What is your favorite thing about fall?

What is your favorite thing about fall?

Food (apples, pumpkin pie, caramel corn)...1 (14%)
Colorful leaves...5 (71%)
Pumpkins, jack-o-lanterns...0 (0%)
Crisp air, warm clothes...2 (23%)
Hay rides...0 (0%)

My favorite season is probably summer. But I must admit that I do love fall. And it always reminds me of my mother...I think I may have been in elementary school when she told me that fall is her favorite season. I think fall is more beautiful in Indiana, especially with all the beautiful maple trees and the brilliant colors. But even here in Kansas, I am enjoying the mums and colorful leaves. This season, I have really looked forward to all the things that make fall special to me. I love food, and have always loved pumpkin and caramel...two foods definitely associated with the season! And hey, ever since I found apples like Honeycrisp and Gala, I really love apples too! I have purchased two big pumpkins to carve, which Tyler has also enjoyed bowling through the kitchen. Warm sun and cool air have made for lovely walks outside. Ahh, I'm soaking it in and enjoying it! I hope you are too.

A busy week...

I did not realize how long it had been since I'd posted! This has been quite the busy week. Monday and Tuesday, I presented in-services. Monday for elementary teacher's on Positive Behavior Supports - in four 90 minute sessions. Tuesday, we did a Nonviolent Crisis Intervention refresher course for our staff - two three-hour sessions.

Here are Tyler and Oliver enjoying the Wii Fit together. They tired quickly. I think this was Tuesday evening. That night, Tyler also fell and hit his head on the corner of the wall. He immediately had a purple, vertical bruise and a lump. Now it's a faded greenish color. He also fell off of the kitchen stool this week - I think it was on Thursday - which left him with some scratches on his cheek and chin and a little bruise. Poor little face!

Wednesday and Thursday I worked late because of parent-teacher conferences. This is an unusual week for me, thank goodness!

Thursday night to the present, Wayne has been running a low-grade fever. He feels okay with Tylenol, but when it wears off, he is not feeling so great.

Friday night, I had a girl's night out. Tyler was at first sad to see me go, but after we discussed it, he wished me fun at my "girl party." I made a yummy pumpkin dessert that I got from my Mom's blog.

Saturday evening, Tyler and stayed home and watched a kid's movie while Wayne enjoyed a guy's night out. Tyler and I also spent a good part of our evening with our generous neighbors who are cleaning out their basement. They have an 11 year-old boy who had outgrown many of his toys. In addition to toys and books, I'm excited to have a "new" Christmas tree, and a storm door (that I really hope fits our door). Now, if we can only find room to store such things as a Christmas tree and find places for new toys...

Here is Tyler struggling to blow up a punch balloon. Because of my not-so-great camera, it's a little hard to see how red his face got. You can also faintly see his greenish bruise on his forehead.

Ted and Sue came over tonight and took us out to Chili's. Sue brought her I-Spy game to play with Tyler. Here he is looking...


... and finding.

Here is the ant farm...again, because of my camera, it's a little hard to see. The ants immediately got to work and have been busily building a little world of their own.

Wii Fit

I recently read my Aunt Kathy's blog post about Brennan enjoying Wii Fit. Last night, I decided to give it a try with Tyler. He loved it. So, this afternoon, we tried it again. Today it's been cold and rainy all day. I'm excited about an indoor exercise option that he enjoys! Thanks for the idea, Kathy!

On a personal note, I'm kind of wiped out. I spent the day presenting Positive Behavior Supports to elementary teachers four times - in four 90-minute inservice blocks. I had a good time, but probably shouldn't have worn heels. My feet are tired. However, my last group applauded, so that makes my aching feet not feel as bad! :) Tomorrow, I will co-lead two Nonviolent Physical Crisis Intervention refresher classes. My presentations today used a lot of the same information, so I feel (mostly) ready for that. Then the rest of the week we have half days with our students and the other half with parent teacher conferences (Thursday is late conference day). It's a different week for sure!

Potty Party Time

Tonight I was busily working on Tyler's Halloween costume, when I heard quite the dialogue and singing from the bathroom. I forgot that I still haven't figured out how to adjust the view - sorry about that!

Ant Farm

Tyler received an ant farm for his birthday. Today, Wayne and Tyler went to the park to find ants for their new home. Tyler called them "fire ants." We're not sure if they are, but they are red.

Escape!

This morning, I came into the kitchen to make breakfast and was stunned to see that our blue lobster had escaped from the aquarium. For a second, I thought Wayne was playing a joke on me, then it sunk in. I yelled, OK I kind of screamed, for Wayne to come take care of it. (He's about six inches long - and his antennae are longer - ewww). Wayne thought it was pretty funny and joked about eating the lobster for breakfast.

As we sat down for breakfast, Tyler said, "Daddy, please don't eat the lobster."
Wayne, "What will we do if he escapes again?"
Tyler, "I don't fink it will never escape again. I don't fink it will escape again."

Let's hope not.

After the lobster was deposited safely back into the aquarium, he moved pretty slowly at first, then appeared to "come to" and is doing fine. :)

New Presidential Candidate... It's someone we know!

There's an effort to elect an unknown random person as President... and it's someone we know! Watch this online video about the surprising new nominee:

Jot back a note to let me know what you think!

Tyler love

Tonight, Tyler told me, "Mommy, you're the best Mommy in the whole world...and Daddy's the best Daddy in the whole world."

Sigh, smile. I know we're not really the best parents in the world, but it's still nice to hear from our little guy. :) Especially since, sooner than I'd like to believe, he probably won't be spouting these nice words as often...if at all. I'll take them while I can get them.

Proud

Last night, Tyler was laying in our bed when I brought over his toothbrush and...oops, noticed that the toothpaste had fallen onto the comforter.

As I tried to quickly wipe it up, Tyler perked up, "Uh oh...Daddy's going to be proud of you."

He got a big hug and an explanation of what proud means. :) He agreed with me that Daddy would not be proud of me for that.

Happy 4th Birthday, Tyler!

Probably my favorite detail of this cake was the glitter. Unfortunately, you can't see it on the pictures.

Friday night, Tyler's friend, Abe, spent the night. They got along very well, easily went to sleep (well, at least Abe fell asleep quickly) and woke up bright and early. Like last year, we decided to have a joint party with Tyler and Oliver, who is a year older than Tyler. This year, however, we celebrated at Pat and Lisa's new house instead of at our place. So, on Saturday morning, we had a big breakfast, then picked up balloons and headed to Pat & Lisa's house.

Here are the men relaxing before the party.

Here is the moon bounce that the kids enjoyed.
They could jump, shoot baskets and slide.


Here are the birthday boys,
Oliver and Tyler.
(Brett, Oliver's cousin is cheesing behind them).



Coming down the slide.



The kids eating lunch.

The crazy-big lion pinata. We all had to smile about how big it was and how it looks like a person's body with a lion's head.

Tyler focusing on how he will blow out his candles while everyone is singing Happy Birthday. He was taking blowing out the candles seriously.

After his job was done, he could relax!

Opening presents.

Today, we celebrated again. :) We had Ted and Sue over for lunch. Tyler opened his presents from us and his Grandparents. Here is his Thomas DVD from Grandpa Miller's.

Working on assembling a dinosaur Playmobil set from Ted and Sue.

While it has tired us out a bit, we really enjoyed celebrating Tyler's birthday (weekend). Even though his actual birthday isn't until tomorrow. Tonight, I told him that he is a big boy. And he said, "but I'm not 4 yet." I guess I'm in no hurry for him to grow up anyway, these first 4 years have gone so fast!