Halloween 2010: The year of Woody, the Frog & the Shark!

Ever since Toy Story 3 came out, Ben has wanted to be Woody for Halloween. We realized (once again) that we weren't in Oklahoma anymore when it became impossible to find any cowboy boots in Maryland. Ben thought about switching to Superman, but decided against it. He had told his friends that he was going to be Woody and he didn't want them to think he had lied to them. So Woody it was! Ben enjoyed his parade at school and loved the trunk or treat party at the church. Since Halloween fell on a Sunday this year, Ben decided not to trick or treat on the Sabbath. He had no shame telling his entire class and their parents at their class party that, "he would not be able to go trick or treating this year. He was going to church instead." He later informed me that he intended to obey ALL of the commandments. I have learned a lot from Ben this past month! I am grateful for my little missionary, his tender spirit, and his strong desire to choose the right!

At first Kate wanted to be Jessie. Ben was going to be Woody after all. But, with a little bit of persuading she was wholeheartedly convinced and proud to be a frog. After all, she is a great hopper and she really can do a great "ribbet." (Oh yeah and mom already had the costume!).

Jacob had two costumes this year. An indoor and an outdoor one. He made one cute little Baby MD and an even cuter shark. These pictures really don't do him justice. I couldn't pass up the $9 old navy shark costume.


And we can't forget about the werewolf pumpkin that David spent hours carving. Too bad we didn't get a picture before it fell out of the car and lost part of its head!

And here are a few random pictures...just because!

"Go make Dinner!"

How can a little package this cute stir up so much trouble?


Very easily and here is my evidence!

A couple of weeks ago Kate decided she wanted to be an artist. She used the new yellow couch as her canvas and a black ink pen as her medium. Fortunately for her mother: #1. Her big brother stopped her before the masterpiece was complete and #2. Her father was wise enough to purchase the "Guardsmen Furniture Protection Plan." Seconds after the disaster, I was scolding Kate in time out. She interrupted my repetitive and very persistent reminders that you "only write on paper" with this command......"Stop talking. Go make dinner!" As you can imagine, she fueled my fire! Fortunately for Kate, the thought didn't enter my mind to wash her mouth out with soap, like Grandma would have done, until it was much too late.

Thank you Mr. Guardsmen for successfully scrubbing my couch for an entire 45 minutes today. Kate quietly watched his every move. The only words that came from her mouth while he was in our home were..."You love me Mom!" I was thankful for the reminder.

One of These is Not Like the Others!

I took this picture of Kate the other day. This is one of her classic faces. For some reason, it looked really familiar and I couldn't quite put my finger on it until I came across this one of Ben. Do you suppose she learned it from him? I decided not to look through my old scrapbooks in fear they both picked it up from me! Will Jacob pick it up too? Only time will tell.

Jacob is 6 months old already. He weighs in at a whopping 13 pounds, 12 ounces and is 24 inches long. Hey....at least this boy is on the chart. Well sort of....that's the 3rd and 2nd percentiles. But, you would never know it looking at those chubby, chubby cheeks of his. Jacob is a true joy. We cherish him and feel so blessed to call him ours.

And she's off!

Little Miss Kate has started preschool! I am not sure there has ever been a little girl more ready for preschool than Kate. She was soooooo excited, she could barely contain herself. She was quite disappointed on the first day when I told her to get in the van....she was determined that she was going to wait for her bus. She informed Jacob that he was not big enough to go to school and made sure to ask him and Ben if they missed her when she returned. I was instructed numerous times to take pictures of her on the first and second days....here they are.

Miss Tracy & Kate


Kate showing her new friends where to find the dinosaurs


Kate and her best friend John


Kate and Mom

He came back!!!!!

In Baltimore they have a gradual entry system for Kindergartners. Last week, they had a "sneak peek" day. For two hours, Ben got to tour his new school, meet his teacher, see his classroom, and go on a mock bus ride with me on his actual route. On Monday, Ben went for an hour with a parent. On Tuesday, he went for half of the day with only half of the class. I had to drop him off and pick him up. On Wednesday, he didn't have school while the other half of his class did their half day.



