Visiting the Pumpkin Patch

October 23, 2010

Time for our annual trip to the pumpkin patch! 

It was so different going this year, we had so many place to choose from (unlike Hawaii, where there was one-and not even a very good one).  We decided to go to Taylor Farms, since it was only a few miles from our house.  The had a play area for the kids, a little petting zoo, and a bouncy house... after a while the boys forgot why we came.

Daddy and the boys on the hayride, and I think this was the boys first hayride ever.

Clark did not want to sit on the straw, and Harry only wanted to eat it.

Bosko Family, on a hayride.

I love a good old fashioned hayride, and these ones out to the pumpkin patch and back were free, although the price we paid for our pumpkins more than made up for it ($19 for 4 pumpkins-and 3 of them were really small).  Harry always has such a serious and grumpy face, I promise he is a happy child, I don't know why he always looks so mad.  Also, don't forget Clark's light saber, that he couldn't leave the house without.

Clark had fun piling the hay around the bottom of the slide, and then sliding right into it.

(I even found some straw in his diaper later that night.)

While Harry jumped in the bouncy house, Clark enjoyed running around playing Star Wars...

I was the only one interested in picking pumpkins.

This was the only picture I could get of them this year.

(This is our 4th year going in a row!)

They did not want to cooperate at all, all Harry wanted to do was play in the bouncy house, and no amount of bribing could get them to LOOK AT THE CAMERA, AND SMILE.

Just when I thought the picture/torture time was over,

 Clark informed me he needed a picture with his "wite sazzer".

One more try for a picture, with Mommy this time... no such luck.

I love going to the pumpkin patch every year, 

it is one of my favorite traditions that we started with the kids.

Playing with Mommy and Daddy

I found Clark playing with my old Mulder and Scully X-Files action figures the other day,

(yes, I had the action figures, I was that obsessed). 

I gave them to Clark years ago, when I realized I had to be a grown up and stop collecting toys.

I asked him what he was doing, and he said

"playing with Mommy and Daddy".

Oh joy!  I was laughing so hard.  If only I really did resembled Gillian Anderson, if only.
Thanks for making my day, little Tuna, you are the best.

Looks like poor Mulder's head, and hands, have seen better days.
Clark also used to use "Daddy" as a chew toy when he was teething.

Dragon Party

October 15, 2010

We were all pretty excited for the new How To Train Your Dragon movie to come out (a couple weeks ago), so we had a Dragon Party!  We love a good excuse to have a family party.

I made homemade pizza and brownies, and we settled in for a fun movie night.

The boys in their super cute dragon pj's.  Clark was so excited to wear his.

He picked them out on his own (at Walmart), 

he was very insistent that he have the blue ones, and Harry get the gray ones.

Clark pretending to be a scary dragon, 

he has a mighty roar :)

Giggly Harry.

The movie is starting, Clark was so excited!  He has been waiting for this movie to come out since it was in the theater, I swear he would ask if he could watch it at least once a week.  I love how serious he looks in this picture, his eyes glued to the screen, so as not to miss one precious second.

 And little Harry, with his typical grumpy, serious face.

Now it is time for Harry's favorite part of the movie, the credits!

I love how he is standing on his tip toes, so curious of the words and pictures.

It's so funny how much he loves the end of movies.

"Hmmm..." he says, "I wonder if the words come from under here".

Clark practicing his own dragon riding.  

Jason was flying him all over the room, and tossing him in the air.

Jason is such a good Dad, he loves playing with them, and he is so creative...the boys just love it.

Now I know.

Guess what opened up walking distance from my house?

My favorite Papa Murphy's Pizza!!!

The first one on the east coast, 3 miles from my house... how's that for fate.

It has been my favorite pizza since I was 16, and worked at Papa Murphy's.

In fact, I don't really like any other take out pizza, like at all.

Now I know why we were sent to Virginia Beach, now I know.

ps.

Also, other good news.  My Mom met a lady from our VA Beach, who used to work for the early intervention program here, or something like that.  She mention that our area was the BEST for Autism specialists and programs in the state.  Good news!  Now I know...

Happy (Late) Birthday Harry!!!

For Harry's 2nd birthday we took him to Chuck E. Cheese.
It was a little crowded and loud, so he was a little unsure most of the time,
but I think he had a good time.

Daddy took him around to play games.

He loved riding the carousel, and playing the driving video games the most.

After some pizza, soda, and games we headed home for cupcakes and ice cream.

Singing Happy Birthday :)

He wanted to touch the candle flame so badly, Jason had to hold him back.

(Do you see how excited Clark is in the back round, I am surprised he was not right up in Harry's face.)  I made Harry chocolate cupcakes, with chocolate icing (my boys really love chocolate),

 and I put Harry's favorite Reese's Pieces candy on top.

He opened his presents (or rather I did for him), 

and thanks to Nana, and Daddy, he got a lot of books.

He loves to read so much, and spends hours flipping through the pages of his favorite books.

(We also got him a red Coupe Car, but he isn't too keen on it, he would rather have the books.)

This is his concentrating, or reading face.

