Loving 4-day weekends

It's not as warm as it used to be. So we are getting more creative indoors. This was a fun afternoon where PJ's stayed on for most of the day, but the fun lasted until late. We even went out on a limb and let Trenton sleep in one of the tents at night.



Then for some added fun on the long Thanksgiving weekend, we enjoyed the Zoo Lights. I think the highlights were the classy belly dancers, especially the male belly dancer with the flabby six pack all decked out in purple silk. We didn't get any pictures that I would feel comfortable posting, but it was a night of adventure.

Baking...

I have not always been a fan of crafts and baking. I used to look at it as silly and somehow old fashioned. Like those 50's ads for Sears marketing the latest and greatest kitchen appliance. The women are usually in dresses, with their make-up on, hair up, aprons on... and basically not anything like me. Now, as I have come to love and value my role and job at home, I have come to find a inner satisfaction from a project accomplished. For example, sewing takes a bit of thought, precision, course of action, and eventually accomplishment. The outcome is usually what brings me the most happiness. To show off, even to myself, or this blog something that I did. Something that made me feel like I am of some value beyond my physical two hands and presence. Baking can also bring me this same sense of accomplishment. I love tasting something that has real flavor, something not really expected, but delicious. Most of all, I love knowing that I did it. That I found the time, the energy, and the ability to create some new masterpiece to be shared with someone, anyone really.

So, today, during a moment when I needed some savory compensation, I found Barefoot Contessa whispering sweet nothings in my ear. Out came my favorite kitchen toy ever.


All with the hope that this Pumpkin Roulade would turn out as divine as she is describing, and maybe give Pumpkin Pie a bit of competition. I can't wait for tonight, and for Thanksgiving. I have only barely tasted this, and plan on drizzling the top with caramel and a few toffee bits that I decided to add to the filling. The bad thing is, I don't want this in the house for long. I don't need it, but it sure does feel good to feel completely adequate for a few moments. I just hope that the boys (all 3 of mine) light up when this comes out after the main course of dried ol leftovers.

With all the joy this brought me today, really...these two make MY life have value and purpose beyond any cake, cookie, dinner, or craft ever created.

A little jealous

The only yellow helicopter around! Few things excite our son as much as flying objects. I leave "objects" open ended on purpose. This ranges from airplanes, to helicopters, to balls, to small dinosaurs, to even toys. Really, anything flying through the air is cool. This though, may have been heaven on earth to a 3 year old boy.

(thank goodness for camera phones)

Halloween

It almost didn't happen this year. VERY sick boys make for a less than spooky halloween. They are feeling a little better, and at least we didn't miss a year with no costumes.
The funniest thing is, the treats inside his pumpkin basket are such treasures to Trenton that all he wants to do is count them and stare. I'm sure he'll figure out they are edible soon enough.

Our little LEGO, skeleton, and Dad is some unknown wacky cowboy?

Hard decisions...

Some choices are hard, and some are not so difficult. Here is one of many for Simon.
French fry or Cheerio? Cheerio or French fry?

Enough said....

Although watching him was almost as much fun as taking the pictures. Enjoy this short video of him eating this delicious golden fried potato, sent straight from heaven to be devoured for the first time! (Notice him touching and caressing it... he really was begging for more. :D)

Pumpkin patches

October doesn't feel real until you've made it to the pumpkin patch. So, we made it a priority early this season, thanks to some friends who suggested Sauvie's Island. It was beautiful, not muddy and totally crowded. I think we weren't the only ones taking advantage of the great weather. Too bad their pumpkins won't be as cool as ours. :D

This made it all better...

A rough day. Really rough. I know that they happen... I'm sure there will be many more. But, today was a personal challenge meant to either break me, or make me a stronger person. Trenton couldn't have been any more difficult. Everything was dramatic (that might be an understatement). Simon couldn't have been more fussy, needy, and more determined to be RIGHT next to big brother.
The funny thing was... on top of all this, every car was moving slower, every light turned red just as I got there. Costco was so full the parking lot looked like Saturday before Christmas. There was a minor fire at my sisters house after we had pictures taken... and the only really fantastic thing to come out of the day were these. The most wonderful birthday photos of Trenton. I wanted Birthday pictures, and this great photographer that I know delivered again.

If only you could have been there to see just how difficult he was being, and how hard it was to make him even look, or smile, or cooperate. Despite the trouble, I love him. I love his smile, his sweet moments, and I love that he makes me rise to every occasion.

