10 Quick Steps to Becoming a Pirate

Ever since we took a trip to Aunt Erica's in Annapolis, Thomas has been enamored with pirates.  His 4th birthday party had a pirate theme.  It was no surprise that he chose to be a pirate for Halloween this year.  And it should be no surprise to you, especially if you remember our last two years dressing up as a family (landscapers and farmers), that all four of us jumped on board.  Arrrr matey!

Step 1: Bounce out of bed and thrust the pirate costume on!  If you are Mom, this means get up at 6:10am to shower and get ready before the boys wake up.  If you are Thomas, this means get up and strip naked as quickly as possible to GET THAT PIRATE SUIT ON!  If you are Ryan, it means get into the backup outfit so that the pirate suit is not all drooly by 5:30 when we start our rounds.  If you are Dad, it means get up and out to work early so you can get home to get into that pirate suit the minute you're done with work.

Step 2: Eat a hearty Halloween breakfast.  Freshly baked pumpkin muffins were today's breakfast of champions.

Step 3: Get some exercise before Thomas heads to preschool.

Step 4: Party it up with preschool friends.  Now that Thomas (and I) finally know who Elsa from Frozen is we can appreciate why three girls in his class chose to be Elsa for Halloween!

Dining with the ladies

They let Ryan in on the fun.  He enjoyed a Rice Crispie Treat.

Step 5: Burn off some more steam (and sugar).  Because it was a cold and damp day, we opted to play in the garage.

Step 6: Gather all the pirates!  After a warm dinner, we all redressed, regrouped and circled the wagons to head out!

Step 7: Visit the neighbors.  We don't live in a neighborhood, per se.  The houses are sort of far apart and the street is not conducive to walking in the day, let alone at night.  So we quickly visited our two direct neighbors before heading out to safer streets.  To our left, Adelle was a My Little Pony.  Our wonderful neighbors to the right, Bob and Margaret, graciously showered the boys with treats.

Step 8: Make a quick pit stop before heading down to Cornwall.

Is that pirate booty I spy?

Step 9: Make our annual pilgrimage to Darlene's house.  Four years ago, we stopped by her house to show off our sleepy little two month old baby dressed as a puppy.  Her warm family and warm pumpkin muffins kept us coming back.

Step 10: Go to bed.  I think it's almost a race of who can fall asleep first after this fun, festive day.

I Need a Rest

Mike and I are going to Mexico while the boys stay here with Nana and Papa VanDusen.  I have been counting the days for just about 182 days.  I am really looking forward to not planning, not picking up after anyone, not trying to pacify children and not cooking meals, but just hanging out in a tropical oasis in Riviera Maya.  In preparation for this trip, I've been discussing it with Thomas to be sure he's ready for the day that we leave and he and Ryan are here for a week with Nan and Pop.  Apparently, I have done such a tremendous job at making him feel at ease with this arrangement, he announced in the car. "I think I need a little rest of (from) you."  Fair enough, Thomas.  I also need a rest.  Both of us are excited about our respective weeks and I am sure that both of us will appreciate the other more upon my return to NY.  It's hard work to hang out with anyone 24-7, whether they are four and one or 37.

I'll have a rest from the obvious like cooking and cleaning. 

Having helpers, is nice, but so is not being responsible for these tasks for six days.

It's nearing peak leaf season here in COH.  We try to keep up with them so that it's not overwhelming for us or for Dad on the weekend when we do most of our heavy lifting.  It will be nice to "share" our leaves with Nana and Papa.

The biggest leaf we've ever seen

Stamping down the leaves in the bucket

For six mornings, I won't be in charge of picking out clothes for anyone except for me.  For six whole days, Thomas can boast to Nan about his wardrobe choices.  He's getting choosier on what he wears.  I had a great run of four years of picking out cute little outfits, but it looks like that's coming to an end.

Oklahoma jersey, Spiderman boots and yardworking gloves. Classic.

Qatar soccer jersey over a waffle shirt, baggy jeans, shades.  Too cool.

Swim suit and water shoes ready for preschool on swimming day

"Now I look like a confessional (professional) soccer player."

I won't be responsible for watching to make sure Ryan isn't getting into something or trying to take the stairs going forward (we're still training him to approach them backwards).  He's got no fear, this one.  But the amazing smile usually dissipates my anxiety.

Thomas, Ryan and I having football parties at our house while Army plays in the rain is fun.  Seeking out adventures to fill our days is often rewarding.  Hearing how well Thomas is doing at preschool, especially in the pool, is gratifying.  Watching Ryan's impressive language acquisition is fascinating.  But I need a rest too.  So off we go.  Adios!

1, 2, 3, 4 to the Zoo!

In the classic Eric Carle children's picture book, 1, 2, 3 to the Zoo, the author allow the reader on a train ride to the zoo, picking up the zoo animals, car by car.  Much to Thomas' dismay, we did not take a train ride to the Bronx Zoo, but we did have a great visit there, courtesy of Aunt Laura!

We geared up, loaded up and sunscreened up all four of us and drove an hour to the Bronx Zoo.

Thomas and Dad bolting through the Zoo Center

 Leading up to the trip, Thomas was most looking forward to seeing the snakes.  A strange attraction that I can only guess stems from the rubber toy snake we place throughout our property and continually pretend to be afraid of.  Or maybe it's the silly song I made up that I sing to Thomas before bed called "I'm a Slithering Snake."  Either way, no matter what the inspiration was for the fascination with zoo snakes, there were tons of snakes to be seen.

Checking in on two pythons snuggling

But there were also loads of other things that captured Thomas' (and our) attention.  We watched some sea lions being fed.  Note-the Bronx Zoo is an extraordinary place smack in the middle of the Bronx.  They do a fabulous job and it's wonderfully and surprisingly family-friendly.  However, if you're looking to see sea lions and water animals to tricks, go to Sea World.

There were animals around every corner.  We checked nearly all of them out, both real and statues.

The Bug Carousel was a big hit

 We also hitched a ride on the Dino Safari.  Our guide, Charles, took us on a great tour of dinosaur country where we saw lots of scary dinosaurs.

Thankfully, Ryan is scheduled for a haircut tomorrow.

Checking out the dinosaur fossil

At the end of our time visiting dinosaurs, we were encouraged to do our own digging for fossils.  Thomas and Ryan both got into cleaning off the excess sand rather than dusting for bones.  They must get that from Nana Honey!

There were lots of things for little hands to explore.  Even Ryan was able to get in on some of the action.

 When he wasn't taking a nap...

Thank you, Aunt Laura.  We picked a perfect day to redeem a perfect gift to our little four year old.