Trick-Or-Treat

Making our way around the 'hood

My little cows

All sugared up (not really- all she got was a sucker) and playing with Uncle Dan

Silly with Auntie Mari

Happy Halloween

From the Happy Cow and the Angry Cow!

Weekend Wrap-Up: A Certain Toddler...

I'm not going to name names, but a certain toddler made this weekend...um...unforgettable.  In fact, I thought of a number of different subtitles I could have used for this blog post.


Weekend Wrap-Up: Mommy and Daddy Need Another Weekend Please

or

Weekend Wrap-Up: Naps in the Car are Totally Overrated

or

Weekend Wrap-Up: Crazy Train to Iowa

Do you get the idea???

First, let's start with Friday night.  The Helds came over for our now 2nd Annual Halloween Costume Get Together.  Last year we were at their house and we had a pirate and a bumble bee.  This year was at our house with a monster and a cow.

October 2011

October 2010

After the costumes were abandoned, and dinner was had, we were left with a couple of toddlers with some energy to burn.  So we put on some Music Class music and let them go.

Yes, at the end of that video Callie did dump a whole glass of water all over her green chair.  At least it was just water.

Let's move on to Saturday.  We were thrilled to be invited to our friend Jake's sister Katie's wedding down in Iowa City.  We've been close with the Herring family since freshman year of college when we'd go to Jake's house for weekends, hang out with his family, and eat delicious food. :)  So we were really excited to go down and see them all again.  Plus, we got to take the new car!

2012 GMC Acadia

So a little after 9am we were off...on the road to Iowa.

Going to "Ioweeohwa"

Problem #1: During the 4.5 hour car ride, a certain toddler only slept 1 hour 15 minutes (to put this in perspective, she usually gets a 2.5-3.0 hour nap a day).

We got to Iowa City and were able to stop to see Dave, Cherilyn and Sydney at their friends' Jim and Beth's house.  Beth and I have met only once, but have been following each other's blogs for a couple of years now.  So it was really fun to see her and her two little girls.  Unfortunately, because we were so busy watching the girls play and getting dressed for the wedding, no pictures were taken!  Argh!

Anyway, we made it to the wedding in a beautiful refurbished barn.

Problem #2: While the wedding ceremony was going on, a certain toddler did not want to stay still or quiet.  (See problem #1).  Ultimately I bribed her with a Dum Dum sucker.  Not one of my finer parenting moments.  Especially since it was bright blue.

Problem #3: After the wedding (beautiful!), a certain toddler seemed to board the train to Crazy Town, and nothing we did could keep her still, calm, or manageable (See Problem #1...and probably Problem #2).

She played with the babies for short spurts...

Under Daddy's supervision

But all she really wanted to do was run outside and go up and down these big steps...

The attempt by Nik to get a cute babies picture was noble, but a slight failure...

Leon, Sydney, Callie- Future Luther Grads

The short time we got her to sit at the table in the booster seat (no high chairs left!), a certain toddler kept stealing Sydney's puffs.

But she did get to see the bride up close in her beautiful dress!

And by the time dinner started, all a certain toddler wanted to do was this:

OVER.  AND OVER.  AND OVER.

So...after scarfing down the delicious dinner while keeping one eye on the toddler on the dance floor, we decided to skip the cake and the rest of the party and head to the hotel because we were E.X.H.A.U.S.T.E.D.  It was 7pm.

The one good thing about the night was that a certain toddler was also E.X.H.A.U.S.T.E.D. and pretty much went right to sleep.

This morning a certain toddler slept until after 7 (thank goodness!) and then we got to do a little swimming.

Unfortunately, what was a little sniffles and runny nose drips the day before, became a full blown fall cold today.  So we decided to head for home earlier than we planned.

Problem # 4: During the 4.5 hour car ride, a certain toddler only slept for 45 minutes.  And that was within the first 2 hours of the car trip.  It was a long trip home.

We finally made it to the cities and picked up Kona.  A certain very under-slept toddler hopped on board the Crazy Train again and had fun bouncing on the big red ball with Auntie Cat.

At this point we decided we might as well just keep the Crazy Train going, so we swung by Boom and Bops' house.  At one point a certain toddler saw Kona sitting by the door (probably to try and escape the Crazy Train), so she went over, plopped right next to her and yelled "Picture!  Picture!"  So I obliged and took a picture.

Thankfully, again, the E.X.H.A.U.S.T.E.D. toddler could not wait for sleepies, and went right down at 7pm.

And now? A certain Mommy and Daddy are sprawled on the couch reveling in the quiet time until a busy week starts tomorrow.

My Boys

As a special education teacher at a small elementary school, I get the great opportunity to work with the same students year after year.  Often times I start teaching them in 2nd or 3rd grade, and continue to see them each year until they graduate from my school.

In my going-on-7-year career, I have had pockets of students who I think of as "my boys."  There is something about the little guys that tug at my heartstrings.  They can be such stinkers but so adorable at the same time.  I love them.

