In the middle of all the Holiday frenzy, I find myself searching for bits of calm.
It could be five minutes or less.
Usually less.
Whenever I can grab onto these precious minutes…
I do.
This image of Monsta was taken a month ago. I haven’t even gone through my pictures from when we stayed on Lake Ariel in Pa. but I remembered this one. While I was taking it, I had the finished look in my mind.
THIS makes me calm and happy.
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He is in his ‘gathering’ phase. Piles all over the house. He is dressed with a pair of his brother’s underwear over his pants while making these piles. It is something to see.
and so is he.
l o v e
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It is pretty much Halloween, 365 days of the year around here, as Monsta loves dressing up in costumes. I could take it or leave it, really. Now that I have kids though, I am enjoying it a lot more. I like making costumes and every year, our house gets a bit more decorated than the last. This year, the big guy decided he wanted a store bought costume. ACK! Come on, I wanted to make it! I backed down easily as I need to choose my battles. He wanted to be a knight and a knight he was.
Cubby was going to be the lion that his brother was when he was two. It was a good idea. Recycled costume and all but he just didn’t go for it. He roared and let me draw his whiskers and nose but that is where it ended. He ended up in a cute raccoon hat that Grandma gave him.
I can’t even believe I’m posting this next picture. Yes, my husband bought us costumes this year to surprise Monsta. Batgirl for a Mommy, he was pretty psyched.
My husband, of course, was Batman. He taught the little knight how to defend.
Cubby picked up on the whole ‘what to do on Halloween’ thing pretty fast. He was determined to go to every house.
Superheros – that’s us.
My boy in silver. I love him.
Fun day. Lots of candy, which is hidden away, and not even remembered. By them anyways ; )
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I don’t know about you but I crave alone time with my kids. On the weekends, I try to escape with Monsta to somewhere special. Yesterday was the beach. I told him that we were scouting out new locations for sessions and that he could really help me. I needed a model right? We got in the car and I said, “Thank you for coming with me, I love when it is just you and me”. He said, “You’re welcome Mommy.” I said, “Do you know where I’m taking you?”
Crickets
That kid was fast asleep before we even got to the main road. He awoke pretty groggy but bounced right back once he saw how beautiful it was.
We chased birds, played Monster, found shells and rocks…
He was awesome.
Now that the Monsta is in kindy, I cherish the time I get to spend with the little one as well.
He loves to spend time in Big brodda’s room. Pretending that he’s him. He tries on his shoes, clothes, costumes….you name it.
These kids fuel my spirit. I look at them and think to myself, “How did we do that? and How do we love them so much?”
I’m truly amazed that we did something this awesome.
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After getting pretty muddy in the fields, we headed out to get some local vegies.
We stopped to get this:
Ask me if I’m happy about getting a semi natural smile? Yes.
Then on to shop a bit.
Ravenous child eating some corn on the cob:
Picked up some red peppers. I stuffed them with beef, onions, walnuts and raisins this week and a side of sweet potato.
Leeks – I plan on making soup
Broccoli and Cauliflower – plan on using as sides for dinner this week. Maybe I’ll make a cauliflower soup? hmmmmm.
Brussel Sprouts – I roasted with olive oil, s&p and served with a rack of baby lamb chops
We picked up some pizza for the kids and a sub for the adults. Headed to the beach for a sandy picnic and some play time.
After all that, we headed back to my sister’s and gave the kids baths. They passed out in the car and we didn’t hear a peep out of them till 9am the next morning.
It was more than nice.
One more post coming your way from this day. Maybe Friday.
What kind of traditions do you and your family do in the Fall?
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Every year, just like many Long Island families, we head out East to go pumpkin picking. We usually go to a farm by my sister’s house because it always has great pumpkins and a corn maze, which the Monsta loves. We fill a wagon full of pumpkins till it is overflowing and somehow, someway, we always get across the finish line without any falling. This year was no different.
Monsta was ready. He was a lean, mean pumpkin picking machine that was eager to get out into the fields. He reminded Daddy of all the things we would need. Gloves, Swiss army knife etc. I would say, we were more than ready.
Then we get the phone call(s). My sister tell us that the farm is not even selling pumpkins this year because of all the terrible weather. All the farms were hit pretty hard with so much rain and then the hurricane. Pumpkins were not in good shape. There were definitely no wheel barrows and everyone was selling by the pound. That could get pretty expensive. We finally found a place that sold a bag full for $30. That sounded reasonable, considering.
We set out…
Do you even see any pumpkins?
Ahhhh, we found some. Cubby was happy as a clam.
It was slim pickins though. Most of them were rotted or mushy or just plain gross. Monsta managed to find some keepers.
I tried my best for the family shot. Balanced my camera on a sturdy squash and set the timer. Damn briar!
We made the best of it. I’ll post more of our day later on this week.
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After Daddy leaves for work, Cubby is the one to fill his shoes.
Relaxing and watching Sesame Street.
Enjoy the weekend!
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To do list: Have baby.
That is what was written on the chalk board in the kitchen. T & R welcomed me into their beautiful home in Bayside, Queens and let me pal around with their precious little girl for hours. Thanks so much guys!
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We are all a bit under the weather around here. The boys have slight colds and I have something brewing. Last night, after dinner, the boys got a chocolate chip cookie from Daddy. That perked them right up. They plopped in a chair across from me and lo and behold, my camera was just at my fingertips. I managed to click without them freaking out and Oh am I so happy!
Look:
Photos of my kids together. Lovingly, I might add.
Love it to the zillionth power. Happy Tuesday!
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