Halloween Festivities

This year the boys got to wear their costumes three times.  I was super excited about this because I LOVE Brayden's costume this year.  It had been Logan's two years ago, and I thought it was adorable then.  So I was really glad we were able to use it again.

Last weekend we headed out to my school for our parent organization's Trunk or Treat event.  This is a really cute idea if you haven't heard of it - people decorate the trunks of their cars, and then the kids roam around the parking lot and trick-or-treat at each car.  We had a good time.  We only stayed about an hour, but I got to see some of my co-workers and their little trick-or-treaters as well as several of my students.  Here are the boys ready to go!

On Sunday, Rossford had its annual Halloween parade.  This day had made me a little anxious for about a week before because the parade was at 2:00, which is right in the middle of nap time.  I knew we wouldn't be able to come home and nap afterward because then it would be too close to bedtime and the boys wouldn't be able to fall asleep.  I decided I would put Logan down early, skip Brayden's morning nap, and put him down at the same time as Logan.  I was sure that some part of this plan would fail miserably, but it worked out perfectly!  The boys slept from about 11:30-1:30, and then we got up and went over to Nana and Papa's for the parade.  Logan surprisingly remembered a lot of details about the parade from last year, so he was pretty excited.  (Notice his change in costume from Trunk or Treat - he refused to wear the monkey that day, so we resurrected last year's UPS driver for the day.  The monkey is this year's official costume.)  Brayden, of course, had no idea what was going on but he really liked watching the fire trucks, listening to the band and the floats with music, and watching all of the people handing out candy.  Logan got quite a collection of candy - a LOT of Tootsie Rolls, but they both seemed to have a really good time.  My favorite part?  The boys were so exhausted from all the excitement that they were both in bed by 7:30!

Halloween night was somewhat of a whirlwind.  I don't normally get home from work until about 4:15, and we had to eat, get to Nana and Papa's, and get changed all before 6:00 for trick or treating.  I knew I didn't want to take the boys out for more than a half hour or so because all three of us weren't feeling that well, and I knew Brayden would need to get to bed on time.  We attempted our annual photo in Nana's front yard with her pumpkins, but with two energetic boys on the move, it wasn't the easiest task (see our attempts below).  Uncle Troy and Stacey went with the four of us.  I had the boys in the wagon, but it didn't last all that long because it was annoying to have to get them out at every house.  Eventually Logan just walked and Brayden started skipping houses because I knew he didn't need the candy anyway.  Logan was hilarious, trying to negotiate with the people handing out candy to get a few more pieces or to choose what he got.  He would tell them he needed another piece for Daddy or Uncle Troy.  It was embarrassing, but luckily most people were good sports and just laughed.  After about a half hour, Logan decided he had to go potty, which made for a perfect end to our trick or treating event.  We changed into pajamas at Nana and Papa's, then headed home right around 7 to put the boys in bed.  They had a lot of fun, and ended up with quite a stash of candy, which Todd and I are really enjoying :)

Fourth of July Weekend

This year, the Fourth of July weekend wasn't too eventful for us.  We kept it kind of low key for a variety of reasons.  On Friday, my sister came to visit.  She had a bridal shower in town Saturday morning, so she came up Friday around lunchtime.  After lunch and naps, we went to the zoo.  I was afraid it was going to be super crowded with it being a holiday weekend.  Surprisingly, it was not crowded at all.  We got there around 3:00, and since the zoo closes at 5:00, we didn't have a ton of time to walk around.  But since there were hardly any people there we got to see quite a bit.  Our big disappointment was not being able to see Lucas, the new baby elephant.  I didn't realize he was only out for certain hours of the day (which totally makes sense considering he's a newborn).  We got to the elephants about 4:15, only to find out that he goes in at 4:00.  Oh well, next time we will know.  Unfortunately my camera batteries died while we were there.  I have some pictures we took with my camera, and my sister took a few more - I just don't have hers yet.  She took one at the end of all three of us, so I'll have to make sure to get those from her ASAP.

 

Logan and Jenn Jenn on the train

 Brayden and me on the train

 We thought it was cute that he was holding on

Nature's Neighborhood

Jenn left on Saturday morning for the shower and then home.  The plan was to try to get a bunch of work done around the house.  We're still prepping to get our house back on the market, and we have a list that we're slowly checking items off of.  Todd's parents had said they were going to come over to swim that afternoon, so we thought we could have them take the boys for an hour or so while Todd and I got some work done.  It was super hot that day, so our work day ended up turning into an entire afternoon in the pool.  We swam from 2:30 until about 5, and then it was time to make dinner.  Needless to say, we didn't get much checked off the list that day, but we had a blast anyway.

On Sunday morning we headed up to the lake.  Troy and Stacey were there, but Todd's parents were staying home because they were leaving for Las Vegas on Monday.  It was the first time that we were up there by ourselves.  We were excited to test out the feeling of having our own place.  We took a walk, ate lunch, napped, and then spent the rest of the day by the beach.  This was the first time we really spent an extended amount of time at the beach.  Todd's mom doesn't like the heat, so I always feel guilty going up to the lake and spending the majority of our day away from the cottage.  But this was so much better!  The boys had so much fun, I got some sun, and we had a great time!  We will definitely be spending more time at the beach the next time we go up to the lake...and I won't let myself feel guilty!  

 Brayden and Lilly - She will make the best babysitter in a few years!

 We kept trying to get him to jump, but he wouldn't unless someone was in to catch him.

Logan and Lilly

We ran out of time for a boat ride, which was a little disappointing, especially for Logan.  But Todd took him out on the jetski instead.  I was a nervous wreck, especially since Todd totally fibbed about how far he would take Logan out and how fast he would go.  Nothing bad happened, and Logan loved it, but I still can't help but think about what could have happened.

 
The fireworks at the lake were Saturday night, so we missed them.  I was bummed that Logan didn't get to see them but glad that I didn't have to worry about Brayden waking up during them.  We came home early Monday morning and just relaxed at home.  Nothing super patriotic, though I am disappointed I didn't get a picture of the boys in their cute outfits (thanks to Grammy and Papa).  

I hate to wish my boys' childhood away, but we kept saying that we couldn't wait until next summer.  Todd and I both remember how much fun Logan had at the lake last year, and that's the age Brayden will be next year.  We won't have to deal with nursing schedules, sleep issues, or a baby that can't walk yet.  I'm crossing my fingers that next year can be worry and issue-free.  And Todd and I decided that we really liked being on our own at the lake.  We're making plans to save some money so that we will be able to get our own place in a few years.