Random 11/17

Today, the babies (actually, I can't call them babies for much longer-they are getting too big!) were watching "Super Why" on PBS. When it got to the part that they said to "put your hand in" (talking to the "audience") Lydia squealed and pointed to the TV. Wyatt, on the other hand, politely shook his head no. I must have laughed for 5 minutes.

Wyatt does a mean robot. We found this out during one of our random dance parties. Lydia has a sweet twirl (and will probably be our singer) and Aidan jumps up and down and wiggles his fanny.

The no cable thing has been one of the best things to happen ever. We get so much more done, we have so much more fun as a family, even the Spirit is stronger. And honestly, we don't miss it all that much.

I had Parent Teacher Conferences for Aidan last week. He is doing great! His handwriting is looking so good, he is a reading maniac and he has a natural talent for math. We are so proud of him! Aidan loves school, loves his teacher, has great friends, and just has a desire to do good.

I am getting so excited for Christmas. I am making a good majority of gifts this year (unfortunately, I can't post about several of them yet because then it wouldn't be a surprise for you!) and it has been fun to find materials and try to make it perfect for the person recieving the gift. I love this time of year!

Wyatt, Lydia and I spent and hour and a half at the pet store today. We looked at every fish, every reptile (Lydia did not like these so much), every rodent (I think they both wanted to bring home a ferret) and every bird in the store. The were so excited and I just loved seeing them observing all the animals. I love watching them have experiences like this.

We got family pictures done. They really turned out well. Luckily, most of you will be recieving one shortly in your Christmas card. I think I look hot. You'll have to let me know what you think ;) I am designing new wall decor around this picture. I'll have to post when I get it done and perfect.

Jeremy and I are going to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallow Part 1 on Saturday. I am so excited! 1-because I get to go on a date with Jeremy! We haven't done that in a while and 2-I love Harry Potter!

Halloween . . .

I know that this post is pretty late, but we were having technical difficulties. Better late than never, right? Anyway, the kids wents as superheros for Halloween. Aren't they cute? Aidan's school always has a huge carnival a couple of days before Halloween, and we always enjoy going. This year was no different-each of the kids even won a cupcake in the Cupcake Walk!

Then, on the big day we went to Grandma and Grandpa Arenaz' house for dinner and then Trick or Treating. The weather was so nice-perfect (and slightly unseasonal for late October) for wandering around the neighborhood asking for candy.

Batman Aidan-he had been planning his costume since Halloween 2009 and he has been back and forth with many different things. He finally decided on Batman and we designed everyone's costumes around that theme. Aidan was so so so excited for Halloween-it was pretty much all he could talk about since September. And he had energy! He left all of us in the dust while Trick or Treating-and he could have easily kept going!

SuperWyatt-I am just happy that he actually wore his costume! Wyatt was decidedly less enthused about the holiday than Aidan. But, he did like all the candy!

Wonder Girl Lydia-I have been wanting to make her a skirt like this forever, and I finally had an excuse. Miss Liddy didn't quite get the concept of trick or treating-everytime someone put a piece of candy in her bag, she cried until we got it out and gave it to her. She spend most of the night sticky-but happy.

We went Trick or Treating with our very good friends, the Freeds. It was so much fun to share this holiday with them. Brynn is the ladybug, Dallis is the fairy, Todd is holding Graham the dog, Aidan is Batman, then Jeremy is holding WonderGirl Lydia, SuperWyatt and lastly Hadley is a cat. Aren't they all so cute?!

And we couldn't leave out the witches of the party-Ann-Michelle and me. We coordinate so well!

Halloween was fun-but I am glad it is over. I can't wait for the "real" holidays!

Library Card

Aidan came with me to run errands the other day and one of our stops was to the library. While we were there, I asked Aidan if he wanted to apply for his very own library card. He was hesitant at first, thinking this was something that he was not going to be allowed to do, but then he got excited when I told him that all he needed to know was how to sign his name-and he knew how to do that. After waiting in line forever (I kept telling him that it was good practice for when he got older) he signed his name on the back of his brand new library card and checked out his very own books and movies with it. On the way out, he kept looking at it and then asked me, "So, does this mean I can drive your car now?" Nice try bucko-but no. All that card allows you to do is check out books, not operate heavy machinery. Ah, how quickly they grow.

Halloween Craft

Cute, huh?

Creepy Little Friend

Ace found this creepy little dude outside under the swingset. He comes running in a panic, "Mom! Dad! There is a praying mantis outside! Come look!" I didn't even think he knew what a praying mantis was, but lo and behold-there it was. Jeremy picked it up to put in our flower beds (that are totally dead, but whatever) and the boys wanted a picture with it. I can't believe that I let this thing in my home!

Lyrical Lydia #3

We were at Home Depot, Jeremy was showing us the huge Christmas reset he had done that week. We pointed to a giant inflatable Santa Claus and asked Lydia, "Who is that?" Lydia replied, "GRANDPA!"

NO CABLE!?!?

So, we got rid of our cable TV. For lots of reasons. To save money, wanting to spend more time together, get Aidan to watch less TV. So, we cancelled service more than a month ago, but no one ever came by to disconnect it, and after several phone calls, we just decided to live with the fact that we had free cable. What a tragedy, right? Well, Monday, the guy came and disconnected it. Right in the middle of Oso. Which is Wyatt's favorite show ever. The fit that ensued was epic. Only to be rivaled by the fit Aidan threw when he came home from school and discovered that he couldn't watch iCarly, and Phineas and Ferb, and his other myriad of shows. Crying hysterically for an hour and a half was a little bit dramatic, you think? Then, even Jeremy threw a tiny fit when he discovered that we can't even get digital TV with our crappy box and he couldn't watch "Castle." But I forgave him, especially when I realized that we couldn't get Fox so I could watch "Glee" on Tuesdays. Now, I am just hoping that we are able to find the best signal by Thursday so I can watch "Grey's Anatomy."

See how the TV has ruled our life? We have all had our fits this week (well, except for Lydia, who thinks the TV is her own personal music box and she dances to every jingle that comes on) about various shows that we "just can't live without!" What an addiction that we have! We pay much more attention to this square piece of plastic and wires than to each other. So, this is a good thing! Think of all the time we can be with each other now! Think of all the things we can do! Not having to stay home on Thursday because "that is the best TV night." This is a blessing in disguise! This is liberation!

We just might have a short adjustment period to make. . .