A birthday party at the park

We had a VERY small birthday party for the kids at the park between their birthdays. I made some gluten free chocolate cupcakes and we decorated them as an activity at the party. The kids loved it. Everyone loved the cupcakes. They really tasted good, as good if not better than "normal" cupcakes. The kids got to do bubbles and play with chalk, we brought some beach balls and a soccer ball, and they played on the playground. It was low key and perfect. Elijah, Alex, and Lucas had a ball.

Here are some pictures from the party.

Mommy-Alex time

Every Wednesday and Friday while Lucas is at developmental therapy group (aka "school"), Alex and I get special Mommy-Alex time. Usually (as long as it isn't raining), we spend at least half of the time at a playground and the other half grocery shopping if we need to. Here are some (okay, tons of) pictures from the first day I took Alex to a playgroud just the two of us since Lucas has been born. We had a great time!

Babywearing: the next generation

A little over a week ago was international babywearing week. It just so happened that the same week, I was showing a friend how easy it was to use my mei tai. After doing that, I had it in my car again. When Lucas fell asleep before Alex's well child visit to the doctor a week and a half ago, I had it with me and was able to put Lucas in the "Thomas shirt" and wear him in while checking in, and until he woke up and was ready to run. It was neat how many sweet looks people gave. When Lucas woke up, the first thing he said was, "I yike dis pakpak, Mommy" (translation: I like this backpack, Mommy!). It was cute. Later that evening, Alex wanted me to wear him, and then Lucas wanted to wear his baby doll. Then Alex wanted to wear Pink Monkey Jumpey. Here are some pictures. It was just too cute. Please forgive the mess... we cleaned the next day!

Sukkot at Sunday School

Today was Sukkot at Sunday School. It started off kind of rough - we were out of one of Alex's medications and he was pretty hyper. I thought the pharmacy opened at 9, but it turned out they open at 10. So we weren't able to get it before Sunday School.

We got to Sunday School and Alex was so excited. He was talking to everyone in sight about going apple picking yesterday. We did the morning Shira (singing songs as a whole group), and at the end each shira, we sing Hatikvah, and one or two kids go and get the Israeli flag. Since we were all ready in the social hall and facing the correct way, no one had to get the flag. Barb, one of the other religious school teachers suggested that someone could go stretch it out so we could see it better. David Raso, an older student went over to do so and invited Alex to come help. I was so touched, and Alex was so excited. He stood so nicely and was so proud of himself. I was so proud of him, too. Tears were pouring down my face, I know my grandpa was watching us as we sang. It was just so amazing to see. Alex is so cared for there, and everyone adores him. I really feel this is where he will grow and learn so much with so many older kids willing to take him under their wing and show him what to do and how to act. It is amazing to see and really warms my heart. Alex loves to be there and that means so much to me.

After the short amount of class we had, at 11 we all went back upstairs and outside to the Sukkah. Alex piped up and tried to answer every question that was asked whether he knew the answer or not, but the kids around him helped to quiet him when apropriate. When it was time to shake the lulav and etrog, he got to be the first because he was the youngest. I wish I had taken my camera out, but I hadn't thought to do so yet, and missed getting a picture of it. I'm very dissapointed that I missed it. I know being upset doesn't change things, but I know it's not something I can get back.

We sang some Sukkot songs just outside the sukkah and then it was time for Israeli dancing with Lior, the Slicha and then a picnic lunch in the sukkah. We brought a gluten free sandwich for Alex, but he was too excited by all of the fun and friends to sit and eat more than a bite or two. I took some pictures and videos which I've included below. Alex had such a great time, it was wonderful to see. Just such a great day, and such a great weekend.

Oh, and by the way, he loved the pumpkin muffins I made. I made as second batch and individually wrapped and froze them so I could have treats when there was something going on at school. Now I can just pull one out and pop it in his backpack as needed on short notice!

Here are the pictures and movies from today!

Nathan, Alex, and Sammy - the three boys in Alex's Sunday School class.

Clapping to the music.

Dancing with Sophie and David.

More Israeli dancing. He loved this!

Oooh, yummy, a pickle!

On the way home from Sunday School, wearing one of Daddy's hats, backward.

Israeli dance number 1 (hope it doesn't make you dizzy - I tried to follow him)

Israeli dance number 2 (this should be easier on the eyes - he was in front and it's a line dance)

Apple Picking - not the best laid plans, but a great day

Yesterday we did go apple picking. It was dreary, it was raining when we left. About 1/2 way there, I realized I had forgotten the camera and was very upset. Ten minutes later, Alex realized it was raining and insisted, "Mommy, Daddy, it's raining. We can't go apple picking in the rain. We have to go home." I told him that it was okay, that it would probably stop raining by the time we got there, everything would be fine. His response? "No, it won't be fine. It will NEVER stop raining, NEVER!" At that point, I realized that not only had we forgotten the camera, but also Bear. Oh boy. And Alex's afternoon medicine. This was going to be quite the trip. And now Alex was starting in with "We're NEVER going to get to the apple picking."

Just then the rain stopped and I was able to distract him with that and the wind mills that we saw in the fields that surrounded us. Alex educated Doug (I was NOT allowed to respond or I heard, "NO, MOMMY, I'm not talking to you, I'm talking to DADDY!") on windmills and how they use the wind to make electricity. And soon enough, we were pulling into Tanner's. As we pulled in, we realized we had forgotten one more major accessory - the diaper bag. This was turning out to be the worst planned trip ever! I was sure it was going to turn out okay, though.

Because the weather was so lousy, the place was pretty empty. This meant less distraction for the boys. They actually did VERY well! They listened wonderfully. The trees were tiny this year, and just the right size for both Alex and Lucas to be able to reach and pick from on their own. They were so excited. And Lucas was thrilled to be able to eat apples. It was such a treat for him!

