The Santa Train

Every Christmas we ride the Santa Train at Hagan Park. It is a fun tradition. This year it was the perfect weather. We didn't even need coats. I love that we can go to the park to play in the middle of the winter in CA. Daniel and Liam both asked Santa for Star Wars legos and a scooter or skateboard. Daniel also asked Santa to fix his green bike. Caleb just wanted a ball. (I love the simple wishes of a 2-year-old.)

I tried to get a good picture of a wiggley Caleb. You've heard the squeaky wheel gets the grease, well sometimes the wiggley one gets all the pictures.

If you want a smile from one of my boys, let them play with a big stick!

Danielisms

Yesterday, I asked Daniel about what the wisemen brought and he said, "They brought gifts and Frankenstein."

I guess he's on a Frankenstein streak because told me this morning that he was going to have three boys when he's grown up and he'd name them Frank, En, and Stein, so he could just call "Frank-En-Stein!" when he wanted them to come.

Daniel has had a few loose teeth and has been checking them constantly. (Anxious for the Tooth Fairy to visit.) He keeps asking Nathan to pull them-but they're not that loose......The other day, I got the playdough out for the boys to play with. I was surprised when I heard a little scream from Daniel a few minutes later. I came in and one of Daniel's "not so loose teeth" was bleeding and barely hanging on. I asked what happened and Daniel explained that he had tried to pry off the playdough lid with his teeth and instead of opening the container it had yanked his loose tooth. A few minutes later, the tooth popped out entirely. Who knew, playdough could be the answer to a loose tooth!

Drumsticks are Versitile

Caleb is a funny kid. We often hear him drumming on the Wii Rock Band Drum Kit while making up words to his own songs. Since the drum kit is next to the aquarium, the songs are often about the fish. I did hear him sing, "Be nice brothers," a few weeks ago. (No telling what prompted that.)

But drumsticks are versitile. Often times the drumsticks are light sabers. And Caleb becomes Darth Vader, Anakin, or Luke. (No big surprise, right!?)

So I asked Caleb if he was holding a lightsaber when I saw him standing up on my rocking chair with the drumstick outstretched . "No! Harry Potter", Caleb insisited. Apparently, a drumstick is also a great magic wand. Ever since then my 2 1/2 year-old requests to watch Harry Potter. Look out, his brothers are teaching him some spells. (Hopefully, none of the unpardonable ones--mostly "eat slugs".) He did run outside yesterday, straddled a broom, and announced, "Harry Potter." I guess he was ready for quiddich.

Back to Being Boys!

After weeks of off-and-on sick, I am declaring a state of good health, (at least at this moment) and hope that by so doing, the 24-hour recurring miserable pukey stuff we've been wading through around here will be gone forever!

Daniel has had the roughest time of it. I think he's had it 4 or 5 times off and on over the last month. Caleb and Liam have each gotten lesser versions of it twice. But we've all been suffering from Cabin Fever. So we took advantage of our first day back in the land of the living. We decided to have a picnic lunch at the park by our house. It was a perfect autumn day, warm enough for no coats, but cool enough to not get hot.

I guess this deer thought it was the perfect day as well. We saw him laying down in the shade under the trees. He let us get pretty close before he walked off. The boys had so much fun walking along the American river and playing in the dirt--of course. Back to business as usual I guess. I was so glad to see them all up and healthy that I didn't mind the dirt a bit.

I thought this tree, with half of it's long twisted roots half exposed, was so cool. I would love to go back there and take a family picture.

Daniel was so proud when he found these gross crab claws. Yuck. Hand sanitizer to the rescue.

The boys have tried to collect leaves from the neighbors this year, but haven't gotten enough to really play in. There was a huge pile at the park which was great entertainment.

Days like these are what makes being a mom of boys the best job ever!

Be Careful What You Ask For...

It's my own fault! I asked Caleb to help me find where each puzzle piece fit, so we could clean up. I guess he was just following directions! I will now add Clorox Wipes to my thankful list!

Halloween Fun!

Halloween is one of our favorite holidays. It is so much fun.

Daniel celebrated dia de los muertos at school.

One of our friends had a family Halloween party. It was so fun. Liam respresented our family in the donut eating contest. He was great. He came in second place! Great job. That giraffe tongue came in handy.

We were a little hyper on the ride home!

We visited Brad and GG in costume.

Caleb had lots of fun at the school carnival. His brothers only cared about winning another gold fish. So, of course, we have 2 more. Just what this house needs.

Someone from our neighborhood "BOOed" us and we were so surprised with a huge basket of Halloween treats. We also had lots of fun putting together some fun surprises for a neighbor and some other friends to "BOO" them. Caleb was not only a dragon, but also an engineer and a spider. He looks cute in everything.

One of our favorite Halloween decorations is the huge Spiderweb we put on our garage door.

The boys were so excited to carve the pumpkins. Two were from Fog Willow field trips and the others from Bishop's Pumpkin Farm.

The slimier you get the more fun it is!

Song Lyrics

Nathan is always laughing at me for my mistaken song lyrics, but this time I got a good laugh. After church we sat down to eat lunch and Liam decided he was going to conduct some music at the table. Daniel started singing I Am a Child of God. He did pretty well but one word can change the meaning quite a bit. He sang, "I am a child of God and He has sent me here. Has given me an earthly home with parents KIND OF DEAR." So many of you get the "kind and dear" version, but depending on the day "kind of dear" may be more accurate. Oh well.