rev it up!

on our way home from the pumpkin patch we happened upon a car show on our downtown street.  We actually woke up both of our boys to go and check it out.  They had slept for a good 45 minutes at that point we rationalized.

reminded me of the hub cap that hung by at our front entrance of the home I room mated at.  fond memories. That's Leon in the reflection.

the old and

the new.

Kent liked seeing a lot of his hotwheels cars in real life.

Happy Halloween!

"Kent what would you like to be for Halloween?"  His immediate reply was "Food, Jedi, or a robot." 

I latched onto the robot idea! And talked that one up. 
I was sceptical that he would actually keep the robot costume ON for an evening with Wade's family at our annual Halloween Party, or for a church trunk or treat.  So I made his weeks in advance so he could wear it around the house and "get familiar with it" 
He wore it when it counted and he enjoyed it. just in small doses. 

What does a robot sound like? "bee bop bo beep" That was his imitation of a robot.  He called himself Brutus.  After a beloved little robot made by our friend Alexis along side Kent. 

An explanation? (now the family Halloween party is a day away on Saturday)  I was at Hobby Lobby (similar to Michaels) with Kent and Leon hoping for some quick inspiration as we strolled through the fabric section.  They had a totum pole of this Winnie the Pooh and all the other characters and I got the bright idea of having Leon be Winnie.  The dear little old lady who told me all about her great grandchildren thought that it would work too.  So at home I after sewing it to some white broad cloth and batting, viola! Wade and I agree it looked better off than on....  I am truly not made for this holiday. 

...oh you really don't need to see pic of my last minute costume.  but if you must I got tagged on facebook. hahah. And Wade - he didn't dress up which was fine by me because I was 1 for 3 on costume ideas. 

Kent "being a robot"

On Halloween, the actual 31st the robot costume now slightly tattered from the weekend was placed back on for our first family trick or treating! 
Leon was asleep in his stroller (I didn't bother with the pooh outfit tonight) and Wade and I were dressed in our everyday's - although Rach (comment below) you're right Wade could actually be something here.... uhhh 1900's immigrant?? paper boy??? 
Would you believe Wade has never trick or treated before?
Well, neither had Kent! 4 or 5 homes were greeted by this happy robot who performed a little bit too! "bee bop bo beep!"  And at the home of our landlords he sure made their night by reciting the poem -five little pumpkins!

one of the highlights of the night was seeing Kent trying to manage with his costume and bucket.  The bowl of candy was placed at his height.  He would reach in a take one saying thank you! Then walking back to the side walk I'd tell him he can put his candy in his bucket.  His big smile would turn to frustration as he tried "but I'm a Robot!" he'd protest!  Then it clicked and Wade and I had a good laugh - Kent was trying to put the candy in his bucket but because of the box, his arm span was limited and sure enough he couldn't reach! So funny!

There is a neat community feeling when you get to go holler "trick or treat" at neighborhood homes.  Folks that we've never had the pleasure of meeting all of the sudden we are able to converse and even leave with treats in the yellow bucket.  We all had a fun time!

(this is the extent of our home decor)

They are cute cards though - the phrases are clever

at the top right is the clue and the large word is the answer.  here are a few:

that was pretty mean - TRICK

stop eating the candy, it isn't Halloween yet - TREAT

late night or do you always look like that - GHOULISH

what a creepy place to run out of gas - GRAVEYARD

there's some clown in the car next to me, literally - HALLOWEEN

did you hear that - SPOOKY

you could use a little time in the sun - GHOSTLY

Pumpkin Patch

"I'm 2 and a half"

I adore this young boy named Kent. He is a becoming more and more self sufficient that before I know it he'll be coming down the hallway someday stating that he's already gone to the bathroom, changed out of his PJ's and got dressed for the day and while sitting up to the table telling me goodmorning and offering his requests for breakfast. - Oh wait a second he is already doing this!  

His preferred "I can do dis myself" has been on going for sometime but now he really can do more and more quite well.  He'll stare down his clothes and say in a sing songy voice "find the tags! the tags go to to back" The best is when he starts humming as he gets dressed.  I've NEVER pointed this out nor spoke out loud about it because I don't want to draw attention to it.  But I've noticed it when he is getting clothes on socks, shoes, and even when I'm helping him he sings a little hum.  No recognizable tune, just a happy hum.

I hear everyday and sometimes 5+ times a day (and it can still catch me off guard)  "mom, you're beautiful"  He says this endearing little phrase with a sweet, soft tone.  A little something he picked it up from his dad. awe. One morning when we were getting ready to go out the door my very last thing was to put on make up - which is NOT a long process - quick essentials to hopefully keep me from  looking dead or a ghost or as common folk would kindly verbalize to me " Jane are you tired today?" (maybe I should improve my "essentials" routine)  Kent burst into our room and stood outside the bathroom door where I was putting on make up and he commanded in a loud in a choppy voice "MOM! You - are - beautiful - right- now! COME. RIGHT. NOW!

He will still throw out at odd times a "Wade" or a "Jane" or answer the phone and it's Wade by addressing him "Hey sweety!"
Wade told me the other night when he said good night to Kent and while walking out of his room Kent called out "Goodnight babycakes!"  that right there cracks me up.

After he complimented me I would reciprocate "Kent you are handsome"  and now....after he tells me I'm beautiful he'll request "tell me I'm handsome"  I do and he says with gratitude and surprise " oh thanks mom!" this is a funny phase.

Kent is the enforcer of:  please, thank you, you're welcome, come for dinner, wash your hands, turn the lights off, close the door any door possible, That's not ours (other words for don't touch that)  Wade sometimes turns to me and asks whose in charge around here anymore? 

Kent will do something and then pause and prompt "say thank you"  I'll say thank you and he'll say "you're welcome"  Oh - The problem here is this is just a bunch of words and stories.  You have to know the tone and pace of his words.  It's hilarious. you'll have to take my word for it. 

He is officially trained...POTTY!! It turns out it is a prime location for education.  We used our potty time to recite and review: ABC's, counting 1-20, saying the days of the week, ALL of the provinces and territories of Canada (he seriously can say each of them in order of east to west and then up to the territories finishing with his arms up high in the air "NUNAVUT!" which I'm sure in his mind is "none of it!"  lol.)

Article of Faith #1 and numerous poems or songs at his instigation. It's a happy time for him and he is very pleased with himself.  We have stool for the toilet and a second stool that allows him to reach the faucet and dispense soap and dry his own hands and turn lights off.  I've hesitated going completely diaper free with him overnight.  But the last 2 nights he wore "undies" as per his request and came out dry in morning.  (his diapers were dry too)

Today Kent eating his lunch/ wishing to skip lunch to have his anticipated cookie had asked me for the bajillionth time for a cookie( he knew what dessert was), since I hadn't changed my responce "when we are finished eating lunch. Look! You still have more to enjoy." He switched parents - "Hey dad can I have a cookie and then you say 'OK Kent. you may have a cookie' and then I say ok thank you dad? Ok dad?"  Tables have turned in this household.  That's OUR trick to get him to comply with what we desire.  For example: I say "Kent we can play for a few more minutes and then when I say OK Kent it's time for us to go, you say OK mom." and we leave in peace...5 out of 10 times....lol.



just a few highlights.