Best Shot Monday - frog

There was just something I really liked about the sun shining on this frog statue at the zoo. I feel bad I cut his little toes off, but I was doing this while holding my 35 pound son. I didn't have a lot of time to futz around.

See lots of other Best Shots when you check in with Tracey at Mother May I.

Meal Planning

I used to do my meal planning on Mondays, make my grocery lists, and have plenty of time to shop. Now that I'm back to work it's not that easy, so I meal plan on the weekend, we try to hit the grocery store together on Sunday, and hopefully we remember everything, or don't change plans too much. Here's what we're having this week:

Sunday -
butternut squash soup for the grownups
pumpkin waffles for the kids

Monday -
chicken cordon bleu (made these today and they're ready and waiting in the fridge)
rice
green beans

Tuesday -
I teach class, and Brian takes the kids out for pizza

Wednesday -
pasta w/pesto (a surefire way to get the kids to eat!)
salad

Thursday -
beef stew in the crockpot
roasted brussel sprouts

Friday -
taco salad if we're home, but maybe, hopefully, we're going out

What's on your menu this week?

having fun together

Two times in the last few days while having conversations with others it has come up that children that are close in age, like Ben and Claire, often play well together. I am happy that they normally enjoy playing together. Just this morning I came to the kitchen after being in the basement paying bills, and Ben showed me that they had set up "carseats" in front of the back door. When I asked where they were going he said they were going to the grocery store, but then I asked what they were going to be and he said, "Actually, we're not going to the grocery store. We're going somewhere else." Then he headed off to play with Claire and I overheard a bit of their conversation, at first Claire wanted to be the mommy, but Ben insisted on being the daddy, so he drove her to her "dress-up party". When he stopped the car he told her, "now let me open and close your door, so you don't hurt your fingers."

Moments like these I want to always remember. Especially when they're teenagers, and don't want to be in the same room with each other.

Once upon a time...

Ben spontaneously decided to tell a story at dinner (I think he was trying to avoid having to eat, he never did finish his dinner).

Once upon a time there was a little boy named Ben who was wearing a green shirt. Then a giant came. He started to cry. But then he ran away. He went to a picnic concert. Then he was happy because the bear didn't come. The End.

I'm not sure if it was a giant bear, or if there was both a giant and a bear. He didn't elaborate. Either way, given the other stuff I've seen out in the bookstores I'm pretty sure that we can find a publisher.

Mother's Night

One of my new favorite nights of the year. Once again I got to go to Claire's school after dinner, and she got to show me three kinds of "work" that she does during the day. This time we did the matching game, flag learning, and the sound box.

On the way there she told me, "Mother's night is not my favorite night because I can only do short work, and all the work I want to do is long." She seemed to recover her enthusiasm once we got in there. I was slightly mortified because her current favorite phrase is, "oh darnit!" and she said it over and over again. When the teacher said she needed to move on to show me something new because we'd spent nearly half the time on the first "work" on the list she said it, and then she was told there was only 7 minutes left and she said, "only 7 minutes left! oh darnit!" Then again when she dropped some colored pencils while carrying them back to the shelf. We had a little talk when we got home about it, so hopefully she's not teaching her entire class to say it. Or if she has it will start to subside.

Her teacher told me that everyday after lunch she and another 4 year old in her class that she's friends with decide together if they want to work with the kindergarteners or play. Apparently this other girl always thinks for a minute and then says that she wants to play, so finally this week Claire said, "You always just want to play! I'm going to work today." This is the second time this year that her teacher has noticed her making up her mind about something and standing up for herself, not just going with the flow - good work, Claire! Don't forget that lesson - you'll need it all your life.

International Day

In addition to Halloween on Friday we had International Day at Claire's school. Fortunately when Nonni was going through the old Halloween costumes at her house she found a small kimono. I bought a pair of child-sized chopsticks for 50 cents, and she had a costume. I managed to finagle her hair into a teeny tiny bun, and with the help of some hairspray it held up for the whole day!

Here is Claire practicing her kung fu moves at home.



And at the parade at school.
We ended the day with a nice afternoon of just Claire and Mommy - she used a gift card to Build a Bear to make a horse named Callie that she carries everywhere, and then we had a yummy lunch, walked around the mall some, and had some ice cream for dessert - because she surely wasn't going to get enough sugar later in the day! It was a really nice way to spend the afternoon.

Ten on Tuesday

I'm trying to do NaBloPoMo again this year, so I stole this idea for Tuesdays from my sister.

