Trick or Treat!

This was the first time I took the kids door to door.  I'm usually the one handing out candy, but this year I wanted in on the action. 

The Green Lantern, Batgirl and I ventured off for some fun about 6:15.  It was so neat watching Maya so excited strutting around in her costume.  Hayden is a pro, stands behind the mat or far back enough from the door where he knows he won't get nailed by it.  Maya pretty much enters the house upon the door opening. 

We just did a little loop around the neighborhood.  Unfortunately (or maybe fortunate) there were alot of dark doorways.  The kids took turns ringing bells, they both said "Trick or Treat" perfectly, and a couple houses gave them a handful (I mean huge man-handfuls). A couple houses scared the begeezus out of Hayden with their decor and music that he wouldn't go more than 15 feet from the door, but Maya went right on up ready for her goodies. One house even had a pretty scary Teen Wolf that scared her when she turned from the bowl.  She jumped back, turned and looked at me and said, "Mom, that guy scared me."  She definitely takes after Dad in that regard.  

Daddy also took them to some more houses when we finished or loop.  Then we sat and handed candy out as a family from the driveway.  It was a fun night, both kids got their sugar high and then conked out when their heads hit pillows.  

 Yes, the ring gave him power!!  You didn't lift his bag!  =)

 On her turn to ring the bell, she knocked too.  She needs to be heard.

Ready to pack it in.  Happy Halloween!! 

It's Over

Babyhood in our house, that is.  Tuesday marked the two week, well, mark for no diapers for Little Miss M.  Well, we still have protection at night, but for during the day it's a HUGE deal!  It took a long time, it seemed, for Maya to finally "get it" and want to be a potty kind of girl. 

So, it's kinda sad.  We have no plans for baby 3.  I re-did our headboard last week and in moving the bed I found 2 NUK's that had fallen behind.  I think babies look cute sucking on those things.  Not happening anymore here.  There are no more bottles to wash, NUK's to locate, swings to be a focal point in the living room, high chairs to clean, strollers with infant seats attached, or little baby baths to give. 

*Sigh*  I don't really like endings.  But I guess this is a good one.

It's a good day!

On Monday, Hayden handed me a yellow postcard from school inviting me to an Awards Ceremony today. I got a little excited! It seemed like something that not everyone's parents were invited and it was pretty cool.

Today, Maya and I went to Hayden's school and waited patiently for the assembly to start. K-2 grades were brought in and each teacher was called one at a time to hand out awards for her (they were all female) class. When Hayden's teacher was called, our attention was focused. The principal did the announcing and Hayden's name was called for the second award of the class. Student of the Month for September!!! Yay-ya!

He received a certificate (see picture) and a certificate for McDonald's. Also included was a write up from his teacher of why Hayden received this award:

"I am pleased to nominate Hayden Blattner for my September student of the month. Hayden is a very hard worker. Hayden has made great friends in class, and is alway willing to help others out. I can always count on Hayden to think of others before himself. He always puts forth his best effort. Hayden is a model student and I am so pleased to have him in my class this year. I can't wait to see how far he goes, because I know he is going to do more great things. Keep up the awesome work, Hayden!!"

This is a pround Momma moment. There are days when I am so frustrated with how he is at home; the way he acts, talks, and doesn't listen. Of course I know he is a good kid and is for the most part at home, yet I am so thankful to know he really is a good kid away from me.

And as a side note, Hayden stands about four inches taller than the next tallest kid in his class. =) Keep up the good work and growing, Dude!!

(I made the mistake of asking to see his award in the car and somehow he managed to dump his water on it upon returning it to him. He's going to ask his teacher for new one tomorrow.)

He's 6

In approximately 2 hours, at 9:18pm Arizona time, this little guy officially turns 6. Where is the rewind button for me to push and just hold this little babe for a minute?

Today

10 years ago today I was at my home in Payson, Arizona. I had flown back to AZ from Minnesota after being in a friends wedding the weekend prior. I woke up and turned on the Today Show as I did every morning. I just sat there in disbelief, shock and horror. I didn't know anyone involved in any part of what happened. My family was safe, my friends were safe. I couldn't believe the feelings that went through me. I could not fathom how something so horrible could happen here or anywhere. I don't understand why and no one can I don't think. We can just remember, hurt, pray, feel, grieve, and question.

All day I online and on TV there have been stories on what happened. Everyone is sad, remembering and grieving over ten years past. There was a story in the paper on the babies born that day, making it a day of celebration for many families. What I didn't see on the news, in the paper, online, was the bickering, blaming, feuding, back and forth political battles, and crap that we see everyday.

It is more saddening to think we live in a place where the only day we can all get along is a day of saddness and horror and constant grieving. One day.

