More Halloween Activities

I know. I love holidays, probably more than the average person. Yesterday, we had a fun day with Alisha, Katelin, and Abigail (Katelin's baby sister). We went over to their house for lunch and cupcakes. Later in the evening, we went to North Grove Medical Park's trick-or-treating event. Caleb and Katelin had a blast. Caleb was in superhero heaven. He thought that all of the other kids dressed up as superheroes were the real thing. He even went up to a little boy dressed as Spider-man and shook his hand. It was really cute. All evening he would yell excitedly, "Hulk, Batman, Spider-man, ..."

Fall Activities

Today was filled with two fun fall activities. First, we went to Lewis Farm in Gastonia with Lisa and Emily. The kids had a great time feeding animals, going on a hay ride, and doing a corn maze. Emily and Caleb even rode a horse for the first time in their life.

This evening, we went to the Taylors' church for their "Trunk-or-Treat" event. Caleb dressed up as Spider-man, and Graysen was an University of Florida football player. Caleb enjoyed playing games and collecting candy.

Tron

Uncle Kevin pointed out that Graysen's helmet looks like something from the movie Tron. Lee made this picture to illustrate the concept.

Pumpkin Carving

Last night, we carved a pumpkin and had apple cider. Caleb enjoyed watching the process. I love having a little boy that loves holidays as much as I do. We have a fun week planned this week, which will end with Halloween!!!

Baking Brownies

This week has been fairly quiet for us. Today, Caleb and I baked Halloween brownies. He was thrilled and put on a Halloween bib to celebrate. Graysen was not as excited about his vegetable medley.

Halloween Picture

Graysen had his picture taken at his helmet appointment yesterday. They have a photography studio there since they take a lot of before and after pictures This picture was taken for their website. They liked the fact that he was dressed in a Halloween outfit. However, I realized when I got home that I didn't sign a release form, so I doubt that it will appear on the website.

Airport McDonald's

Graysen had a helmet appointment in Charlotte today. On the way home, we met Lisa and Emily at the "airport McDonald's" for lunch. Caleb had a blast playing with Emily and seeing the "big airplanes." He became very sad when I told him that it was time to go home. He cried half of the way home before he fell asleep.

Pumpkin Patch

Yesterday, we took the boys on a hay ride at a pumpkin farm. Caleb enjoyed the hay ride and loved picking out his own pumpkin. He put his pumpkin in bed with him last night while I read him a bedtime story. This morning, the first thing that he did was sit with Geoffrey and look at his pumpkin. Graysen did not like the hay ride. Something spooked him, and he cried for most of it. Usually, he is a very laid back baby, and nothing bothers him. He was much more upset about the hay ride than he was about having heart surgery. I think that he didn't like the storyteller on board the hay ride. She was a little excitable, and I think that she freaked him out.

Playdate with Katelin

Today, Katelin, Alisha, and Baby Abigail came over to play. We had a nice day with them. It was fun to watch the kids play together. Caleb has gotten to a stage where he loves to have his friends over to play.

Caleb Learns to Use Pronouns

Up until yesterday, we have never heard Caleb use pronouns such as mine, my, I, or me. While painting, we heard him say "mine." Then, later in the evening, Lee and I heard a toot. We asked Caleb, "Who pooted?" He replied, "me." It was really funny. We will have to tell him that his first use of the word "me" was to admit to a poot.

Playdate

We are getting back to our normal schedule of playdates and activities. We spent today with Lisa and Emily. All the kids had a fun day, and it was good to be back to having fun. The playdate wore out both boys, and I am enjoying a quiet afternoon.

Pig Cupcake

Last night, Lee made a very good German meal as a celebration of Oktoberfest. He made brats, spatzle, and red cabbage. We bought all of the food at Whole Foods, and the brats were the best that we have ever had. We bought Caleb a pig cupcake for dessert. As a note, we do not intend for there to be many more posts of Caleb eating junk food. He has eaten too much sugar this past weekend.

Big School Bus

While shopping this morning, Lee and I found a large school bus tent for Caleb. Both boys have had a relaxing day playing.

Fall for Greenville

Today Lee and I went to Fall for Greenville with the boys. It is festival where the city's restaurants showcase their food. It was a beautiful day, and we enjoyed being outdoors. At the event, Saturn had a display with ten cars. Caleb was fascinated by all of the cars. We also bought him a ghost cookie. He loved the cookie and ate the entire thing. It took him about an hour to eat all of it, and now he is hopped up on sugar. Graysen was very good at the event. He enjoys watching people and never fusses when we are out.

Errands

The boys and I spent today running errands. Most of the errands centered around planning Caleb's upcoming birthday party. He selected the cake and theme for the party today. He choose Batman. The video is from our last stop, the bank. I decided that he was old enough to have a lollipop. I thought it was cute how he would lick it and then keep tasting it. Unfortunately, the memory card on the camera filled up before I could get a good example of how he was eating it.

Batman Brothers

It is amazing how much Caleb and Graysen love each other. They like to interact, and Graysen always saves his biggest laughs for Caleb. I think that they are both imitating each other in this video.

Adventures in Potty Training

This morning, I became inspired to start potty training Caleb and Geoffrey. I put both of them in big boy underwear and hoped for a good day. Caleb was back in a diaper by 10:06 AM. After about 10 accidents, it became clear that Caleb had no intention of going pee pee in the potty. He would just go wherever he was, and then come tell me about it. He would say "pee pee, floor, right there, right there." He wasn't even upset about it. He just expected me to clean it up. He would say, "bye bye pee pee" after I cleaned up each spot.

Caleb always becomes upset if he gets dirty or spills something, so I thought that he would prefer to use the potty instead of going in the floor or his underwear. I guess I was wrong. I have no idea how I am ever going to get him potty trained. However, there is hope for Geoffrey. Geoffrey used the potty enthusiastically.

Feeling Better

I am finally starting to feel better. Graysen had an appointment with the pediatric cardiologist today. Everything looks really good! There are no concerns for Graysen, and his life should be normal for many years to come.

Our Weekend

I have been sick all weekend. Lee has done a wonderful job of taking care of me and both of the boys. He watched them all weekend, babysat them while I went to the doctor, and took Caleb out for some quality father-son time at Barnes & Noble and Dairy Queen. Hopefully I will be feeling back to my old self soon.

Normal Routine

The boys and I are back to our normal routine. Both boys are doing great, and I love having them with me.

Graysen went to the pediatrician yesterday, and the cardiologist today. He is doing very well. There are no concerns at this time.