Forget evolution...

It's modern science and medicine that will make us invincible.

In an effort to speed things along my dad went ahead and began the first phase of internal armor coating. Starting with that highly over rated part of his body--the knee. Metal plating reinforced with staples and stitching to reattach the muscle that ripped off of it in his attempt to body slide down a leaf covered hill. Sheesh. Parents. They have all the fun.

However, on the Really Good Timing side of things...my parents just completed a major renovation. Returning the downstairs bath back to the guest room it was originally intended to be.
I knew I should have taken a picture when I was out there earlier this week. Picture all bathroom items removed--tub and vanities. Warm mocha brown on the walls, white wainscoting and roasted red pepper colored curtains. My great-grandmother's bed and dresser complete the room. The former half bath off to the side is now a full bath once again. Everything a convalescing person who is unable to climb the stairs needs.

A few months ago they had also installed hand rails at various tricky spots around the house for one of my uncles who visits frequently. Well timed, indeed.

Never a dull moment around these parts, is there?


And thank you to all who either commented or came here from Sean's blog...nice to know all of those warm thoughts are out there!

And, yes, he's home and was getting around on crutches...I'm going out to spend the day with them tomorrow so I'll know more then. And, no, I am not taking the grandchildren. I think Babu needs a few days before I unleash Little Thing I and Little Thing 2.

And the Wild Things roared their terrible roars...

...gnashed their terrible teeth, rolled their terrible eyes
and showed their terrible claws...



But Max tamed them with a magic trick of staring into all their yellow eyes without blinking once...and they were frightened and called him the most wild thing of all...

pssst...thanks, Mr. Sendak! You're the best!

Holy Smokes! Another M!

Attending pre-k has been nothing but a positive experience for Jacob. He. Loves. It. And he's learning--and excited about learning. He's recognizing more and more words each day. Yesterday he typed out his name on the computer...and this afternoon he blew me away when he wrote his name on a card. He's all about letter recognition and wanting to know what that spells and what does that spell...and that? What does that spell?

Earlier Jacob was showing me all of the candy he received at the school's pumpkin party today and there was a bag of mini m&m's...something he really doesn't get a lot of. Not real big on candy around here. But I went ahead and let him enjoy them. And he notices that one of the candies has the letter "m" on it. And another. Then all of the sudden...Holy Smokes! Another "m"!

Holy smokes! I love that kid.

There's a church down the street that holds "Trunk or Treat" every year. It's a lot of fun...safe and enjoyable. Jango Fett and Kitty were ready to go.

I'm a sucker for pictures of my children walking with their dad. There's just something about the image that gets to me...little hands held safe and secure in a large protective one. Makes my heart thump.

Kokoo (my mom) came in and spent the afternoon and evening with us. It's a delight to have them on this side of the ocean for a while...getting to share moments like this. And I get to enjoy the evening and take pictures. Kyleigh was unsure of all of the strangers but she quickly warmed to the idea of treats filling her bucket.

The pictures simply do not do justice to how cute and adorable this cat costume was. I may have to subject my children to a dreaded photo shoot just to get decent pictures on them in their costumes.

Neither of them fought an early bedtime this evening. It's been a long week...month. Sean is working off duty tonight, planning on being home by 2 or 3 but these things rarely work out the way we plan. That's okay. Because we have nothing planned for tomorrow. No one has school to rush off to. No appointments. No obligations to be anywhere or do anything. The local children's museum has a Halloween thing in the late afternoon/early evening. We may go. We may not. I'm content to not have a plan. Right now? I do have a plan...and it involves a book, my bed and an early night for myself.

Oh, nevermind...

She looks plenty healthy to me...or maybe it's just in comparison to the company she keeps...

There's a light...

I think I'm seeing a light at the end of this tunnel of sickness that's plagued us the past two weeks. Jacob went back to school today (after kicking my butt in Candyland for two days straight! I swear that boy cheats.) Sean went back to work yesterday. And Kyleigh chased the dog around the house with her baby stroller. Yep. They're all on the mend.

Saw the doctor today for Kyleigh's two year well baby visit. Once again my girl wowed her doctor with her development and vocabulary. Once again she weighed in tiny and petite. Once again the doctor told me not to fret over her being underweight (now measuring in the 5th percentile). Once again I asked the doctor how long had she known me because apparently we just met...of course I'm going to fret. And open up the floor for advice on how to go about getting a picky eater to actually, well, eat.

I think I showered today...

Sean, just a bit ago..."Did you know you had your shirt on inside out?"

pause...

Me..."I did not."

*sigh*

Tag hanging out in back. Tag on the side. It's a snap shirt with pockets in the front. One should have noticed.

I only dragged myself and the 2-year-old out into public once today. A trip to Michael's. To pick up a black t-shirt for Jacob's pilgrim costume. That was supposed to go to school with him this morning.

Oh...side note...want to spin Sean up really fast? Ask him about his native American son playing the part of a pilgrim. It's fun. Lots of laughs.

After the week that was and now with all family members sick (when a 4-year-old pushes aside his grilled cheese sandwich and says that he just wants a little rest--he's Sick) I'm lucky I remembered to brush my teeth this morning. An inside out shirt? At least I was wearing one.

Something about this time of year...crunchy leaves, mild days, cool nights, apple cider in the air, fresh baked something...

I remember an afternoon exactly two years ago...someone had just enjoyed her lunch al fresco...


So hard to believe this tiny little bundle (we-have-no-clothes-to-fit-you) has morphed into the font of bottomless energy...a delightful and fearless two-year-old...

(thanks Donia for the picture!)