Thank you Shonda! These are the images I'll keep in my head the next time I'm about to melt down!

3 years old?

It all started here...

and brought us to here...

At his ripe age, he loves trains... and their tracks.
His favorite color is green
He loves Diego and Super Why
He doesn't like Simon getting near his stuff
He loves pizza and noodles (not together)
His favorite book is "Oh My, Oh My, Oh Dinosaurs"
He must have his blankets (very specific ones), and animals to go to sleep
He is a pretty good singer
Not a great colorer
And, he is a fan of Michael Jackson, MC Hammer, and SteveSongs.

Happy Birthday! What a fast and fun 3 years it has been! Too bad he didn't eat any of the cake or cupcakes I slaved for hours on. Maybe someday with all of his magnificent qualities, he'll learn to appreciate the other little things... like Mom, Dad, Simon, yummy food, listening, and baths (Now...I think I'm off to go soak in one).

Happy Birthday!

Good morning...

We needed a "pick-me-up" to get the day started this morning. So, when Trenton mentioned cookie dough, I thought it was a stroke of genius! So, we added a little MC Hammer to the mix, and we are feeling groovy! (MC Hammer was most appropriate since "You Can't Touch This" is his new favorite song)

why oh why

"Smile..." "Please look here and smile!" "I'm gonna gettcha...I'm gonna tickle you unless you smile".
oh... I tried SO hard! Why do they NEVER look at the camera? How do they know to fold their arms and act like that?

Since the photo didn't turn out, I can at least report that after a nasty cough and cold blasting through our house... I finally slept through the night! You may think this is silly to blog about, but it has been probably 1 year since I have slept from 10:30 until 6:45 without interruption. This feels like a day for celebrating.

Gymnastics!

Now... I'm not trying to make the Hamm brothers out of my two boys, but gymnastics seems to be a big hit. Trenton LOVES his teacher and his class, and asks all week to go back. You'd be amazed at how he can already do this...

He's working on...

We hope he NEVER looks like this...

And Simon is coming up right behind him with an amazing floor routine. Keep up the good work boys!

First Family pictures

Shonda did it.... she really really did it! She took some amazing pictures and even got a picture of us all smiling, together! I'm so glad that she is a photographer and I have to say that after Trenton she has earned her money.

Check out all the photos here. (see ...this is a tease! In order to see the ones of us smiling and having fun you must check out all of the photos)

Looks sweet huh?

Don't let this face fool you!

He doesn't sleep through the night and I'm about to kill him. He is strong, smiley, and fun until 2 am. Then, I don't care if he looks like the cudelyist little bundle of joy or not... that is an hour that I am SICK of seeing. Oh, and 4 am is not a time of day I'm a fan of either.

Dr. Weisbluth, from "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child", was my only hope this morning, to which I opened him up and found in big bold letters... "WARNING! Sleep problems in children may cause maternal depression." Not exactly ground breaking and almost humorous as I was crying while reading this. I'm not yet seriously depressed, but not exactly thrilled about this current situation, although I'm a little more irritable, and dreaming of a night where I don't move until the sun comes up.

Sorry Ferrari

No this isn't from South Beach or So Cal, this LOcal. We had to ask ourselves, when you buy a car like this how many tickets do you plan on getting?

Does this sign excite your grandma?

It does mine!
For more FANTASTIC pictures of what we did this weekend, go here. You won't regret it.
But you might end up looking for this on the side of a road near you.

new pictures

I haven't been that great at taking pictures lately, but I wanted to post a few that I just took.

Now... If when Trenton was just a smidge older we took these... (click here) . This was extra fun dressing him up the same and seeing the similarities... and the differences.

Why will they NEVER smile at the same time?

This was as close to smiling at the same time as a mom can hope for.

I love...

Lakeshore Learning.


There is the GREAT new store that finally opened. It is called Lakeshore Learning, and we had so much fun there the other night. There is TONS of stuff that I can't wait to do with Trenton. It all started today when we made a little person from a kit we bought. For some reason he thinks it is "Papa"; probably because the triangle is upside down making it seem like a mustache.
So, Papa... we love you. Polka dots, yellow hair, mismatched shoes and all.

Our Beach Trip

We went to the beach!
My parents have set an annual tradition of going to the coast. I'm so glad they set this up for us, it is fun and the best way to show off all of our happenings, is put into this video.



Lincoln City August 2008 from Raina on Vimeo.

And.. if you want to see how much the kids have grown... here is the link to the video from last year.