Can't fight bad guys in a Catholic school uniform! Duh!

It is not often (like never) that the kids want to change out of their school uniforms when they get home.  Stella likes her uniform because most days she wears a skirt.  And OH, when it is mass day and she gets to wear the jumper- it's her favorite!  She will even ask to wear it again the next day.  Now, Nick, he just never wants to change clothes because he, well, doesn't want to waste his time with it.

But, when there are bad guys to get....it's a whole different ballgame!


He asked me if he could change his clothes after school.  He came out wearing this.  I have no idea what is going on with the soccer socks and the camo pants stuffed into them.  I didn't even ask.




Oh, and since we must do everything that big brother does...


Even when it is only 20 degrees outside!

"BOYS!"

Christmas Show at School

Tonight was the Christmas show at Nick and Stella's school.  I was impressed with the huge facility- ironically, another church down the road.  Since it was a non-demoniational church (or at least I think it is) it had a huge stage, great sound equipment, lighting, and fancy video cameras and screens!  It was like going to a real show!

Unfortunately, I hardly saw Stella because she was on the other side of the stage for her class performance.  But I snapped a few blurry pics as she left the stage.  And Nick was practically in front of me.  Don't let pictures fool you, as I was not that close to the stage.  I cropped them down so they would be nice to share!

--Kate

Trick Or Treaters!

Is is just me, or do my kids crack you up, too?

Strawberry Shortcake

Snake Eyes from G.I. Joe

Anakin Skywalker

This was the first time Henry wore his costume! He never even tried it on. He seemed afraid of it. I didn't think he would dress up to be honest. But let me tell you- when it was time to get ready he was all.about.it! He practiced his lines "tritter tree" and "tanku".

I really had no idea what to expect last night- would we only go to a few houses? would it get too cold? would Henry want to go home? would someone have to pee in the middle of it all?

But much to my surprise they stayed out until 7:40! They started out with so much enthusiasm, hitting every house with a porch light on.

Enthusiasm that quickly faded after it got dark and we were a couple streets from home.

Buckets nearly full and getting heavier with each house, they declared an end to trick or treat. I think Stella was the first to announce "I just want to go home!" They felt like they were miles from home as we started back. Buckets of candy suddenly felt like anchors impossible to carry. They were so dramatic! And then each time we passed an interestingly decorated house, I would hear, "OK, just one more house and that's IT!"



Once we got to our house, they thought they'd be real tricksters and trick-or-treat to Daddy! So cute.
--Kate

National Weather Festival

Saturday was the National Weather Festival.  What, you've never heard of it?!  ; )




It was held at the National Weather Service in Norman, OK.  There were exhibits and kids' activities inside.  And a storm chaser car show outside.

Checking out hail damage...

Maybe one day...

Pretty certain he is just trying to get the sun out of his eyes, but sure is a funny pose!



Nick is explaining why this truck has spray-on bedliner on the hood.

The kids were anxious to see these vehicles/radars up close!

I believe that is Hurricane Irene on the screen there.

This gave us an opportunity to look around the NWS building.  I am pretty certain that our kids like the elevators the best!  (I know, right!)
This was a complete nerd-fest but we loved it!  Nicholas is very interested in weather- especially severe weather.  He and I love the show Storm Chasers and were hoping the cars from that show would be at the festival as they had been in the past. But they weren't. We still had a great time.

Nick even got to launch the weather balloon!!  They just grabbed him from the crowd.  Those guys had no idea they picked the right kid for this!


A meteorologist from a local TV station did the countdown...


Inside Nick got his picture in front of the green screen...

Which got turned into this:


Trick or Treat is tonight! Oh, and Nick has another very loose tooth!

--Kate

Nick Lost Another Tooth!

Lookie what I did tonight!!

Yep.  I pulled that sucker right out of his mouth.  It was weird and I hope I don't have to pull anymore teeth.  Kinda freaked me out.  But he asked me to do it!  Begged almost.  Poor guy couldn't comfortably eat dinner so he asked me to yank out his tooth!  That was his choice?!?  With almost teary eyes looking so desperate for relief, I couldn't say no.

So I grabbed a baby washcloth.  Sat him in the kitchen chair.  Pulled his head to my belly.  Gave the tooth one last wiggle (and not to confuse it with it's neighbor tooth which is also loose).  And pulled straight down.  And wouldn't you know it, the tooth came out!  I didn't know I was capable!  And maybe you aren't *supposed* to pull kids' teeth these days.  I.don't.know.  But it's done.  Under his pillow.  Waiting for his dollar.

This is the third tooth he has lost in case you wondered.  He lost the other two (bottom fronts) last November.

--Kate

Fall Soccer in Full Swing

*Finally* I got the video of Nick's soccer game from the camera to the blog.  But we are knee deep in soccer practices and games for Nick and Stella.  Last spring I went to very few of Nick's games and now this fall I will probably spend most of my time at Nick's.  That's just how it goes when there are two kids playing and Dad is the coach of one of the teams.  Shawn has coached Nick's team a few times and now it is time for him to coach Stella!

Also, Nick, sort of moved up in soccer.  For the past few years he has been playing at the YMCA and doing great there.  He really loves the game.  But I could see that it was time for a change.  I won't get into it, but it was time for him to take the next step up.  Shawn and I have been talking about it for a while, but didn't make the move until we were sure he was ready.  This fall Nick is playing at a local soccer club.  Basically this means, nicer fields, following the rules of soccer a bit closer, fewer kids on a team= which means more coaching and playing time.

Here are the clips from Saturday's games all meshed together in one video.  Unfortunately it does look like Nick pushed/tripped a couple of kids.  We have discussed this with him.  I doubt it was intentional, but it sure looks questionable, and he knows that.  Besides that...he kicked butt!!  I was so proud and surprised at the way he played.  He was very strong out there!  He got to start and he play a lot of the game.  Which meant he also got tired out there because the coach didn't sub him out.  But he had a great time playing on his new team.  They will get their real shirts soon.  Nick's team is yellow...and Nick is wearing green socks and sunglasses.


--Kate

On the potty train!

How cute is that smile?!!! He was posing for my camera so I am glad I got the picture. This is what we are up to this week. Riding around in big boy underwear. Even outside.


I tried this once before, back in July, but then Henry got strep and I had to put potty training on hold. I was just waiting for a good time. And I realize there is not going to be a "good" time so I went with a "better" time.


So this week we started the Potty Train- as Henry calls it. So far it has been going better than I expected. Some accidents , of course, but he is peeing in the potty for the most part! I am trying a different approach this time, to potty training since Henry doesn't talk as well as the other two did at this age. I am having him wear just underwear and no pants so that it is a constant reminder that he is on the potty train. I think if he has pants on he will forget. And then if he is more aware of his underwear maybe he will tell me if he has to pee. And maybe I will understand what he is telling me faster and can get him to the potty right away. So far it has been working. Plus, I mean face it, it is way easier to change one wet layer than two. Each child had his and her own set of potty issues. So each were handled differently. But I definitely feel Henry is ready. Progress report: He stayed dry this evening while we were outside playing. And after dinner he came to me and told me he had to go potty!


I do hope he gets it soon. It is starting to cool off here and the neighbors are going to think I am weird.

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