FEED ME!

I found this funny. In the weeks after Halloween, Kai was often spotted with a big ol' sucker in hand. He loves them. He is also ridiculously messy with them. I was sick of the sticky mess strewn throughout the house so I sat him on the island counter where he would be quaranteened. It worked!

 Notice his shirt? Its very fitting of this child! He's a moose. He loves fruit, yogurt, pancakes, treats ... just about anything you feed him I guess!

New Tradition

The first weekend in November we started a new tradition (well, at least according to our family): spending a night at a hotel with friends. Our favorite family, the Moes, had an extra voucher for a free night stay at a local hotel. Being awesome friends, they invited us along. It.was.so.much.fun! The kiddos had a blast and all played well and the adults had fun too (usually its one group having fun while the other group just endures the night). The first thing we did once we reached our rooms: EPIC PILLOW FIGHT! Tony is notorious for his pillow fights. They are loud, long and dangerous. At least one of my kids typically ends up crying (often its all four) but they run right back for more punishment! The poor Moes kids had no idea what they were in for:

 The kids got smart and ganged up on Tony ... didn't work. If you look in the back ground you can see a pair of legs behind Aliya's head. That is poor Jake getting tossed off. Luckily no one was hurt ... too bad!

 This little Missy I love. Her face says it all: little imp stole Kai's shoes and put them on! I've decided she was supposed to be my kid. Somehow in heaven she and Kai got mixed up. Now while I am so grateful Kai is mine, I also feel somewhat bad Krysta got her: she's a bundle of curiosity, mischievousness, dirt, mess and trouble all wrapped up in a dainty/darling little girl body. She and Kai have been betrothed since birth. Luckily they love each other too!

 The kids had so much fun playing, we actually wore them out!

 The next morning, once it was a decent enough time, the pillow fight resumed (Drew wanted to start at 7 a.m). This time Tony broke out the "torture your brother by trapping him with his foot in his underwear trick". Poor Jake!

We also went swimming (yep, first part of November). Tony was being a sissy and wouldn't get in ... he eventually did with a little persuasion (i.e. push) from Casey. Thank you Moes family for such a fun weekend. I think we need to do this semi-annually!

Halloween 2012

Yup, I'm a little late! I figure before the year ends I may as well get caught up. I tell ya, I have no idea where the time goes but its flying by. Some days I'm very grateful for that!

Anywhoo ... I am one of those Moms that wants my kids to get to have fun with their pumpkins yet I cant stand the mess of carving them. My compromise: painting. I am perfectly happy to provide the necessary supplies to let them paint to their hearts content. Each kid has their own way of doing it and their own personality.

Aliya, well, she's our poser. She'd rather get creative with her many facial expressions than focus on painting. She did a good job but once she was done, she was D.O.N.E. She gets that from me!

  Blakers likes to use he body as his canvas. He got on the most important parts then turned to a little self expressionism.

 Kai went with the "cover it all" approach. I was pretty impressed!

 And Taeya, she's our perfectionist. She sat there for quite a bit longer adding detail and pizazz to her pumpkin (check out her big ole feet. At 9 she's in a women's 6.5. Sure my kids have a cousin that is 10 and in a women's 10 but this is my Taeya ... she's not allowed to grow!)

Halloween! I love my crazy little kids. With the exception of Kai they each picked out their costumes. Aliya insisted on being a bride, Blakers was a fireman (only because we couldn't find a garbage man costume), Taeya was a geek with her BFF Kaylee and Kai got to be Aliya's groom (Blake kept calling him a broom ... I guess there are some similarities)!

 Sure enough this picture is when Kai is smiling the cutest!

 Ahhhh, look at the happy couple!

Biker Boy

One afternoon Blake asked if Tony would take off his training wheels. I wasn't sure he was ready ... he was only 3 1/2 but he said he was. Tony did great. He held his shirt for about 10 feet then Blakers took off. I guess he was more than ready!

 Wahoo!

 Yup, he's doing it!

 Just a little bit proud ... he is one of those kids that you know exactly how he's feeling. When he's happy he's all smiles, when he's down, he's all frowns/tears and dirty looks!

 Oh Kai! He loves that ratty dog ... and the pink/purple bike. It was Blakers favorite and now Kai's. Luckily  my boys don't care they are on a girlie bike.

 Later that week, Tony built a ramp for the kiddos. Again I wasn't too sure ...

 ... and again, Blake proved me wrong!

Kai Kai and Tony were content to watch from the sidelines. Love my men (and my little women)!

Dear Santa:

Daddy's Massage

Tony LOVES massages. He's not picky about who does it, or even if its good, just as long as he gets one. Luckily we have four kids who don't mind "massaging" Daddy's back! I have no idea how this can be relaxing but he loves it ... and evidently so do they!

Happy Birthday!

How could I forget these pictures? What a cutie our Kai is. He LOVED being sang to on his Birthday. Since then he walks around singing Happy Birthday all the time.

 Old Blue Eyes we love you so much and are so thankful you are in our family. You bring so much happiness to us and anyone who meets you. Your eyes melts hearts and your smile makes others happy! We love you Kai!

Big Boy

Slacker Mom that I am forgot to post Kai's big transition from his crib to a big boy bed. I love seeing their tiny little bodies in a big bed. Crazy how he looked so big in the crib yet so small in a twin. He's definitely growing up too, too fast!

WWF

My boys LOVE to wrestle. It is constant! Years ago, before we had kids, we went on a cruise with Tony's Dad and Brothers. Bruce pointed out that the boys couldn't go longer than 10 seconds with out touching, hitting, teasing, pinching, tripping or bothering one another. I didn't really believe it until I started to count. He was spot on. My boys are rapidly turning into this. Thank heavens I only have two!

Their wrestling always starts out fun but after about three minutes, it turns mean. 

 Don't feel too bad for Kai, he gives punishment as well as he receives. He is the lead instigator in most of these matches. He has figured out what buttons to push to tick his brother off!!!

I love you little men. Please forgive me for taking pictures instead of coming to your rescue ... I need a little humor in my day!

What the ????

It was a while ago that I took these pictures. As I uploaded them, I immediately thought "What the @*%^ is he doing"? I had no idea what this was a picture of.

 Then I remembered: THE LIZARD! One Sunday morning, I found a teeny-tiny little 2 inch lizard. It was darling. The boys loved it. They had a ton of fun torturing I mean playing with it until ... he got lost. Blake somehow thought it got lost in his underwear.

 Aliya and Kai were more than willing to help ... from a distance. It was pretty cute to see them so concerned about the missing lizard. We finally decided he was dropped somewhere in the grass, not in Blakey's underwear! Phew!