Halloween 2012

The last few weeks leading up to Halloween we started talking about trick or treating, costumes, etc... Unfortunately the boys were both terrified of scary costumes, the masks in particular.  Apparently their sister putting one on in the store and coming around a corner to scare them left a lasting impression.  Someday I am sure they will refer to this as Halloween PTSD when discussing with their therapist.  We decided we would just go early and hope for the best with no big expectations, it is after all only Halloween.  We left around 530 and hit a few houses on our street.  All was good!  They were both mute even though we practiced saying "trick or treat", "thank you" and "happy Halloween" for the better part of the day.  Dex did mumble a thank you once or twice.  Since they were doing so well we decided to check out the neighborhood next to us (our neighborhood is geezer-ville....only 4 houses answered the door).  The boys did so great!  I was so proud!  They loved ringing the bell almost as much as they loved the candy.  As the sun went down the bigger kids in scary costumes started their night of tricks.  Sawyer saw 2 or 3 and said he was done.  I asked "how about one more street?  You don't want more candy?"  His reply, "No, I'm good." and that was that.  Home by 7pm so they could binge eat candy!  Halloween 2012 a success!  

I'll leave you with a few pictures of my little Dinosaur and baby Duck.  We have called Dex baby duck pretty much since birth because his hair is like baby duck feathers.

PS Karly was far too cool to join us ;)

The costume details if you are interested:

For Dex's shirt I simply hot glued a feather boa to a random turtleneck he already had, orange sweatpants and the duck feet pattern/tutorial from here.  I cut the pattern down to the seam allowance (inside line) and they fit pretty well for a size 7 shoe.  I also used felt on Dex's because I didn't read her directions before shopping :)

Sawyer's dinosaur I just added spikes to a hoodie, paired with matching sweatpants, I used this dinosaur tail pattern/tutorial, and used the same concept as the duck feet to make dinosaur feet I used broadcloth and felt inside for stability for them.

Halloween

Growing up we rarely did Halloween. I guess there was a 3 or 4 year streak that we dressed up and maybe trick or treated (maybe...I can't really remember). My mom was never a fan of Halloween and always told us it was evil so we'd head off to the store and buy whatever candy we wanted!! Then we'd go to the movie theater. We always seemed happy with it. I honestly don't ever remember feeling like we were missing out anything. 

 Now that I am an adult I totally get where my mom was coming from! I just don't love Halloween. AT ALL. I think it's just sort of a waste. That being said, I do love seeing the kids all dressed up, I could just forgo the treating. Since the boys are so little and the girl is so big we only hit about 5 house on our street this year. Sawyer would have been perfectly happy with the big bowl of candy we had at home. I could barely drag him away from it to go out. Not wanting to spend a small fortune on Chinese made crap we decided to go the handmade route again this year...and why not?!?! Ummm hello they are so much cuter!! I will enjoy dressing them what I want while I can! Sawyer went as Clark Kent/Superman (idea via Pinterest). I should have probably tried the outfit on ahead of time so I would have known just how big those glasses would be. Oops. Dex went as a cow....the cutest cow you've ever seen! Best part. Cute boys in costumes I made from stuff we had! Cha-ching! Sawyer figured out how to walk to the door and hold out his bucket but never once said trick or treat or thank you. Sigh...maybe next year. He did knock, ring the bell and proceed to walk right into someone's house though! Dex hung back in the stroller since his walking skills weren't quite mastered well enough to not risk biffing it. All in all a successful year celebrating the "evil holiday"!

Sawyer's 2nd birthday party!

and the real party!  Having a June birthday I think you are pretty much stuck having a pool party.  It's too hot here to do anything else that's for sure!  We had some family and friends over for food, cupcakes, gifts and swimming.  Good times!

mmmm....cupcakes

sparkler candle was really cute but slightly dangerous for a small child to be near shirtless! oops 

Sawyer still doesn't quite get the opening of gifts.  He opens one and wants to take it out of the box and play. Who needs more than one gift?!?!  Not Sawyer.

his betrothed Addie 

Kassie and Sam

favor bags

looking awful sleepy!

still munching at almost midnight!  What a little rock star!  

Thank you to all of our friends and family for coming to celebrate!

Guess Who is 2!?!?

Happy 2nd Birthday Sawyer!!

The actual day of your birthday we just had cake and singing at home.  You didn't really know what to make of all of it.  You were actually most obsessed with saying "hot" over and over and over!  Apparently you have learned your lesson with touching hot stuff!  

I wish I could tell you the cake looked great and you did this to it yourself, but yeah...your mom is no cake boss!  It did taste much better than it looked!

and of course in typical Nini fashion she has to ruin my kids with candy and soda.  

Dex's first bite of chocolate.

I am fairly certain you are screaming at your sister here...or maybe your brother for eating a bite of your cake.

Two years ago I held you in my arms for the very first time.  I cannot believe how fast they have gone by.  Every day you are learning more and more words and stringing them together.  Your favorite sayings, daddy truck, momma car, car, truck, chchtrain (because you can't quite figure out choo choo), Karly, Dex, and you finally said Nini after months of coaxing.   You say please and thank you for everything; it's the most precious thing.  I really need to catch it on video.  Sawyer you are such a smart and gorgeous boy.  You are definitely my most tender hearted child.  You complete me little man.  I don't think there are words to explain how much you are loved.

Happy Birthday!!

now quit getting old!

Baby Warrior loses in battle

January 18 2011

Sawyer's first battle scars!

Now I knew having a boy would probably be different than a girl particularly when it came to stitches, broken bones, etc...  I did think I'd have another year or 2 before our first ER trip.  Poor Sawyer got in a fight with our brick fireplace and clearly the fireplace won :(  

He was such a trooper playing with his cars and still climbing all over the place while we waited our turn.  They sedated him to stitch him up.  It was so heartbreaking.  Stitches, sure I was dealing ok with that.  Seeing my baby knocked out in a hospital bed brought tears to my eyes.  Such a sad sight.  

My heart and thoughts were with all the families with sick kids.  I truly couldn't stop thinking about how much strength it takes.  Here my boy is getting 3 stitches and I could hardly hold the tears back.  I am so grateful for my family's health.  A few hours after we arrived and Sawyer had time to come to we were home.  Fingers crossed he heals quickly and doesn't get a scar.