Halloweenie!!

Wyatt asked, some time ago, to be a cherry picker for Halloween.  I thought about it and decided that it might be to hard for me to pull off.  I figured that I could plant an idea of something easier before it came time to start creating.  Thankfully, he changed his mind.  About a month ago, he decided he wanted to be a road. With fire trucks on it.  And maybe something on fire.  And it should probably be Mountain Ave. Easy!  Done!  I can do that! All I needed was a black sweatsuit, yellow duct tape, velcro, matchbox cars, and a street sign.  And Mountain Ave was created:

And because I am super ambitious, I made street signs for the entire family so that we could all trick-or-treat as our town.  And let me tell you, Wyatt OWNED that costume.  He marched for the entire Halloween parade and explained (in detail) to every person who asked about his costume.  He was the only "road" in his class of super hero's.  I am so proud of him that he chose his costume. That he is already owning his decisions and being uniquely Wyatt. He is loving every minute.


Oh and did I mention that he WON first place original costume!!  Oh, yes, he did!  Two years in a row!!  Jeez, there is going to be a lot of pressure for next year.


Wyatt also made a special request when carving pumpkins.  Again, this year, he was less then enthused about the gutting.  But he was very demanding about wanting to carve a fire truck into the pumpkin.  Because there are haunted fire houses and sometimes fire trucks are spooky.  After googling "fire truck pumpkin carving template" drew a big blank, I found a simple outline and we carved a fire truck.



We found this adorable Rice Krispie pumpkin mold at Hicks Nursery.  Wyatt loved it and decided he wanted to make pumpkins for his class for show n' tell on friday. Basically, I made them while Wyatt ate marshmallows.  He did decorate the box we brought them in with "spooky" stickers.  His teachers said he handed one out to each kid and was very excited when the class thanked him. One parent even asked me where I bought them.  Yeah, not so much.  We're rock stars!

Are you Ready Halloween?

Love Fest

Wyatt One Liners - Yummy!

We are driving home in the car around 1pm.  I bought a pack of M&M's and I am trying to keep him awake until we get home. (He has a huge problem with falling asleep with in the car when we are 2 minutes away from home.) I explained that M&M's taste really good but they don't give him energy or make him bigger.
"But they're yummy."
"Yeah, Bud.  But they're not good for you so just a few."  He goes quiet and continues to eat them.  A few minutes later I turn and he's got chocolate dripping down his face.
"Hey. Can Momma have a red one?"
"I found one." He passes a red one up.
"Can Momma have a yellow one?"
"Mom, there not really good for you. You will get a tummy ache."
I laughed; my own logic begin used against me.  After a while I asked again for another one to no response.  When I turned to look, he was sound asleep clutching his bag of M&M's and covered in chocolate.

We were at a restaurant and the waitress asked Wyatt's name.  She mentioned that her nephew is also named Wyatt.  Wyatt prompt yells out "Two Wyatt's? That's crazy!"  I don't think he has ever met someone else named Wyatt or had heard of anyone else.  It took me a long time to convince him that there was only one him but others with his name.  He still thinks its crazy.

While in Colorado, we were having tiramisu for dessert that was artfully crafted into a pyramid.  Also, it was absolutely delicious.  The chef placed one in front of Wyatt, then asked what I would like.  "I'll have the tiramisu too, please.".
"Mom!  You're getting the pyramid too?"
"The tiramisu.  Yes."
He turns to the boy sitting next to him and says, "She's having the pyramid too!!"

We are playing and Wyatt rips this huge fart. "Mom, get out your gas mask! I did a big toodles!"  Another classic Wyatt-ism is when the dog farts and he implored us to "light a candle in here."

I was making dinner, a honey hosin chicken thing, that was smelling pretty good.  Wyatt was upstairs playing with his trains.  He comes barreling down and smashed into my legs by the stove. "Mom!  What is the yummy smell?"  I explained and he went back upstairs without a word.  He didn't even try it.  I had to make him fish sticks.

