This is Halloween

Grandma's in town visiting and the hubby decided to work from home today instead of Friday so we had a full house for Halloween this year. The girls were so excited to get their costumes on that they were ready before anyone had his or her porch lights on yet. They were tided over with some cider on the front steps but as soon as that was done they wanted to walk down the block to find the lights that WERE on. The kids were very well behaved and had a good time. When we got back the hubby had our traditional Halloween chili made and the cider mulled. Dinner was so good!

The kids had a really hard time winding down after the excitement and they had one piece of candy each - actually I think it ended up being two a piece. Magoo cried and cried that she wanted to go back out trick or treating. I helped her into her jammies and snuggled her for a long time to help her settle down. Finally she fell asleep. Junior was just so excited to have treats and tell the story of going out in costume and Grandma is staying with up. That's a lot for a little girl. I nursed her before bed and she kept interrupting her drink with stories of the night. She too finally wound down and fell asleep. I'm enjoying some quiet and a cup of mulled apple cider. This Mom Loves the excitement of dressing up for Halloween. Getting to pretend to be someone else for a little while, even someone spooky like the Big Bad Wolf...it's fun to explore those other sides of us. I think Halloween gives kids the chance to do that.

Halloween memories

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This Mom Loves Halloween fun.

farm fun

Yesterday afternoon I picked Magoo up from school and we drove South to visit some friends on their homestead. We haven't been out to visit since they moved this Summer. Junior fell asleep shortly before we got there and was surprised to see we were at the farm when she woke up. I enjoy the delight in a two-year-old's eyes. *sigh* After the initial chasing the cats and showing off the house we settled in to some pumpkin painting. My Magoo used a world of paint and Junior remarked at how much she liked the glitter. They painted and listened to "spooky" Halloween music until they'd had enough sitting still. Everyone ventured out to explore the farm. Magoo even found a magnifying glass to take with her on the long explore. The kids showed off the barn and Grandpa on the tractor and then spent a good part of the afternoon chasing chickens.

We stayed until we absolutely had to go. The kids barely made it home they were so worn out. Fortunately the hubby had dinner ready for us when we got home. Unfortunately we left Magoo's "Bobby" (her very special, silky-edged blanket that she sleeps with every night) at our friends' house...over an hour away. We'll have to remedy that soon or there will be big problems around here.

This Mom Loves good times with good friends. Thanks Jordan for having us out.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

a taste of Fall

The past couple of nights I've really worn the kids out playing outside before dinner. We've chased and the kids swing and swing. Tonight Magoo even climbed the apple tree. This Mom Loves the cooler days and the crunchy leaves underfoot. I'm looking forward to a weekend of Halloween fun with the kids. This time of year makes me happy.

anniversary

This past Sunday my hubby and I celebrated our seven year anniversary. It was a quiet day much like any other Sunday. We had breakfast and went on a family coffee adventure. Then, because my brother's family was in town, we went out to eat for brunch. We did our regular weekly chores and spent some quality time outside with the kids before dinner...their dinner that is. Grandma and Grandpa came over to get the kids to bed and the hubby and I got to go out to celebrate our anniversary with a dinner date. It was perfect. The food was delicious, our service was spectacular, and the company was delightful. This Mom Loves her handsome husband. Here's to many more celebrations to come.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Happy Birthday

Today is Magoo's fifth birthday. We celebrated all weekend. Yesterday we spent some time in the afternoon with Grandma and Grandpa and Magoo got to open her presents. This morning when she woke up we had breakfast complete with coconut pancakes. I even made her a heart-shaped pancake. Everyone went out for a coffee adventure and came home to read the Sunday paper. The girls helped me mix up a carrot cake and then we sat down do lunch. When Junior woke from her nap, Grandma and Grandpa came back over for a visit and some cake. Magoo's favorite part of the day was the carrot cake. *grin* My favorte part of the day was telling Magoo about the day she was born. She asked over and over for me to tell her again about her birth day. That really made my day. This Mom Loves celebrating the day my Dear One was born. It truly changed my life.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Morning snuggles

Junior was so cute this morning. She woke early, which rarely happens anymore, but the hubby was up getting ready for his early flight to FL and maybe that woke her. I don't know. I picked her up and and she asked for "milk in Momma's bed?" We snuggled in and nursed. The hubby always comes in to kiss me good-bye for the week before he leaves early Monday morning. He gave me a smooch and Junior puckered up for a smooch too. He said she laid her little hand on his cheek and gave him the sweetest little kiss. Then of course she was right back to nursing. *sigh* She's so sweet.

She did not go back to sleep so I've been up since 4:30 and am calling it a day. This Mom Loves sleeping. I should do it more often.

a lot on my mind

There's been a lot going on in my head lately and haven't really had a chance to get it out. A while back I mentioned that we were getting Magoo tested for Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) because some of her behavior was worrying me. Well, after waiting for the test and waiting for all the follow-ups we have some answers and a lot more questions. My daughter has be diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS). The doctor also suggested that her oppositional behaviors are likely due mostly to having too much expected of her. He did an IQ test and found that she's smarter that 75% of kids her age but only more capable that 12%. All of this has been a lot to take in and I find myself worrying a lot and my mind is racing with questions and thoughts and fears. I need some support and some direction. Any insight into Autism therapies and support groups would be much appreciated. This Mom Loves Magoo. I love her and I want to be the best mom she could ask for. I want her to thrive and be joyful. I want everything for her. She is my Dear One.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Cider Press

This Mom Loves good friends and good times.