1. I started my morning by climbing out of bed, pulling on some clothes, making coffee, and heading to the polls. I was in line 20 minutes before they opened, and home 25 minutes after. Not too shabby. I hope you voted, too!
2. Yesterday and today were teacher work days - it is relaxing to be there when the building is quiet and people are feeling industrious. Back to the real world tomorrow, though.
3. I like having it be light out when I'm on my way to work. Makes me feel better about starting my day.
4. Our kittens switch regularly from being spastic to being fast asleep. Crazy kittens.
5. I love how Ben looks at and talks to the cats. He will say in this high pitched voice, "hi catty-cat! Catty-cat! How are you?" If they go anywhere near him, or let him pet them he turns to me and says, "aww, she loves me!" SOOOO cute!
6. I have started Christmas shopping. Go me!
7. I have not shopped for the birthday party we have to attend this weekend. Boo!
8. My job is sometimes frustrating, but sometimes very gratifying. I really like the people I work with which makes a huge difference.
9. I am loving the fall colors outside right now. I really need to get my camera and just have it with me all the time. Often as I'm driving I see an amazing tree - just incredible color or shape or contrast - and wish I could stop and take a picture.
10. I have been teaching the same staff development class (a class for other teachers) for over 5 years. I think that this year I am doing a better job with it than I ever have - I don't know why, but all of a sudden I am filled with lots of new ideas and enthusiasm for the content. It feels good.
    

Best Shot Monday - Halloween Treats

I did make the kids dress up again yesterday to take pictures that showed their costumes better. Here are my favorites, I can't pick just one!


We had a doggy that I could barely slow down long enough for a good picture.


A very fierce "dinosaur rex".

And here he's getting a little help with his tail. Much like Halloween night where he wanted me to carry his tail, or carry him, in between every house. Next time the tail needs a wrist loop like ladies used to have for the trains on their dresses.

Many thanks to Nonni for making the fabulous costumes - we got many compliments!

Head over to see Tracey's adorable cheetah at Best Shot Monday, and see what other shots people are sharing this week!

Two more days.

Oh I am glad that the election will be over soon. Although I've been able to participate in some interesting conversations over the last few months I am so tired of the endless commercials, phone calls, and people knocking on the door. No matter how many times we tell people on the phone that we have definitely decided and who we are voting for they keep calling to check. I am more than ready for some change, but I don't want to spend the next 48 hours hearing about it. Wouldn't you rather see something adorable?


Last weekend we were invited to a Halloween party. The kids had a blast - here is Ben, having already shed his costume, playing the drums.


The cutest little puppy dog tail.


A very sweet kitty cat climbed into my lap!


And oh yeah, we also brought home these two adorable kittens last weekend. Meet Penny and Papaya - they are sisters, although they look nothing alike. Penny is the gray and white one, and Papaya would almost fool you into thinking she was a pure-bred Siamese if it weren't for her sweet white little paws. They are such a sweet addition to our family, and we're all having lots of fun with them.

Halloween Preview

I haven't had time to sort through all of the photos from yesterday to pick my favorites, and I think that I might need to sweet talk the kids into putting them on again during the daylight tomorrow to take a few more pictures (some of the leftover Halloween candy might come in very handy for that), but here is a teaser -


I hope that everyone's Halloween was as sweet as ours was - all treats and no tricks!

Best Shot Monday - glee

Last weekend the cooler fall weather heated back up a bit, and we had plans to go apple picking that fell apart due to a variety of factors. We wound up at Clemyjontri Park with friends, and the kids had a great time - can you tell?

Head on over to Mother May I, where Tracey shares the love in her house, to see what other Best Shots people are sharing.

PS - If you have an extra minute, please head to 5 Minutes for Mom, and vote for my photo of Ben (#14) - thanks!

Wow! Please vote!

My photo for the Sleeping Angels photo contest the other day is now a finalist! I'm so excited about this. I can already envision Ben's room with this fabulous new furniture in it - unfortunately I have to actually win for that to happen, so I need your help! I need your votes!

Think of it as practice for November 4th. Except Ben is a lot cuter than either candidate. So head on over to 5 Minutes for Mom, and vote for Ben (#14 - A Tale of Two Kiddies). I'd really appreciate it! I would also like to use more exclamation points in this post!!!

