Leaf jumping

On Halloween morning we went to Canastota for a party with my friend Heidi and lots of kids and parents. The boys had a great time playing with the kids' toys and ignoring the Halloween festivities and games. This is my friend Trista with her son Finnegan, along with me and Reed.

On Halloween night Theo went back to his Raphael costume after doing Olaf at school. Luckily he didn't remember that he used to have a turtle shell on the back (we left it at Heidi's). Reed and I stayed home to greet trick-or-treaters, a smaller bunch than in years past. Grandma Joanie and Grandpa Stu went trick-or-treating with the boys and Jeff, and brought dinner to enjoy after the children went to sleep.

Eating the first pieces of Halloween candy after they returned home.

Tonight is the eve of my first day back at work, Reed's first day at childcare, and the big boys' first day at afterschool at their school. We went over to Reed's teacher's house today to show Reed (and Jeff, and the big boys) around. The big boys enjoyed all the great toys and wanted to stay more than the hour we were there. Reed got a chance to spend some time with Rachel and we got to talk about routines and sort out logistics. I have certainly spent a lot of time in the last many months thinking and planning for this, and I feel very good about what we have lined up. I had originally thought of having a neighborhood teenager pick up the big boys from their classrooms and bring them back home to play for two hours before we got home, but after interviewing a couple it seemed like a risky and complicated choice, what with their afterschool sports and activities, plus factoring in possible sick days or vacations or teenage whimsy/flakiness. So the boys are going to the school afterschool program managed by the local Y, just for two days a week at least for now. Jeff's going to be able to take the big boys to school most days and I will take Reed to Rachel most of the time. Please wish us luck!

School Halloween Parade

Friday afternoon the boys had their school Halloween parade and party. I had a mom fail moment where I was 10 minutes late to drop off their costumes and Beck was standing in the middle of the room looking like he was about to cry, bundled in his coat. His teacher Miss Johnetta (to the left in the class group pictures) was on the room phone calling me in a panic. Thankfully the costume arriving saved the day. In Theo's class there were almost as many adults as children, so I went on the parade with Beckett's class even though I'm room parent for Theo's class. It was really fun to see all the kids and parents and teachers, and great to see the kids celebrating the holiday together.

The pirate to the left of Beckett is the boys' good friend Walter. Then there's Juliesa (Doc McStuffins) and I think Anthony next to her.

I walked part of the parade with Theo's class. Theo has two costumes, one Olaf and one Raphael (a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle) and he went with Olaf for the class parade and party because they didn't want kids wearing masks. It turned out to be a totally awesome decision on his part because of all the little girls dressed as Elsa (also from Frozen, for those not into Disney) who wanted to take their picture with Olaf. Theo was the only Olaf I saw, so really we should congratulate Theo on his stealthy ways with the women. Above is Theo with his friend Johnny the cowboy. Then his friend Lucas photobombed below.

Beckett and Walter walking with their friend Kieran.

Eating!

So lately Reed has been getting really grumpy around mealtimes, especially dinner. Last week, on a whim, I decided to give him a piece of bread to see what he'd do with it. He continued crying more frantically until... the food hit his lips, at which point he started madly sucking. Turns out the kid was hungry. You wouldn't know it by looking at his thighs. So we started doing food just at dinner (greek yogurt, applesauce, rice cereal) and then today he was screaming at breakfast until I sat him down and he started sucking down applesauce and rice cereal.

Neighborhood Halloween Parade

Introducing Raphael (a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, AKA Theo), Superman (AKA Beckett), and baby Robin (AKA Reed). Sunday afternoon we met up with Mama Sara and Preston (dressed as Darth Vader) to march in the Strathmore Neighborhood Halloween Parade and then go to the afterparty at the Firebarn in the Park. Theo and Beckett saw a few friends from school and we saw some neighbors and friends, and thankfully the sun came out just in time for the start of the parade! After cider and cupcakes and chili and candy with our neighbors, the boys had some fun chasing each other in the park.

Brotherly love