Playground at Dusk

We've been battling sickness at our home lately. Definitely a way to kick off cold/flu season. It started with Hampton on Sunday evening. His stomach virus was short-lived and he was better mid-Monday. We waited for the next child to have symptoms (as it seems inevitable), however no one did.....that was until very early Thursday morning. Our poor Eleanor got very sick in the night and it lingered Thursday. We thought she was over it by yesterday, but in the morning got sick again. Thankfully a trip to the doctor confirmed it was just a stomach virus and it would pass.
The children have been pretty much cooped up in the house all week so last night we decided to let them get some fresh air. Eleanor seemed a bit better so we thought it would be good for her too. On the way there Everett definitely showed signs of sickness with fatigue and not wanting to eat (which is very unusual for him!). However he went on and played a bit at the park.



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think the fresh air did everyone some good. A quick 45-minute trip outdoors was nice. No one got sick last night thankfully! Praying this is our one sickness this season!

Halloween

This year for Halloween we had a......

Monkey (who wouldn't wear the hat portion of his costume)

A piglet

 And a surgeon 

Yesterday morning Everett went to preschool and Eleanor, Hampton, and I made our own orange play dough and crockpot applesauce. The house smelled great all day! I sprinkled Halloween festivities throughout the day- we went to Everett's Fall production that morning and party to follow, where the boys won the prize for messiest cupcake eaters. We watched The Great Pumpkin and Mickey Mouse Trick or Treat. We made play dough pumpkins and colored masks. We had pizza for dinner. And then it was time for the big event-trick or treating. We left treats on our front stoop for visitors and headed to a different neighborhood where there weren't so many hills. Our friends Abigail and Madilyn joined us again this year.

Everett mastered ringing the doorbell. 

And by the end they all mastered saying "trick or treat" and then "thank you."

And our piglet was just along for the ride.

Everett was so funny as he would run up to a house, even if by himself, and ring the doorbell. He knows the drill. Whatever it takes to get those treats! The boys' only apprehension was steering clear of homes that had dogs. 

It was cold last night and our piglet had to be bundled tight.

 

 

Happy Halloween!

Rest Time

Months ago Everett gave up naps. I initially tried to have him lay down and every once in a blue moon, he'd fall asleep. However he wouldn't sleep as well at night when he did nap. So now we have just moved to complete "rest time" where he never sleeps, but does have some down time. During his hour of alone time he gets to watch a video and play on his own. During that time I eat lunch, clean the kitchen, and prepare dinner.
Then we spend time together.

 

Everett usually asks me if we can do a project together. If I was on top of things I would already have a creative project in mind with all the supplies necessary. However, it usually ends up with me grabbing some construction paper and markers and random stickers. He doesn't seem to mind! Today though he requested I get out the bean bin.


Then after Hampton's nap, the boys got to split a special pumpkin cookie. 

And Hampton and Eleanor explored the bean bin! 

I know I will miss this special time with Everett one day soon when he is off at "big school." For now, I cherish the one-on-one time we have together.

Choo Choos

Hampton has been quite obsessed with trains for awhile now. Every time we get in the car he says, "go to choo choos mama." He loves to play with the train table at Barnes and Noble.

 

And Eleanor doesn't mind going either! We sometimes stop by after dropping Everett off at preschool.

 

And she has been taking more and more steps independently!

 

I can't wait until Christmas. We are getting the boys their own train table! I pray it is as fascinating at home to them as it is in the store.

 

The Pumpkin Patch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursdays

I love Thursdays because we have no obligations. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings we take Everett to preschool. This requires we are up, fed, dressed and out the door by 8:45. It is worth it, but Thursdays are nice because we can lounge around in our jammies if we want, or we can get dressed and go on an adventure. Today we opted for jammies. In fact, it is 1:30 in the afternoon right now as I write this and we are all still in our jammies!

Everett has recently liked taking all of our quilts and just wallowing in them. Perfect for a lazy day.


I think Eleanor definitely picked up on our calm and relaxing vibe this morning!

And this is Hampton right before I gave him his very first haircut. He is 2 1/2 years old and has never had a real haircut! I just hated cutting off all those beautiful blonde curly locks, but it had to be done. I forgot to take an after shot.

And Everett is our builder!

 

Portrait- or me playing with the portrait setting on our camera. Pictures just don't do this beauty justice.

Hampton's fake smile.

The real deal.

My attempt at getting a brother picture.

Even Maggie was relaxed and calm all day-which doesn't say much. She is a really lazy dog (except when the UPS man rings our doorbell!)

And my poor Hampton boy......he was fine all morning and then near lunch started whining and wanting to cling to me. I felt his forehead and he was burning up! Poor baby had a 102 degree fever. Tis the cold/flu season I guess. So happy I am here to bring him comfort and lots of Mommy love. Thankful he is napping now. 

Happy and actually relaxing morning with the babies today. Since I am 20 weeks pregnant, I truly appreciate this gift more than ever!

It's A.........

We had our second ultrasound today and found out it's a...........

BOY!!!!!

And he has a name........

Thatcher Reid

We feel overwhelmingly blessed to find out that he is healthy and active!