And since we forgot the camera, we'll just have to go again! :) I have a friend who lives near another apple orchard that has a lot of later ripening apples, so hopefully we will go at the end of October and get more apples and pumkins as well!

After the apple orchard, we went to get Halloween costumes. That was another adventure. Lucas' decision anxiety wasn't something I took into account when considering looking for a Halloween costume. It was in full force! He loved looking, but didn't want to choose anything. He desperately wanted a firefighter costume, but only one particular one that they only had in a size 10. We finally found a race-car driver in his size that he fell in love with because it had a hat. LOL

Alex had trouble because first he wanted to be Batman again (he outgrew and wore out last year's Batman costume), but he wanted the exact same costume. They had it, but it didn't come in his size. The ones that came in his size had muscles, and he didn't want muscles. So then we looked at Star Wars Costumes, and he found a Luke Skywalker costume that he liked. Then when trying to find a costume for Lucas, he saw a Luigi costume. He really wanted Mario, but they were sold out of Mario, so he decided that he wanted Luigi. So he will be Luigi for Halloween. He is very excited, but wants to make sure he has a mustache!

All in all, they did a fantastic job! I was so proud of them! Lucas only asked for Bear once and we were able to calm him without it, and we made it home before we needed a diaper change. Amazing!

To top it off, Doug made his homemade chicken cutlets for dinner, and made some coated in crushed rice chex (gluten-free) for Alex, and he loved them!

And the kids both slept through the night in their own beds!

It was a great day all around.

Mommy's magic, sleep, and lack there of

Yesterday evening I took out my guitar for the first time in probably two years or more. I know it was silly, but I really thought I would get to play without too much interruption. I had no problem with the boys coming in, but I didn't want them playing or climbing on the guitar. Easy enough for Alex. Not so much for Lucas. You see, with Lucas' music therapy, he is used to being able to put his feet on her guitar, play her guitar, put toys on the guitar, etc.

So after a few minutes, Doug so nicely took Lucas into the family room for me. Alex, however, came back into the family room. I took out my Shirenu and finished tuning my guitar. I started playing a song (And the Youth Shall See Visions) and Alex smiled. He told me he liked it. He got a pillow and a blanket, and layed down right next to my guitar. Before I was halfway finished with the song, Alex was sound asleep. Amazing how calming it was for him. Unfortunately, it was 7:00 and he hadn't had his medicines before bed. After an hour, Doug carried him to bed. He slept through all of my playing, and through the transfer, clothes change, and everthing.

But, of course, come 2:00, he woke up. He did fall back asleep in our bed, Lucas woke up at 2:30 and went back to sleep in our bed as well. It was a full house (or bed)! Alex woke up for the day at 4. Unfortunately, it was still too early for his meds for the day yet. So he was CRAZY this morning. Finally 7 rolled around and he got his morning dose. Things calmed down a little while later. Lucas woke up at 9 and Alex fell asleep at 9:30. It has been a crazy day so far.

We were hoping to take the boys apple picking today, and still are, but Alex seems to be sleeping like the dead. I have tried waking him twice. I even made yummy gluten free pumpkin muffins!! He hasn't woken up to try them yet. Going to try again in a minute!

Oh, and while I was trying to wake Alex, Lucas decided he was going to help by feeding the cats. He came in and said, "Mommy, Mommy, a kichen, a food a cats."
"You fed the cats, Lucas?"
"mmm hmm, dat's right, Mommy." (big grin, so proud of himself)
"Lucas, did the food go in the cats' bowl or on the floor?"
He looks toward the kitchen and gives a sheepish grin, "on for Mommy."
"It went on the floor?"
"mm hmm."
"oh. Thanks for trying to help, Lucas. Mommy and Daddy feed the cats."
"okay mommy"

It was quite a conversation. When I went to the kitchen, quite a bit did go into the bowl, and it really wasn't as bad as I was expecting. Good thing the bag was almost empty!!

Tomorrow is the Sukkot picnic at Sunday school. I will upload lots of pictures tomorrow evening and get everything up from Alex's birthday on. I may put up separate posts to help organize, but I'll get them up!! :)

Here goes wake-up attempt number 3!

Broccoli Cheese Soup

So not at all related to the boys, but I created the yummiest broccoli cheese soup ever this afternoon. I made the boys lunch and decided I wanted something warm and soothing. The one hazard of cooking by the seat of your pants is never knowing if you can ever recreate something again. So I'm going to attempt to recreate the recipe here so I can refer back to it next time I want to make it. (And that way any of you who like this kind of soup are welcome to try it as well). Seriously, I think it was better than any broccoli cheese soup I've ever had. And every recipe I've ever followed I've been horribly dissappointed in.

Yummy Broccoli Cheese Soup

1 can 98% fat free cream of chicken soup
fat free (skim) milk (I'm guessing 2 cups?)
1 bag frozen broccoli (16 oz? whatever the normal size is)
6-8 slices american cheese
about 1/4 lb cheddar cheese
about 2 tbsp parmesian cheese
garlic powder (granulated garlic)
onion powder
salt

add the first three ingredients to a large sauce pan, stir over medium heat until broccoli defrosts and then soup warms. Add in garlic and onion powders (I'm guessing about 2 tsp garlic and 1 tsp onion, but I just shook them out, at least double the garlic to onion). Stir well. Fold the stack of american slices in half and then grate into the soup, stirring well after halfway grated, then again after finished grated. Grade the cheddar into the soup, stirring well after halfway grated and then again when finished grating. Add parmesian cheese and stir well. Add salt to taste. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Allow to boil for 5-10 minutes. Let sit for a few minutes. Serve and enjoy!

Now I have easy warm lunches for the next week or so! (Since I'm the only one who will eat this!! )