Brass Rings

44 Months

Bud,

You have been pretty obsessed with YouTube lately.  At first you loved watching fire trucks in action.  Tours of fire trucks, trucks rushing to fires, bizarre montages of companies trucks set to music.  Then it was garbage trucks.  Then it was adorably cute british cartoons like Peppa Pig, Postman Pat, and Fireman Sam.  Then it was the crazy expensive, totally awesome toys from Rokenbok, that you want to put on your Christmas list.  Unfortunately, I don't think even Santa can afford them. Just when I thought we couldn't find anymore bizarre things on YouTube, you out did yourself.  Your latest fascination has been with Lego videos of police stations and fire trucks.  These are mostly stop-motion videos of people building Legos.  But you also found some silly videos of Lego mini-figures farting.  Yes, farting.  You are currently obsessed with farting Lego men.  Even mentioning "Lego farts" in your presence sets you off in a fit of giggles.  Clearly, you have turned into a 7 year old over night.

We took a mini-hiatus on Columbus weekend for a trip to visit Mia in Boston. We got stuck in traffic on the way there.  It took us an hour to go 6 miles at one point, for a total of 7 hours in the car.  It was my first time taking a trip like this by ourselves. I perfected the art of putting on your dvd player with one hand while driving and looking forward; memorizing the buttons on the blessed machine.  We sang, did silly seat dances, ate snacks, and played I Spy.  I asked you about 12 times to take a break and pull over and you insisted that we keep going.  "We're almost, almost, almost there." Your voice raising octaves on each "almost".  I am impressed at your ability to sit in the car happily for that long.  Not many adults can do that besides three year olds.

Mia had a extravagant fall festivus with pumpkin soup and apple crisp.  We attempted a corn maze at a local farm.  It was my first time doing a corn maze and I was not sure what to expect.  It was harder then I anticipated.  I guess I thought we would always be able to see above the corn.  You can't.  I think we were in there for about a hour before cheating, cutting between the rows in the direction of the music and the smell of popcorn.  At each fork, you and Brody (a fellow 3 year old) would stop to check your map and choose a direction.  You wanted to pick up the corn off the ground to bring it home and eat it.  Over the last 10 minutes you needed a piggy back.  At that point, I think I could have used a piggy back.  The funniest part is I guess another family actually called 911 because they got lost that weekend.  I didn't think it was that bad.

We also made a trip into the city for a night with Hayley. We drove to Auntie B's and took the subway into the city. You were a classic country child, narrating everything the train was doing.  "Look mom!  People are getting on.  Its stopping.  We're going down.  That man is reading his book.  Hold on you might fall."  I ask a MTA guy if I had to pay for you and he looked at me like I had 12 heads.  I guess I was a classic suburban mom.  At one point another boy sat down next to you and was baffled that you were so excited about doing something as mundane as riding the subway.  I left your stroller at home and make you walk.  Such a champ.  I think we ended up walking a good 3 avenues and 10 blocks.  The city is just so interesting.  The trucks, the crazy people, the buildings, and OH MY JESUS the Biggest Toys R Us you had ever seen.  We rode the ferris wheel and spent way too much money on Legos.  I told you you couldn't get anything and walked out with $80 less.  However, the Legos provided a needed distraction at dinner to allow me to drink some wine and chat.  Bonus.  We took a cab back to Auntie B's and you were fascinated with the touch screen TV in the back. Its always the little things that hold your interest the longest.

You got sick this month.  Classic change of seasons, back to school nonsense.  Because you are not feeling well you have been extra cuddly.  You told me I had to sit with you and help you eat your breakfast on the couch because we are "bestest buddies."  Really, how can I possibly say no to that?  Then when you had a bad fever and I asked you to take a sip of water and you responded with "It's OK mom.  I'm a fireman."  I am not quite sure what being a fireman has to do with drinking water but its still 100% cute. Then when I had finished reading you books and as you were falling asleep you say "Mom, you're the greatest."  Can I have a collective 'awww'?  Its a phrase that I usually reserve for you.  Because you are the greatest.  And we are best buddies.  And I think we make a pretty good team.

