That candy time of year

Yes, the holiday is more commonly known as Halloween but we're up to our elbows in candy around here, so I think my title is appropriate.  This year we had a web-slinging Spiderman and a precious little ladybug (shocked, aren't you?) A good friend of ours gave us a Spiderman costume her boys outgrew so we only had to buy Maggie's ladybug costume. Will has been wearing out his costume for a couple weeks, and they both had a chance to don their costumes for trunk-or-treat at church, Boo at the Zoo and neighborhood trick-or-treating! (another post)
Our church event was fun as always, we got there early enough this year to eat the hot dog dinner and fellowship with some friends. Will even saw his pre-school teacher who gave him a wad of candy! My camera battery died right as trunk-or-treat started so I didn't get many pics.

Our class did a country hoe-down trunk theme, so

Daniel & I dressed up too

 Will hardly wore his mask all night but couldn't wait

to get this eye patch on...Pirate Spiderman it is

 This was our first year visiting Boo at the Zoo and we will definitely be back - the weather was beautiful and the crowds were minimal. We walked right onto the carousel (well, scarousel), hayride, train and even saw a cute "Scooby Zoo" skit involving wildlife animals. We did have to pay because this is an annual fundraiser and not included in our membership, but as we stood in line, a lady offered us two free tickets because she had extra! It was a blessing indeed....I mean, that never happens!! So we only had to buy one ticket- Maggie is free- and pay for the rides.

 face painting

 Maggie talking to one of the animals on

the 'scarousel'

 

hayride

candy time 

 train ride

Open House

Will's pre-school held an open house last week and he was super excited to show us his classroom! Until we got there of course, then he was shy. But he warmed up. I met his teacher at orientation, but this was Daniel's first introduction and I was very happy to hear about what he does with his day and how he's adjusting. We also saw his art work, most of which has been sent home since then, visited his music and zumba classes, meeting each teacher respectively. We enjoyed the evening and I think he was proud to show us all his work.

 Got a good picture with his teacher this time!

 Maggie enjoying big brother's class

 bustin' a move in his music class

 jumpin' off the stage in zumba class

He holds it together

I've heard this song a few times and really like it, both musically and lyrically- I think it applies to all of us. But today on my way to pick up Will from school, the artist, Heather Williams, called into the radio station for an interview (yes, I still listen to the radio, don't judge). What a great testimony she has! Childhood abuse, her mother and stepfather sending her away, nearly homeless, coming to Christ, losing her first born child unexpectedly to a heart defect and that's just what shared in the few minutes she had to talk. I mean wow! So, she's not just singing the words to this song, she's been there and knows what it's about to hang on to Christ with all that you have and trust in Him completely. If you haven't heard it, enjoy, if you have, enjoy again!

The things he says...

When you first become a parent, you relish every moment and are convinced you'll remember the smell of new baby skin, the coos and goos and all the little moments of this precious creation. Why wouldn't you? How couldn't you? Welllll, you just don't. Life moves every day and you fill your brain with new information and new memories. Not because you don't love your child(ren) but because you just can't store it all. That's why I like to write down the funny things Will says and does, take pictures and some video, how else will I remember? Lately, though, I can hardly keep up with the cute or funny conversations or statements Will makes! I can't catch everything (though Daniel says I sure do try) but I do document as much as I can so one day I can look back on this lovable innocence that is so fleeting. I love you Will!!!! Thanks for making me laugh my sweet boy! :)

9/29-

W: I workin so hard.

Me: Working so hard watching me?

W: No, I...yea. Workin so hard watchin you. (pause) I gotta go take a break.

-he didn't actually take a 'break' from watching me cook, but it was funny-

9/30

Daddy tickled my armpits. That's how I got sick.

W: Here, you can have a drink of mine.

M: No thank you, I don't want to get sick.

W: NO WAY! Then we go back to the doctor and they say "What!? You back?" That's what they will say.

Mommy, I sick. I sick from not eating turkey sandwich.

I didn't poo. That's why I'm sick.

10/4-

Bad guys love liars so you better don't lie!

That's bad guy house but we can't to in there, right mom? He say RAWR! "We just here to talk, that's all." that's what we tell him.

10/7-

Me: What do you know?

W: I know everything.

10/8-

W: Don't dance like me!

Me: Just you get to dance?

W: Yes, this is my song.

10/9-

D: Jackahoos love the hoboshack. In fact, the hoboshack is a jackahoo paradise!"

