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.


 

R'Shanti

Haven't met our little R'Shanti yet and looking forward it with great anticipation. She is our newest niece, adopted through many miracles and blessings some of which I haven't even heard the stories. Chad and Amy have another daughter! She is 8 years old and from what I've heard it is so evident that they are all SO happy and transitioning smoothly.

Upon learning that things were really going well with the prospects adoption I desired to make something for her. Then one night/in the wee hours of the morning rocking Leon back to sleep I was thinking more about what I could make for her. An image of a blanket came into my mind. The fabric the colours. It was a green fleece and the flip side was a floral that matched the green.

I brought it up with Wade that I wanted to make something for R'Shanti and when I mentioned the blanket idea there was moaning and grumbling that it would cost more money (we are just being a careful as we can - Wade begins school again this fall...I mean in 5 days!! So exciting!)

It's not like purchasing fabric to make a little blanket would break us, it's the principle of trying not to spend. So with that I honored our past discussions and scouted around our home for ideas.

Still this blanket was on my mind. I was doing the dishes on Wednesday evening and the thought came to me - what about going on facebook and posting a status asking if anyone had any scrap fabric. Dishes got done, and the computer was available for me to hop on after 10pm. I was on facebook for a mere moment when I happened to read the status of a super crafty, creative friend who had posted that she had a ton of fabric that she needed to get rid of and if no one wanted it it was going to the Salvation Army! What?! I know! There were already a number of replies all of which people prior to my seeing it were just as excited to check out what she had too. I replied. But it was so late, I couldn't not text her too. She texted back that there was still fabric and other things left. I went over the next day - walking into her home I told her I was looking for any larger pieces of fabric she may have as I would like to make a blanket. The first pieces she took me too had no jokes - a green fleece and a floral cotton that matched! WOW! I still scoured through everything she had. I think I was hooked onto the idea that since I hadn't met R'Shanti yet that I didn't know if she was a pink, flowers or an earthy tones, sporty.

(I left with the green and floral...and a bunch of other wonderful finds and all for FREE! SO kind of Chelsea!)

When I got home I wanted so badly to start sewing up this blanket, both boys were even napping - but I was a good girl and waited to pre-wash both in case either would shrink. In the mean time I texted Amy to ask about the type of girl pink, flowers fun girl or earthy toned, sporty fun girl. He reply was pink, flowers, peace signs and she plays soccer! : ) perfect!

Friday night - started sewing. The fleece was about 3 inches smaller on the perimeter than the floral. I figured I could iron the floral edges in and create a boarder. The only cutting I did was one cut on one side to remove the excess length on the floral. I ripped a piece of chip board off a pasta box from the recycle pile and used that as a measurement for the boarder as I ironed it down.

After I stitched the pieces right sides together with the "boarder" in between, I flipped or turned the blanket out, it was then that I realized I could stitch the boarder down over the fleece. I liked this look much better.

I'm thankful that I could make this little blanket for R'Shanti. It certainly came together well. I definitely felt the love of my Heavenly Father making a desire of my heart possible. I'm amazed that with even something as small as this I could have it reaffirmed to me that God is so mindful and caring in all things. I hope that she enjoys the blanket. Even if not - I knew I had to make her that blanket and I am thankful I could think of her while I was doing it. That night when the image of it had come into my head, these words came too: So Sweet. So Loved. That is what I hope she feels from us, that she is so sweet and so loved.

Tied with a bow and ready to give. A little over 5 feet by 3 feet.