I love you everyday,
Momma

Don't let the Sparkle Blind You

Vacation Bliss

So....vacation.  It was 4 weeks ago and feels like a lifetime away.  It was the most relaxed and carefree I have been in a long time.  But of course as soon as I found myself back within 10 miles of home, all holy hell broke loose and it is back to the daily grind.  Perhaps more stress then I left with actually.  But I guess thats always the way.

OhMyGawd you guys.  Our house was f-ing amazing.  I want to live in this house for the rest of my life.  The balconies.  The ocean breeze.  The hardwood floors and hot tub.  The first night Wyatt and I got to enjoy an ocean view room (Just cause not everyone was there yet.  Evidently, ocean view rooms where saved for the "adults", whatever that means.)  It was blissful.  Sounds of the ocean lulling us to sleep. The cool beach breeze blowing the curtains. The sunrise over the water. Totally an indication on how the rest of the week would pan out.

Wyatt was in his element. He would wander to the beach after his daily pancake breakfast.  "Mom, I'm hungry.  I want pancakes." was the daily request. When he was done with the beach he would move to the house. Then the hot tub which we lowered to a balmy 80 degrees. Then to one of the upper decks for some puzzles.  He was so content to wander around from person to person.  Wyatt and cousin William were amazing.  They got along so well.  They got on the top bunk of the bunk beds with Mike and were playing delivery trucks.  Seeing Michael trying to keep up with 2 truck loving boys was hilarious. I have to admit I think Wyatt's most favorite day was at the hotel during the black out.  He ran up and down the hallways with a flash light for HOURS.  Ohh right. And there was that time in the lobby while we were playing scrabble that he asked "Did you spell Vagina? You spelled vagina, right?" in his loudest voice possible.  Yes!  That was memorable!  I actually spelled Vampire, which I thought would be equally impressive.  Evidently not as impressive as a 3 year old yelling vagina in a generator powered lobby filled with hurricane displaced people.

Lizzy tried to wake board. It was a huge failure. I have a thousand pictures of her laying in the sand.  Most of the family watched and heckled.  Because, seriously you guys, it looks like it should be so easy. In all fairness, I tried as well and I believe there might be a shot video of me EATING IT and then letting the wake board float out into sea.  I think James was the only person that really got it.  Trust me guys.  It is WAY harding then it looks.

There was an EPIC game of drunken Jenga.  Honestly, it was an impressive game regardless of the drinks consumed which I think makes it more impressive that the game lasted so long.  I took a ton of pictures and most of them are hysterical for the faces of the people in the background.  Take this one of Tim for instant.  Brilliant.  I think the best block was STFU which had everyone screaming "Shut the Fuck Up" at everyone else.  Or maybe the accent block which had Michael imitating an Indian/English accent and mumbling about elephants.  But I think them most memorable game moment was on our last night playing Catch Phrase.  Tim was trying to get Dad to say Guerilla Warfare.  Tim goes "Very sneaky fighting through the jungle. A huge monkey with a banana."  Dad just sat there for 5 minutes looking blankly.  We were trying to finish all the beer before we left, but still, thats no excuse.

This requires a little back story. About 3 months ago, Wyatt, Mom and I were in OshKosh and I just went up to pay when Wyatt ran up to me with these "sparkle shoes".  They looked like Chucks but are silver and sparkly with pink stretchy laces.  I didn't really care that he wanted the sparkle shoes.  I would have bought them for him.  But I'm cheap and they were $32.  I don't think I would even spend that much on shoes for myself.  He threw a fit.  I had to carry him out of the store crying.  I thought he would forget about it by the time we got home.  He didn't.  Because he has an amazing memory.  Every time a package arrived at the door he asked if they were his sparkle shoes.  While in NC, he tried to get into a locked closet, insisting that his sparkle shoes where in there.  I tried to appease him with different sparkle shoes from Sears.  He was not impressed and not fooled.  "Those are not MY sparkle shoes."  In a crazy turn of fate, while shopping, I found Wyatt's Sparkle Shoes on sale for $15 in NC.  I was going to wait for Santa to bring them but I couldn't stand it.  I gave them to him the moment I walked in the door.  With the whole family there to witness the joy on his face and then a little annoyance when I couldn't get them on his feet fast enough.  It was LOVE.  He loves these shoes. He insisted on wearing them on the first day of school. Wyatt, my love, you ROCK those shoes.

