Lego Convention= great parents

They tricked us into believing this was an event "normal" people would attend. They called it a Lego Convention... the correct name should have been "Geek Gathering" or maybe "Hobby Convention for people with wicked lego building skills, a ton of extra time and money to waste". But that would have been a really long name.
Almost as long as the ticket line.... which was an hour long wait!!!
But it was worth the wait, because Carson thought the whole thing was "GREAT".
Some of the things that people build with legos is amazing. I think they are amazing because I know how much those legos cost!!! and I know how long it took them to build. Well.... ok, so I don't really "Know" but I can sympathize. Just this morning Carson forced me to build with legos until my legs went numb and my vision blurred (about 3 hours).
I have to think that this is what parenting is all about
--- Spending 35$ to go a lego conference you really aren't interested in---Not to mention the drive into Connecticut to get to the conference--- spending massive amounts on a toy(legos) for your child--- picking up that thousands of legos a day...twice a day--- playing with said 'toy' with your child even though it bores you to tears--- spending 4 hours putting together a totally awesome spaceship your child wanted just to have him take it apart 30 SECONDS later --- stepping on legos with bare feet--- digging through vacuum canister looking for that lego you just sucked up because it was hidden in the shag rug.
Or
Maybe all of that is totally worth it when your 4 year old puts his heart and soul into building a Christmas present for you. When he is too excited to wait for Christmas and has to give it to you now... or it could be when he gives you the "remember-ma-jig" he built and named to help you remember him forever... even when he "is with Jesus".

Jeggings

(I found this on the blog of an old friend... thought it was funny)
I actually saw someone wearing these and had to look multiple times to be sure. Yep, they really are spandex legging that look like jeans. oh, fashion. what were you thinking?

and they have a name. Jeggings.

and if you happen to think that you are one of the few people that call "pull them off" I must dutifully inform you that you are not.

sorry. no one. no way. no how.
.

Our Halloween 2009

We actually grew these pumpkins in our garden. I thought it was perfect... one for each member of our little family.

Carson was very excited to make jack-o-lanterns out of them. He really wanted to help but the smell was to much for him.

So. we plugged his nose with tissue paper and taped it closed :)

But the smell still bothered him.
So he had to settle for designing them.

Here they are, designed by Carson... work done by Mommy.

Carson was "GI Joe, Rise of the Cobra" for Halloween. None of us had seen the show, but the man on the cover looked tough and carried a sword.
Plus the suit has built in muscles, Carson thought it was totally awesome.

This is Carson and his good friend Owen.
Thanks for going trick-or-treating with us Owen!

my new "do"

This must be a record for me...

I haven't changed my hair style for almost 2 years.
Wow
My wonderful sister donated her hair to 'Locks of Love', and I decided it sounded like a great idea.
soooo.... the hair growing began.
(this is Christmas 2007)

(this is 2008.. only a little longer)
FINALLY it was long enough to donate.

Ok, so it didn't change!!! It was taking far to long to grow! and every time I had it trimmed I felt like it was getting shorter!

So... I cut it off.
yep.
me. I did it.
I just put it all in a pony-tail and CHOPPED IT OFF.
Then my really good friend Kim fixed it so I wouldn't look like a "bag lady"
Now I have a little baggie with 2 lbs of hair in it ready to go off to the wig factory.
FINALLY
And now!!!!
(drum roll please)
My new 'Do
(yes... I took these pictures myself :p )
..

FALL oh what a reLEAF it is

Its fall in New England ...again.
The beginning of October is when the leaves start to change, and I would have to agree that all the bright colors are unlike anything I've ever seen.
Today we decided to find a hike (walk) to get out and enjoy all the bright colors.
So... here we are at the Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary.

The only "wildlife" we found. :)

This was just one of Carson's many breaks

Have you ever seen acorns so big? They are everywhere this year. We have tons in our yard, but only a few are this large.
We found an area on the trail that was full of acorns this size. Every time the wind blew more would come falling down on our heads.
It was crazy. Carson pulled his sweater over his head to avoid taking a direct hit.

first day of school

Ok... so this post is a few weeks (month) behind.
This is Carson on his first day of preschool x 2. In case you forgot... we tried this a year ago and only lasted 2 weeks. Now that WE are all a little more ready for school WE decided to try again. The experience has been much easier this time, and I think Carson has a better outlook on the whole school idea.

The good news - Carson was still happy after school and excited for day #2

Vacation...

We had a wonderful time on our little vacation to Washington DC. We are very lucky to have friends that live so close. I think our favorite part was staying with the Obergs, and having a chance to visit with them.

Carson LOVED playing with Ashden again, and asks if we can go back and play almost daily.
They even feed the monster in the basement... which resulted in a hole in the wall and cookie crumbs everywhere.
(sorry Becka)

Apparently Ashden doesn't like to smile.

Curtis and Kathy at the auditorium behind the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Everyone else was doing it.

Us.

Oooh. Me.

Well... Them.
At the Lincoln Memorial

Carson and Dad at the best museum in the world. I think little boys could happily live here... there is even a McDonalds inside.

Haircut

Hi Mom. I promised an updated picture of Carson's hairdo or lack thereof.
Plus. You get a bonus - Carson made you a .....
pineapple "C"
Wooo-hooo!!!

This is Carson before our bike ride. I didn't take an "after" picture, we were all tired and I would prefer not to remember the melt-down Carson had upon our return.

Nutrition for kids

I still remember the day that Curtis brought this book home. He handed it to me and said that I might be interested in reading it. You might also think that this would be grand information for a mother to know since we all want our kids to be healthy...
And then I noticed something a little odd, it is a "handbook". To me a "handbook" should be.... um.... small, or able to fit in my hand.

How big are your hands?
Well. I didn't read the book. (neither did Curtis)

It wasn't until I found Carson eating his toys that I decided to read a little of the ol'handbook. I think this would worry any Mother or Father ( or amuse them... whatever the case may be).

Is this normal? Maybe he just really felt like biting something, and I should be glad that he didn't bite one of us.

New living room

I finally had time to redo the living room. Here are the before and after pictures.
Just for you information... I removed 7 layers of wall paper.
Just think how much bigger this room is now!!

Before

After

( This home is filled with dreams and love and endless blessings from above.)

Tell me the truth.... what do you think of the curtains?

Dr. Suess and other insights to how my mind works

I found another world... in my backyard.
It was a very "Horton hears a Who" moment.

Can you see it?

Now can you see it?

Oooohh, cool huh.

This one picture sums up my experience in Massachusetts.
Mold... mold... fungus... mold... with scattered showers and a
huge chance of never feeling dry again.

Bad Mom?

He talked me into it.
I am usually a very conservative mother, who allows nothing um.... strange.
Since his friend got a summer Mohawk, Carson felt that he also needed one.
My only problem is that now he looks like a "problem child" and not my usual "sweet angel". But as you can see he is still very goofy.
This hair cut will only be around for 2 weeks (because I am mean like that).

BuG, bUG, bUg

10 points to anyone who knows what this is. And why it was on my tree.
Gross!!