The Wisdom of a 5-yr. Old

"All boys are men.  All girls are ladies.  But we are all usually people."

--Logan

Let it Snow, Let it Snow

We pulled out the snow boots and built our first snowman of the year.  Actually, my first ever--I usually let Joe or my super-brothers do that with the kids.  Apparently I need more practice because it was so pathetic that it fell over a few hours later.  Not to mention it needed some facial features, arms, etc.  The kids thought it was cool. :)

Also, Joe and I went to our first professional basketball game--the Cleveland Cavs. vs. Utah Jazz.  When my brother, Dennis, found out someone had given us tickets, he claimed we were "the luckiest people he knew."  The Cavs won, LeBron James IS good, and Joe and I enjoyed some time together--we are the luckiest people, after all!  

These pictures are for our family in Texas: Grant wearing a Longhorn beanie that Lola gave to Logan when he was a little guy.  We get lots of comments here in Ohio about the kids' Texas wardrobe.  I think he's pretty cute.

  

WOW!

I just marathon-blogged.  Read on!

Logan has Surgery

Logan has had an umbilical hernia since he was born.  We were hopeful that it would heal on its own, but after 5 years we decided to have it surgically repaired.  Logan was a little nervous, but prepared and ok with the idea of cutting his tummy, pushing his intestines in, and sewing it back up so he could have a normal belly-button.  We said good-bye to it that morning and took some pictures to remember it.  Grandma was able to come down and watch Madison and Grant while Joe and I were at the Cleveland Clinic with Logan.  (We were worried about Grant, but Grandma claims he never cried and took 3 bottles without hesitation.  What a blessing!)  The dr's and nurses were terrific.  As you can see, he wasn't too worried.  A counselor came in and talked to Logan about the gas mask--he was actually excited to breath through the "astronaut" mask.  I (Jenny) was able to go in with him to the operating room while they put him to sleep (which was a little scary) and then Joe and I waited for a few hours while the dr. did his magic. Logan was quite sore, but able to walk to the bathroom by himself by the end of the day.  It's been four days and he's doing great. He's sore, but that doesn't keep him from playing--he just holds his tummy and kind of walks bent-over, like and old man. How do you explain to a 5-yr-old that he really needs to take it easy for 3 weeks? Thanks to everyone who has called to see how he is doing. Mom, thanks for using your time to take care of us.  We love you!

Leaves

Last Friday, which may have been the last nice day of the year, we raked up our leaves.  The kids were sorta' helpers... well, they tried, anyway... and they had fun.  Well, Grant had fun for about .1 second before Logan and Madison thought they would have fun dropping itchy leaves on him. We started out with jackets but raking apparently burns some calories.  I also discovered it's easiest to rake the leaves into a pile then push, instead of pull, them to the street. Something cool about this place: we leave the leaves on the tree-lawn and this cute, Dr. Seuss-like truck (thanks for the imagery, Melinda) comes by and sucks up the leaves.  

Joe Ages

He is a husband, a father, a son, a grandson, a brother, a lawyer, and our favorite guy ever.  He turned a secret number (if you ask I'll tell) on Nov. 4.  He had a busy day: ate breakfast burritos in the morning, voted, visited the dentist, worked, gobbled lasagna and cheesecake, and spent an evening with his lovely family.  WE LOVE YOU!!!

Witch Problems

We have a witch problem.  Or actually, our witch has a problem.  She can't fly.  Oh, don't worry, she tries.  Over and over again.  That's right.  Mom thinks her little baby girl is taking a nap.  All of a sudden she hears a thump and some crying for help.  *Sigh*  Mom takes her time wiping off the counter and drags her tired body upstairs and finds:

the ceiling fan turning, a broom lying on the floor, and Madison HANGING from the bed post by her shirt.  

That's right folks.  I didn't need her to explain (but she did) that her attempt to fly off the bed FAILED.

But what do witches do?  Try, try again.  This time I caught her right before she attempted to fly down the stairs.

I'm pretty sure it's time to explain that the witches in the Halloween books Grandma gave her are not real.

Outlet Mall and Ducks

We found some GREAT deals at The Children's Place.  Shopping was even fun with the kids because they have DUCKS and a PLAYGROUND.

Robin Hood, Maid Marion, and King Richard

It was a warm night to trick-or-treat, the kids came away with lots of compliments and way too much candy.  Grant got to watch from the stroller.  

Logan's Halloween Parade

Logan's class made bear costumes and invited us to watch their class parade.  They then sang a few songs in front of the school.  Madison was invited to eat a snack with Logan and one of the teachers commented that she looked like she belonged there.  I'm pretty sure she agrees.  Maybe next year.

Pumpkin Carving

Election Results

I drafted a lengthy post in response to some who asked who we voted for, and why.

I'm not going to post it.

Politics is so divisive. There' so much to understand about our society and our legal system that no one, I'm quite confident, has the intellect and time to fully comprehend it. That's why politicians have scores of advisers--and still make mistakes. But for some reason we all think we have some angle that is more enlightened than the person next to us. And rather than run the risk of my muddy writing trespassing the sensitivities of certain friends, or initiating an endless volley of point counterpoint, I will quietly toss my manifesto in the electronic waste basket . . . forever.

I'm just happy to live in a country that almost respects the democratic process.

Cheers.

Today

Today I tried a recipe that used curry.  I don't think I'll try that again.

Also, you know you've done something right when your children argue over who gets to share their Halloween candy with you... 

Mom: Who wants to give mom a piece of candy?

Logan and Madi: Me!

Logan: You did for lunch.  It's my turn.

Madi: Here mom, you can have a piece of mine, too.

Mom: Oh...well...mmm....OK!

p.s.  I promise to post Halloween pics.  Soon.

I voted

And so did Jenny. In fact, we canceled each other's votes. Fifty tax credits if you can guess who voted for whom.


In other birthday news, I had some more dental work done--a crown this time. While digging around the dentist noticed some other issues. Personally, I think that dude is full of crap.




Alright, alright. Jenny insists that I clarify that these are not my teeth.