Hero

Today, it was open house at the fire station and with that the kids got to dream of being someone's hero one day. 

Whitaker Wednesday - A Playdate

So another day, another milestone (not so noteworthy but still worth noting)…...Whitaker had what I consider his first "play date" at our house today. That is not say that we haven't had friends over before or met friends out somewhere but Whitaker hasn't really had his OWN friends over without Mae being around. And normally it is Mae's friends that we have over and Whitaker tags along or I have friends over who have kids and I tell Whitaker they are his friends, which they are, but you know what I mean. (I am not counting play dates with Whitaker's "best bud" and cousin, John because he comes over a lot). I guess with your second you are far less concerned with them having "friends" and just bring them along for the ride or at least that has been my philosophy.  

My friend Dana has a son, Andrew, who is a couple months younger then Whitaker and although they have hung out before at the pool or the gym daycare, they have never really ever played by themselves alone in our house…until today. My mom picked Mae up from school since I didn't have to drive all the way to pick Mae up, the were able to hang out at our place, just the two of them, for a few hours. Despite there being a few hiccups at the beginning with playing together, they became fast friends and had a  great time playing in the fort and racing cars down the slide.  My friend Dana stayed to hang out as well but the boys played pretty contently together that we were able to gab about adult stuff. It was great getting to see Whitaker not having to tag along with Mae's friends and getting a chance to show someone around his things. 

After racing the cars down the ramp, they would pick them up and haul them back up. 

Whitaker getting a little too close for comfort. 

Mae Monday - Monkey Bars

A couple of weeks ago when we were driving home from school, Mae let me know (rather excitedly) that she conquered the monkey bars. I should have driven straight to a playground that has monkey bars and asked her to show me. I feel that we are at an age that there are so many few firsts that when they do come about it, I should celebrate them like the first steps and first words. But I didn't. Call me a slacker parent. Today we were finally at a playground with monkey bars and I asked Mae to show me her new skills. She did just that time and time again. 

We used to call Mae Mighty Mae and today she showed me just her mightiness. She is rather short for her age - under the 10th percentile but she is one strong little girl. Here is a video of her doing it. She is fast or so I think in my bias opinion!! 

And some still shots.

Halloween Decorating

I missed posting for Whitaker Wednesday but thought this could be a good substitute post.

So the kids have been talking about Halloween and costumes recently. As soon as the calendar turned to October, it seems that is where all the focus of stores, TV shows, and school art has been focused.  Mae wants to be a princess witch. Last year, she was a princess ghost so I have a feeling this is a trend that is going to happen every year in our house. She has a definite vision for her costume so we are going to go with it and see how it takes shape. Stay tuned. We have also talked about Halloween decoration at our house, especially when we see a house ALREADY decorated for the holiday. Let me preface this by saying I am not opposed to decorating our, or your, house for Halloween but I feel that it isn't really my bag. I am a Christmas gal and enjoy decorating "joy to the world." Ghosts and ghouls and spiders and graves are just not how how I want to spend my free time. Lame, I know. Double lame for kids. Anyways, anytime we pass a house that has been decorated I point it out to the kids, just to get their reaction. The other day while driving, I pointed one out to Whitaker to which he instantly shouted out, "snakes." So I said, "You want fake snakes on the stoop. I know you told me already. [He tells me this every time]. I will try my best." He says, "No. I want live snakes." Me says, "Well where are we going to get LIVE snakes." He states immediately, "The desert."

Well folks looks like a trip to the desert is necessary to decorate our house for Halloween. Since that ain't ever going to happen looks like a pumpkin on the steps and some bunting will have to be sufficient. 

Mae Monday

The morning after my cousin's wedding, Pearson said that he had something to tell me that Mae said to him. Well what did she say.Daddy, I have been hiding my dance moves all this time. 

Well we know that isn't true since she dances frequently but I loved the fact that she knew she was a dancing maniac out on the floor this past weekend.

Wedding

My youngest and the last cousin in the Kogut Family [Dad's side] got married in Pittsburgh on Friday. My cousin was so kind to invite kids to the wedding so after much back and forth about whether we wanted to hire a babysitter in Pittsburgh for the night of the wedding or bring the kids to the wedding, we settled on bringing them. I figured if they were bad, Pearson would take them back to the hotel. It was the exact opposite they were amazing! They were fantastic wedding guests…they were quiet during the ceremony, danced and danced and danced, and were adorably/stylishly cute (if I must say so myself). The wedding venue was amazing. It was at the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens and perfect for keeping kids entertain. The bride and groom were stunning and so in love. It was pretty special to go to this very special wedding as a family. 

Since we decided to bring the kids to the wedding we decided to not bring them to the rehearsal dinner so on Thursday, I headed to Pittsburgh with just my parents and my older sister. Pearson stayed back in Virginia to shuttle the kids back and forth to school. Here are two photos from the rehearsal dinner. 

Here are photos from the day/night that the kids showed up.  Of course, when the kids showed up at the hotel they demanded to go see Baby Jolene after getting dressed. 

While waiting for the elevator to see Jolene and train passed. And it being PA it was filled with coal. 

Waiting for the shuttle to the wedding. 

Whitaker and Sopia [my cousin's daughter]. Whitaker sat on Sophia's lap for the entire ceremony.  

Julie and Matt

Heather and Matt

Heather, Uncle Roger [my mom's brother], and my mom

My Dad with his brother, my Uncle George

Checking out the trains inside. 

These photos are courtesy of my cousin Brian's wife. 

And photos from the morning after. Baby Jolene all smiles even though she didn't get to attend the wedding.