Proper Halloween prep

It was bound to happen. Whether it was this year, next year, or in 2012, Gus was going to be Spider-man for Halloween.

We went to a Zoo event to give him some trick-or-treating practice before the actual Halloween weekend.

The rules were pretty simple: take 1 piece of candy from each animal.

The best part of our quick trip was when Gus won the prize for the best Spider-man costume of the day.

Feel the power, Spidey! But don't flex too hard, ouch, watch the wedgie. Guess he will not be wearing this costume again next year.
The next day we went to yet another Halloween prep event. This time it was at NDSU. Aunt Christy and Cousin Will met us there.



Will is a horse. Adorable. Although he couldn't play the games, he could get his face painted.


After all this practice we should be good and ready for Halloween next weekend.

20 years ago

Did we see this coming? That we'd meet up at the Fargo, ND Holiday Inn so our kids could swim? Maybe not, but I like it.

Lindy and I have been friends since way back in 4th grade. That makes it over 20 years, wow. It was great to catch up with not only Lindy and her 2 boys (Gabe and Andrew), but the whole Schaefer crew! Thank you for the invite, it was great!

Lindy with Nora

Kristi with Nora
Sydney (Kristi & Eric's daughter, 8), Gus, and Gabe (3 1/2).

The Holiday Inn is the best, as far as Gus is concerned!


Thanks again, Lindy, Kristi, Gary, and DiAnn!

Oh yes, now we remember

Once again, we've located that group of muscles in your arms, between your shoulder blades, and in your lower back that seem to get use only when holding a baby for an extended period of time. It's been awhile! But it's worth every cramp and kink. I type that as a reminder to myself as I start the final month of my maternity leave. I'm soaking up every moment I can and holding Nora as much as possible.


When it's not me doing the holding, it's Ross. She prefers to be held and we allow her to call the shots. At least for now.

Super-Will!
The kids do not look amused in this shot and either does Ross. Why am I so happy? I must have forced them to take this photo. Makes sense now.

This is one of my favorite Nora faces.

While we relax inside, Ross and Gus were outside. In prep for our standard North Dakota winter, Ross got a new snowblower. The box made a totally awesome fort for Gus.

In a related weather story, it is too windy in North Dakota to leave a cardboard fort outside unless it is harnessed to the ground. So Gus played with his new fort in the garage today.

What's a fort without friends to share it with?!

Snuggle and read

It's important to enjoy these things as much as you can while your kids are still young enough to do them without being forced.



I should explain the UPS outfit. It was Gus' Halloween costume last year and since he has a different costume lined up for Halloween this year, the UPS gear is now officially dress-up. He wore it to the furniture store tonight and it only took one of the employees 15 seconds to chuckle and ask about "the UPS man". Apparently he does not have kids. Let's see....argue with a 2 yr old to change clothing before leaving the house, or watch him climb happily into the car, no tears? The answer is obvious.

2 months

She did it! 2 months old.

11 lbs 3 oz (71st percentile)
23 inches (also 71st percentile)

Happy
Serious
Happy

Booked solid

Gus and Nora's weekend schedule was booked solid:

Sesame Street Live with Grandpa and Grandma



Height comparison time with Cousin Will

Decorating pumpkins


And a few other items that are not pictured: a haircut, playing outside in the beautiful, sunny 80 degree weather, and smiling practice (Nora only).

Thank you, Gma and Gpa for an action-packed weekend!

Mondays with Hava

Gus looks forward to his Monday morning video conference call with his cousin, Hava, and his Aunt Stephanie.

Today's agenda:

• Show and Tell
• Recap of the weekend
• Check on the weather in each city (sunny in Fargo, rainy in Boston)
  

It is the best part of our Mondays.

I can't stop

Somebody stop me.

It would help if Gymboree didn't have their summer shades on sale for .99 cents. Also, it would help if I was working during the day and not gallivanting around at the mall. But that's what maternity leave is for, right?

Next week: glitter and barrettes.