Happy Halloween

Today was Edwin's preschool Halloween parade. Tiffany went with me and lended an extra hand, which was much appreciated. It was hard to see if Edwin was having a good time or singing his songs because of his serious ninja face mask...note for future costumes - no mouth covers! - but Edwin promised me that he did participate and I have to believe him because he's been practicing around the house for the past few weeks.

Then tonight was Trick or Treat - COLD and WET. I'm thankful Dave did the going house to house job and I stayed INSIDE with Louie...They got some good loot and I think they were thrilled with the entire day!

I for one, can't believe OCTOBER is OVER...bring on THANKSGIVING!!!!

Halloween Party

Over the weekend we went to a Halloween party with Grandma Nikki. The kids enjoyed the magician and trick-or-treating...and I enjoyed that it was all inside and WARM!!! LOL...

WEEK IN REVIEW

It is Halloween time again!!  It seems to be one of those holidays that is dragged out.  The girls already had their school parade and parties on Friday.  Gone are the days when you can bring treats in to your classmates to share.  Darn those peanut allergies!!  They have to bring their costumes in a bag to put on for their 45 minute party.  Lame!  They enjoy it, but that is NOT how i remember my Halloween parties. 

We finally got around to carving our pumpkins.  The girls were a BIG help this year.

 They selected their designs (out of a carefully picked collection of stencils ).

 I taped them to the pumpkin and then it was their turn.  They each poked holes along the lines .

  Matt and I then did the carving.  It was a group effort for sure. :)

We can' wait for actual Trick -or- Treating on Wednesday.  However, that darn Hurricane Sandy is threatening snow that night! Boo!!!!  I refuse to dress the girls with their winter coat on top.  No way!  Remember the Jerry Seinfeld bit recalling when he had to do that.  "Bing Bong!  Trick or Treat, yeah , it's me, Superman!  Look at the pant legs!"
 

Hanging Out - Ross Family of 5

Carving Night

Grandpa Randy took Edwin to carving night at his preschool again and this year they were prepared. Edwin picked out his pumpkin stencil ahead of time and they were actually a few minutes EARLY to the school! LOL...They had a great time and I'm so glad that my dad is willing to make special memories like this with our kids. I have volunteered him to do it for the next 4 years - 2 with Lyla and then 2 with Louie!!!! Thanks Dad!!!!

Louie Stats

Today was Louie's 2-month dr. appointment. He had to get 2 shots and an oral vaccine...no fun...

They also confirmed what I already knew...HE IS GROWING!!!

He weighed in today at 12lbs 13.5ozs (75th percentile) and his head was 15-3/4 inches (50th percentile)...but the best was...

24 inches long - 90th percentile - yep, he's definitely our longest baby!!! :)

The dr was impressed by his motor skills - he was wiggling all over the place and showing off how stable he can hold his head up. The dr. commented that this would be comparable to a 4-month old...she also commented that his hair looks like it is turning RED...yes, you read that right too...RED HAIR!!! I'm keeping my fingers crossed...

DATE Night

Thanks to Grandma Nikki and Grandpa Mike, we were able to enjoy a night out on Saturday night. We went downtown with my sister and her husband to witness the Cincinnati Zombie Walk. It was awesome. There were zombies everywhere - all ages and all kinds! So much fun to have a night out to enjoy some adult conversation and beverages!

Patience = REWARD = Happiness

Edwin got a chore board for his birthday. He decided early on that he would start saving for a lego batcave ($69.99) at Target. He has looked at it EVERYtime we are in the store. He asked me to show it to him online multiple times per week. I'm pretty sure he has dreamed about getting it EVERYnight. Given that the max he can make is $1.50/week and that takes a near perfect week - it would take a lifetime for him to earn enough to purchase it. But, lucky for Edwin...he had received several repeat lego kits for his birthday that I was able to return and I've been saving that giftcard for him to use when the time was right...

Well, TODAY the time was right! We went to Target and Edwin led us to the batcave...he (with Dave's help) carried it proudly all the way to the checkout and handed over his bag full of miscellaneous money - mostly quarters. Needless to say, it was a great afternoon for Edwin!!! and his patience and saving has finally paid off BIGTIME!!!

Pumpkin Patch - TAKE 2

 Getting ready to go to the pumpkin patch with Edwin's preschool class - a chilly morning, but perfect for pumpkin picking!

 Edwin's favorite part of the day was this giant tube slide...he must have went down 80 times!

 Picking our pumpkins...

And my favorite - Edwin being Edwin...I had so much fun spending time with JUST him this morning. He is so smart, funny, sensitive, etc...he makes me so proud!

WEEK IN REVIEW

You guys are already in-the-know about Louie's Baptism celebrations.  However, I thought I would post a few more shots from the weekend and a link HERE that sends you to my complete October album to date. 

My recent obsession is sitting for hours on end searching Pinterest.  I have yet to be disappointed! Overwhelmed ?...absolutely.  Now someone (Matt) may not admit to liking this site (which he does, maybe even LOVE it), but we all know that someone (Matt) is looking at it on his (or her...nope , it's his) time.  Matt's recent request was getting the girls their own "chore" board.  We are growing bored of telling them every morning/night each step they need to accomplish.  Don't they know them by heart by now?  HAHA .  Of course they do, but like to be told instructions.

  Soooo, courtesy of Pinterest posts, I have found inspiration to turn an ordinary dry erase board into a magnetic chore board.  The girls were thrilled to decorate this board with scrapbook paper, ribbon, stickers, etc of their choosing.  They assigned a task to each magnet which will be moved from "TO DO " to "DONE" columns. 

We had to get creative in the pictures on the magnets as I didn't have stickers appropriate for each task.  For example, I cut out the girls noses for nasal spray and blow your nose task.  Also, a diaper sticker will be used for nighttime potty use and a drawn toilet for morning potty time. You get the idea!  Tonight is the first use of this system. They personally can't wait!

Today, Papa made the trip up for our yearly trip to Whitehouse Fruit Farms for our pumpkin selections. The girls committed to their pumpkins quickly this year.  I thought it was a tough call as many were "perfect" in appearance. Of course, the weather was in the 70s and sunny.  LOVE IT!  We enjoyed the petting farm section, the feed the fish section, and the play house.  But those donuts were calling our name, so we headed inside.

  We have never seen it so crowded.  We all related the donut line experience to Seinfeld's Soup Nazi.  This worker kept barking orders at us to get in line, stay in line, move your cart over, don't leave the line, etc. She even corrected a couple of girls in front of us who were looking at something else on a shelf.  "You aren't allowed to shop for anything while you are in line for donuts".  WOW, right?  That didn't stop us from getting a dozen though :)

Finally, here are a few shots of the finished paint job of our bedroom.  The color is not transferring well on the camera.  I have purchased a new comforter set, but haven't decided on window treatments or lamps.  The pink chairs will be moved to the first floor.  Stay tuned!