A glimpse into our lives...

An Incredible Halloween

Whew! We made it through Halloween this past weekend. It seems the Fall has flown, blown and rained its way past us. With all the colds, flu and doctors visits we have had little time to accomplish much this season. Luckily I shopped Ebay and Craigslist early on this year to find our Halloween costumes.

What a fun time we have had wearing them. The kids have enjoyed wearing them at home and pretending to be their respective superheros. Allan loves to demonstrate his speed around the house, usually ending in a slip and fall at some point (pesky socks on hardwood floors).

We got lots of compliments last weekend at the trick-or-treat in the mall and at the school costume parade, to which neither Steve or I wore our costumes. But the best was Saturday when we all donned our apparel for Halloween and set off to trick-or-treat.  The kids were actually agreeable to taking a few family photos. It would have been nice if the weather would have warmer (a little less wind please), but we made it through. We cut the trick-or-treating route a little short this year and headed South down the street at my Mom and Dad's then went straight on over to Uncle Nick's house. The kids received treat bags from Nick and Stacy and he served the guys some adult beverages. Afterward we headed over to Grandma and Grandpa George's for a visit, then back on to the Smith house to put the kids to bed.

Lorelei told me this morning that she didn't think we went to very many houses to get candy. She's right, we didn't, but the lack of candy does not bother me. All they have been  doing this morning is begging to eat more candy. The answer, "No." results in a lot of whining and an incessant string of pleases from Lorelei until I am tempted to let them gobble the whole bag until they puke.

Earlier last week we carved pumpkins. Lorelei loves to draw her own face on the pumpkin for Steve to carve. The hang up was that all the washable markers were dried out and not usable so she had to use a pen, not conducive to washing away the mistakes. We also tried to make them scoop out their own pumpkin guts. Allan didn't like the squish of it. Lorelei actually did a fair job of it by herself. It is fun to see how much their participation in holiday activities changes from year to year. Charlie of course was just enjoying taking it all in while he sat in his highchair at the table.  

I hope you all enjoyed Fall it seems winter winds are heading our way!

Happy 19th Dating Anniversary

 

(1993 Homecoming King and Queen Candidates)

Our 19th dating anniversary was October 18th. Nineteen years. Amazing.

Here is a poem I gave to Steve our senior year of high school in 1994. The fact that we were heading off to college soon was weighing heavily on my mind. Looking back now I know the best was yet to come.

I'll Always Remember…

…the first time I saw you and wondered, "Who is that?"

…the excitement I felt when you said, "Will you go with me?"

…our first kiss and the first roses you surprised me with

…all the faces we made back and forth in Global Studies

…the first time you held my waist while we danced

…the summer bike rides  you made to see me

…when you dropped me in the pool

…our shaving cream fight

…seeing you in a sumo suit

…swimming in Bass Lake Outlet

…canoeing in the Maple and Stoney

…long nights of studying Calculus and the patience you had

                …the way you kiss

                …the smell of your cologne

                …the feel of your arms around me

…skiing at Crystal Mountain for the day

…riding along with you on your motorcycle

…the way I felt when I first heard "The Rose" from my music box

…my rainy birthday picnic at the Ledges on the back tailgate of your new truck

…riding with you onto the football field Homecoming night

                …the way your voice sounds when you say "I love you"

Grandparents 60th Anniversary Party

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.

The Years Are Short

I recently saw a quote in the Reader's Digest that said, "When raising young kids, remember: The days are long, but the years are short." It is ringing very loudly with me the past week. Lorelei started preschool last week and I had one of those sad and startling moments where I wondered how we got to this point. How did 4.5 years pass by so quickly? How can she be a big girl who is already stepping out from my warm protective nest?

So she had her first day of preschool and drop off went pretty smoothly. I have been trying really hard not to talk about doing anything at home while she is gone to school. I remember being at Kindergarten and thinking I was missing out on something fun at home. So my focus has been on talking about all the fun to be had at school.

I think her and I did about a million kisses and hugs before I walked out and left her in the classroom the first day. I was doing just fine until Allan stood in the door and said, "C'mon ore-i (Lorelei)." And to that I had to tell him Lorelei was staying at school and we were going home. His response was, "Why?" and he had the saddest look on his face. I made it to the car before shedding some tears…

(I am teary-eyed just writing this post, really I thought I was ready for her to leave.)

Good news is she is loving school. We had to develop a good-bye routine for this week. A kiss, a hug, and a high-five, then she goes to the drawing area to draw a picture to surprise us with when she gets home.

At pick-up time she is full of stories of all the things they did. On Tuesday she got to be line leader for the whole time. They also got a bunny in the classroom that they were able to pet and let hop around the room. She already asked me if she could take her camera to get some pictures.

I am sure I will have more school stories for you as the year passes. And probably pictures taken by Lorelei of the classroom :)

Happy Golden Birthday!