He gets so into the words and pictures, I love watching him, and reading with him.

(Now for the obligatory blast to the past, were I morn the loss of my tiny little babies, 

and try to come to grips with them growing  WAY TOO FAST.)

Harry was -and still is- the sweetest little baby ever.  He would -and still will- spend hours cuddling with me and Jason.  He loves to be held and hugged, and rocked in my chair.  Most nights before he goes to bed we will spend an hour or so rocking in the chair, reading or watching tv, he loves to nuzzle his face close to mine so I will give him kisses.  I love that he is so affectionate.  He went through a phase when he was younger, where he didn't like to be held or touched, I am so glad that is over.

Little Harry, about 4 months old.

I loved that big baby smile.  He always makes me smile, no matter how bad a day we are having.

He was always so deliciously chunky.  I don't know how I managed to carry him around everywhere.

We went to a doctors appointment last month and he is still at 90% for his height and weight, 

he is a little over 3 feet tall and 39 pounds.  I have a feeling it is just going to be a matter of time before he is towering over me.

Harry, just over 1 years old, and so very happy.

Harry, 14 months old.  This reminds me of Harry's outside phase, he had for the first 18 months of his life.  He always wanted to be outside, just had to be outside (!), exploring, and collecting his sticks and leaves.  He has calmed down some lately, but still loves to play outside.

(I feel like I restrained myself some, there were so many little baby pictures I wanted to post.)

October 2, 2010- Enjoying his birthday cup cake.

Dear Little Nugget (we are trying not to call you fatty nugget anymore, we don't want you to have a complex when you are older),

These past two years have gone by so fast, like they always will.  I have loved getting to know you, and your sweet spirit, you really do bring a spirit of peace into our family.  I love the funny little games you play, and how much you love to read.  I love that you finally seem to becoming more of who you are going to be, even though it has been a slow road.  You are so good at letting me know what you want, even if you don't talk yet.  You have come up with some pretty creative, and silly ways to tell me you want some milkies, like trying to give the sippy cup to my feet (instead of my hands).  You love to take apart things, which is hard to love when I am always fixing and cleaning up messes, but I do love how curious you are.  Your love of going outside and visiting your favorite places (like the mall, or the playground) is so contagious, and I know I am always going to have a good time when we hang out.  I also really love how well behaved you are (for the most part) when we go out, you always hold mine and your Daddy's hand so well in busy places...
well except for the one really scary time when you wandered off.

(Oh, I didn't tell you about that.  I was shopping, and Jason was playing with the boys at the mall in Hawaii.  Harry wandered off, and for 20 terrifying minutes we couldn't find him.  Twenty heart stopping minutes!  I was a hot mess, crying and running around like a nut.  We finally found him, on the OTHER side of the mall, UPSTAIRS! Worst day of my life so far. )

You can be pretty serious, you always have a plan, and you like your routine (even if it's a crazy routine I can't figure out).  You love to be tickled.  I can't even count how many times a day you come up to me so I can tickle your cheeks and neck, you love it, and you have the best laugh.  You love cartoons and listening to music.  Lately we have noticed how much you love watching the credits at the end of a movie.  You will hop up and down in excitement when they come on, and watch the entire scroll go by, it is kinda silly Harry.

Sometimes I am consumed with how many things you aren't doing yet, or things I am afraid you will never do.  I have to admit that when you were diagnosed with Autism earlier this summer I was scared, scared for you, for us.  But I have loved getting to know you all over again, and I understand you so much better because of it.  Before I wouldn't understand a tantrum, or your lack of attention to certain things (like your family or friends), but we are slowly figuring each other out.  You have made vast improvements this summer, HUGE.  You make eye contact with people more often, and you have started to play with your brother on occasion.  You seem less lost in your own little world, and more apart of ours... I think leaving Hawaii and going on our family road trip helped so much.
You make more sounds and noises now, some that have even resembled talking!  

In general you just seem to be more happy. 

Some of your favorite things are; Mickey Mouse  and Walle cartoons, fries, milk, chocolate, and books, books, books.  You love your special Walle blanket (thankfully we had a back up one, when Daddy lost your first one over the summer).  You love to play chase with Clark, and recently you have discovered the joys of bath time.  You love dancing in the kitchen and jumping on Mommies bed.  You don't love having your hair washed, or going to church, but you do love being with your family.  You love when we are all home together hanging out, and I love to see how excited you get everyday when Daddy comes home from work.

I hope you had a fun birthday!  I am really look forward to this coming year!

 I can't tell you how much I love the little boy you are becoming.  You have taught me so much this last year, about myself, and being a Mom, and I thank you for opening my eyes.  I know we still have a few hard roads up ahead, but I know I can do it, with you, for you,
because I love you.

Happy 2nd Birthday, my sweet little boy.

A couple more reading pictures, just because I think he is so darned cute then he is looking at his books.

Making Cupcakes

October 2, 2010

Clark decided he wanted to help me make the cupcakes for Harry's birthday party.

He was pretty good at adding the eggs, and stirring the batter; 

but his favorite part, the job he did the very best at, was licking the spoon.

