Halloween 2014

Wait is this really our last Halloween here?  That seems really weird to me, but its true.  This year we did nothing for Halloween, I"m not kidding, we didn't even carve a pumpkin.  We were really lame.  Don't get me wrong the kids had costumes but that's about it.  Last year I made cookies for each of their classes and went to the class parties, this year I sent in some apple slices and caramel dip.  Super mom here people.  I'm still using the I just had a baby excuse.  Devin had a music program last night at school that was hilarious, not that it was supposed to be, but to see him up singing getting almost all of the cues for hand movements wrong and making the weirdest faces ever, it was really hard not to laugh.  I loved it and recorded the entire thing.  I'll try to post the video but I'm not sure I'll be successful.  This year since Caroline has been into reading Harry Potter the kids all decided to be characters from the book.  Caroline was Hermione, Devin was Harry, and Graham was Ron.  I made their cloaks out of black fabric that had been sitting in my closet for about three years and my friend had some red felt for ties and we ironed on a Hogwarts patch and called it good.  It was perfect, I kind of loathe spending lots of money on costumes they only wear maybe twice and these babies were the perfect price of $0.  I love it when stuff like that happens.  It was freezing when we went out trick or treating but I kind of loved it because next year I doubt it will be nearly as cool in Dallas.  Who knows maybe we'll even make it down to Houston for some Halloween fun.  I"m going to miss the crisp cool Halloween nights we've had here!  I soaked it in this year.

Devin at his performance.  He did a great job, it was very entertaining.

Graham as Ron.

Here is Hermione!

And Harry of course.

My friend that I made the cloaks with stopped by with her kids so we could take a quick picture and remember the Halloween of Harry Potter.

And of course enjoying some hot cocoa when we got home.

Can you believe they used to be this small?!  I know its not technically a Halloween picture but   apparently in 2010 I didn't even take a picture of the kids in their costumes.  We didn't carve pumpkins or go trick or treating because my sister that was visiting got sick.  So I guess this year is actually more exciting than our first year then!  I don't feel so bad anymore.    

Life is crazy

Things have been pretty nuts around here.  I have had several cake orders lately which has been nice but it turns out having a little baby at home and doing cakes takes up almost all of my time so the house seems like its constantly messy and I haven't been able to make a yummy homemade dinner in a really long time.  I'm getting sick of pizza and gilled cheese for dinner.  I'm even getting to the point where its not as fun to make stuff because I'm making the same things over and over again and don't have time to do anything I want to do.  Like make my kids birthday cake.  So Tuesday was the last day I had an order due and I was really looking forward to a relaxing evening with my sister while she as in town.  Then about 10 minutes after the kids get off the bus the little boy I watch for my friend cuts his leg open.  And it wasn't a little scratch it was HUGE!  I heard him scream and ran over to him and I was in shock with how big the cut was.  It looked like a page out of one of Shawn's books, my hands were covered in blood trying to keep the bleeding down.  Luckily my sister was there and is almost done with nursing school so she and my neighbor that is always prepared patched up his leg as best they could while we sat on the ground waiting for his mom.  It was so deep he needed to be put under completely and in the OR to have it stitched up. I felt terrible the entire rest of the day and then a lot of the next day as well, and still some today.  His mom is wonderful and told me not to feel bad it was just an accident but wow it wasn't fun, and I really wish I could have prevented it somehow.  Needless to say we are looking forward to having a weekend to rest and relax.  Too bad we will have to wait another week because Graham has two soccer games, and Caroline has activity day recognition night on Saturday, oh and Shawn has a conference he has to go to.  Can life slow down just a little?  That would be great, I'm really tired.  I"m glad I have these cute faces to see everyday though.

Graham's Birthday

If you want to feel better about your parenting skills read this post.  I have been having a hard time keeping up with everything that goes on around here and I totally dropped the ball with Graham's birthday.  This is going to sound so lame but I had an order for cake pops for this Tuesday and had to get started with the order on Saturday.  Cake pops are the worst, I never want to make them again.  Anyways, the order was for three different kinds so I got to spend all of Saturday morning making three different cakes before even starting on Graham's birthday cake.  Thankfully Shawn is on a REALLY easy service right now and has saved my sanity so many times this month.  So Shawn and I made Graham's birthday cake together and stayed up until midnight (me) and 1am (Shawn).  Since we have lots going on this year we decided to do simple birthdays.  So we at least had to make him a cool cake.  I'm really happy with how it turned out and Graham loved it which is all that matters.  He is such a sweet boy.  He thought his birthday was amazing even though he didn't even get to pick out his dinner, or really do anything other than opening presents.  I love my Graham.  Here's what he's like these days.
1. He is very intense. Every emotion he has is at an extreme, happy, sad, or mad.  You will know exactly how he feels and hear all about it.
2.  He thinks or should I say knows he is the coolest person on Earth.  Put him in front of a mirror and he will dance and entertain himself for a while because what could be better than getting to see yourself dance and do awesome moves.
3. He speaks his mind. Last week Shawn made him bring his bike into the garage and after Shawn told him to hurry his bike wasn't that heavy Graham looked at him and said, "Well you are a lot bigger than me so maybe its not heavy to you but it is to me!"  Good point buddy.  On to the pictures!