Isn't that what they call it when the age you turn is the same as your day of birth? We never celebrated that when I was a kid, but I thought it should be a big deal when Allan turned 3 on the 3rd. Of course when Charlie turns 21 on the 21st someday I am not sure what we will do…

We started the morning by singing with the music box and eating cake for breakfast. The highlight was when we brought the cake over to the table, Allan had the most surprised look on his face. He had asked for a dinosaur cake, but I don't think he expected it to be like the one I made. He was truly excited about it. After breakfast cake we packed up to head out for our birthday outing. Steve was home and had helped me pack a picnic lunch the night before. We ate it at the zoo soon after we got there and then headed to  Dinosauria. Lorelei was worried about if there was a T. Rex, so she stayed close to me through the entire exhibit. Allan was ordering us to keep moving so he could see all the dinosaurs quickly. When did he learn to add such a stern tone to his voice? Toward the end we saw a 'eratops' (how Allan says it) and he was hurt and bleeding. That left a big impression on Allan who would tell everyone about the hurt Triceratops if they asked about Dinosauria. Lorelei concluded that the T. Rex must be nearby and had hurt the Triceratops. She was right, around the next bend was a life-size T. Rex with bloody teeth. Glad I wasn't around in the time of dinosaurs!

We walked around some more parts of the zoo, but in no way made it through even half of the other exhibits. The Detroit Zoo is for kids who are older and don't need naps and for parents that have a ton of patience when the onset of crabbiness starts. We headed home in a thankfully peaceful silence as all the kids snoozed in their seats.

 After dinner we had Allan blow out the candles, isn't that one of the best parts of the day? It is for my kids, we often do it multiple times, I mean the big day only comes once a year, right? And then on to the big moment, opening presents.

 Lorelei was so excited for Allan's birthday, she made him multiple presents. She worked really  hard at drawing him dinosaurs and cutting them out to be the right shape. (You can see them on the floor in front of Allan) Allan spotted her drawing them one day and she tried to trick him and tell him they were for her cousin Ethan. Allan was  really mad and was crying about wanting Lorelei to  make him a dinosaur. Of course he didn't know  they were all really for him. After all the drawing she wrapped them in paper and taped them shut with stickers and added other fun stickers inside. Before we left for the zoo that morning she also gave him a Madagascar t-shirt to wear. It makes me happy to  see that they love each other so much!

 Next on to the Mom and Dad presents. He got Animal Legos, Madagascar DVD, a Bumblebee Transformer t-shirt and a dry erase animal book. The new toys kept the two of them busy for days!

I have enjoyed watching Allan grow so much in the past year. It is unbelievable how many changes one year can bring.

Allan here is the top ten things you love at 3 years old:

1. Dinosaurs

2. Collecting sticks, stones, and pinecones.

3. Making forts in your bedroom with Lorelei.

4. The new show on PBS called Dinosaur Train.

5. Planning and inviting everyone on our trip to Disney World. (You ask me about it almost every day for the past 4 months.)

6. Being a big boy and giving up your pacifier (bubby) and being potty-trained. (Maybe I like those more than you...)

7. Talking about wild animals we have spotted in the yard or on the road. You often tell people things like, "We saw a raccoon on the road. It was dead." (Picture Allan's sad face complementing the sentence.)

8. Making up nonsense words and phrases that rhyme with what I just told you to do. It actually sounds like you said something back, I just couldn't tell what it was, "Mom I was just trickin'  you."

9. Wandering in the yard and being outside.

10. Giving kisses and hugs to Charlie and Lorelei.

I Love Him

Lorelei: "Mom I love him so much I don't want him to get any bigger."

Mom: "We all grow up sometime hunny."

Lorelei: "I decided I am going to marry him because I love him so much."

This Summer We...

1. Hosted a party and visited with old friends.

2. Caught candy at 2 home town parades.

3. Saw a live sloth at the library.

4. Hosted our own garage sale.

5. Had an almost naked (kids only) water fight with our cousins from San Diego.

6. Watched the hot air balloons launch in Howell.

7. Ate lots of french fries, elephant ears and almonds courtesy of Georges' Concessions!

8. Celebrated our 12 year wedding anniversary.

9. Dad had 2 practice days at the race track.

10. Went to the chiropractor a lot to help Charlie's gas problems.

11. Visited Six Lakes for the day with our cousins and swam in the pool with new life jackets.

12. Refinanced our house at a crazy low interest rate.

13. Went to Pentwater multiple times and hardly ever swam because the weather was so cool.

14. Mom and Charlie watched Dad at the Grattan Endurance Race where his team took 3rd in their division and actually won some prize money.

