Trimming the Tree . . . not so easy

Sunday night we decorated the tree. It was so much harder than I thought it'd be because of one small, blonde-headed, mischievous toddler named Ben. He wouldn't part with the red garland beads, he ate a fake berry, he smacked the branches, ornaments were laid on the branches in piles. It was exhausting.

I don't remember Jack being difficult with tree-trimming at that age.

The garland in question.
These berries on the candles apparently looked appetizing. By the time we hinged open his mouth, it was too late.

Jack earned his Lightsaber from filling up his "eating healthy" chart with stickers.

Maybe next year putting the tree up will be less stressful.

My Trip to Virginia!

Thanks to my wonderful mom and husband, I was able to fly to DC to see Jennifer, Mike and the girls. The Fall Foliage in Virginia where Jennifer lives was unbelievable. I couldn't stop carrying on about the beautiful trees and the colors. We live in a former corn field in Illinois and it would be an understatement to say I've been a bit deprived. I also had the opportunity to see Madison play alot of Volleyball. She is a great player and she looks SO tall on the court. Madison and I did a hair clinic to bring out the most of her natural curly hair. Lauren and I made homemade spaghetti and meatballs. Jennifer picked up the bill for the groceries for the meal. Jennifer and I had a wonderful visit and Mike tolerated all the girly stuff.


These pictures don't do the real thing justice.

The back of Jennifer's house. Looking from "Keightley Park".

Madison, Me, Keightley, Jen and Lauren. Playing fetch in Keightley Park.

See Jennifer thinks that she is in charge, but Keightley and everyone else know...Keightley has her number. :)

A bridge behind their house. The girls are so grown up and sweet and beautiful.

Keightley is so funny. When he's greeting the family, he'll grab the kitchen towel with his mouth and bring it over to you. By the end of my visit, I was included in the kitchen towel ritual. Here he is just relaxing with his toy in his mouth.

Madison's curly hair.

It's volleyball time. Mike was refereeing and was all serious and in..to...it!

Hustlin'.

Since I used Jennifer's camera, I took some photos off of her camera from this summer that I didn't have. These are of the boys from August.

This sums up Ben Pruden - so lovey.

This makes me laugh. Jack and Ben look like they just broke out in a big wrestling match.

Memom's grandchildren (well, half of them).

Have I mentioned that I have boys?

I've got boys. They are such boys. I grew up with girls so I'm constantly blown away at the differences. It makes life interesting and on occasion, confusing. Ben has started asking to go potty, and at times he wants to be naked while on the potty (such a guy thing). Jack loves dressing in character and we have accumulated enough birthday party masks to accommodate.


I wouldn't trade the discoveries for bows and barbies. Why is it that I'm the only one that appears happy in this picture?
Graham cracker and naked pottying. He wasn't about to part with his cracker.
He pushed and pushed but nothing happened - until I put his diaper back on.

Feeding Cubby just never stops. Even on the toilet.

Soooo, Jack decided he must wear his Superman cape and Spiderman mask on our walk.

A closer look. He was so dag-on serious, it was heartbreaking. How long will that innocence last? It kills me.

See the seriousness? Killer.

Okay, so here we're in our Iron man outfit with a Darth Vader mask, Superman belt and Superman cape.

Not sure what he's doing to me here, but it's super-powered I'm sure.

Yep, I've got boys.

Big Brother's shoes

Jack has black combat boots and Ben decided to put them on. He figures it out so easily with everything. He can watch once and do it.

Mmmmmhhh . . . Jack is on his laptop, maybe I should bother him...

He was able to walk rather well in the boots.

He loves anything to do with his brother.

I've got Boys

We have a pot of dirt in the back that I had grown a tomato plant in over the summer. When I gave the O.K., the boys couldn't get enough of playing in the dirt. It was entertainment for an entire evening.

We put it on the patio side tables.

We put it on our face.

(on the table)

Jack is literally sitting on the pot.

He looks like he's sitting on the pot and praying. Leading Ben in prayer as well.

The super-man cape is a bonus to the pot-sitting.

I've got a little dirt on my face. I'm still handsome.