The Birthday Dilemma

Parker's birthday is next week and I have done approximately nothing to prepare for it. The truth is, he doesn't want a party.... which throws my desire to throw a Pinterest worthy party out the window but believe me, its for the best. He's requested a Buzz Lightyear cake, a trip to the zoo and squinkies. Easy peasy except I just can't bring myself to do it... especially the squinkies.... I curse the person who came up with those darn things. You see, for the last 2 weeks, my son has spent 90% of the day throwing tantrums, in time out or whining. I. AM. OVER. IT.

The thought of dropping hundreds of dollars on a party, presents and cake while my son rolls on the floor because his Thomas the Train is dirty (because he put it in a flower pot) simply does not appeal to me right now with this current rash of awful behavior. I may or may not have threatened no 4th birthday presents if he keeps acting 2.... well he's continued to act 2 so now I'm kicking myself for "threatening" that. Do I follow through? I was sure that would serve as amazing attitude adjustment but alas I was wrong.

Who has taken my sweet boy and when do you plan on returning him?!

I hate that he's acting this way. It literally hurts me to my core to see him throw these ridiculous tantrums over the weirdest things. It's a season of life... and I know you're not supposed to wish away time but I can't say I'd miss these "moments!'

The birthday plan as it stands is to celebrate with my family this weekend since my sister will be in town. I did score a Buzz cake but I don't have a present for him. He needs NOTHING but I would feel like the worst mom ever if I didn't get  him something, especially since this is the 1st birthday he understands. Help a girl out, what do I get him...despite this current behavioral hiatus he's taken?! He's into Toy Story again (today) but he has so much Thomas and Toy Story that I'd like to get something generic. I'm serious.. I need ideas.

Feel free to also chime in on how to retrieve my sweet boy who has been taken over by a child I do not know or understand. I seem to be at a loss and I sure miss him!

Halloween 2012

I hope you all had a fun and candy filled Halloween! Ours was perfectly low key... just what I was hoping for! Last minute I was able to wrangle Parker into his costume (it was a 2 person job) despite his insistence for a month that was would be "nothing." If he genuinely was having a terrible time, I wouldn't have made him dress up but sometimes he just needs a nudge and then he has a great time. Avery was SO excited to get dressed up again and even got upset when we had to take her fairy wings off for bed. I was sure they would only last for pictures but she wore them (and the hairbow!) the whole night!

 

I was admittedly a bit of a Halloween scrooge this year. It was Wednesday night and Parker had school Thursday morning so we were dressed and trick or treating by 6pm. We hit up a few friend's houses around our neighborhood and then came home to hand out candy. Parker was comfortable to just be along for the ride. Avery, on the other hand, was on a mission for copious amounts of sugar.

Once we got to houses he recognized, Parker came out of his shell a bit and enjoyed the trick or treating experience.

Note the smurf is picking his nose.... I love finding treasures like this on my camera the next morning!

Grandma (Daniels mom) joined the trick or treating fun. It was nice to have an extra pair of eyes even if we did trick or treat while it was still light outside! 

Avery cracked me up. When someone opened the door, she would just walk straight in as if we were touring homes. She would check everything out and then come back to the candy bowl. I suppose it's a good thing we only went to our friend's houses! Stranger danger! Girlfriend had a great method for picking what piece of candy she wanted.... 100% of the time she went for the shiniest package so we scored a lot of TWIX! 

Parker went with the "Bigger is better" method which worked out really well for avoiding smarties and tootsie roll pops Come on people... no one wants those!  Parker requested to come home after about 8 houses and I was totally fine with that. He enjoyed a showing of "Thomas and Friends Blue Mountain Mystery" courtesy of his dad who brought it home from Redbox, scoring mega Parker love. Avery helped us hand out candy to the rest of the trick or treaters while showing off the dog's costumes. 

Before we had the kids, we dressed our dogs up for Halloween. I'm a bit ashamed to admit they have 6 costumes. Daniel picked these out of their dress up bin (yes.... I just admitted my dogs have a dress up bin). They hated it were thrilled.

Moses is supposed to be a hot dog but looks more like a bratwurst since he's a bit on the rounder side and Ellie is a dragon. Heaven forbid Daniel put her in a girly costume! Poor thing... she pretty much just barrel rolled until I saved her. I wouldn't want to be a dragon either, pretty girl!

I was successful in my mission of having a fun Halloween while still getting the kids to bed on time. I forgot to turn our light off so we did have a group of trick or treaters ring the doorbell and wake A up but all things considered, a great night! Avery even slept through the night (7:30-6:15! WOO HOO) Best night's sleep EVER for her and Mr. Parker was bright eyed and bushy tailed for school today! :) Score one for keepin' em on a schedule and still having Halloween fun!

Today I went to 2 different Targets trying to find princess dresses and super hero costumes for a dress up box for Christmas but others mamas must have beat me to them! I did find a garden gnome, colorful witch and lady bug for Avery and a firefighter for Parker but I've still got my eyes open for costumes on clearance! Let me know if you see any!

Halloween is officially over... onto Thanksgiving!!!!!

Neighborhood Halloween Party

This is our 1st Halloween in our new neighborhood! We were excited to go to the Halloween party and haunted trail the social committee put together Saturday night. They went ALL OUT! Parker dressed up as Buzz Lightyear and Avery was a fairy. I was hesitant to buy her a costume in case she wouldn't wear it so I just got fairy wings and everything else I found in her closet. I thought she was SO cute! Parker was happy to be Buzz but as usual, not happy to have proof on camera.

I think she looks 5 in this picture. So grown up!

What did I think would happen if I gave her a wand? Straight to the mouth!

This wagon has been worth its weight in gold! Best mode of transporting kids around a neighborhood ever!

Avie eventually jumped ship and pulled her brother. Strongest 17 month old EVER!

We have amazing walking trails through the woods and the social committee converted a small portion of it into a haunted trail. They let the little kids come through at 7 and didn't spook them (even though it was still pretty creepy!) and then ramped it up with zombies and people jumping out at you at 8. 

Parker staring at a "dead" kid.... like I said... still a bit too scary for the little kids! Whoops! We didn't know. Thankfully, no nightmares!

After the haunted trail we all went to the clubhouse for yummy food and one of the Charlie Brown movies. Parker and his friend, Jonathan, sat for the entire movie but Avery... not so much. We decided she must have thought she was dressed as a social butterfly instead of a fairy because girlfriend worked the room over and over! 

Parker and Jonathan were content to watch the movie together

I'm not sure if you can see Avery's face but it is CLASSIC. She was pretty excited to see "A DOG!" (Snoopy) 

The kids had a great time and we were really impressed with the detail that went into planning the party. I'm so glad we took the kids to this because actual Halloween night is supposed to be in the high 40's! BRRR!!!! Plus it's a Wednesday and who really wants to keep their kids up late and sugared up on a school night anyways? I think Halloween/trick or treating should always be the 4th Saturday of the month of October. Who's with me?!

I hope you all have a fun Halloween week filled with pumpkins, costumes and candy... but only the good stuff worth blowing all those calories over!!!