The rules say that you can vote once per computer, though we found at our house that I believe we share an IP, and couldn't vote on each of our computers. But give it a try - maybe it will work for you!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

picnic dinner

Saturday my kids were overtired despite long naps, and I had a feeling that dinner was not going to go smoothly. So I decided that for dinner, we would have a picnic! In the family room! While watching a favorite show! (Charlie and Lola is a GREAT show, btw.)

Claire: I don't liiiiiiike that picnic blanket, I want the blue one.
Me: This is my favorite picnic blanket. It's the one I used when I was a little girl, and I went on picnics with Nonno and Nonni and Aunt Jen, and Uncle David and Aunt Sarah.
Ben: When you were a little girl named Mommy?

Yes, buddy. You got it.

Best Shot Monday - sunrise

The sunrising behind the opening ceremonies at last weekend's Susan G. Komen 3-Day. This was an amazing, life-changing experience. When time allows I hope to post a much more detailed post about the weekend. For now this will have to suffice.

Check in with Tracey at Mother May I for a look at other Best Shot Monday posts.

Sleeping babies

I don't think there is anything more heart-melting to a mom than a sleeping baby. My "babies" are growing up - much faster than I want them to. Much faster than I am willing to admit sometimes. But sometimes I still walk in on just the right moments. I'd been sitting with Ben, with his head in my lap, and then got up to go do something in the kitchen. I realized it was awfully quiet in the family room and peeked in to find this.

The lovely sisters at Five Minutes for Mom are sponsoring a giveaway that I just couldn't miss out on the opportunity to win. My "baby" could use a big-boy room, and when I saw the Summer Breeze line that's one of the available prizes I knew it couldn't be more perfect. Because Ben is in the smallest bedroom I've been planning on looking for a Captain's bed to get the extra storage underneath, and I've already bought sheets and comforters in red and blue stripes to go with the two gorgeous framed pieces that we have for his room. I would love to have this set to help move things along on the path to making his "big boy" room, even though it will probably break my heart just a little.

Emily - 0, voice recognition software - 2

Last time I battled with, and finally outsmarted, the voice recognition software in the car. This time it was on the phone. I lost. Today I was trying to get through to a real live person (a feat in and of itself) at my credit card company, but the Fates (and a two year old) were working against me.

Phone: If this is correct, please press, or say, one.
Ben: MOMMMMMMMMMMY!
Phone: I'm sorry, I did not understand your response.
Me: frantically presses 1 over and over
Phone: If this is correct please press, or say, one.
Ben: MOOOOOOO-OOOOOOMMMY!
Phone: I'm sorry, I did not understand your response.
Phone: Please press, or say, your 16 digit account number, now.
Ben: MOMMY! I need WATER!
Phone: I'm sorry, I did not understand your response.
Me: bangs head on desk. bangs phone on desk.
Phone: I'm sorry, I did not understand your response. Returning to the main menu...
Ben: Mommy? Can I have water? Water? Mommy, water?
Me: gives up. hangs up.

Best Shot Monday - my girl

This picture is from a weekend at the lake in late August. Claire kept wanting me to take pictures of her making funny faces, but I caught this one when she was in between funny faces and just being herself.

I am determined to make the time to get to visit all of the other great shots going on over at Best Shot Monday, and you should, too!

funny

Claire and Ben having an imaginary phone conversation. Please note that apparently phone conversations best take place at top volume!

B: Hello, who are you?
C: My name is Claire Pyatt, P-I-T-T-T-T-T-T-T.
B: And my name is Ben Pyatt, T-T-T-O-O

Best Shot Monday - Say CHEEEEEEEESE

Ben and his buddy Ethan, cheesing for the camera.


To see more shots from Best Shot Monday make sure to check in with Tracey over at Mother May I!

Best Shot Monday - Claire and Patrick

The week before Labor Day I had to work, but the kids weren't in school yet. We paid a fortune to the babysitter for the first two days, and then my parents took the kids down to the lake for the last three. We managed to get there on Friday while the kids were still napping, and so I got this absolutely adorable picture.



Patrick is a dog my sister got from FAO Schwartz. He was bequeathed to my parents when Sarah started moving into apartments that were far too small to house a giant stuffed puppy, and now he is Claire's buddy when she's down at the lake. He sleeps on her bed at night, and when she "rests" in the other room he has to go with her.

Sometimes now Claire can act so mature, but moments like this make it easy to see how little she still is.

Go over and check out Tracey's pictures of her daughters, and everything else that will be shared at Best Shot Monday!