Halloween {Past & Present}

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This was the year of "Frozen".  I tend to push back against the overly popular costume suggestions. And this year, Princess Elsa dresses were ubiquitous.  Despite that, it is the one day of the year that our kids can be whatever their little hearts desire.  And this year, Claire's little heart longed to be Frozen, and the boys were happy to play along.  

George was dressed as Olaf, the snowman.

Henry was dressed as Kristoff, the mountain man.

And of course, Claire was dressed as Elsa.

Reading Halloween books with Daddy.

In the evening, Joe took the kids out Trick or Treating around the neighborhood while George and I stayed behind to pass out candy.

My Little Pumpkin

Returning with his stash.

 

But of course...once the kids were in bed, George couldn't resist snooping.

I think he has his eyes on those m&m's.

Another Halloween of Happy Haunting!

Another Hodge Podge Post

Some recent pictures, as well as some cute kid quotes.

It's that time of year again.  

Claire and I working on her Halloween costume.

Claire's dress design, so I know how to make her costume.

Claire's Prayer:  "Dear God, thank you for my teacher.  Thank you that gym class went well.  Thank you for "Frozen".  That's all.  I mean...Amen."

Henry knows that Daddy will always share his food with him.

Henry recently came up to me and started kicking my leg.  So of course, thinking my son was bent on destruction, I sentenced him to a timeout on the steps.  Along came Claire and this is what I heard:

Claire: "Are you in timeout?"

Henry: "Yep"

Claire: "Why?"

Henry: "Because I was kicking Mommy."

Claire: "Why were you kicking Mommy?"

Henry: "Because I was pretending she was a soccer ball."

I was glad to know Henry wasn't acting out of violence, just sheer imagination.

The local fire station had an open house.

We're so thankful for their service to our community.

Couldn't get any cuter than this.

Enjoying our dinner of homemade mac & cheese, I asked Claire, "What will we do if George doesn't like mac & cheese?"  

Claire: "That would be a disaster."

Some friends of ours had an Art Prize party.  

We each had to contribute some artwork to share with the group.

We had a lot of fun stretching our creative muscles, 

as well as enjoying everyone else's creativity.

The boys watch as the action begins.

It all started Sunday morning with a cold shower and a call to DTE Energy.  What we thought would be a quick fix turned out to quite the ordeal.  An emergency crew closed off our road as they dug a 7' deep pit to fix our gas line that had apparently corroded.  They worked late into the night and well into the following day to ensure I could once again have a nice warm shower.

Birthday Blessings

Me and my girl.

My dear friend Julie, surprised me with 

Monkey Bread and a lot of laughter!

Joe and I wanted to spend the day enjoying the 

beautiful weather so we went downtown for Art Prize.

Joe made me a yummy lunch.

And then we spent the afternoon at Frederick Meijer Gardens.

A perfect day spent with my family.

A Hodge Podge Post

An after school nap

Youth Group opening event.

I hope to never forget how every day Joe shares his

sandwich with Henry.  In parenting, it's about the little things.

Heads up, Buttercup

Our annual NICU Reunion was Super Hero themed.

Tuckered out following our afternoon of fun.

But there was more fun to follow.

We then went to Grand Haven to visit with my family.

Sylvia, Gracie, Claire and Ruby

Looking Pretty

The matching super hero outfits were not planned, 

but they put them to good use flying from the steps.

Ruby loving on George.

[The Many Faces of George Elliot ]

"I'm Tough"

"Are you kidding me?"

"Put 'em up"

"Enough said"

This Week

This week, Claire started Kindergarten.

The night before the big day.

Finding her friends from church on the playground prior to school.

Jumping up and down in excitement.

Already in love with her teacher.

No turning back.

This week, Henry celebrated his new found freedom.

This week, George turned 3 months old.

Enjoying the battle of breaking out of his swaddle.

His new blanket made by Aunt Bette.

This week, we watched a wedding from our windows.

Our neighbor married in her back yard.  

This week, we went to the zoo.

We saw lions.

And tigers.

And then over by the bear exhibit, 

we saw a unique species - a rare breed of John Youngs.

How exciting!