W: I not a jackahoo paradise, you are! That's not very nice, you don't call me that!

D: I didn't call you anything.

W: You just not saying Will.

D: I didn't call you a jackahoo, I just said the hoboshack is a jackahoo paradise. So if you're not a jackahoo then it doesn't apply to you.

W: I'm going to be a jackahoo for Halloween! You know what a jackahoo is?!?

D: A word I made up...

W: It's a bad guy!

10/12-

W: I had a bad dream about tigers!

M: You did?!!

W: When I was at the zoo they broke the glass and scratched me up. And they bit me 'cause they scratched me up. They stuck a stick on my back and elbow.

I was not flying.

Then Jesus helped me. He told the bad tigers to go somewhere else.

-love this! especially 'cause Will is always so animated when telling stories like this-

10/13-

You know what? I don't know why this song is in my head!

10/15-

My belly's thinkin' 'bout goin' out to dinner tonight. That's what it's thinkin' 'bout.

That takes the cake

We’ve established that Will has quite the imagination. The other morning he wanted to make a cake so he got out all the necessary ingredients and got to work. The recipe he used? Why cereal, oatmeal and bread, of course. What did you think went into baking a cake?

“You just cut the paper with the knife. That’s how you make a cake. Then you put it in the stove and when it’s done it goes in the frigerator. Then you take it out for Christmas and eat it. That’s how you make a birthday. I need cereal to make my cake. Cereal makes cakes then we try it and it be yummy. I need oatmeal too mommy. I’m gonna make a yummy cake. Bread makes it too. Is this going to be super duper yummy?”

"I want to make it here with you two. 'Cause I don't wanna be by myself." (awwww)

"I need to take a break"

As you can see, he went all out…a four-layer cake! And nothing tops a cake off quite like little serving knives. Ready for the oven! "Thank you for letting me bake this. Thank you for letting me put it in the oven."

Will left his cake in the oven for awhile, especially for a 3-year old playing pretend. I asked a few times, in case he forgot, but he continued to tell me it wasn’t ready yet. When it came out of the oven and still looked like this, he was so upset. He said, “that’s not cake, that’s just bread!”

Turns out Will was not playing pretend. He really really thought he was making a cake and was obviously proud of his efforts. It broke his heart, just crushed him when the bread and oatmeal concoction did not turn into an actual cake, which was precious but also broke our hearts. So Daniel told him mommy could get some cake stuff at the store. I have been looking for an excuse to make buttercream and went to none other than Glorious Treats for her recipe. I had all the ingredients on hand which made it cheaper than buying a can of frosting and gave me a chance to try something new! I made chocolate- it was pretty good- but very sweet.

His birthday, two days after Christmas is likely to be CARS themed so he set out to make a CARS birthday cake. That’s why I added his little cars and he was very happy with the end result!

Aaaaaaand he had to use 'his' knife to cut it… love that little man!

Maggie's 1st birthday party- the details- part 4

The party, the people, the presents...

This is the last of my four-part post on Maggie’s ladybug birthday party details. I hope you enjoy!

I want to talk some about Maggie’s ladybug party. Yes, I know, over 3 long posts I have elaborated on every detail and thought behind the detail, what more could I have to say? Well, I’ve saved the best for last. The party itself! How did our precious little ladybug girl enjoy her day? Let me tell you, she loved it!! Maggie will not remember her first birthday, but I hope when she looks at pictures and through her time capsule she realizes all the love we poured into her party and all the people that came to celebrate her big day!!!

the party…

 Our sweet friend, Ruthie, called the morning of Maggie’s party to ask if she could make a dairy-free cake for her son and others with dairy allergies to eat. So she made this a couple hours before the party! Amazing and so cute…everyone loved it!

Cake Time!! Maggie was having a ball with the chair

banner while I was getting things ready

She likes being sung to! Lil Miss Center of Attention? Uh Oh!

that's good...

wait, that's reeeealllly good...

 that was awesome!

 the people...

the presents...

Maggie had a beautiful first birthday party and she enjoyed every minute of it! She was happy and alert the entire time. I could’ve done without the rain, but the party was nearly over before it started. I know I say it all the time, but we’re so blessed to have this sweet angel in our lives and to celebrate one year of life!!! God has been so good to us! I know she’s behind developmentally, esp. compared to most one-year-olds, but she makes steady progress and we have faith she’ll get where she needs to be. I love you Maggie Moo and am so excited to share this special milestone birthday with you!!