a veterans day thank you

Today we want to say thank you to all the men and women who have served and fought for our country. In our family, we have had grandfathers, uncles and a brother serve in World War 2, Vietnam and in Iraq. We are thankful that each of them returned home after their deployment. However, we are aware that many have so selflessly given his/her own life, so that we can have the freedoms we do. We are so grateful for and humbled by those who have chosen to fight for our country. Today we hang our flag to remember all the sacrifices that have been made on our behalf. Thank you veterans!

"Trick or treat. Smell my feet....

give me something good to eat. (STOP!) This is as far as we have taught Koby and Ky to sing this little Halloween chant. The other night as we tucked Koby into bed he added....If you don't, I don't care. I'll pull down your underwear!" HMMMMM....this is indeed worldly influences taking hold of childhood innocence! When asked where he learned that part of the song, he replied, "At school" (but of course!!!!!)

So last night we did some trick or treating, no feet smelling or underwear pulling (thank goodness!). This year Koby's chosen costume....Captain Rex from Star Wars Clone Wars.



Ky chose to be Murray Wiggle (from the Disney show "The Wiggles") Murray is the Wiggle in the red shirt who plays the guitar. Ky is completely obsessed with the Wiggles right now. We watch their movies and sing their songs, day and night, night and day.


Together these two made quite a pair (pair of what has yet to be determined)



It was such a beautiful night too. We headed over to a mega-neighborhood to gather some goodies. The boys trick-or-treated for about one and a half hours without complaining. Ky would stop after just about every house and pull out the candy he was just given and show us all. He is a candy-aholic (is this really such a thing?) so last night was heavenly for him. Here are some pics of the stash they
collected:

big boy bed

Tonight we took down the crib in Ky's room. We decided to make the change before our trip to Disney, where he will have to sleep in a big bed. We bought some special new car/truck/tractor sheets for his new "big boy bed" earlier in the week in hopes of making this an exciting transition for him. Prior to the arrival of the new sheets, Ky was less than enthusiastic about getting rid of his crib. However, the sheets (amazingly enough) did the trick. Kev asked him tonight if he was ready for his big boy bed and he said yes.

So the crib came down. I must admit this was a bit emotional for me. As Kev was taking it apart, I could see him 6 years ago at our house on South Ottillia getting the crib set up for our first baby. Wow!

So here is Ky...before the switch



and here is Ky with his new big boy bed.



After the room was set, it was off to take a bath. As I watched Ky in the tub I said, "You are mommy's big boy now Ky." He replied, "No Mommy. I still little. I just 2." I thank God for my big, yet still little, boy.

pumpkins

Sunday night was pumpkin carving night at our house. Koby got started right away pulling all the "guts" and seeds out of his pumpkin and did quite an awesome job. Ky on the other hand, was terrified of the pumpkins internals, and just sat there, spoon in hand, waiting. Waiting for a miraculously cleaned and gutted pumpkin, or perhaps just waiting for someone else to do the dirty work. The boys each drew the face they wanted on their pumpkin for dad to carve. Kev had to improvise a bit with Ky's as his was really just a collection of scribbles that would have proven very difficult to carve. In the end, our pumpkins were transformed into very cool jack-o-lanterns.

this will make you laugh!

Although we are not actively potty training Ky at this point, we have had several "sucesses" on the potty. We have him sit on the potty every night before he goes to bed and occasionally he will go. There have also been a few occassions where he has initiated. This morning was one of those times.

While I was at the bus stop with Koby and Kev was taking a shower, Ky came downstairs and removed his diaper. He then went back upstairs and into the bathroom with Kev (who, mind you, is still in the shower). Like a big boy, Ky realizes he needs to use the potty. So he hops up, and precedes to "do his business". There was only one problem....he forgot to lift the tolite lid!!!!!!!! Imagine Kev's surprise when he opens the shower curtain to find poop all over the tolite lid! (my apologize to those of you for which this was a little too much info!)

How's that for a Monday morning laugh!

lessons

Some lessons are learned and unfortunately, others seem to never be. Apparently, my lovely children would currently fall under the category of "lesson not learned". As I sat with Ky watching Koby out the window cross the street to go pick up the neighbor to play, I glanced down at my end table and noticed blue ink all over it. Yep, that's right blue ink on the end table.

I looked at Ky and while normally he would be my first suspect, the evidence in this case was leaning toward his innocence. You see, not only was it done in blue ink, but it was not just a mere scribble of a 2 year old. Rather, it looked more like a ship of sorts with a carefully written "w" or perhaps an "m" next to it. While every parent believes their child is talented, I do not believe him to be that talented. "Did you do this?", I asked. "No, Koby did this." he responded.

When Koby returned, I brought him to the scene and questioned him. He inspected the drawing carefully, rubbing his fingers gently over the drawing as if it were braille. Moments later he confessed to the crime, offering no explanation for such behavior.

I tried to snap a photo once again not only for evidence, but so that one day I might look back at the photo, smile and remember these tortorous days. However, my battery was dead. Perhaps that was God's way of trying to help me forget this has happened yet again in less than 2 days. Perhaps preserving memories such as these are not such a great idea after all.

Needless to say, crayons, markers, colored pencils and pens have all been removed from reach. Piggy banks will soon be emptied to cover the cost of such a decision. I am racking my brain here folks...I am at a loss.

Some lessons are learned and unfortunately some never are.

50 days

Today begins our official countdown to Disney. We will head down to Mickey's house in just 50 days. In our attempt to stop the constant questioning from the boys, "When are we going to Disney?", we decided to make a chain as a visual representation of how many days we have until our trip. On each link of the chain we wrote something we are looking forward to seeing or doing. Today's link was "Thanksgiving" as we will be celebrating the holiday during our stay. I have to admit, I think I am by far the most excited member of our family for this trip. There is just something magical about Disney and I cannot wait to see Koby and Ky experience the magic and wonder of Disney.




p.s. as for yesterday's post...the marker was successfully removed from the couch and I realize that in the grand scheme of things, a little marker on the couch is just that, little.