43 Months

Hey You,

You started school again on Monday.  You were beyond excited.  I hope and pray that this lasts well into your high school years. You have been coming to work with me for a few weeks.  First, I have to mention that you are amazing.  You sit, you play, you watch YouTube while I make phone calls, you help me move furniture, you are polite and kind to every person that comes into the church.  It has gone far better then I ever expected.  So, I told you that I was going to miss my special helper at work and maybe you shouldn't go to school.  You go "Mom! I have to go to school but I can be your helper after." 

We went to the children's museum one rainy day and I would have to consider it one of the best days of my life.  No joke, kid.  No joke. It was just you and I with a packed lunch and we spent about 5 hours there. They added this new outdoor water exhibit that you loved. I vowed to devote all my attention to you and left my crackberry in the car.  And you are amazing.  (Geez, I am getting annoyed reading this. I need a stronger adjective then amazing.)  At one point this little kid stole the wheel barrow you had been using.  You waited patiently to get it and then 5 minutes later it was gone.  I braced myself for a throw down.  You watched the kid wheel away, slowly turned and said "Its ok. I'll use this." and picked up a shovel.  Eh, Hello, the most polite 3 year old in the world.  We rode on the carosel and I grabbed brass rings for you to hold.  You thought it was the most intrigute invention. We went back to the museum and played some more.  You even left the gift shop without getting anything and without complaining.  For the week following you asked everyday if we could go back.  We finally did and you loved it all over again.

We also took that huge family trip to NC. (Trust me, a whole 2,000 words in itself.) You were kind of confused about the "renting a house" business.  "This is our new house!" you'd proclaim.  "Well, not really, babe. We are just borrowing it from someone for a week"  Then you would run to Pa and tell him he needed to drive more limos to make more money so we could BUY THIS HOUSE.  Its the BEST HOUSE EVER!  You cried when I told you we had to leave.  Then said when you get home you are selling your toys.  I wish I could buy that house for you.  I don't think it was the house that you loved so much.  Although, yes, the house was incredible.  I think it was more about having all of us, under one roof, for an entire week.  You bounced around between us.  Playing with Gammy and Pa on the beach, going in the water with me, trucks and cars with William and Auntie B, hot tub with Lizzy.  Non-stop entertainment.  Hell, I want to live there full time.  I was crying too when we left.

I have been a little distacted lately.  I completely forgot about your school orientation until my car got surrounded by teachers asking where you were as I pulled up to the church.  I had a bad mother moment and forgot to buckle you in your car set.  You reminded me.  Because you follow the rules.  And probably because once I told you that the car wouldn't start until you were buckled and you remember everything. I zone out while we are playing until you jump in my lap and get me to focus. My patience has been running on bare minimum. You walked into the bathroom while I was crying.  It was aweful.  I don't think you have ever seen me cry. You asked what was wrong.  I told you that someone hurt my feelings.  "Do you need a hug?" you responded.  And you hugged me on the bathroom floor for 5 minutes. I am sorry Wyatt. I am sorry that you felt like you needed to comfort me.  I never want  you to feel responsible for my well-being.  I am overwhelmed. With everything. I am sorry and I promise I will get better. School is starting. Its a new start. Let's make a fresh start.

