Life with a Toddler

William's 2 favorite things to do right now are raid the dishwasher for the big wooden spoons, and throw everything in the trash can. I took the trash bags to the street one morning and the kids were freaking out because they could see one of our board books at the bottom of the bag. I realized then that I need to be more vigilant with him. It's really cute to see him throw trash in there, but when it's toys, spoons, bowls, and anything else he has in his hand, I have to be checking. There is a top on there, but he is juuust the right height to get into it. Maybe it's time for a different kind?

I think I have detirmined that not only is he more curious and gets into more things, there is MORE for him to get into. We have more toys, games, and stuff that he can explore and get involved in and the big kids don't always put their things away, so I have to be on top of things (which I am not). I'm sure that book won't be the last thing thrown away.

I don't remember any of my other kids being as snuggly as William is, though I remember they were all sweet babies. He will be walking around and playing, but will stop and walk over to me with his arms up. I will pick him up and he will put his head on my shoulder, give me a hug and pat my back. Just melts my heart every time. He will even do that with the big kids, and in the mornings those hugs are almost squeezes!

William is also my biggest noise maker. He talks and talks, and yells, and tries so hard to keep up with all the other noises and conversations in the house. He will even fuss at me when I make him upset, and it sounds a lot like somebody else in the house. Not me, of course. Unfortunately, he makes the most noise at Church. We have spent more Masses in the back of Church than inside. It's terrible. No other kid was this naughty. He lasts until about the second reading, and he's done. Toys are projectiles, books are the same. It's dangerous to sit in front of us at Church!

I love this age, but I am happy to know that the next stage will be just as fun, with it's own challenges.

Speaking of challenges, in the reflux/spit up department we had an Upper GI for William, which he passed with flying colors (I'm told that I should be glad there is no surgical problem). The next stop is an allergist to see about milk, which I have tried to eliminate from his diet. I have been giving him soy formula/milk, and have figured the right amount of liquids to give him so he can keep it down, so we have had significantly less spit up. Hooray for baby steps!

The Birthday present

All men have big dreams. Dreams of a bigger house, bigger car, bigger TV, bigger computer. Tommy?
He has one known only by a few.

And only a good friend would know and want to make this dream a reality.

Matthew Wilson fulfilled this dream. What a friend! Not only did he totally surprise Tommy with this gift, he helped INSTALL it!

With an audience, which included Buzz Lightyear and a "cooker."

(Like my red walls??) Happy Birthday to Tommy!

Corn Maze in the Plains

We had a great time at the Corn Maze this weekend with some of the Reynolds family. The kids loved spending time with their cousins. Emma was constantly going up and down the slides (she would sing as she went down so she could hear her voice go over the bumps), and Patrick went around reading all the signs that teach you about farm life, plants and animals. William was fascinated by the pumpkins and animals, and learned a few more animal noises while we were there. This is Tommy's favorite time of year with all the leaves changing the the briskness in the air, and I loved that we got to be with the family for a gathering.

Winner! And a BONUS!

I know, I know! This is late. My humblest apologies. My weekend went crazy, so I wasn't home to clean, to do my football picks or pick the winner for the giveaway. Thank you for your patience!

My faithful assistants were ready to help me (see the bowl?). Oh who am I kidding. I just wanted to get a picture of my cute kids.

And the winner is (drumroll, please): MALIA!

AND winner number 2, since I am feeling extra fun today, is: CAROLE!

Congratulations to both of you! Please email me with your addresses and choice of pink items to tomandfuzzreynolds at msn dot com, ASAP.

For those of you who are still looking to purchase some pink items, you can still go to my website and purchase any pink products before Saturday.

31 Years Young

Happy Birthday to the man who can always make me laugh, is a human jungle gym, knows how to have fun, works hard for our family, has THE BEST laugh in the world, and is an amazing husband and father. You always encourage us to be better at all we do, and keep us smiling with your kindness and love, as well as your great sense of humor. We love you so much, Tommy, and hope for a Redskins win for you as you go to the game tonight!

Books (or should I say "B_oks"?)

You ever have a really good book that used to read a lot when you were younger? I have a few like that, and one of them is Jane Eyre, which was a paperback book at our home that was falling apart it was read so many times. I could sit and read that in one day, like many other books, but that was one of my all time favorites. On my shelf is a lovely hardback copy that has Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre, and I thought it was time to get back into reading. I finished Wuthering Heights (which I had never read), and settled in to read my familiar and favorite. First page says something about "adapted by..." Darn. Seriously? I bought an abridged copy of my favorite??? I start reading, hoping I am wrong. Nope. Doggone it! I check the other one. Oh no. The OTHER one is too! That drives me crazy. I'm sure I missed some really good parts in the other book, and WHY would you abridge a good book like that??

I think I need to go to more book sales. (ack. I can't believe I actually said that!) Well, I need to go to more sales with my sister Jennifer (or I should just go to her library and borrow what I want). I don't think I know how to buy the right kind of books, and if I had bought it with her, I would have saved myself some heartache. Sigh. Even though I know it's only part of my favorite, I am still reading it. Skeptically.

Have you seen my mother?

