Decking the Halls

The last couple of weeks have been crazy. Between getting the house ready for the holidays, Thanksgiving, the on going saga of sick children and business trips.

A couple of weekends ago, we had beautiful weather, so Tony decided to take advantage of it and put the lights up on the house. We did, however, adhere to the rule of not lighting them prior to the end of dinner on Thanksgiving day. We hadn't put lights up outside for a couple of years. Two years ago, we had just finished the addition and last year we didn't have enough lights (and I think Tony was apprehensive about getting up on the highest part of the roof). Last year, every time we would pass a house that was lit up, Sean would ask, "Why we don't got lights?"... I'm working on the grammar...give him a break, he was only 3! Anyway, this year he won't have to ask. He just keeps thanking Daddy and telling him how beautiful the house looks!

Last weekend, we enjoyed a long weekend at home together. This is something we rarely get. Normally, the business opens on the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving, but this year Tony and Nick decided not to. I was home Wed - Sun and Tony from Thurs - Sun. Thursday we took Tony's grandma to Thanksgiving dinner at his cousin's house. We had a great time, until Ryan started to show his not so subtle signs of needing his nap. That night we gathered on the driveway (like the Grizwald's) and checked out our house all lit up... I kept waiting for cousin Eddy to put his arm around one of us saying "that there's an RV!" Anyway...

Friday, the boys and I decided to bake up a storm. Sean and Ryan both proved to be wonderful helpers. They loved using cookie cutters to cut out gingerbread. Sean delighted in pouring sprinkles on the icing... the more the better!

Saturday, we made the trek to Omaha to (finally) get Ryan his big boy furniture. It arrives this weekend...more to follow.

Ryan has continued to battle with his sinuses. He has been on another antibiotic, a decongestant and PREDNISONE (sp?). I'm not happy about the prednisone, considering Dad's history with it. Anyway, we return to the ENT tomorrow to find out what happens now. As far as I can see his head is still congested, his nose runs more often than not, and it is frequently green. His eyes are glassy too. All of which (in my lay opinion) equals congested sinuses. We'll see. Poor little guy. It feels like this time last year all over again, only now it is the sinuses instead of the ears.

Today, I got a call from daycare to pick Sean up as he was throwing up! Fortunately, Lana was willing and able to collect Sean. With Tony out of town on business, I knew I had to prep plans for tomorrow just in case. Fortunately, it was less than a 24 hour thing. Should be business as usual tomorrow. Here's hoping Ryan doesn't jump on the bandwagon (2 others at daycare were sick too). Fingers crossed.

So...here are a few pics from the last few weeks. Enjoy!

Tony hanging lights.
Sean, leaving a friendly reminder for Santa

Ryan looking way too cute in his new coat and hat

Barreling out of the garage, full speed ahead, on his dump truck

Playing nicely...Santa's watching!

One of the pots in front of the house...decorated myself.

Sean in front of the lights...I have to work on my setting for outdoor lights...ya think!

Ryan... look, don't touch.

Okay, but don't put your finger back in now!!

Rolling dough...notice Tony in the supervisory role!

The finished product. They look good, they tasted good,

and THANKFULLY they are OUT OF MY HOUSE!

And So It Begins....

(borrowed that from my cousin Shannon whose son just started hockey too...so true...so true)

Sean has been so excited for hockey to begin. He didn't even mind the sleeves on his jersey being a tad long. He was a dream getting in his equipment. While he was waiting to go on the ice, during a break from watching the Zamboni (favourite pass time), he asked who was on his jersey again. I told him what the logo was and what all the crests said. He started chanting..."I am Barrie Colts of the OHL.." Too funny. They spent the first 15 min or so skating around while the coaches helped those who needed it and evaluated their abilities. This Mommy was so proud that her boy (among the youngest) was picked for the top skating group. He held his own with the older boys...once the ice got snowy...loves the Zamboni, but not all about the ice when it is freshly flooded. I was glad to see so many kids out, but taken back by how many parents brought kids who had never (before today) been on ice...wow, that was something to see! Anyway back to my little hockey star...

All decked out ready for the ice.

Making the walk from the dressing room to the ice.

Unfortunately my "good' camera is being fixed so the pics are kid of dark.
(Notice how he carries his glove on the end of his stick).

Waiting to head out. Apparently his first words to the coach were "When to do we get the pucks out?" I think they got a kick out of him. They were also quite surprised at my response when they asked how old he was!

He had help learning to get up after falling...something he can do without padding, gloves and stick.... he can now do with! They skated around pylons, circles and made snow with their blades. With about 15 min to go he was exhausted. The coaches were right there with him, encouraging and not letting him get off the ice. He wasn't forced to stay on but with their help he wanted to stick it out. I directed him back to the coaches when he came to me, so I wasn't seen as an out.

Who knew so much sweat and stink could come off a 4 year old?
Despite the tears, from fatigue, at the end when he heard the coach asking players if they had fun...he stopped in his tracks, turned around and yelled "I had fun!!" Good job Hockey Player Sean...see you next week.

