thing in the morning, he would ask what are project was, what are we making, "this place needs more decorations for our parties." It's proves tough to curb this enthusiam and in the moment I don't want to.

 

But then the big day arrives, you're woken up by squeals of joyous "IT'S HALLOWEEN MORNING!" And then nothing magical happens. It's just another day with mom. There is lots of house cleaning to be done for the big party so not a lot of time for any major fun events, they had all been done multiple times. Daddy is at work, no vampires or witches magically show up at your door to celebrate with you. And the biggest let down of all is that there are still things like picking up your toys, eating lunch, and worst of all napping that has to be done. It's rough, it's disappointing, and he's so excited he can't sleep. I tried to just let him rest on the couch after his failed napping attempt yesterday. But everyone knows how this story goes. When Zane doesn't nap, he is a basket case. Everything becomes a huge ordeal. His hearing seems to be affected, like in his exhaustion my voice turns into the mom from Peanuts. Huge fits are thrown over nothing and my patience, and my excitement for the holiday began to dwindle. I powered forward and begrudgingly dawned my tutu and witches hat by 5:30, when you big Halloween celebration was to begin.

 

We had planned games of all sorts, none of which we got to do because the kids really just want to run around crazy and we let me. We rushed them into their costumes as trick or treaters began to show up at our door. All the kids are pros at group picture taking by this point so after a few minutes of taking photos we were off to trick or treat, finally. There weren't many lights on in our new neighborhood. I would say that I thought they were all at trunk or treats or other kinds of parties, but having encountered three different people who told me it was satan's holiday I'm starting to think they might just not support it. Oops, my house is covered in spiderwebs, spiders, pumpkins, and ghosts. Hopefully my new neighbors don't think I worship satan, I really don't. The weather had turned quite cold over the past two days which made for a chilly walk around, but it felt a lot like the Halloweens I remember. 

 

 

 This one of the two of them is sure to make the senior video for both of them.

 

All the kids did great. I had been concerned about little Rowan being able to walk all of it, but he did amazingly well, only needing daddy to cary him on the way home. His little pumpkin barely cleared the ground and occasionally he would stop and let out a heavy sign, but then he powered forward. We had practiced saying trick or treat and he did great with that and his wonderfully cute "da-do" for thank you to everyone. Everett and Rowan did manage to get to a door by themselves at one point, neither of them really knew when to leave, Uncle Brent went to rescue them, pretty cute stuff. If anyone was wondering why we went with the clown costume for Rowan, over his others, the reason was that after the multiple wrestling, tackling, episodes with his worn out brother during the day his little face/nose was quite red, perfect for a little clown. He even left the hat on once we realized we could put the elastic strap behind his head, perfect!!

 

 "Mamma, why do you keep taking pictures of me, I'm trying to concentrate on hauling my pumpkin of candy around." Geez!!

 These two are old pros at trick or treating now. Zane might have been a little heavy handed with the doorbell ringing. We tried to encourage patience, but we all know that isn't Zane's strong point.

 Zane had a blast, even if he fell down and spilled his candy more than once. He struggles controlling his body and the monkey suit wasn't helping him any.

 These two little boys were just too much adorableness for me. Everett would occasionally sprint to the front, followed closely by Rowan!!

 

We ended our trec with me google mapping our way back home, there are way too many cultisacs in our new neighborhood. On the winding room home we did a little bit of Halloween caroling, singing all the Halloween songs we had been practicing over the past month. Then we trick or treated with Grandma, who was trying desperately to start the "tell a joke" tradition from St. Louis, with all the trick or treaters at our house. I don't know if she was successful in her attempt, but I do miss that tradition quite a lot. The other St. Louis tradition I miss are all the fire pits in the drive ways in the neighborhood. Zach went and got a firepit just in time and we enjoyed a small fire for a few minutes before coming inside to warm up and saying good bye to the Richards clan. 

 

 Abbey was a butterfly!

 Rowan was struggling a little bit by this point!

 Party punch by the campfire.

 Then in act of true love for his Godmother/Aunt, Brendan gave me his peanut butter snickers!!! Love this kid, and so glad I took this picture since he managed to escape all my other action shots. He was just too fast I guess!!!

 

Ten on Tuesday

1. The highlight of Rowan's trip to Orr farm Sunday was getting to ride a real Choo Choo. Yes, Rowan has ridden on numerous trains, but not since his new found obsession with them. This was a great train ride, long, winding track, around a pound and through all the farm ground. There weren't any tunnels, so Zane was disappointed. The STL zoo train has really set the bar far too high. While on the train ride there was a brief moment when Zane had his arm around his little brother. It was so unbelievably adorable. I can't believe I had my camera at the ready to capture it.