He is such a chocolate junky, just like his Daddy :)

Looks yummy, but I wouldn't know... he didn't want to share with me.

Thanks for helping Tuna, you are so fun to work with.

The Jumping Monkey

September 28, 2010
Jason was gone on a work trip to DC the week of Harry's birthday, so Harry's official birthday party didn't happen until the end of the week.  I still wanted him to do something fun and special on his birthday, and since Harry LOVES to jump,
I decided to take my little monkeys to the The Jumping Monkey.
(A fun little place with bouncy houses, toys, arcades, and all sorts of fun things for the kiddies.)

He has the sweetest little face ever.
I can't believe he is two years old!!!
He was so excited when we got to The Jumping Monkey.
If I had to guess, I would say this is what heaven would be like for Harry,
bouncy houses, toys, and tons of space to run and skip.

First he jumped a little.

Then he found a Thomas the Train, and loved on it for awhile.

And then he jumped a little more.

Clark passed his time playing with the train table, and riding around in this futuristic circle car.

(I guess he is too cool to hang out with me or his brother anymore.)

Harry even tired out a few video games.
He loves toys with wheels!

After the boys were all jumped and partied out, we went to Wendy's

(which is a real treat since we hardly ever eat out anymore, like never ever).

Harry loves him some fries and chocolate milk, 

and he couldn't get them in his mouth fast enough.

It is so hard to imagine that Harry is two years old already.  

When you have children time changes so suddenly and differently...

 Even though I feel like I've known Harry forever, and I can't imagine a time without him here in our family, I also feel like he just got here, on this earth.  I feel like it was just yesterday that we were snuggling together in the hospital bed, both recovering from a stressful delivery.  I remember his first days so clearly, and what a bundle of love-able joy he was, so calm and peaceful, and chubby.  

He has always been such a good little baby, and now a good little boy.

My Last Book Blog

I know nobody really cares about my book posts,

I've had enough of you tell me, over and over.

So, I'm moving on.

Besides, it doesn't really fit with the theme of this blog, 

keeping our family journal.

I could just start posting them at my other blog, but I am too lazy to move them all over.

They just seem out of place.  

And I am not going to start a book blog, I spend entirely too much time on the computer as it is.

BUT

If you want to join me on Goodreads,

 we can continue this little ole book party there.

I love a good book suggestion, 

and it is fun to share our thoughts on what we read.

It's free to join up, and there is an endless supply of book geekery available.

Meeting Diana Herself

September 25, 2010

Jason took me and the boys to DC for the National Book Festival!!
It was the funnest day ever.  There were books everywhere, authors, readers... heaven.
There was a lot to see and do, but I was most excited to see and meet one of my favorite authors,
Diana Gabaldon.

Look at my huge cheesy grin, I was a mix of nerves, joy and excitement.

For those of you who don't know, Diana Gabaldon is the author of one of my favorite series, the Outlander series.  

I love her books, and I think she is brilliant.

Me totally talking her ear off, gushing and gushing.

She was so kind and gracious to take her time to meet and speak to all of us (there was a small group of 10-15 people gathered around to meet her).  I told her how my Grandpa introduced the books to me, and how we read the last one together.  I told her how I have shared the books with almost every one I've met, and loaned out many copies.  I thanked her for her time and talent, and I tired to make some lame joke about her last book being a graphic novel, but I am sure it made no sense.  

She just nodded and smiled (sincerely, with kindness in her eyes) and let me talk, waiting for the chubby crazy lady to stop yammering. 

It was one of the highlights of my already super awesome summer.

After meeting Diana, we toured the rest of the festival.  

It was such a hot day, but we kept the boys happy with lots of popsicles, they were so well behaved.  

We made our way over to the author's signing pavilion, to get some books signed.  I tried to get Suzanne Collins to sign my book, but the line was so long they had to close it, maybe next year. 

 I waited an 90 minutes to get Diana Gabldon to sign her newest book, The Exile (the graphic novel-not my favorite-but still good).  Even though it was hot, and tiring standing in line, it was worth it.

After all my Diana madness was over, we made it over to the PBS tent to meet our good friends, the Pomeroy's 

(that we finally get to see more often now that we live in Virginia again!!!).

Clark enjoyed all the activities they had for the kids there, and the boys even got some free books.  

They had characters from some of the PBS shows, but Clark was too bashful to get a picture with any of his favorites.

I can't wait to go to the Book Festival again next year!!

After the festival we went to The Museum of Natural History. 

Clark, discovering the joy of a magnifying glass.

Clark and Taryn, little buddies. 

Clark ran around the museum like a crazy person, but Taryn did a good job keeping an eye on him.  Every time we meet up with the Pomeroy family, he gets so excited to see "my friends" he says, no matter how much I try to teach him Taryn's name, he just calls her friend. 

He loves having someone to play with. 

It was such a fun day trip to the city.  It made my heart ache for DC, and all the fun things we used to do when we lived there.  I was wishing that we lived in Alexandria again, rather than VA Beach, but I KNOW we are here for a reason... and at least we can drive up whenever we want.