Trick or Treat - treats and treats and treats

Well, here we are. Halloween is behind us - or actually just barely in our rearview mirror. We spent this evening out with our neighbors taking part in the age old tradition of trick-or-treating. We visited houses on our street and the streets immediatly in our neighborhood and we came home with more candy than I would ever want my child to consume. Cole was a dragon and Rhys was a bumble bee. They are both so cute, I can hardly stand it! They both got treats - Cole in the form of candy and Rhys in the form of a knitted stuffed candy corn made by a neighbor who knew he couldn't have candy - I love our neighbors!
Cole was "escorted" by our 9 year old neighbor, Madison. She was a witch and such a big help for us. He was shy about going to houses and having a veteran by his side was a comfort. I can't believe he is so big and that Rhys will be there before I know it. Before we made it home, Rhys was asleep in the stroller. It was truly a lovely evening.
I am so thankful for all of the blessings the Lord has given to me. Every day, I am in awe of His gifts and only hope that I can, in some way, live up to them. My children are like clay that I can mold and all of my actions influence the people they will be. That is a lot of responsiblity and not something I take lightly.
Tonight, Cole was a polite little boy. He said, "thank you" and was hesitant and polite when approaching unfamiliar houses and people. I was proud of him and give Chris and myself credit for his disposition. I am proud and gushing. I deserve moments like this to offset the times when I am on the business end of a temper tantrum. Happy Halloween - bring on the real holidays!

What is the magic word?

It seems like I am yelling "No" all of the time in the direction of Cole. I am either saying, "no" so he will stop doing something, in response to an action that has already been done and to unreasonable requests of cookies just before supper time. Is that the magic word? It is so frequently used around my house, there is no magic to it. We are also trying to instill some manners in our children so we are asking for requests to be in the form of a question not the flippant: "I want..." We also insist on "please" and "thank you". Cole is getting it but if I had a penny for every time I said, "No" or he said, "I want..." I would be a millionaire.
Rhys has had an off day today and Chris has been going in early and getting home later than usual so I am feeling his absence. I never take for granted his efforts with the boys or the house and am so thankful for the time he takes when he gets home or before he goes to work. The last couple of days have been long and challenging since we haven't had activities and Chris has been gone for longer during the day.
I took the boys for a walk around the block today and plan on taking Sasha for a walk after Chris gets home. I made chili for supper in the crock pot and I ate too much, too fast, and probably too early. At least it will be digesting well before I go for the walk and then to bed.

Hump Day

It is so cool outside, I am struggling to get inspired to do anything other than curl up on the couch. I have managed to do some cleaning and laundry so the day hasn't been a total waste. I also went to the grocery store to pick up a few things to get us through the rest of the week. I have a throbbing headache and am struggling to get through my self-imposed to do list. I also am still struggling to avoid the cookies. I swear the girl scout cookie boxes are bottomless! I did manage to get out and take Sasha for a walk (1.5 miles) tonight so all is not lost.

Getting back into the groove

It is a windy day today and so cold outside. I was blessed with a remarkable amount of sleep last night. I drifted off around 9pm and fed Rhys at 11pm and then again just before 5am. We went for a play date at my friend Deb's house. Cole and Makenna played while Rhys sat on the floor and explored a few baby toys. Deb and I had a nice chat and we came home after almost 2 hours. Rhys and Cole both ate lunch and took naps.

I am truly struggling with tempting food. For some reason, my will power is failing and I am falling prey to chocolate and cookies more and more. Not walking yesterday is also weighing heavily on my mind. When the boys both woke up from their naps, I took them for a brisk walk in the blustery weather. I snuggled them both under blankets and packed them tightly into the stroller and off we went. I felt SO much better because of it and found my enthusiasm once more. Cole kept saying how much fun it was and that we all were getting exercise. I am sure I burned so many more calories fighting the wind with the double stroller loaded down with two children. I also managed to get out after Chris got home. I took Sasha for about a mile and a half.

We had a lovely surprise today when the florist delivered an adorable bouquet of fall flowers for Rhys and Cole (and me and Chris). Thanks, mom...they are beautiful!

In a haze and Motivation tip #4

I am so tired from the weekend and feel like I have been in a haze all day. It is just shy of 6:00pm and I am already wondering when I will be able to get in the bed. I have eaten as have Cole and Rhys and they both had a bath and are in their pajamas. Chris just came home from work so once he gets settled in, I will probably get ready for bed.
Chris was up with Rhys most of the times he woke last night but I fed him at 11 and then again at 3. He is miserable at night with the teething but as we all know: this too shall pass. It is a rainy day and we have stayed in all day. We did manage to get dressed in comfy clothes and just generally relax. I indulged in a candy bar but had salad for dinner. I am not planning on walking. I am just too wiped out today. I did some stretching and sit-ups today so that will count for something.
I will be eager to get out tomorrow after a good sleep.

Motivation Tip #4: Remember that you are doing this for yourself and there are probably too few things you can say that about. Don't deprive yourself of this too.

Rainforest Cafe and Pumpkin Carving

We had a full day again. Mine started at 5:30 when Rhys was ready to start his day. I brought him downstairs and gave him breakfast when he was ready for it and Cole joined us just after 7. Chris was able to slumber until around 9 and got some well-needed rest. We headed to Towson to check out the new addition to the mall and eat lunch in a rainforest-themed restaurant called Rainforest Cafe. They have animatronic rainforest animals that move around as well as aquariums, water features, and a thunder and lightning show every 30 minutes. Cole was completely freaked out.
We headed back home after lunch and a walk around the mall. I made a chicken pot-pie and apple crisp and our friends Scott and Janelle came over to carve pumpkins with us. We had a good time but I was exhausted. Janelle and I walked and I was so glad to have gotten a walk in after such a long day.
I am tired now and am really ready for bed but want to chill with Chris for a little while before I commit to ending the day. I pray for Rhys to get into a better sleep cycle and sleep through the night soon. I need for him to do that. (Pictured: Our pumpkins and Janelle holding Cole)

Full and Full

The day was full and so am I! We had an early start; much to our chagrin. Rhys is teething and was up at 12:30, 3:30 and finally at 6:30 which is when we all decided that it was just time to get up. I went for a walk (1.5 mile) and after Rhys had a nap, we went to BJs to stock up on the ever depleting supply of diapers and wipes. We put Cole down for an early nap and poor Rhys finally settled again. His little mouth must really be bothering him because he was really out of sorts. At 1:45, we got the boys up and headed to Pump It Up for a birthday party. Chris and Cole had a ball jumping around in the inflated "rooms" and sliding down the enormous slides. Rhys liked watching everyone and I enjoyed talking to my friends.
We left the party at 4 and went to one of Chris' co-worker's house for dinner. They have a 1-year old little girl and Cole played with her until she went to bed. He was a good boy and we all had a really nice time. Cole received a pair of sunglasses in the goody bag from the party and on the way home, he started caughing, I turned around to check on him and through the darkness, I could make out his face and saw that he was wearing his sunglasses...just chilling out in the backseat with his shades on. It was such a funny sight and he knew it. He just started laughing when he knew we saw him. He is so funny.
We are home now and I am stuffed full of good food and dessert. I will hit the road again tomorrow for a good long walk.