Happy Halloween!

"Trick or Treat!"

We didn't have any plans for Halloween so we took the Cousins up on their offer to come visit them for Trick or Treating fun. This was especially wonderful since the Moore Girls couldn't join us for our wedding weekend in North Carolina.

Daddy had to work (BOO!) but we made the trip to Mid-MO with no problems. Mitchell is a great traveller! Once we got there, there was some playtime and lunch (well, sorta) and more playtime. Really, who could eat with all of these fun toys to play with?!?!

Everyone took a great nap (except for the adults, who spent 2.5 hours trying to copy ONE CD...). Then it was time to get ready for the big event...TRICK OR TREATING!

All three cousins dressed up in their costumes: the fairy princess (who was as beautiful as can be), an Energizer Bunny (who lives up to the name) and our Train Conductor. We were even able to get all three of them looking at the camera for a picture. Amazing, isn't it?

The kids had a great time trick or treating. Mitchell quickly learned to say "Trick or Treat" followed by a very polite "Thank you!" at each house. We visited the neighbors "scary" house before it got dark, and visitied about another 6-10 houses before the little ones called it a night. Josie led the crew followed by Mitchell who was constantly trying to catch up-- saying JOSIE all the way. Norah brought up the rear. Bless her heart, she had her pumpkin of candy and the drum for her costume, so she didn't move very fast. She was determined, however to do it herself, which she did!

Once back at the Moore Manse, Norah and Mitchell then enjoyed some Halloween ghost cookies thanks to Uncle Eric and a sucker while they played. Josie got to head back out to make more of a haul. Gee, none of those pumpkins had any chocolate in them this morning. I wonder why that is?

Beautiful Weekend

I wasn't sure we were actually going to make it to this weekend because October has been one busy month-and we still have a fun filled week left!! Lots of weekend work and long hours made the days go slow but the weeks tick by fast as we anxiously awaited the arrival of our trip to North Carolina.

Now, this wasn't just any trip. This was a trip to see one of my only two cousins (yes 2!) get married. Wrapped up in that was the joy of seeing family, and introducing Mitchell to his other Great Grandma, who we lovingly call G'ma Weezy." Now, this is not because she is weezy, but rather because her name is Louise. Mitchell caught on fast, and was giving "Gramma Weezy" high fives and kisses in a matter of minutes after meeting her. Afterall, what's not to love?

While Mitchell was able to join in the fun with my sister and I for the trip, Jeremy and Molly's family held down our respective forts in Missouri. I have to say, while I missed having our complete family together, it was great to have a sister weekend. She had time to get to know Mitchell a little better and we could be with our parents without as many distractions. She's been married for 12 years and me for 7, so it's been awhile since our immedite family has really had a chance to spend time together like that.

The wedding was wonderful, the bride-beautiful. While I don't see my cousins nearly as often as I'd like, I really got the sense that the ceremony spoke to her and her new husband. We had a suprise lunch with my other cousin, who just happened to be at the same restaurant we were, escaping wedding day insanity. That was an added bonus. The red, yellow and orange of Fall colors grew more beautiful each day we were there, which gave us a lovely backdrop to a family fun weekend.

And to top it off, Mitchell was a great traveler and quite the charmer. It doesn't get much more beautiful than that! As Mitchell said each day "Mommy, Had a good day!"

CANDY!

Well, it was a good run while it lasted, but Mitchell has now come to understand how wonderful sugar really is.

Earlier in the week, a pouch of fruit snacks came home from daycare. I say "oh, OK, he doesn't really like them, which is fine with me." Well apparently I was wrong. Right outside of daycare, we had our little fruit snack picnic (afterall, I wasn't about to let those sticky things get all smooshed in his car seat). He ate them all and looked for more. That should've been my first clue.

A bit spur of the moment, we called up a coworker (and friend!) whose son is in the same room as Mitchell. Both of us were playing "single mom" on Saturday so we took advantage of the amazing weather and headed to Kirkwood for the Greentree Festival Parade. Now, I thought the main attraction would be the police cars, fire trucks, horses and Moolah cars. And don't get me wrong, he loved those too. But he was very curious as to what all these wonderful people were handing out! At any given time, he had about 4-6 Starbursts in his hands. And then the Dum Dum lollipops started to appear. Next thing I know, Mitchell has one unwrapped and he is sitting happily on the blanket next to us (a friend we made while there) enjoying this special treat (after having a half a granola bar and a bag of fruit snacks- not to mention breakfast!). The problem was, he then wanted to raid the pile we were hoarding to eat all the lollipops.

We all enjoyed the parade and some time in the fresh air. Mitchell finally came down from his sugar high and was able to take a late nap. Funny thing was, that was the best nap he's had in a while. When I asked him if he wanted to go see the hot air balloons at the Forest Park Balloon Race, he mumbled at me and went back to sleep for another 45 minutes!

Weekend with Friends

What else signifies Labor Day weekend other than a road trip? With a car full of gas we headed up to the Chicago 'burbs to visit with my friends from college and their families. Not only did we get to see our dear friends from Madison, Wisconsin and the new house of our friends in Oak Lawn, Mitchell was pretty excited about waking up every morning to his favorite playmate- Brooke! (We always enjoy time with Brooke's mommy and daddy too).