Thursday was my real test. Full day: 9:20-3:50 with a bus ride to and from school! Ben could tell I was anxious as we walked to the bus stop. He looked at me and said, "Don't worry Mom. I will always come back!" Of course that just melted my heart even more. You can imagine my concern when the bus pulled up and I noticed he had a sub driver! Where was sweet Miss Betty? She was my angel during the mock bus ride. She instantly became Ben's grandma and reassured me she would take extra good care of the Kindergartners. No! How could she miss the first day and who was this dude that ignored my neighbor's plea to take good care of the new kindergartners.

Ben and the "Dude" sub driver!


The doors closed and the bus left. I slowly walked home, resisting my urges to follow the bus to school. I new David would never let me live it down. I could just hear him saying, "You have to let him grow up Karen. He needs the independence." I walked home. Ate two Twinkies in 10 minutes. Debated calling the school. Refrained. Didn't want to be "that" parent. But did he make it to his class? He can't even see out the window when he sits down! I think my neighbor sensed my anxiety. She called me after a few minutes and reassured me Ben had made it to his class. She had called the school and checked with her son Cooper's physical therapist who had met him at the bus. She asked if "Benjamin" had made it too. Thanks to my label (complete with first and last name, room number, teacher's name, bus color and stop number, and my cell phone that I stuck on Ben's back), he could easily confirm Ben had made it as well. Why did I still wonder all day, "Did he really make it?"

Fast forward to 4 PM. David miraculously was home early and got to walk to the bus stop with me. I made him tote the video camera while I used the camera. The bus approaches. Was that Miss Betty? Yeah.... Miss Betty was back! The bus stops. 10 or so kids pile out (including Cooper the other Kindergartner at his stop). The kids stop coming. There is a long, eternal pause. My heart stops. David even puts down the video camera. I start chanting, "Where is Ben?" But after what seemed like an eternity a little body turns the corner and starts prancing down the big steps with a huge smile on his face!

Ben and Miss Betty!


I questioned, "Why did you take so long to get off Ben?" To which he replies, "I just couldn't see, Mom. And Olivia was sad that I had to get off." HE DID COME BACK and I'm pretty sure I didn't take my eyes off of him all night long as he filled me in on every detail of his wonderful day!

Today was much, much less stressful. No Twinkies. And I did learn that a specific school employee is assigned to each bus. They walk on when it arrives (before any kids are let off) and personally take each Kindergartner to their class and return them to the bus at the end of the day. In case you are wondering....yes I did label him again today. What if "Dude" drives him home today? Does Miss Betty know how much she means to me? Thank you Miss Betty!

Ben and Cooper


Jacob was the star attraction at the bus stop. At one point I couldn't even see the stroller!

Time doesn't stand still....

9 years ago today David and I were married in the Salt Lake City, UT Temple! Where does the time go?


We have been through a lot these past 9 years...
...SCHOOL (BYU)

...BEN

...MORE SCHOOL (OU)

...KATE

...MORE SCHOOL (Hopkins)

...JACOB

...and yes we are still in SCHOOL!
In fact, today also marks Ben's first day of KINDERGARTEN! He is attending West Towson Elementary School. A brand new $22 million school with lots of bells and whistles. The school motto is GO WEST! They will promote the pioneer spirit! Couldn't help but remind me of home as we pioneer the EAST!





And after 9 years.....I wouldn't change any of it for the world!

5 months!

Jacob is 5 months old today! Where has the time gone? Here are some recent pictures of my little angel. LITERALLY, he must be an angel! When I think I just might go crazy, all I have to do is look at him. He sleeps through the night. He doesn't insist on being held. He eats well. He tolerates, and even seems to enjoy, the constant poking and proding he receives from Ben and Kate. He is so content and easy going! He is my dream! I needed a dream baby! They really do exist!






Jacob was born with a full head of thick, brown hair, just like Ben. Over time though, it has slowly fallen out and appears to be growing in blonde. With his beautiful, blue eyes I fear he may be attempting to follow in his sister's footsteps! He even giggled yesterday as he watched her climb the pole in the basement. Lets just pray he didn't notice yesterday when she bit Ben or when she locked Ben and I outside when we went out to move the sprinkler! Please don't get any ideas little Angel!

Ben at 5 months!


Kate at 5 months!