hallow night

Dorothy, Toto (imprinted on an apron), and the Wicked Witch joined the Tin Man and Flying Monkey on Halloween Night.  There were some fun decorations around this year and a bit more activity...but we heard everyone hits a specific street where they have hay rides and adult cider ;) maybe next year we'll trek up there.  But we did meet up with some of Aiden's buddies from school which made it extra fun for him.  Keaton had 76 pieces of candy and Aiden had just over 100.  Keaton had fun passing out candy with me for a bit at the tail end of the night, while counting out his candy - snickers won!

bday party

Aiden's party was a little early this year because that lucky duck gets his birthday and the next day off from school (when a lot of party people go out of town).  We had plenty of party people available for his party (even though there were two class parties that day!) at the Ultra Zone laser tag arena we tested out a few weeks ago. There were 22 kids who played two fun games of laser tag and scarfed down some pizza and cupcakes. The kids cruised around the laser tag arena with their flashing vests all traveling in a big blob of kids.  During the first game they put just me on the opposite team so at one point I had all the kids around me earning lotsa points off my vest and giggling ;)  Our spy guy was pretty giddy in his tuxedo tshirt and was especially excited to open his awesome presents.  We were excited that my folks and even my sister and her family could come from out of town to join in the crazy - Thanks for coming to overstimulation zone and making the chaos seem more homey ;)

happy hallow

Hallow interview from LB on Vimeo.
happy hallow AB from LB on Vimeo.

spirit

Everyone was into the fall spirit around here.  Keaton collected leaves to show his dad and sang to the pumpkins.  Aiden's school had spirit/say no to drugs week with some funny days including: backwards/inside out clothes (turn your back on drugs), college shirt day (too smart for drugs), wear all white (white out drugs, I still don't get it?!), and mustache day (I must'ask you to say no to drugs!).  My favorite was his idea for the fox on his shirt to wear a mustache.  His class also had a boosterthon prize where they could pick a pajama party in the mix too.

unos

Kids night had a Halloween spin this week so how could we resist eating out in some alternate costumes from the dress up bin... Because Halloween is awesome like that, eh?!

carving

Pumpkins now have some toothy grins!  Lotsa planning this year with two guys actually using pens to draw out what they wanted.  Then mommy helped cut and dad picked through for a huge batch of yummy seeds.  The boys both didn't really like the goop again this year, but they are pros at taking the lids off and on.

mosaic

We ate dinner and then breakfast a day later at Ted's at the same big table tucked back in the corner.  Mr. Breakfast pancakes were a treat, but the cinnamon roll as big as 'yur head was even fancier.

The farmer's market was in gear once we finished breakfast.  Aiden found some seriously bones and some crack corn (like soft unpopped kernels).  The very serious balloon twisters were there to make an elaborate woven alien ship for KC and a skeleton hat for the skelly big kid.

tidbits

My parents and sister arrived at the end of last week with big boxes full of goodies and a smiley cousin!  Then this turkey on the right even had a chance to swing down here too!  The puzzle master Cameron was in constant motion.  The combo of new toys and cousin buddies is pretty awesome.  Thanks for coming down here and to everyone for all the birthday presents - more birthday fun to come!

party

This cousin crew was ready for some a Halloween action at the neighborhood party.  It was crazy busy this year, but there were lotsa treats including a s'mores spot, pumpkin crafts, and photo spot.  Aiden made name tags with "Tin Man" and "Flying Monkey" on them which made me giggle.

good list

Aiden's piano teacher hosted the kids for a craft day and look at this cool stuff.  That hip bag!  There are glow sticks to pit into the Frankencarton.

The whole #tbt (throwback Thursday) deal is sometimes cringeworthy but sometimes fun.  Here are some youngins on a well used keychain my friend found. And Downtown a Willo posted this fun throwback to Scooters where we spent many days scooping.

Throwing boomerangs as "high as the sky" and hoping it gets stuck.

The snack time fun at Keaton's school with pretzel leg spiders.

These glowing Legos are making a comeback around here.

Captain Hook is ready with his elaborate costume!

farm field trip

Keaton's class field trip to Frying Pan Farm on a perfect sunny day with these flourescent yellow shirts shining bright!  Here are a few snaps without showing his buddies (which is against the rules)... But it was a really fun day trip!

colonial faire

Since we are farm members, we've now seen the faire in every season.  It was a crisp fall day and the fires we avoid standing near in the summer were comforting.  J frequently craves the pork sausage (which we think they make on the farm - so fresh!) on the crusty bread with spicy mustard.  Everything is cooked  over the open fire and served straight into your hand.  The boys know the routine now and they can pick some chicken.  

We made our rounds to see the farm before the faire officially opened.  Keaton quickly found a writing stick just like he did last time, although this time he could write quite a few more letters.  We peeked inside the newly built root cellar right inside the side of the hill, where they are storing the actual harvest like squash, etc. The chickens and rooster were trying to find a warm place to roost along with the squaking silly gooses.

