Halloween: Take One

So that Halloween festivities have finally started. This is very exciting because that means we get to showcase our much anticipated eyeball costumes!  Soren, for some unknown reason, always talks about eyeballs.  So when he said he wanted to be an eyeball for Halloween, we were not surprised. Bodie originally said he wanted to be Spiderman (the same Spiderman costume that he can be seen wearing in about 50% of the pictures). We knew that if he saw Soren’s cool costume, he would want to be an eyeball too. So we decided to be proactive and gently suggest that they be a pair of eyes.  Thankfully, our propaganda campaign was successful and we ended up with the cutest little pair of eyes you’ve ever seen!

     

While I do feel it is okay to toot my own horn here for the engineering genius that went into the costume. We certainly couldn’t have done it without the help of Grandma who did all of the sewing machine work!  Thanks Grandma! 

 

Kevin and I decided the only appropriate costumes for us would be to go as optometrists.  So Ojos Locos Optometry was born;)

 

It is the 27th of October, we were all dressed up and already had places to go. First stop, the nursing home to visit Nana.

 

Next up the McGraw School Halloween Party where Soren was so excited to play with his friends.

 

 

 

Now a couple of days of rest before we gear up for the big day!  Barring any Frankenstorms getting in our way!…

Beauty Break

Boodle decided that he needed to take a short break from painting paper and beautify himself.  He said, “What? That is what Devon and Kara do.”

Literary Genius & Happy 40th Amy!

Not only did Soren ask to write a birthday note for Amy’s 40th bday all on his own, he even came up with the hilarious joke on his own too:)

Sleep Over!

The kids have been exhausted, sick, and a bit wild since school started one month ago, so what better thing to do than have a sleep over (or two!) 

  

The kids settled in each night and we in bed and asleep by 930.  Not bad!  We made the following rules: 1. No one was to leave their beds until it is light out. 2. If you wake up before the others, you are not to wake anyone else up, but quietly leave the room. 3. You may turn on the tv quietly in the morning without waking up any sleepers (us included!).  The first night went well. The kids woke up around 6a and entertained themselves with our babysitter of choice until we woke up.  The second sleep-over was a little more exciting.  Around 2am, I woke up to hear the tv on downstairs. I went downstairs to find Nick, Tim, and Soren all watching tv.  Nick said, “What? I thought I saw some light outside.”—ah yeah, those would be called stars;)  While some of the stories differ, the five-year olds both reported that Nick woke them up to come down to watch tv.  Oh Nick…

But nonetheless, they all went back to sleep without a fuss.  And woke up puffy-eyed, dragging, but happy in the morning…

   

Watch Out Picasso…

Boodle is learning to draw…

 

School Superstar!

Seriously, I have spent the last five years of my life trying to mold this little being into a respectable, smart, polite little man.  I would be lying if I always felt like I have been successful with this endeavor.  But hopefully Soren’s incredible success in school is proof that I (and my village)have not been a total failure.  Soren’s school transition has been flawless!  Not only have I not been called regarding any well-described and planned out threats that have come out of my creative little man’s mouth, but he has come home with a few awards for good behavior!  Huh? Is this Soren we’re talking about?! 

Soren comes home each day from school and describes his day as nothing less than “great!” He is so excited by the new friends he is making. He and Timmy play together each day on he playground and each bring new friends from their class into their group.  He appears to be following all of the rules. And while my interaction/feedback from his teacher has been limited (I guess that is what happens when your kid goes to school), the feedback I have gotten from Ms. DeBeck is, “he is really funny!” and “he’s having a great year”.  After just one month, Soren is showing a whole new level of interest and focus in art projects and writing work. His artwork is already way more detailed than it has ever been.

     

And while Soren has been able to explain neurons, tell jokes, and read anyone’s emotions for quite some time, he has struggled (or shown no interest) in even reciting his ABCs.  This week he came home flawlessly singing the ABC song. He is starting to sound out words, and trying to spell new words.  I really think that Ms. DeBeck is a miracle worker!  Soren’s favorite class is music class because he made up a silly song and then the other kids are started following suit—so yeah, my studious little Soren is still full of his silliness! 

If Soren has grown this much in just one month, I can’t even begin to imagine what he will able to do by the end of the year…my little baby really is growing up! 

Apple Picking

What would fall be without a little family apple picking

  

Thursdays with Kaleb

It was pure luck that Soren’s best friend (since the age of 8 months) happens to not only be in his school (since daycare is located in a different school district) but in his same class (out of 7 K classes!).  I think that the fact that Soren gets to see his buddy Kaleb each day at school, has helped tremendously with the transition to Kindergarten. We have been so happy to have Kaleb on Thursdays before soccer practice. These have been Soren’s first official play dates and they have gone great!  

  

While Soren’s Away…

The Boodles will play! 

Having Soren away at school 5 days a week has given Bodie and I some special bonding time.  Prior to this month, there have literally only been a handful of times I have spent time alone with Bodie.  I admit, I was a bit worried as to how to fill the time with my little monster, but we have certainly found things to keep us busy. 

 

All of this alone time has certainly allowed me to get to know a new side of Bodie. Bodie is thriving with his time independent of his brother.  He has become a leader a daycare and is working along side the other newly promoted big boys at daycare to lead the activities. Bodie is enjoying his swimming lessons and story hour at the library.  And he certainly has proven to be a better shopping partner than two little boys together (except for the one time I decided I had to go to The Walmart for something at which point Bodie began throwing a tantrum within 20 seconds of entering the store…I get it, I feel the same way about Walmart).  And he has been very eager to help with Grandma’s moving activities.