Getting some birthday snuggles from dad.

Opening presents.  He loved everything.  It was really fun seeing him run from one thing to the next.  

And his cake.  He loves building legos so this was the simplest thing we could find to make.  He loved it and it was really fun working with Shawn.

Building legos with Devin and dad.  He is really good, maybe from watching Devin build all the time but he barely needed any help from dad.  He could benefit from some better focus though. ;)

And this is what George did the entire time.  Not really surprising! 

Happy birthday Graham!  I promise next year will be more exciting!

Our Last Hound Dog Run

Every year the kids school does a fundraiser and this is our last one here.  I have to say its been my favorite so far.  Nice to end on a high.  I volunteered to make cupcakes for the bake sale and a cake for the cake walk and forgot I would be teaching preschool that day so I missed Devin's turn to run.  I felt bad but we made sure and went to family night in the evening to make up for it.  It was a really busy day but so much fun.  I did realize next time I bring baked goods to a bake sale I shouldn't volunteer to help sell them.  It's really prideful for me to say but it killed me to see the cupcakes I made get passed over for rice krispy treats and slice and bake cookies.  Oh well I really just need to suck it up and get over myself.  Alright lets get onto the good stuff, pictures.

Super cute right?  I'd want that over a slice of prepackaged cookie dough.  Sorry, I really need to let it go!

Caroline running with her best friend from school Arushi, I'm well aware I"m probably spelling that wrong but I tried my best!

Caroline with Arushi and her teacher Mrs. Neese.  We really love her teacher this year.  

And the cake walk cake.

Of course I had to make sure to get a few in of the boys.  

Devin even had a turn pushing George around.

Here is the big group of kids we spent most of the night with. It was so much fun to see Caroline run around with her friends, jump in the bounce house, get her hair sprayed a different color, paint pumpkins and just have a great time.  Hopefully they'll remember this night for a while and think all nights were like this growing up.  It was a pretty magical night.  

George at 2 months

Little Georgie had his 2 month check up earlier this week.  He is one healthy baby!  He weighed in at 13 lbs and 14 oz and 22 1/2 in long.  So 95% for weight and 35% for height I think. I've got one chunky baby, and I couldn't be happier.  He on the other hand was quite upset about his shots.  He cried ALL DAY LONG.  Yes I know he is the best baby ever so this was a long day.  I'm not exaggerating either.  I did manage to nurse him to sleep a few times but if he was awake he was screaming. So Shawn came to my rescue and gave him a dose of Tylenol and benadryl that let him take a good nap.  He was the happiest baby after some sleep and pain relief.  Poor guy.  Thank goodness we don't have to do that for another 2 months!  He looks way bigger than he is but I love my chunky baby!

Happy 2 months you sweet, sweet, boy!

Grandma and Grandpa Reed come for George's Blessing

Last weekend we blessed George in our home.  It was probably the most low key blessing we have ever done but it was still wonderful and special just the same.  Grandma and Grandpa Reed were able to come into town for the weekend so we were also able to have fun with them.   In true Reed fashion we started off the trip with a lack of communication and when Shawn went to the airport to pick them up he learned that they had taken a cab to our house instead.  Oops!  My dad and I may have forgotten to communicate our plans to each other, sorry Shawn!  We still had lots of fun the rest of the weekend though.  We finally made sure they tried hot chicken, went to the pedestrian bridge, cheered Graham at his soccer game, Grandpa spoke to Caroline's class about Brasil, listened to conference, and of course bless George.

The boys made sure to play flip over tickle monster with Grandpa before he left, and read Little Black a Pony.

This is what George did most of the weekend. 

Playing at Cumberland Park.

Giving Grandma snuggles before she left.

Shawn even enjoyed the park!

George loved talking to Grandma and Grandpa.

Devin climbing at the park.

Grandpa talking about Brasil.  It was really fun, Caroline's class had just finished a project about the country.

Grandma and Grandpa getting in on the fun.

Caroline was the only one to reach the top. Go Caroline!

Trying to get a decent picture wasn't easy!

Grandpa playing with George.

Grandpa and Grandma with George.

I know this is mean but I have ZERO pictures of Graham and Devin in this blessing outfit so I made sure to get one of George in it.  I"m terrible I know.

My handsome boys.  I loved hearing the sweet blessing that was given.  What stood out most to me is that George came to our family to fill our house with love and bring us closer together.  He's a pretty special baby, and has definitely done that! We love you George!