God bless the USA! Today and everyday.

Comparing at 3

I love to do comparisons of the kids at each of their milestone ages. Mostly because Hayden was always big for his age, never going below the 95%ile in height or 90%ile for weight. Maya is a little more average, which I like. She's staying in her clothes more than 3 months at a time and looks her age. Hayden was and is always guessed a year older than what he is and as a baby, about three months more than what he was. The last year and a half when we'd go to the grocery store when other kids were in school, we'd always get, "was it a half day today? How come you're not in school? Is there a break already?" And our reply was always, "he's only 4/5, he's in preschool." The response, "Wow! You are tall!" Yep.
And with that, here are pics of the kids each at 3. The stats: Maya, 37 inches tall and 29.75 pounds. Hayden at three: 39.25 inches tall and 36 pounds.

Both cute as can be, however. =)

Give me an answer

M: Hayden, what did you do at school today?
H: I don't know.
M: You don't know what you did today in school?
H: No, I just don't remember.
M: Well, I saw you get on the bus and you got off of a different bus. Did you actually go into the building, into your classroom, see your teacher and learn something?
H: Well, yes.
M: Ok, so what did you do in school today?
H: We didn't have recess.

**Just about every day!

Sleepy Sleeperson

I recently put in 100's of pictures (I'm just a little behind) into the kids' albums. As I was doing this, I realized just how many pictures I have taken of Maya just sleeping. I assume it is my subconcious telling me to take them, as this is pretty much the only way I am guarenteed her sitting still for a photo.
As I looked at them, I am glad I do take pictures of her sleeping. She looks so peaceful. She also shows how flexible and funny she is. Amazing I can still capture her personality even while she is fast asleep. =)

One of her last nights in the crib.

Very rare moment of her falling asleep during daylight.

One last one in her crib with all her bedtime pals.

Her first night cuddled in her toddler bed.

Not sure if this s an attack of the Lamb or if she was holding it and then moved.

I have so many more, but I don't think I need to overload it. These were only ones I found in a quick search of pictures. Soon, there will be pictures taken in a super big girl bed! She's starting to get a little big for the toddler one. =(

Sassy and 3

My sassy Little Miss is 3! She's something you have to see to believe. She's non-stop, seriously non-stop, all day, from the moment she wakes up until her head hits her pillow. She's got a diva attitude, but she's a sweet little thing just as much. She is stubborn and goes at her own pace and way of thinking. She's beautiful, funny, cuddley, animated, shy and friendly, lovely and she's mine. =)

Minnesota, You Betcha, Part 2

The second week of our trip was just the kids and I to my hometown. We were back and forth to the lake and town. It was fun, relaxing and a smidge on the hot side. The kids had a blast at the lake, even though the water was so high it was hard to swim. I always have fun just seeing the place I grew up; how it's changed and how the people have changed.

Starting off with some fun in the lake. Where Hayden is should be shore, but it's a good foot high.

Where the dock should be are just steps. So we sat on the lower steps waiting for boats to bring in some good waves.

That was a good one.

Thumbs up for a fun day!

Pool fun in town. They only used this once we were so busy. Still fun if only just once.

More lake time. The steps again playing with boats.

The kids and I at the lake.

We went to the Mall of America one day to the Sea Life Aquarium. It was really cool. The jellyfish were my favorite, Hayden's were the sharks and Maya wasn't sure, but she touched a starfish.

My flash has been acting up, but apparently Hayden wasn't in the mood for a picture anyway.

He was in the mood to check out the mini LegoLand. The kid was in his own little heaven.

Then Maya spotted Ni Hoa Kai Lan (I have no idea if I spelled any of that right) and made a beeline to her! She grabbed her hand, played with her hair, gave high fives and hugs. Hayden wanted nothing to do with her and would only be in the picture if I was. He couldn't get away fast enough and Maya pretty much felt her up again.

We went to the local little coffee shop and the kids got the Electric Blue Smoothie. She was still blue the next morning.

The golden eagle outside the bank.

One last day at the lake. Maya is dodging goose poop.

And Hayden finally got to ride in the kayak because it was calm enough. Not only did he go with Grandma, he got to do it all by himself too!

Such a fun time, such good memories of our two weeks up North. The pictures I posted do not do our vacation justice as I think my total was 368 taken. I am so thankful to have both of our families within driving distance of each other so we can spend time with both. It may be only one or two weeks a year, but we make it count. =)

The Big K

His backpack was packed yesterday. We had a talk about the bus ride to and from. His clothes were set out on his dresser since Monday. He started Kindergarten today.
I was so excited for him, but at the same time really sad. My baby boy is almost 6 and heading off to a big kid school. I wouldn't be walking him to the classroom or even just dropping him off, he was getting on a big yellow school bus all by himself.