15. Mom went to the A2 Art Fair and Antique Show.

16. Went to Splash Universe with Aunt Kristie and Uncle Ross.

17. Went to Michigan's Adventure with the entire George clan.

18. Celebrated Mom's 33rd birthday with lots of pie and a Yudu machine.

19. Allan started using plurals and past tense. As in "skunk-is" and "like-ed".

20. Went to some garage sales and bought more toys we didn't need.

21. Mom screen-printed her first t-shirts.

22. Cousin Madeline was diagnosed with Restrictive Cardiomyopathy.

23. Went camping at Sleepy Hollow, made new friends and watched Grandma Edith finish a duathlon.

24. Mom luckily lost inches of pregnancy chub from her waist.

25. Charlie grew at least 5 inches and gained numerous pounds.

26. Bought Lorelei her first backpack for preschool.

27. Fed Charlie his first food.

28. Swang, slid and bounced on our playground.

29. Took nightly walks to see the sheep with Allan and Charlie in the stroller and Lorelei riding her 2-wheeler with training wheels.

30. Wished Dad didn't have to keep mowing the lawn and the garden would weed itself.

31. Visited Screams in Hell, MI for ice cream.

32. Mom did freelance work in her 'spare' time.

33. Ate popsicles on the porch.

34. Rode bikes in the garage and driveway.

35. Bought Allan another pair of tennis shoes because his feet grew so much.

36. Hoped Lorelei would stop sucking her thumb.

37. Watched Allan throw his last pacifier in the trash and finally get potty-trained.

38. Cousins Lillian and Charlotte came with their mom for a morning playdate.

39. Built blanket forts in the kids bedrooms.

40. Hoped to win the lottery and move back to our hometown.

41. Found a caterpillar, named it Fluffy and watched it make a chrysalis and turn into a moth.

42. Heard Charlie say, "da, da" when Dad came home from work.

43. Picked blackberries from the yard and wished the crop was better this year.

44. Fended off hundreds of mosquitoes.

45. Caught fireflies and butterflies.

46. Made strawberry jam.

47. Fished with Papa.

50. Ate silly cookies from Great Grandpa Miller and homemade cookies from Great Grandma Miller.

So far today

A little head peaks into my bedroom door and says, "Mom, come out here we have a surprise."
I walk out of the bedroom, Charlie is still asleep on the bed.
"Surprise!", two little faces beam at me as they pop out from behind the chair.
Lorelei cranks the little music box and Allan starts to sing, "Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you..."
"We love you Mommy, we will be good today for your birthday," says Lorelei.
"It's already a good day," I say as I hug them both.

Afterward they fight over what kind of cake to make for me, a dinosaur or a tall princess cake. Then one hit and one kicked and they both got timeouts.

So Big!

Look at those soft, chubby cheeks and sweet little lips. Charlie is growing so fast. I don't get to update his accomplishments on the blog as much as I would like, but I am still doing my Project 365 and his 1st year baby scrapbook. He will have plenty of pictures and stories.

He is now 4 months old. He can roll over both ways, clumsily pick up things and get them to his mouth, make screaming/cooing noises to get our attention and grab his toes. Every day I notice a little progression toward a new skill.

Today I used one of the Munchkin fresh food holders and put some watermelon in there, at first he was unsure about it, then he got real mad when I took it away. He figured out how to chomp on it to get more juice out. We haven't actually started him on solids yet, but what can a little watermelon juice hurt?

Monday we had his 4 month appointment. My big boy was 27 inches long, ranking him in the 97th percentile. No wonder his 6 month clothes are getting a bit short. He weighs 14lbs. 14oz. putting him at 50% for weight. He is a long and lean baby, but he does have a couple rolls on his chubby thighs and I think his hands are cute with the baby dimples at the knuckles.

Today as I was trying to get these photos for his baby book I chuckled to myself. Have you ever noticed how babies make bobbley movements all the time? I hate using a flash and try to use the natural light in our living room, but his bobbley movements make it hard to get a really clear photo. The pics are still so cute though. In time those movements will slowly disappear until I have forgotten about them all together. My how quick the time goes…

Cousins

Above: Lorelei 4, James 4.5, Will 3.5, Allan 2.5 and Elise 2

My cousin Laura, her husband Joe and their 3 kids are in MI visiting from San Diego. We were lucky enough to occupy one day of their visit. They came over to our house for a day long play date and it went quite smoothly considering. Steve had to go to work and Charlie had just had his 4 month vaccinations that morning. Charlie wouldn't let me put him down to sleep, so I held him most of the day.

The older kids had a ton of fun playing together. It was one of the first really hot and humid days this summer. We spent most of it outside in the yard or on the porch. The kids built Lego planes and crashed them into each other. Lorelei and Elise played tea party. The most fun was the water fight which ended in every one sopping wet and only in their underwear (um, not the adults). Of course the backyard playground got some use too!

The day came to a close with some hot dogs for the kids and burgers for the adults. We had cupcakes for dessert and the kids all had faces full of colored frosting when they were done. We were sad to see them go and Lorelei is already asking me when they can come back for a visit and a camp out. She wants to give a shout out to Will and call him a "stink butt" back.