The Korenak men, waiting for the train ride to begin. Zane was not to happy that we made him keep his hat string tied. But right before this shot his had blew off and he nearly ran in front of the train while trying to catch it. In OK wind you have to keep the string tied.

 Here's the train coming around the bend. I'm pretty sure this pond was built specifically so the train could go around it, but still a pretty view.

 Brotherly love

2. Sunday morning Rowan woke up with a bit of a natural fo-hawk. Zach went with it and styled his hair that way for the outing. It didn't really last that long and ended with his hair just looking even more crazy than normal. He is still so stinking cute though!

3. Ok one more from our farm adventure then we'll move on. Admission included rides on the carousel. Not really sure why Zane is winking, but pretty cute.

 I got to ride with Rowan who loved waving at daddy every time around.

4. With all our fall fun there is only one thing missing, fall. It has been ninety degrees here all week which I find highly annoying. Were is the chill in the air, the fall leaves, the need for a hoodie??? No where to be found, making all our fall activities way to sweaty and today I got multiple mosquito bites. This is not ok!!!! So when the world gives you lemons, make lemonade. On Saturday we ran through sprinklers and played in the water table. Why not, it was stupid hot, might as well. Sure wish our pool would have lasted longer this year. 

 

5. Rowan is loving his new woof woof. When he woke up from his nap Saturday he and woof woof were wearing the same outfit, blue shirt, no pants. I put a cape on him and then they were perfect twins!!!

 Rowan loved it!

 And then his brother got involved!!

6. So after Saturday's Monster Mash at Pumpkinville the boys and I went back yesterday to get all the pumpkins we could carry for five dollars. There was not a soul there, so we had the run of the place. It was tons of fun and I am so glad we got another chance to play there before it comes down.

7. This weekend we had a beautifully, calm, family park trip. Rowan wanted to sit and watch the quack quacks, quietly, perfectly still. It was very strange, but I loved it. Then we headed to the playground for more pretend Halloween decorating. That's been going on for weeks, lots of fun. Rowan was rocking the fo-hawk for this fun time as well.

8. Yesterday we took a trip to the Spice Shop and got the new Spice to Plate cookbook that is out just in time for the holiday season. It has three different recipes for ten different, delicious, blends. I cannot wait to try some of the new recipes. The biggest question I get when I tell people about the shop is "what do you do with all the blends." Usually I just tell them to pick a meat or a veggie and put it on it. But a cookbook could possibly be a better idea. Head over to Savory Spice Shop OKC for all sorts of present ideas and lots of tasty ideas for Thanksgiving as well!!

 Here is Zane with all our new goodies!!!

9. Yesterday morning Grandma joined us for some morning fun. We went to the park to see a lot more quack quacks. We brought bread and everything. We played Santa Clause shop on the playground. Then we tried to find Halloween sale deals and failed, so went to eat lunch and play at Chic-Fila. Did you know that you can change out your toy in the kids meal for free ice cream?? I didn't, but good to know!!

10. This afternoon we met up with Grandma again for an outing to enjoy the beautifully cooler weather. We tried to go to the nature reserve, which apparently is closed on Tuesday, so end up at the park by Lake Hefner. We went to "the beach" a.k.a the half dried up lake and sang songs on the Dwight D Eisenhower memorial. Maggie proclaimed him her "favorite friend." No, he isn't from Oklahoma, not really sure why he has a memorial here, but guess he was a cool guy. 

 All the kids looking at the camera at once, unbelievable

 Maggie and her favorite friend

 The boys and I at the Oklahoma beach. We would have wondered down the rocks onto the "beach" had there not been a policeman parked right there.

 Oh and we saw some more quack quacks, Rowan said hi for a long time and really wanted to touch one.

Bonus:

- Our craft projects this week included a Gingerbread Haunted House, which was lots of fun and a great way to get rid of some unwanted Halloween candy. 

 I tried to use up the bottle of eyes I got for the Ninja Turtle cupcakes, don't worry we still have a lot left.

- And there was an art competition at Zach's work for the Christmas card. We worked on how to draw snowmen and reindeer. Then Zach forgot to take the pictures to work on Monday, so we rushed them up to him before work closed. But not before a last minute submission of a fireplace and Christmas tree. 

 -Lastly we had a "paper competition" one night. This was Zane's random idea and he loved it! The Boo that Zane drew won first place, he was very proud.