This can't be comfortable!

I know this is my second post today but this was too cute to resist. I was putting away my groceries today and Anthony had wondered off to be by himself (that's his way of letting my know he's pooping!). When I was done I went looking for him and this is what I found: He had fallen asleep! Sadly this didn't last. When I tried to move him he woke up and wouldn't go back to sleep. How is it that they can fall asleep anywhere and in any crazy position?

Easy Soup Base

A couple of Enrichment nights ago we had a class on canning. It was a good class and we were able to learn how to make this soup base and bring one home. In the jar is: potatoes, carrots, onions and celery. For the teachers taste test she added some canned roast beef (I know...from a can but it actually wasn't bad). She said this made Sunday dinners really easy. She would throw a couple jars in a pot add the meat and bring to a boil and by the time they were done changing clothes, dinner was ready. I made my family this dinner the other night with some bread from the bread machine and it was really good. I would probably add another can of meat for the next time though. They boys weren't a fan but they did have to have a couple spoonfuls before they could give up. Their favorite was the bread. Such a simple/fast meal. You can also add flour and milk to make it a creamy soup. If anyone's interested I have the exact recipe. Just let me know.

Maybe 3 kids is o.k.!

It is after a moment like this when I think that 3 kids is good for me. While I was cleaning up the kitchen last night, Anthony decided to keep himself busy by doing some art...on my toilet seat! This kid will be the death of me. Though this was an easier clean-up than his stint with the powder. There are many times when I'm begging him to be independent and not constantly by my side, but I might have to rethink that! He's lucky he is so cute!

Fall Fun

After school today I let the boys get some fresh air and play outside for a few minutes (it was a little overcast and sprinkling). Our little neighbor friend came out and the boys started having a leaf fight. They really did enjoy themselves and they got out some much needed energy since the last few days have been rainy.

Diego loves to climb the tree in the front yard. He wasn't too happy though that he couldn't "hide" in the tree anymore since all the leaves have fallen.

I asked Christian if I could bury him in the leaves for a picture and he happily agreed. To my surprise, Anthony laid down next to him and said "Me, Me, Me!" Anything the other two boys do, Anthony is right behind them trying to do the same thing. He even tried to climb the tree just like Diego!

I was talking with our neighbor and Diego got a hold of the camera and this is what you get when boys are being silly.

Christian really isn't angry here, I believe he is doing a serious fighting stance. They like to use their sticks as light sabers and swords. Boys, boys, boys!

Trick-or-Treat!

Our festivities actually began last Saturday at our ward's trunk-or-treat. The boys have been on a candy high all week but have still been looking forward to today with great anticipation. Our day was full of fun. Diego and Christian both had parties at school which they said were very fun. Jose took the day off so when Diego came home from school they carved their pumpkins.

Diego and Christian giving Jose instructions

Anthony checking out the "guts" of the pumpkin.

Jose getting down to business. Diego is making sure Jose is doing it right. Diego is proud and excited about his pumpkin. Christian and his pumpkin. Here are their pumpkins lit up.

When I told Anthony I was taking a picture of the pumpkins he went and got the other little pumpkins that were in the bushes because he thought they needed to be in the picture. Anthony was our little Batman. The mask didn't even make it out the door. He sure did enjoy going to everyone's house though. At one, he held out his hand, said "Trick Tweet" and looked at the lady like "I'm holding my hand out, where's the candy?" (he couldn't carry his pumpkin anymore because it was too heavy). He was too cute.

There are two pictures here of Christian but there should actually be three. Leading up to Halloween he couldn't make up his mind on what he wanted to be. One of the consistent answers was "Ben 10" ( a cartoon where the boy, Ben, turns into different Aliens to save people). I actually found a costume of that at Toys r Us on sale (otherwise I wouldn't have paid any money for it.) He wore this costume for our wards trunk-or-treat. Then today at school they had a parade and he decided to be Spiderman. Then tonight he wanted to be Batman, with muscles. Thank goodness we have a good supply of dress up clothes.

And then there is Diego. We finished reading a book about spiders a few weeks back so he decided to be a Black Widow Spider. This had me worried because when he would carry his pumpkin he looked just like a boy dressed in black. But this beat out his earlier suggestion of being an ant. He just can't get away from the animal thing. Oh well, he was happy.

Here are the boys with their loot. We were surprised on how many people made "goody bags" that were filled with candy instead of just handing out pieces of candy. Their pumpkins were so full they each asked if we could hold their pumpkins for them. Thank goodness we had the stroller to hook them to. We were able to go around the neighborhood with our neighbors and had a great night.

Styling 101

So yesterday Christian was on a kick to cut his own hair. He kept saying "mom, just like Aunt Kelli cut your hair, that's all I want to do." He kept trying to get real hair cutting scissors to cut his hair. He doesn't have a lot of hair to cut, so I wasn't concerned about that. What I was concerned about was the sharp scissors and him poking himself. I wasn't allowed to do it. He wanted to do it himself. So after much crying and screaming (on his part) I found a pair of baby scissors (for cutting the baby fingernails) and let him use those. The following pics are of him telling me the process for his styling techniques. He is quite a kid.

Here he is with his "hair cutting scissors." I knew he couldn't do too much damage to himself since they have a blunt edge and I didn't think they would cut very well.

He was very focused and kept telling me "See mom, just like this!" How could I have doubted him!?!

Like the good little barber he is, he cleaned out the sink that actually had quite a bit of hair in it.

The next step was to wet his hair down before putting the gel on.

Now time for gel. You would have thought he had long hair like a girl for how much get he put in his hands. Just keep picturing in your head that he is telling me step by step on how this should go.."o.k. now you do this mom."

Now you carefully put the gel on. Ever so carefully making sure you pat your head and get it all over. Here is the finished product. He was very proud of himself and loved that he was just like dad.

Jose takes a hike!

sorry for the underlining on the top half of the post. I can't figure out how to fix it. Ctrl u isn't working. =( Jose is the 2nd counselor in the Young Men's Organization at our church. Most of the activities of that age group are in the scouting program. Seeing as how we have 3 boys of our own, it was only a matter of time before we had something to do with scouting. Jose really enjoys it. So about two weeks ago they decided to climb "Old Rag." This is a mountain about 1 1/2 hours away from us in the Shenandoah Mountains. They couldn't have picked a prettier time of year to go. The leaves were beginning their change of color and the weather was nice and cool.

Here they are starting their climb up. So pretty isn't it?

A couple views from along the trail.

Here is the whole group stopping for lunch. There was one adult per kid with one extra kid.

Here is our hiker. He is smiling here but the next day, he was pretty sore. But he had a great time and can't wait to take our boys there. He's thinking sometime in the near future...I think he's crazy!!