The weekend was spent chatting and playing outside in the beautiful weather. Not one drop of rain fell, and we all enjoyed the backyard swingset. Mitchell and Brooke mastered "big kid" swings on the swingset in the yard too. Nearby was a city park that had a great playground. The kids of all ages enjoyed playing "Diego" on the zipline, swinging and climbing. I'm not sure who was more tired when we left, the kids or the adults! We also took a short hike at a local Forest Preserve to tire out little legs before a long car ride back to Missouri. It was a neat area. A one-room school house displayed area wildlife and facts about the school. A short nature trail passed fields of yellow wildflowers, ponds filled with lilly pads and fish. Beavers and squirrels weren't far away either, as evidenced by the trees around us.

We drove back last night to St. Louis- which proved to be a smart move in many ways. Mitchell was a great traveller, got some good sleep in the car and we didn't have to fight holiday traffic. As a bonus, we get to catch up on weekend chores thanks to the extra day this weekend! It was a great weekend and a wonderful way to close out summer. Now, the fast pace of fall kicks into high gear with a full calendar. It's filled, which keeps it busy, but it's filled with fun!

Table Rock and More Talk

Numbers by Mitchell (with increasing excitement):

"one, two...seven, eight, NINE, TEN! Good Counting!"

Last weekend was spent at a cute little condo at Table Rock Lake. Grammy and Grandaddy hauled the boat down so we could all spend a little time on the lake, and Mitchell could get his first boat ride in! Fortunately for us, Mitchell loves wearing a coat in general. There have been days when we opened the closet and he screamed for a coat even when it was 90 degrees outside. Getting him to wear a life vest was easy. Grandaddy also set the rules from the get go too!

Mitchell was really excited about "Dad-daddy's" boat. He even stayed excited once we got moving. The morning was cool, so we just rode around for a while, then found a quiet cove where Grammy and Mitchell could do some fishing. Grammy kept saying "he'll be more excited about it when we catch our first fish." I think Mitchell may just be like his mommy and not quite patient enough for hobbies like fishing. But, he seemed to enjoy it nonetheless.

After fishing, Daddy got in the water to try out the wake board. Now, Jeremy can water ski easily and even slalom skis. The wake board, however, did not prove to be his friend. After a particularly unkind fall, he called it a day and Grammy took to the water. Water skiing is like riding a bike (unless you are me...) and she was out of the water and skiing on the first pull!

It was time to head back for lunch and a nap, but Mitchell couldn't wait. All that excitement, fresh air and sunshine made him fall asleep on the ride back to the dock. Overall, a good time was had by all!

Much like his aforementioned counting, Mitchell is cracking me up with the things he says (at least when it's not a sharp NO, BE NICE or Mitchell TAKE that I sometimes get). Today as he's playing trains while I'm getting ready for an evening walk, he says "Hello, Mommy...Hi, Sweetheart, Hi Baby." I guess it obvious how I respond to him, isn't it?

2 Years...

Sunday was the big day- Mitchell turned 2! To celebrate we had friends and family over for some fun in the sun. The kids had a great time playing in the kiddie pool, running in sprinkers and riding bikes. I think the adults enjoyed each others company too! Here's a few pics from the day.

Mitchell swimming with his friends AJ and Wyatt. What was fun about these guys is that they are all 6 months apart. AJ is 2.5, Mitchell 2 and Wyatt 1.5...

Mitchell was very excited about his "new" bike that his friend Evann gave him! He wouldn't let anyone else ride it!

Of course, there was cake- well cupcakes. We let the kids decorate their own cupcakes for a fun activity. They all seemed to enjoy it and didn't even make too much of a mess. Mitchell did a great job of blowing out his candle, and really enjoyed eating his cupcake. Here's Mitchell with Grammy- one of his many birthday buddies.

Mitchell made quite the haul in presents. New dinosaurs and bath toys, fall clothes and books- just to name a few. After a friend's birthday party at the Museum of Transporation, we decided to get Mitchell a train table. It's also great for playing with cars or Little People too, but right now it's all about the train. Thankfully, he got a train set too (of course, we planned that). Here are my boys having a grand old time with the train.

It's been a busy few days being 2. Mitchell has moved up to the 2's room in daycare where the day is a little more structured and includes circle time. This morning he had a "mostly" well-baby visit. Apparently, we have a case of hand, foot and mouth disease again (rash only, no sore throat or fever thank goodness). He got his flu shot already for this season and will only need to go back should an H1N1 vaccine become available or if he gets sick. Other than that, we don't see the doctor again for another year!

More Mitchell Funnies

While leaving daycare the other day:

MJ: "Big kids potty."
Me: "That's right. Big kids use the potty."
MJ: "Conner go potty."
Me: Oh, really? Does Mitchell want to go potty?"
MJ: "No, Mommy go on the potty."

When given a bite of broccoli to try:

"No. Mommy bite. Me no like."

And the king of all sentences (of course, said in toddler talk)....

"Cadie, walk outside and go to park in stroller."

WOW, he sure knew what he wanted!

And my favorite from today:

MJ: "Mommy, more water."
Me: [while thinking when will he say please!] "Here ya go Buddy."
MJ: [unprompted] "Thank you Mommy."