Halloween

Sean had a great time this Halloween. On Tuesday night he and Daddy carved pumpkins (ya 3 of them) while he mulled over his costume. Captain Feathersword? Police Officer Sean? Fireman Sean? or Engineer Sean? The decision was not made until Wed. evening. He was tired so anything that he perceived to have sleeves that were too long was out...that was everything except the engineer. We were worried that people wouldn't know what he was when he had his coat on, but he did a great job of being known! Daddy, Sean and a few of the neighbours went up and down our street...he loved it. Once his pumpkin became heavy enough to warrant a "Daddy will you carry my pumpkin?" it was time to come home. All the while, I was at home handing out candy as Ryan screamed in his room. He too was tired (since the big boy thing has NOT been going smoothly), at my wits end and having seen the Dr. to find all was well I decided to let him cry it out. He wasn't that into costumes anyway...see pics! Seems there was trouble brewing though. By Friday his nose was running green like a faucet and we were the Dr. on Saturday. Just as I suspected...sinus infection and infected tonsils...we'll be calling the ENT in the morning. Anyway, when Sean returned he took the job of candy giver. Too funny...see the pic at the end for a blow by blow commentary!

I don't know what it is with my boys at this age...Halloween is not their thing. This was last year's costume. This year he was to wear the cute frog costume that didn't get worn by Sean at this age...poor frog neither of them would wear it.

He did look "sweet" in his Halloween T though. Sean had one too.

Somehow the big one looks happier than the little one!

Better now that I have made off with Mommy's hairspray!

"Hi. How many are you? Okay...let me see ...ahhhh (bending down for candy in bowl), I say that because of my knees. Come on up don't be shy (waving up kids from the end of the driveway). Here you go, three for you...one for you..... If you don't like it it's okay tell your mom and dad and they'll throw it in the trash (referring to candy going in their bags). Have a good night, happy Halloween...good night" Too much. Loses something in the translation...I could kick myself for not getting the video out.

Pumpkin Patch etc...

On Sunday we enjoyed a cool and windy trip to a local pumpkin patch. Sean and I had been on Wednesday with preschool, but were happy to return. Ryan had a great time, as did Nana and Papa. I have a few more pics that will have to be added later, Blogger isn't allowing me to upload anymore right now.

While Ryan enjoyed sitting in drivers seat, he insisted on being removed when the "train" started moving.

Silly smiles were the order of the day for Sean!

Some of the pumpkins weren't much smaller than Ryan!

Nana and Sean getting ready for church. That's right...church. Father Frank invited all of the kids to wear their costumes on Sunday. Mommy was a little leery not wanting to look silly with Sean being the only one in costume or Sean to be embarrassed being the only one out of costume...so we went with the more subtle engineer costume!

Sean is loving wearing his hockey equipment...even donning it for story time with Papa Joe!

All we need is a jersey and socks!

Ryan loves the big truck Aunt Rosemary sent...thanks Rose... or should we say Mark???

The Redecorated Playroom

This was a real group effort. I prepped the room. Sean and Ryan were good shoppers while I bought the supplies. Mom helped me paint and wallpaper while Dad watched Ryan and Tony had Sean camping. Tony installed the new shelves and Mom and Dad organized the many, many toys. It was well worth the effort. The boys now have a beautiful, organized play space and Sean even has his own "office".

Sean's office
McDonald's. The Wendy's we go to has a man who plays the organ while you eat. Therefore, Sean's McDonald's has one too!

I wish I had remembered to take a picture of the disaster that this room was before...what a difference. It was so bad that I had given up on tidying toys up after they were done. Not anymore!

Nana and Papa brought this great clock for the tool bench area.

Ahhh organization, sweet organization... I love it!

Big Boy Bed Update

I guess I shouldn't be surprised that all has not gone smoothly in Ryan's transfer to a bed. After all, it is a huge transition and can be very frightening. The fact that my monitor was on the wrong channel last night probably didn't help things. I knew I was sleeping too soundly. Around 3:30am Mom appeared beside my bed with Ryan in her arms. He was breathing heavily, as though he were trying to settle down after being in hysterics. Seems he was rolling around and rolled off the end of the bed. Now, it is a mere 6 inches off the ground, but I'm sure it felt worse to him. With my monitor not working and mom and dad's fan on , window open etc they didn't hear him either. Poor little guy. He did nap in the bed today, for an hour. Say a little prayer for us tonight. I spoke to Tony on the phone today and warned him to pack lots of patience! On a side note, he tells me that Ohio State fans really know how to tailgate (they spent more time out of the game than in the stadium) and they had great seats for a not so great Bengals game...3 rows up in the Jets end zone.

We Did It!!

After an hour and a half (by me) and 15 minutes of "the Nana touch", Ryan is finally asleep in his "little big boy bed". As you can imagine it was very trying for everyone. Despite wanting out of the crib, he was apprehensive about the bed... at bedtime at least. I am proud to say that (with a little help from Dad), I put the bed together myself...yeah me!

Sweet Dreams little man...please stay this way all night.
Introducing the new bed.

We noticed the scratch on Ryan's face when we were finished. At one point he was running out of the room with some screw... I think he took on to the face... no crying though.

Big brother Sean looks on as Ryan tries out his new bed.

The crib will (tear) be dismantled when Tony gets home.

Nana's little helper.

Buckling and unbuckling his booster is a favourite activity.

Enjoying a juice box at lunch.

Ryan isn't crazy about wearing the engineers hat and scarf Nana brought, but he likes the whistle!

Engineer Sean... one of many Halloween options!

Goofy guy

Fireman Sean...this is the leader of the Halloween choices...today anyway!


Playroom renovation pics will follow...check back soon!