I was shocked to find out this morning that one of "my boys" from a couple of years ago committed suicide earlier this week.  I worked with him for 4 years.  He was 12-years-old. He was challenging, but we had a great relationship.  We even corresponded through email a couple of times after his family moved back to Mexico.  He was one of my favorites.

I'm just really sad.

But it made me take a step back today and appreciate how much I love my job...working with my kids.

Every morning I greet each of them at the door with a handshake and they all look me in the eye and say "Good morning Mrs. Gosselin."  This morning I treasured those handshakes, looked in those beautiful brown eyes, and smiled extra bright at "my boys" with tears in my eyes.

Please keep Juan's family in your prayers.

Car Shopping with a 22-Month-Old

We spent 5 hours (yes, 5 HOURS) the past 2 days at the car dealership.  Callie was with us all 5 hours.  And I have to say, she was a total rock-star toddler most of the time.  They had a playroom, thankfully, and plenty of space to run.  Plus lots of cars to play in at the command of "I drive!"

So, long story short, we said bye-bye to our two used cars...

 Spent a lot of time in the "play room"...

And checked out our new car...

And finally, 30 minutes PAST a certain toddler's bed time (in the dark) we drove it off the lot!  I'll get a better picture of it sometime later...now I need to recover from all of the toddler wrangling that took place the past 2 nights!

Weekend Wrap-Up

I'm having a hard time believing that it was already MEA break...how is it the end of October?!?!?!  But regardless, I was very glad to have a 3-day weekend.  About a month ago, Chris and I picked this weekend to plan a mini getaway.  It has been a crazy two months with the accident, school starting, and general fall madness.  So it was so lovely to escape to Stillwater for a night and relax.  And, because of my day off, I had the added bonus of having Friday morning for extra Callie time so I didn't feel as guilty leaving her for 24 hours (though the guilt is always there a little bit).

Friday:
Callie and I spent the morning shopping at Target and looking for pine cones outside.

Pine cone?  Ah ah you?

On Friday afternoon, after nap time, we dropped Callie and Kona off with my parents and headed to Stillwater for our date night.  We got to do a wine tasting, walk around downtown, have a nice dinner AND go to a movie!  It was so great!  We stayed at the same B&B that we stayed at on our anniversary before Callie was born.  It was fun to think back on that time...because it was at this place that we figured out the name "Callie" was the frontrunner for Baby Goose.  Anyway, we had a very relaxing time and I'm thankful that we had the opportunity to spend time by ourselves.  Thanks Boom and Bops!

October 2011

 Just for fun- here we are in August of 2009 at the same place...

Puffy, fat pregnant face!

Saturday:

After a delicious breakfast delivered to our door, we headed out to go car shopping!  Stay tuned...we haven't quite decided/agreed on the car we want, but we're getting there.

Callie and Kona had a fun and busy morning with Boom and Box.

Sunday:
We had a pretty lazy day.  Did some chores.  Did some errands.  I did manage to make a batch of my mom's potato corn chowder soup that was NOT a hit with the toddler (too many vegetables, possibly?) and homemade applesauce that WAS a hit.  Even though she was making her "crazy eyes" again.

We also visited Auntie Mari for a bit, where Callie does a really good job of showing Mari how NOT toddler-proofed her place is.  But they have fun together anyway.

Then we went to Gamma and Pa's house tonight for family dinner and hang-out time.

Kona's Bed The book nook

Hanging with Uncle Dan

Destroying Looking at the pictures

As I look at our calendar for the next few weeks, I realize that the fall is not going to slow down.  Oofta.  Or as Callie would say, repeating me, "Oosta."

22-Months-Old!!!

It is the 22nd and now Callie is now 22 months old.  There must be some kind of golden-month-birthday, right?

So far, the hallmark of this 22nd month birthday is the learning/speaking of a new phrase.  Whenever she wants to look for something, she now says "(Name of Person/Object), where are you?"  but it sounds like "(Name of Person/Object), ah ah you?"

I got two different examples on video (though it was with my cell phone so the quality is not good).





And when she and I were at Target, I asked her if she wanted to look for a new coat (not realizing that the way I phrased the question made it sound like I lost something).  She responded by yelling really loudly "CO-OAT! AH AH YOU!!!!!"

Thankful

It is the time of year where I start to feel a little bogged down with things and start to get crabby.  But there have been a lot of reminders this week that I am very blessed to have an amazing husband, wonderful family and friends, and a happy and healthy toddler.

Weekend Wrap-Up

To sum up the weekend: Chris was really busy at work and Auntie Laura came to town!

Friday:
The most exciting thing that happened on Friday night was this.  Chris worked late so it was just me and Cal.  But that was okay, because I needed a quiet night in.

Saturday:
We went to the apple orchard with my family.  We had a blast on a tractor ride, eating treats and shopping for delicious apple things.

