Ghosts, Goblins, and ....

A beautiful butterfly...

A Shy Spiderman...

A Terrific Thomas the Tank Engine...

The three together (in front of a John Deere tractor, no less!)

Petting a donkey...

A pony drawn carriage...

I've never really been into Halloween. In fact, I could survive without it! However, the kids were really excited to dress up - and they had a great time at our church Fall Festival! TRICK or TREAT!

Tabasco

As I was getting Maggie dressed this morning (she had my full attention, as the boys are with Oma and Opa - Chap has finally gotten some much needed relief in the tummy area, and is recovering there rather than at school). Okay, back to the topic at hand...

I was helping Maggie, and today is "wear exercise clothes" at school today. So, she was in heaven as we were putting on her "soft" velour "exercise outfit" for school - no hard pants, collared shirt... all comfy and snuggly, as Maggie says!

Then, she says... "Mom, Daddy shouldn't eat tabasco anymore!" He sometimes puts it on his pizza for added flavor. It is also a staple in a family recipe of Texas Trash that we make every Christmas holiday - a family tradition! Clueless as to where she was taking me in this conversation, I asked "Why?"

She said, "Because it is not good for your insides, and can give you bad bad sores in your mouth!"

Here is the connection and a little background information... This week has been Red Ribbon Week/Say NO to Drugs at many schools across Texas - including Maggie's. As we have had several discussions with Maggie throughout the week, we have learned that they are educating her on her level - and we have expanded it with family talks this week. Here was another of those expansion moments... "No, sweetheart... tabasco is okay - just HOT! However, TOBACCO is not okay! (And the discussion continues).

So, hopefully, I cleared Daddy's name and the great family recipe of Texas Trash!!

Ah-Hah Moments

The Post world has been a bit crazy and busy.... sorry for the delay in posting an update. Or, on the other hand - you may be glad to have gotten a break from our crazy life!

We have had a few exciting moments at our house the last week or so. A few Ah-HAh Moments!

On Sunday afternoon, we ventured to the playground in our neighborhood.

The poor quality picture with my phone doesn't do the no training wheels on Maggie's bike justice. This was her first "trip" away from our driveway and the neighbors' driveway. She did a great job, and maintained her confidence the entire time! When we returned, she and the boys parked their bike at the BICYCLE PARK - or "Bicikil Prk." She's picking up on phonics, because I didn't help her write that at all (the blue letters)!

In other news .... some more good (along with bad and ugly). Chap is potty trained (for number 1, anyway). He is in "big boy unnawears" at home - and we even went to Maggie's gymnastics in big boy pants the other day (yes, I know - playing with fire!) He successfully stayed dry! This was a big ah-hah moment. One afternoon, I thought I'd just try and see how he did for extended periods of time - and he showed me he could do it! At home, I haven't turned back now. MDO, church, and other out of routine situations we still have back-up. His shyness kind of hinders his announcing his need to go potty. However, with this new milestone came another "bad" and "ugly" situation. He is now constipated and has been for 2 weeks, now. Yes, he's passed a little here and there - but the last week, he has been very painful. We were trying to link the two together: potty training/retention, etc. However, his pediatrician is a bit more concerned of it being something more than that. So, a GI referral is in the works for him.

Speaking of GI - Whit has gained 5 oz. in one month. I have updated his nutritionist to get her take on the gain. We are still in the process of the endochrin appointment as well. He is doing great with his PT and OT therapy. We have been playing lots of games and things to help him, too. In the video below, you'll see that it's sometimes the little things that give us ah-hah moments...

Aren't ah-hah moments refreshing! Riding bikes with no training wheels, riding bikes all the way to the playground period; Spelling with sidewalk chalk; pottying in the potty; pulling a shirt over the head... I love those moments! They're what take the craziness out of our every day routines!

Photo Shoot

We all know I have a hobby in photography. However, taking pictures of my own kids is sometimes not that easy. Trying to get them into position, to smile, etc... plus, take the pic with the right settings, etc... It is my goal, each fall, to get a good picture for our family Christmas cards.

Here is what I'm talking about. In 2007, I had the great idea to let the kids hold red JOY letters for our card... Well, twin almost 1 year olds, and a 3 1/2 year old... not quite the outcome I had planned in my photographer's mind...

Needless to say, we went with Plan B that year! I did end up with a cute picture of them on a little toy tractor, but I didn't get to use my JOY idea. Might have to try that again sometime!

So, this year - once again, I started early. I took the kids to Devers this weekend for the purpose of the first "Photo Shoot." My mom was my "assistant" and golf cart driver - she escorted us to the "Farm" as Chap called it... and from back-drop to back-drop (my grandparent's pasture and barn). They are dressed in their western wear... or "Farmer clothes" (as Chap calls it). Amazingly enough, I got some useable shots! I'm going to post a few, but not the Christmas card selection. You'll just have to wait until Christmas to see that one.

So, drum roll, please.... Here are a few of the shots I got...

Whit and Maggie

Maggie and Chap

Chap, Maggie, Whit

Whit, Maggie, Chap

Chap, Maggie, Whit

Maggie, Whit (trying to find his pockets), Chap

"Give Maggie SUGARS" (oops... lets try w/o the hats!)

Better!

The Boys

My Girl!

Maggie

Whit

Chap

Thanks for looking! I've learned a bit more about photography since the JOY shots... along with having a few new gadgets and a new lens for my camera. Plus, the kids are older, AND - it helps to have candy to bribe with! ;o)

The Mice Will Play When the Cat's AWAY!

Will Trade Parents...

For Tractor....

especially when I'm in timeout, and you take my picture!!

Don't worry... he was justly serving time... I promise!

Oh Where, Oh Where??

Have the little sock friends gone??

Pumpkin Patch Pics...

After school, today - we ventured over to a local Pumpkin Patch and had a great time! Yes, I think I chose the HOTTEST day in October to take this adventure, but even with red cheeks and hair a touch-bit sweaty.... the kids had a GREAT time!

On the way, I was prepping them for the trip. I asked: "What do you think we'll see at the Pumpkin Patch?"

Chap: A TRACTOR!! (Possibly!)

Maggie: PUMPKINS!! (A very logical answer)

Whit: EMNANT (WHAT?)

Chap: No, Whit - no Elephants at the Pumpkin Patch!

(Oh! Elephants! No, Whit... there are no elephants at the pumpkin patch... how about hay!)

Whit: O!

More pics... Thanks for indulging me... We had fun...

( Whit did NOT like the hay touching him!)