I love you, always, forever and everyday.
Mom

Splish Splash

The family rented a house in NC for the week.  After getting orders to evacuate for Hurricane Irene in NY, we decided to start driving.  We drove through the storm.  Stopped in Richmond, VA.  Lost power in our hotel and arrived in sunny NC the next day as Irene pounded NY.  The house is awesome.  Our fence got knocked down in NY.  It seems like the Northeast got it way worse then North Carolina did.  Be back soon.  Tons of pictures to follow.  Hope everyone is safe and dry.

42 Months

Hey You,

Your fire truck picture.

That's what you say to me all the time.  "Hey you.  Hey you, can I have a glass of water?  Hey you, can we go ride bikes with the kids?  Hey you, look at my garbage truck that dumped his garbage all over the road. Smash! And then the police are coming to give him a ticket for 40 dollars.  Here comes the dump truck to help clean it up.  That's a good idea?"  I think it is easier for you to say the generalized Hey You and have it apply to every person in the house rather then fill your brain with trivial name calling details.  You have too many other things going on to remember everyone's names and apply them accordingly.  There are endless combinations of Legos and trucks to play with.  Duh.

I am not quite sure how this happened but for the past few months you have been obsessed with "the olden days".  I am pretty sure it had something to do with Gammy.  You are constantly asking "Did they have TV's in the olden days?  They had to use leaves for toilet paper in the olden days, did you know that?  Look, There's an olden day car!"  You are a million and one questions.  So, finally, Gammy and I decided to bring you to this Restoration Village. We used to take class field trips there when I was a kid. I remember it being really cool.  You could watch the blacksmith make chain links, buy penny candy at the general store, take in a lesson at the one room school house.  Maybe we went on an off day, maybe they have cut a lot of funding, maybe I only remembered the best parts.  Anyway, it was kind of boring. It was pretty much lots of old houses that Gammy and I had to make up stories about to keep you interested.  I think your favorite part was the out-house.  You can just not possibly fathom people doing pee-pees in a hole in the ground.  Needless to say, you only really ask about the olden days now when it pertains to toilets.

Two things happened at a party at Drew's brothers house.  I am not sure which is of more importance. Drew has 2 nephews and a niece so I knew you were going to have a blast.  You usually play with PJ, the 2 year-old, but this time you gravitated more towards Katie, the 5 year old.  You and her were inseparable.  Katie went to find a toy in her room and you followed.  I stayed outside enjoying the company.  About 5 minutes past, 10 tops, and you still hadn't returned.  When I went inside, I found Katie's bedroom door closed.  Hum.  On opening the door, I found Katie on the bed and you standing on the floor, both of you with NO pants on (underwear on, Thank God!).  "What are you doing?" I asked.  "Playing doctor." You answered, quite matter of factly.  "Ok, pants and shoes on.  Lets go outside."  I am positive that it was innocent but isn't 3 and 5 a little early for Dr. games?!?  I watched you a little more closely for the rest of the evening.  Drew found it amusing (Thank God!).  And I found it even more amusing when Drew found your hat on Katie's bed post.  You are learning fast, my son.  The second thing, was you took your first solo ride on a dirt bike.  Drew's brother has this little one the he messed with so it only goes 4mph plus its actually has training wheels on it.  I'm less concerned that you rode one.  You loved it; Drew never let go, you wore a helmet, and only on the grass.  Its more about it is it the gateway drug of you getting on bigger and faster things.  They also had this Power Wheels Motorcycle thing that you LOVED.  You rode that bike for hours (some of the time with Katie on the back.) I just wish we had a garage to put it in!

You also had your first official sleep over at Dad's.  I don't really have much to say about this, other then it happened and I had a panic attack.  It went well.  You stayed there the entire night which I was not sure that was going to happen since you still wake up and call for me about once a night.  When you got home you ran into my arms and gave me a "ginormous" hug.  You are just growing up so fast.  How you got to be this little boy is beyond all comprehension.

I love you everyday,
Mom-Mom

And then This Happened

Welcome to the newest member of 105.  Fresh from North Shore Animal League, a charming little beast of a dog named Cash.  As in: Johnny Cash.  As in: finally a dog with a real name. 

