Halloween 2011 edition

Skeleton Sam, Wonder Woman Stella

Super Girl Evelyn & Smiley Preston

had a very good Halloween.

One school carnival,

one ward party & trunk or treat

and the neighborhood treating

made for a lot of fun

a lot of candy

and a lot of worn out kids...

Evelyn is three

Evelyn had a birthday on the 29th.

In the midst of a busy weekend of

Halloween festivities, she turned three.

 She will hold up 5 fingers and tell you

she's two...cuz she's silly like that.

She may tell you how she wears "unnies" now

and goes potty in the big potty.

She will probably ask you to carry her,

even though she is capable of walking.

She will curl up on your lap

and rub your arm and snuggle.

She still looks for her "binkie-boo"

when it's bed time.

She most definitely can tell you what to do

and where to do it, she still has that spunk.

Everywhere we go people still ask about her hair,

"is it real?"  or "that's what you call a blonde!"

For the record: this mama does NOT dye Ev's hair,

I can barely get her to sit for teeth brushing....

This hair is all natural, all Evelyn!

She is priceless for sure!

It was a happy third year baby girl.

Follow-Up Fun

Mid October brought Preston's  five week post-op visit to see his surgeon. 

 A quick trip to Portland. 

 We decided to make a fun trip and take the kids along!

We headed there early on Friday for a 10:30 appt.

His appt. was very quick and he is healing well.

He really impressed his Dr. by waving to her when she said "hi"

We will continue to massage his scar,

to help minimize the collagen build-up.

.

 The kid's request was a hotel with a POOL.

Of  all the things to do in Portland,  they wanted to swim & swim & swim.

 They swam Friday and on Saturday we did some more swimming.

  When we could finally talk the kids out of the pool, we took them to the zoo.

It was a gorgeous, sunny and brisk fall day.

None of us were quite as tall as the bears.

The kids were happy and interested the whole time.

Sam ran or hopped most of the way, while making bird calls.

Evelyn had a little screaming fit at the end, as we walked towards the exit, drawing more attention from passers-by than any animal exhibit!

(We are trying to forget that part.)

We were home again, by late Saturday night.

Mission Accomplished:

fun with the family!

thousand words

this picture says it all,

doesn't it?

pun-kin patch

 Sam's pre school group had a trip to the pumpkin patch.

Evelyn, Preston and Mama tagged along

for fun.

Doesn't this boy look excited?

On the hayride, we went, to find... 

the perfect pumkins!

There was a hay bale maze,

petting zoo,

and the hay bale towers to climb!

We ended with punch & cookies.

"THE BEST DAY EVER!" declared Sam.

Preston was a good sport, riding in the stroller.

He is EIGHT months now.

*sporting two bottom teeth

*almost one top tooth

*sitting with confidence

*trying some solid foods

*laughing a lot

*loving stroller rides

*waving

p.s. his arm restraints have been off for a week.

(he's one month post-op)

It's like they were never even there,

he's moved on quickly.

Off to bigger adventures

for this boy!

afternoon music

The school bus lets her off.

Everyone is waiting...

for the "after-school"

to begin.

"Practice, practice, practice"

says the mama.

They all join in,
piano playing,

ukuleles are strummed,

music is made.
"mom, guess this tune!"
"how many songs?"

The mama & Preston,

 just enjoy the serenade.

two

Two weeks post-op

for Preston pie.

Healing,

amazing,

boy.

A rare "break" from

his restraints.

Time to move his arms,

clap and wave.

A challenging two weeks,

for sure.

By this time next week,

his arms will be free