Halloween 2013

The third annual trick-or-treating trip to the Burgess's neighborhood in Everett was a success.
We loaded the kids up with pizza and bananas (upon their request).  The adults were armed with rum concoctions or wine in coffee mugs and we headed out into the twilight.
Dev went as Darth Vader; my attempts at convincing him of his near doppelganger match to Luke Skywalker were barely acknowledged.  Tova was Max from Where The Wild Things Are.  This may seem like an odd choice but given her 'tude and ability to command this family it is more than appropriate.  Plus the outfit was like a huge blanket.  Nick went as Deven's dad and I went as a financial analyst who was tired of wearing her prom zombie costume.  My work had a prom theme and I just happen to still have my senior prom dress.  I think the shock that the dress still fits was equal to the shock that I had makeup on, regardless of its zombie-esk attributes.
This was the Tova's first official trick-or-treating but it wasn't really her thing.  She did think it was interesting that people would give her things but apart from the dum dum lolly pop she got at the first door the walk and people watching were far more exciting.
This was NOT true for Deven.  Deven was 100% in to things this year so much so that when he and Charlie decided that a home owner was taking too long to come to the door they simply let themselves in.  Apparently this did not go over well.  'Worst Group Of Parents' award.
We were all pretty much exhausted when we got home and I was grateful that if it had to be a work night that at least it was Friday so slipping in a few minutes late to school and work was ok.
Until next year.  Dev says he wants to be Luke Skywalker.

Deven'isms

So It's been a million years since I posted anything so I thought I would wait one week more and write down a few samples of what goes through Deven's head day-to-day.  Obviously this was Halloween week but I wouldn't be surprised if these same snippets appeared in our family dialogue in June.
Mom! I want to be Luke skywalker's dad for Halloween. [Deven went as Darth Vader this year and I'm pretty sure I've explained Vader's relationship to Luke about a million times.  His request was genuine and without acknowledgment of any previous conversation.]
Mom!?! Why do adults think wine is so tasty? [a good but weirdly unexplainable question.  Note when you can't explain something to Deven just chuckle and tell him he's funny.  This tends to give you a free pass.]
Mom! We need a lot of Halloween candy because a lot of people want to come to lake Stevens because there is no volcano here!! [Deven is obsessed with Pompeii and ultimate destruction of large areas of land.  Of course people would want to be where there untimely demise by 'the volcano' (because there seems to only be one) was extremely remote.]
Mom! [Playing Tova's mini blue Cinderella guitar] This is a 1949 Gibson; that's why its so small.  [I'm not sure why he felt it necessary to give a reason for the size of guitar or whether it was just his reenactment of one his favorite YouTube celebrities Phil X.  If you want to learn about guitars he's your guy...Phil X that is but Devs working on it too.]
Mom!?! [Holding a dollar bill] Do recognize this guy? I'm pretty sure It's Frank Sinatra. [The day prior I was so proud that he recognized Frank when he rolled around on our Pandora station.  Apparently he and George have similar profiles??]
Mom!  [After we close his door for the night] Hey...hey...one more mouth kiss, please??? [In addition to the kisses we blew to him before closing the door].
[About 1hr in to our trick-or-treating adventure].   Me: Are you tuckered out?  Dev: Ya, but I just want to make a good  score, ya know?? Me: I totally get it.  Dev: Mom! I'm gonna get this house.  [Runs determined across a manicured lawn]
[While we we're talking about the upcoming holiday season] Mom!  I sure hope I'm not sick for Thanksgiving this year.  Me: you remember that you were sick last year? Deven: oh ya, sure.  [I think to myself, so he remembers being sick more than a year ago but remembering to flush is a problem?]
[To no one in particular]. You know, I don't like stormy weather because its cold and you have to wear a jacket and I really want to wear a swim suit.
We love this kid.  Most days.

Tova is 17 months

Well this lady.  When she grows up watch out.  If you are on her good list be thankful.  She's getting taller, I can tell because she is finally growing out of her 12 month cloths. Our tiny girl finally moved to 12-18 month cloths, ha!  She still needs to be held a ton especially when she's getting the lay of the land at a new place or if there are strangers in the room. But when she does warm up to a situation watch out.  Running, laughing and screaming are her favorite things.  Sliding down the stairs, jumping into the pool and washing her hands are also in her top ten.  We finally have her eating more 'real' food which has been great for this nursing mama.  AND...we've been stringing full night sleeps together.  Ok, so not in the past week but there has been a definite change in my ability to get some more sleep.  Hmm, what else??  Still no talking other than screaming mama, dada and dede (Deven) but there is a lot signing going on which is helping with the screaming my name bit.  She loves loves shoes, light sabers, books and having people so her hair over and over again.  She gives the very best hugs and the sweetest kisses.  She straight up is the baby of the family and she knows her power over the three of us. 

Construction zone

We may just have bitten off more than we can chew but we are in it now.  Well we were in it about four years ago when we started this with the rebuilding of Deven (now Tova's) old room.  The goal is to be done by October.  Cross your fingers folks cuz with with these near tornado weather conditions off and on in the last couple of weeks we are going to need a lot of fingers.  If anyone can do it though it's definatly Nick, the craziest most awesome guy I know.  This house is going to be beautiful.

P.S., We are taking suggestions on paint color.  Don't worry we are hiring out this portion of this job.

First day of school 2013

So I was in full on crazy mama mode this morning.  Thankfully Deven was of sound mind.  We got our new shoes on and were all packed up and ready to go relatively on time.  There were only a couple hiccups while we figured out which rooms to be in.  With a million plus one kisses and a thousand hugs I left the kiddos with their new teachers.  Yes, I called to check up on both of them and thankfully their teachers were able give me good news (they don't sugar coat it).  Here's all the evidence of the morning.  You can't say they aren't cute.

First kettle corn

We started the weekend off right with a quick trip to the opening night of aquafest.  Tova's first kettle corn experience.  She likes it to be sure!

Summer Fun

We've been having some crazy fun this summer.  Crazy because that's just who we are and fun because the sun just doesn't seem to be going away.  It's hard to fit everything in on the weekends but we are doing our very best.  Here are a few pictures that I don't believe have appeared in previous blogs but I can't leave out.

Up close and personal, Tova showing she knows what a camera is for.

This is how we are able to get Dev to move at least a slow walking pace as apposed to a snail pace on our walks to town.

Tova loves to take "notes"

My goof balls fresh one morning before school.  Some days I am so amazed I was able to actually get them dressed in the morning in a timely manner that I waste even more time to take a picture so I can remember "that one time" I actually did it.

Tova's Anne of Green Gables look at the Brew Feast this year.  Hmmm that sentence doesn't seem to add up well.

Cute Cute Cute at the Brew Feast this year.

May have to frame this one.

Tova hamming it up on a walk in Everett in June.

Deven's rendition of "People Are Awesome"  You Tube it, you won't regret it.

Swinging.

Dev's new Roman Soldier hat to dress up at a super hero party.

She is looking so big.  It's hard to see but she has her first piggy tails here.

Needed to capture her ability to carry a purse since practically birth, which is remarkable because I basically never carry a purse.  Nature 1: Nurture 0

Walk along the Everett Marina waiting for the farmers market to open.  Seriously it doesn't open until 11 am.  We'd been up for 5 hours already so it got a little nuts.

Attention right where it should be.

Tuckered out during my stay at home mom week watching Dev learn how to listen at soccer camp.

First fourth of July picnic and also first time she "fed herself." 

Tuckered out again.  Waking up at 6am means your day must end at 6pm.  Nigh Night.