We have some mysterious flying bugs in our house. Small, but annoying and we aren't really sure what they are. So instead of smashing one, I decided to catch it, so I could get a better look at it. It gave good chase, but ended up in a plastic bag last night. This morning, Emma reported to me (in a very urgent tone) that "there's a fly in the bathroom!" which reminded me of my mission today. I came downstairs to examine my tortured bug, and found the bag.....opened.

Me: "What happened?"
Patrick: "I saw a bug trapped in there so I let it out."
Me: "Well, you need to help me find it."
Emma: "It needs to be with its mommy upstairs!"

It's a zoo around here!

History lesson from my 6 year old

Patrick's theory about why Mount Vesuvius erupted on Pompeii: "The people were worshipping Apollo and not God." Not exactly sure where that came from. Maybe I need to take a look at some of those books he's reading.

During our outing today (in the rain and cooold) to the Basilica in DC, he was so excited to see the chapel for Our Lady of Pompeii. "Maybe somebody there was worshipping God the Father!"

I have a teenager in my home!

Conversation this morning in my house:
"Are you ready to go?"
"No, I can't wear this. I look funny."
"What are you talking about? It looks fine. You look great."
"No, I don't. I look funny. It fits funny on my hips" (pointing to her shoulders) "It feels funny on me."

Oh dear.

Rainy days and mumblings

• Can anyone tell me why you would eat a pomegranate? We cut open one to let the kids try it, and, unfortunately, they are like me. They like the tartness of the red part, but when it comes to the crunchy part inside, they want nothing to do with it and will spit it out. Those were my feelings EXACTLY when I tried it. Can we have it without the crunchy part? I don't think it was ripe enough either, so that contributed a lot to the different textures.
• We took a trip to Frying Pan Park/Farm for a kids music concert (so fun) and a visit with the animals. There is a smokehouse, henhouse, dairy, and lots of farm animals. There were some piglets under a warmer that we got to see, as well as the big mamma pig. Emma must have had a "Wilber" moment, because she was asking me why someone cut up a pig? Apparently she connected the pig parts that were hanging in the smokehouse. She was all worried about the family, and said that they wouldn't "chop up a pig until the end of the world." Then it would be all right.
• Does anyone else think that the calendar, mother nature, or SOMETHING is off?? Out my window the clouds look like they have snow in them, and the little man on my temperature things says that I should have a hat, scarf and big heavy coat on. Excuse me? Isn't it October?? It's crazy to feel like I have to put the heat in my house on already.
• Can I admit that I let my kids put on Christmas music today. *sheepish grin* and I enjoyed it?
• Have I mentioned lately how sweet my DH is? I had a rough day, so I made an easy meal: hot dogs, mac 'n' cheese, and beans. You would have thought it was filet mignon I had prepared for him, he was so excited! I love that man.

October Giveaway!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and I wanted to share some exciting Pink Products from the Pampered Chef. These are just a taste of the pink products that are available online this month only. I just love the bright color, and they always make me smile when I see them. I would love to bring some sunshine to your days (if your days seem to be as cold and gloomy as mine!) and let you win one of these fun sets!

*Leave me a comment telling me which is your favorite, or visit the website to see any of the other fun pink products you can purchase.* I will choose the winner on Sunday, October 25th and announce it then. Pink Simple Addition Bowls.

Pink Dots plates.

Pink Dots Trio (how cute is that??).

My favorite, the Pink Dots Mugs, which are really the size of bowls, perfect for soup or a REALLY big cup of coffee or tea.

ETA: Go visit Melanie for another great Breast Cancer Giveaway! I love these things! I never win anything, so I like to help others with the lucky streaks.

Football Sunday

Patrick is in the car with Daddy listening to the game. After the touchdown by Clinton Portis, he says, "How did he do that? How did he not fall down? Maybe they gave him new shoes."

Fall Festival

Old Town Manassas had it's Fall Festival on a beautiful Saturday. We enjoyed pumpkin painting, moon bounce, firetrucks, tractors, vendors and time with our family and friends.

I think I just found my new best friend.

In the morning, there is a crispness in the air that makes you snuggle under your covers a little more. The afternoon is sunny and gives you the extra push to go out and enjoy it while it is still around. Evenings just call for a walk among some crunchy leaves that are on the ground, watching them do their dance in the wind that can't decide which way to go. The weather changes so quickly, and seems to want to do everything at once. That's why I like fall: it's indecisive.

It reminds me of me.

Like a woman, who can't decide which outfit to wear: so she wears them all! She wears the coats and sweaters in the morning to get the feel for the winter clothes that she can't wait to put on, but yet, looks at all the summer outfits and doesn't want to leave them behind so she will include them during the day. Fall just wants to be fair. "Let's make it cool in the mornings and warm in the afternoon." I also think it likes to accessorize: changing leaf colors, letting some flowers peak out as a final hurrah for a splash of color, and the overall color palate change is such a feminine quality ("I'm tired of looking at the same tones. Time for an overhaul!") I can totally relate. I have the same feelings. I never thought I was a fan of this season (with all the hubbub of activity that comes, as well as school, and sports) until now. I get it. I understand it.

Ask me if I still feel this way when Spring emerges....