Time for hoods and mittens!

On the tractor ride!

The Henderson Fam

Someone hijacked my donut and stuffed her face.

That afternoon I had some quiet time at home again with Callie before Chris got home.  She managed to do little things to drive me a little nuts...not REALLY nuts, just a little.  Like stealing my sparkling water ("MOM'S JUICE!") and insisting on drinking it all.  (Usually she saves her sticky fingers for Auntie Cat's food and drink, but she had them on for me that day).  Anyway, I just so happened to be wearing the t-shirt that I got from my cousin-in-law Simone.  She found it online and thought of me.  So I had to snap a pic. :)

Thanks Simone!

Chris got home in the early evening and he and Callie had fun together before I had to go. 

I had a fun night out with my family and our Johnson cousins.  Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures, but we had a blast nonetheless.

Sunday:Totally lazy.  Laura came over in the morning and we went to the park before she had to head back home.

The rest of the day was just chilling at home, napping, and a little shopping in the afternoon.  Grandma and Grandpa took Kona on a big hiking adventure.

Callie got to hang out with Grandma and Grandpa a little bit when they dropped Kona back off tonight.  She had fun seeing the pictures and videos that Grandpa took of their hike.

It was really nice to have a weekend for just relaxing and hanging out with family.  And Callie peed on the potty twice more too!  So we'll slowly work our way into full time potty training I guess...it seems crazy that we're approaching that stage!
 

Potty Pooper

A  big thing happened tonight.  Here is what happened:

**While playing outside**
Callie: Poop!  Poop! (holding her butt)
Me: Do you need to go potty?
Callie: Yesh

**We go in the house and I get her on the little portable potty we bought a month ago that she hasn't really done much with (except carry it around like a brief case)**
Me: Do you have to go poopies?  You can go poopies.  Do you have to go peepee?  You can go peepee. (etc...trying to keep a straight face while using toddler potty language and looking at the cute little girl sitting on the potty)
Callie: (staring at me intently) Yesh.  Yesh.
Me: (smelling something stinky) Did you go poopies? (taking her off the potty and seeing both pee AND poop in it!)  YAY CALLIE!!!!!
Callie: YAY CAYYIE!!

I proceeded to take a picture of the full potty and send it to Chris.  Lucky Daddy.

We're so proud of our little potty pooper.

So Big!

Dear Callie,

Here you were over a year ago, showing me you were So Big!

And here you are, reading ME one of your favorite books. SO BIG!!!!


Stop it, Callie.  You're getting SO BIG that Mommy is having a hard time handling it.  The fact that you're going to be a 2-year-old in mere months is out-of-control-crazy.

I see you trying to be sly and looking at me crazy-eyed when you're trying to get away with something naughty.  You're too smart for your own good.

And you're so strong.  You try and be such a big girl at the park.  Who is that big kid, hanging out at the slide?  It can't possibly be you.  That person is a little girl...aren't you still my baby?

Oh, Callie.  I'm both LOVING and HATING watching you get bigger.  My heart soars with every new word I hear you say, with the words you're starting to string together, knowing the sponge your brain has become (my favorite new phrase? "Wov lu Mom" (Love you Mom!)).  My heart sinks with the knowledge that the older you get, the more I have to let you go to make your own choices, your own mistakes, learn your own way in the world. 

This "So Big" business is challenging for both of us as we negotiate our way through toddler-hood.  But just know that every day I feel honored, astounded, and unbelievably blessed to be your mom.

I love you Punkin Pie,
Mom

Weekend Wrap-Up: Part II

Okay...here we go.  On to the actual weekend.

People tell us we are crazy for being on-the-go all the time.  But I know for a fact that we'd literally go crazy if we weren't.  Life with a toddler requires us to be constant entertainers...or our house and are minds slowly get destroyed. :)

So here goes.  Saturday morning: picnic and running around Minnehaha Falls.

Saturday afternoon: Walk around Lake Nokomis (and a little bit of time IN Lake Nokomis...in OCTOBER!)
 with Adrea

Saturday night: Hanging with the college crew

Callie and Sydney

3 (of the 4) boys doing well...we miss you Nate!

SOOOO good to see them laughing together!

Sunday morning: Brunch and park time with the Helds!  It was a way more successful outing than the last time the kids had a date.

Then we did a little toe-nail painting.  Mommy and toddler have matching purple toes!

Sunday afternoon: Karen and Gus' wedding!  We were so excited to help Chris' aunt celebrate her wedding to Gus.  We had a blast!!!!

The Newlyweds

The Gosselin Fam

Beautiful October day!

"Gamm" and "Pa"

Dan, Cat, Chris

This was the first wedding that Callie has been too where she got to groove on the dance floor a little bit!  She had so much fun showing off her moves.

Dancing with Cousin Shea

Baby Zoey

Grandma and Uncle Dan

For more wedding pics (and other fall adventures pics) check out our Shutterfly Site.