Likes are: ripping up anything within a 10 mile radius, taking large dumps, and dragging Pup around by his tail.

Dislikes: taking his food away in fear that his stomach might explode (he is RAVENOUS), being locked in his crate, and being scolding for peeing on the carpet for the 12th time.

I am sure you will make life more eventful!

Hazy, Hot, Humid

Uncharted Territory

So, I think it is about time to introduce a new character to the blog.  I have been hesitant to write anything about Drew because it seems as soon as I write about someone I am dating, we end up broken up.  Its the blog curse, I guess.  But I have a gut feeling that this one might be around for a while.  And I think I have put his name out there a few times already....so here goes.

I guess we have, what you'd call, a hot and heavy relationship.  We have only been dating for 6 months and it moved into serious material sooner then I would have hoped.  But it just kind of happened.  We just clicked.  And I just kinda let it.  He is a good man with kind heart and I find it easy to trust him.  So, when Drew proposed to meet Wyatt and I at a diner about a month into our relationship, I said yes.  He knew about Wyatt before I met him (it was a set up via mutual friends) which made it SO MUCH EASIER to navigate the "I have a son" scenario.  It just felt right. We went. I was nervous. This was the first man that I dated that I introduced Wyatt to.  Of course, Wyatt took to Drew right from the beginning.  Then without knowing much about Wyatt, Drew asks if he would like to see some fire trucks.  Drew is a volunteer fireman.  Wyatt's eyes lit up like Drew had just produced Christmas morning in a dirty diner booth.  I was so impressed how patient Drew was, how thoughtful, and at ease he seemed with the entire situation.  Then a few days later, Drew asked if we would like to visit him at work so Wyatt could see all the trucks (he works for the town).  We spent about 3 hours there; visiting every truck on site.  Wyatt rode on diggers, worked a dump truck, helped drive a pay-loader.  Kid talked about it for DAYS.


Then, I freaked out.  Cause that's what I do.  And proceeded to Google child molesters and convicted felons.  Because Wyatt is my son.  And even though I had NO VIABLE reason for assuming anything.  Hell, we met through mutual friends that know both of us very well.  I would never be able to forgive myself if something happened to him on my watch.  Especially something preventable.

And then I calmed down a bit. Mostly because Wyatt just adores him.  But as our relationship progresses, it brings more issues to light.  I have brought this man into Wyatt's life.  Wyatt doesn't know that there is a possibility that he might leave.  That maybe he should be a little guarded.  Wyatt is in this with his whole self.  He talks about Drew.  He makes Drew pictures at school.  He brings in Drew's dirt bike magazines for show-n-tell.  If you ask Wyatt what he wants to do when he grows up he says "I want to be a dump truck man and a fire truck man like Drew." He loves this man with his whole heart.  Is it foolish of me to let them get close?  Am I setting him up for disappointment?  Do I want this to last because they are close, because they get along so well?

I love Drew.  We have a great time together.  He keeps me focused when my life feels blurry around the edges.  He's not perfect but neither am I.  But having Wyatt makes dating more complicated.  It is not just about if I love Drew.  Its also about if he's a good influence for Wyatt (which I think he is).  If Wyatt feels safe with Drew.  If Drew understands the parenting lines, which often get blurred when there are a lot of adults around.  Its about Drew accepting that I will always put Wyatt first.  That my future is based on Wyatt's needs and not my own wants.  Its about Wyatt and I as a package deal.

We are both very blessed to have Drew in our lives.  And I am everyday grateful to have Wyatt and Drew get along as well as they do.  To have someone love me and my son.  Most of all, I am excited to have someone change the oil in my car.  I hate to be pessimistic and generally I try not to start a relationship predicting how it will end.  I hope it won't end but at 6 months in I think it is ok to not be 100% sure.  Sometimes I feel like I need to be 100% sure for Wyatt.  Because Wyatt is %110 sure.  I'm at a lost for how this works.  Completely uncharted territory.

July Gloriousness