No Tricks Just Treats

"Who are you Hannah?" "I'm JoJo" she yells so excitedly. JoJo's Circus is a kid's show on Playhouse Disney that Hannah watches in the morning before Mommy and Daddy roll out of bed. Hannah and JoJo have lots in common: the vibrant red hair, they talk with the same pronunciation of words and playfullness in their voices, and they love to have fun! And although Hannah doesn't have a pet lion, we figure Ben is close enough.

Hannah did a great job sitting still while Daddy painted her face and mommy pinned on her hat. We decided to make her costume instead of buying one, and it turned out pretty well; other kids out trick-or-treating knew who she was. We went to all the neighbors houses and she got lots of candy (like whole handfuls at some of the houses), we think the cuteness factor played a big part. And the fact that she was actually a little kid, not a teenager walking around in a hoodie (check out Uncle Brian's blog). So now we have to ration out this candy slowly. It might be a good go on the potty incentive!




As Hannah would say, "we had the Best Halloween ever," and hope you did too!

Pumpkin Carving

Hannah was very eager this year to be a part of the pumpkin carving process. As soon as the top was off and I put my spoon in to start scooping she exclaimed "No, Mommy, that's my do it". And she did it, she even put her hands in to pull out all the stringy things.




Normally Thad spends hours and hours carving a detailed design, but this year we were just too busy. Instead, he used a pumpkin design Hannah had made at the YMCA by gluing pre-cut construction paper shapes onto a construction paper pumpkin. As you can see, it actually turned out pretty nice.




While ben didn't get to help in the pumpkin carving, we did dress him up like a pumpkin. Ben has to send a shout-out to his cousin Evy for sending him this "wicked" cute costume. He wore it to the Halloween party at the YMCA and on Halloween. We think he liked all the attention it got him, he was even given some candy while trick-or-treating with his big sister. I think we'll save it for next year.

All Bundled Up

On this especially chilly night we headed out to Zoo Boo. We decided not to get the kids dressed up in costumes, instead we bundled them up in winter gear. It's getting to be that season, and I can't say that I'm not glad. Winter brings all sorts of wonderful things, despite the bad driving. Hannah is already excited for Christmas and lots of visiting with her grandparents and other family.

So we'll get through the season just fine, and how could I not love seeing these adorable kids all bundled up. Next I need to go boot shopping!

Happy Halloween Cake

In August Hannah, Ben, and Mommy joined a group called Mommy and Me of Central New York. It's mostly for stay-at-home moms and their young kids in the Syracuse area and now has close to 300 members. Every month we get a newsletter with fun activites planned that you can choose to attend. This month Hannah got to go to a Halloween dessert decorating party at a local Wegmans (aka: cheese store).

She made a lovely whoopie pie with a ghost on top, a skeleton gingerbread man, and best of all a pumpkin cake! She got to decorate all these goodies with different frostings and sprinkles. Of couse, we didn't make it home without eating at least one creation (the skeleton). We saved the cake for last and it was so good!

Doodling Kids

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Ben loves watching Hannah do everything, so we thought it was a good idea for him to learn how to doodle like a pro. He watched very intently for about five minutes until his neck muscles gave up on him. But we're sure it won't be long until they're fighting over who can draw the best school bus. And when they ask me, I will give them the classic Mom answer, "they both look very nice."

Crinkly Book Mystery

One of the best baby toys out there is what I call the "crinkly book". It's a nice little three page soft book that has soft edges made for teething and different shaped links on the side and it makes a squeaky sound when you press the middle of it. But most important of all is that when you pick up up or move it around, it makes a crinkly sound. Hannah loved her crinkly book as a baby and when she lost hers, I bought her a new one within days. Now, I knew right away when we lost her book, it had fallen out of her carrier while I was at the store, and I realized it when we got home.

It now seems that Ben's crinkly book has disappeared. This picture was the last time Ben was seen with his book. We have searched high and low and in the most odd places, but still haven't found it. I haven't rushed out and bought a new one, because it has to be here SOMEWHERE! I know, I know, I just need to look where all the missing socks, mittens, random toys, and Hannah's hair clips are...if you have any ideas, let us know!

Steelers Traditions

Pittsburgh will always be this family's "home town" dispite the fact that only one of us was actually born there and we don't live there now. The most important part of being a Pittsburgher is rooting for the home teams: da Pens, da Pirates and of course da Stillers.

Rooting for the home team is about more than just sports; it's about passion and committment. This is fulfilling when your team is winning, but can leave you inconsolable when they let you down. Now these values and traditions will be passed on to Ben.

The Steelers flag replaces Old Glory on gameday, jerseys are sported often, and the rooting policy is strictly adhered to: root for the Steelers and for whomever is playing against The Cowboys. Note: rooting for individual fantasy players is allowed, but cannot conflict with the team rooting policy. (ex. I can root for my 3FL QB, Carson Palmer, to get 3 passing TD's as long as I still root for the Steelers to beat the Bungles.)

This may seem humorous to some, but Pittsburghers know it is a serious matter. Even if we don't defend the championship, you can bet there will be plenty a wave of the Terrible Towel and plenty a click of the Campbell's Chunky cans throughout the season. Go Stillers!

PS. Ben's jersey is a gift from Uncle Brian, the winner of the baby poll.

Best Buds

For being siblings, Hannah and Ben seem to get along pretty well. Ben watches Hannah play and sometimes Hannah lets him join in. Today Hannah showed Ben how to lay on his belly and hold his head up.

We tell her that Ben is learning from her. She likes "teaching" him and watching him grow and learn. I think she's learning just as much as he is though.