{ Waiting for the bus. The stop is right across the street and they drop him off right at home. Lovely.}

Hayden woke up with a smile on hs face. A big one. I said, "Good Morning, Kindergartener!"
He said, "Good morning, Mom." I asked if he was excited or scared and he simply said, "Excited," with a continued smile. He took a bath with no conflict. He got dressed, let me spike his hair and ate his breakfast like a champ. Then, when we were just sitting inside and waiting to go to the bus stop, he repeatedly asked when the bus was going to be here.

He is so ready to be in school and I am ready for him to be in school, but so sad he has to grow up. As the bus turned the corner onto our street, I started to get choked up. I am so flipping sensitive it sucks. Emotions just hit me hard. I bent over, gave him a kiss and hug as the doors opened and then I watched him climb up those steps and turn down the aisle. I had every intention of taking a picture of him getting on the bus, but trying to blink back my tears over took that thought. I saw him find a seat and then his little hand reached up and started to wave. I waved back as the bus slowly pulled away. As it took off, I repeated to myself, "This is great, he's in school, he'll do fine, he'll have so much fun." It helped a little, but the Mom that I am just can't believe she has a Kindergartener!

At 11:34 the bus arrived bringing him home and the smile on this kids' face just told me he had so much fun and is going to LOVE this year!

{He did have a better smile than this, but the sun got in his face just as I clicked.}

Hopefully I will do better tomorrow.

Minnesoota! Ya, you betcha! Part 1

We recently got back from a 17 day trip to our home state of Minnesota! Buddy was able to be away for 10 of those days and it was fantastic! The following is a brief pictorial of our first week. We stayed at Buddy's brother's cabin for 6 nights. We were with his entire family for most of the weekend. That's four kids, their spouses, each with 2 kids, plus Grandma and Grandpa. Lots of fun, lots of laughs, not enough time in the days and nights to just hang because we were so tired by the end of the day from so much fun and laughs and, okay, alcohol! I wish we could do it every summer! Enjoy:The dock was long. Like, 400+ feet long. Maya had to take it all in: the dock, the lake. She wasn't quite sure about the water...

Then Daddy got her into it. She did have a little issue of getting from the dock to the pontoon. Basically she fell through the gap between the two. Twice. The life jacket got her stuck the first time. Just a minor scrap and bump from the second time falling completely through to the water. Eeeek! Makes me cringe each time I think of it. She fell through to the water and they couldn't pull her back through the opening because her head wouldn't go through. What?!?! She fell all the way through, head included, but they couldn't pull her back up. Luckily, she kicked to stay afloat and my nephew went under the dock to get her back to Daddy. From then on, she waited for someone to help her over. *cringe*

This girl has no fear. No matter what happens to her, her apprehension always fades and she's all about getting crazy!

And then there's Hayden. Sweet, apprehensive, watchful, leary, Hayden. It took him a little bit to get the life jacket on. Then to get him on the jetski.

But he did it! He was a little scared, he didn't like to go fast,

but he did it. More than once. Yay!!

Then when it came to actually swimming in the lake, he was not having it. Nope, not liking that at all. It took me some thinking (that's takes a bit), but I saw my nephew's feet and his water shoes. I figured, Hayden may just do it if he had something on his feet. The ground was lovely and sandy, but he did not like it.

Those things made all the difference!! Were it not for Grandma and Aunt Dawn out shopping, this never would have happened!! Thank you!

Me and my H. He had so much fun playing with his cousins. We live so far away and he used to forget who they were, where they were and all. Now, he knows and loves being by them. Even if for a short time.

My Miss and I. She had fun too. She may not remember it, but she has been talking about our vacation like crazy. She loves her sweet girl cousins and I think aspires to be like them one day. Yes, they are 7, but for her, it's idol status!
One day, we went mini golfing. I don't remember my score. Don't think it was great. But it was fun. The kids played together, the guys played together and us ladies played together. Hayden had fun. He had some words for me at the end of the game:

"Mom, you just have to get it in the hole. That's all." Thanks, hun, I did try, it just didn't always go that way. =)

Maya even got in on a little golfing. It was a pirate themed course. This is her saying, "Aar, Matey". She does it with one eye closed because she doesn't have a patch.

And me and Bud. Maya snuck in there too. I had a better one on here, but Blogspot is being a crapper and deleted it for me and then isn't cooperating with me to get it back on here easily. *Breathe* Sorry, I'm irritated. Anyway, we had a blast! I can't say much more than that. Long lasting memories for sure. These pictures don't get close to capturing our first half of vacation. I think the total at the end of 17 days was 368, so I had a lot to weed through.

Thanks for the fun everyone!