When the faire opened we caught the first fencing show from the front row.  We all had a chance to hold a sword and pretend to fence.  Keaton especially was beyond excited they let him hold the sword that was taller than him!  Rock candies, seesaws, and bat paintings rounded out the fun ;)

one day

Yes, this One Day app where you can get interview prompts for your kids is right up our alley.  We've made a bunch already…I love to hear their off the cuff answers.  I think these two early ones are two of my favorites:


Keaton at three and a half from LB on Vimeo.

Aiden at almost seven from LB on Vimeo.

good list

Lotsa Halloween decorations being created around here… This creepy step house is my favorite so far. 

Keaton created these maps of the world and this one had a lot of details.

Turkey hats for some turkeys!  Aiden turkey is absorbed in another book in this photo, but was doing the turkey trot later on…

This little devil can't get enough the costume aisles this year.  Giggles for daaaays! (especially after that slippery banana incident).

Cava's falafel with lemon herb tahini is a craving, but now I'm adding this tea to the craving as well - This one was Apple Cider Tea that tasted so light...

This guy wants a balloon sword every time.  He really had his dancing shoes on with this sword flying in the wind occasionally.

Aiden is in the older kid Young Actor's performance this time around.  After he "auditioned" with his rendition of Let It Go (I didn't even know they were doing this, so there was no official prep besides our frequent car singing), he was excited they would be singing this time.  As Captain Hook, he scored the "humor job" (as he calls it!) with the only "solo" performance (which may be more of a pirate chant, not too sure about that yet).  I love that he's excited to be the humorous loud guy - that's Aiden!

coop

This week was farm week and my particular coop day was all about piggies!  We did some finger painting with to make dirty pigs and even made some pig face bagels for snack.  Keaton was so excited it was his turn for sharing.  He brought his favorite flashlight which he informed everyone was "from this cool place called Target!"  He was especially excited to turn off the lights and show off the flashes to everyone. 

Daniel dog

Daniel Dog and Friends is a new graphic addition to Aiden's story collections -
Click to enlarge:

fall fest

This wasn't your commune with nature on a farm type fall festival, but it was still pretty rad.  M.osaic set up the stage, brought in some food trucks, and some kids fun.  Host a trackless train and bunch of pools full of legos and then add in some balloon creations and you're pretty much set. The funny air blower dancing guys liked to hit the ground on this windy day and Aiden was excited to catch some high fives.  Keaton got in some extra high fives with the puppy with cool shades.  The cookie ice cream sandwiches were filled with pumpkin chip ice cream - yummmo!  I should get together a video of the dancing crew at this shindig too.  Pretty relaxing late afternoon fun...

photo booth

I think the combo of a photo booth at a fall festival at our favorite spot in town is s-u-p-e-r!!  

Keaton's rainbow mohawk for the win!

good list

Keaton likes to get out and about even on rainy days with his dancing boots on… The yellow and red leaves are peeking out.

This Snapcircuits kit is awesome.  There are over 100 projects that can be created with all the different combinations.  Aiden can create the combinations on his own.  Keaton can even snap them together, so he's the prep guy.  The coolest one is the flying saucer, close second is the happy birthday speaker.

This Elsa doll is almost as tall as Keaton which he thought was really amusing!

Tracing paper in his new sea creatures drawing book is a bonus.  He also brought home another drawing book from his school library.

Anything that requires a magnifying glass is popular around here.  This tiny Where's Waldo book is pretty schnazzy.

So many people drawings and bugs with different segments lately from Keatonmesiter… This one even shows the egg, chrysalis and some bug food.

magic

P B J acks is extra fun on Ms. Mollie days especially because they know Keaton loves being a magician.  He was especially excited by the magic plunger that he used to make pumpkins appear.  He earned some magic star glasses and some Dracula teeth ;)

kitchen

We are getting geared up for the final step in our kitchen "recustomizing" as Aiden calls it.  This project has been a long time coming because there aren't many workers hungry for work around here.  This guy we are working with comes highly recommended luckily, so it's good to have someone we can trust.  The first phase with demo of the tile was a bit rough and they essentially need to redrywall.  Keaton was very concerned that we let them "break" our kitchen.  They put in the new counter right away so we are completely functional, just not very pretty yet.  After a half day of work we came back into the new beautiful quartz countertops (C ambria B lackwood) and Keaton was still very concerned about the kitchen still being "broken" and he wanted to be sure to let me know. He said, "Mama, why are you excited about the broken kitchen!?"  Aiden thinks it is really funny that we uncovered a very helpful construction label - it's a wall!  J let the boys write on the inside wall and he added a Wall- E robot guy ;)  He added our names and the date as a time capsule of sorts.  Seeing the old wallpaper that used to grace the kitchen was a treat.

out and about

I snuck out for brunch at the Mount Vernon Inn and a visit to a new place I've never been with a favorite old friend.  Stephanie and I met in Tucson in grad school, which feels like many lives ago… We both bounced around the country and then somehow landed in Northern VA together moving into the area within a month of each other!  We try to make a point to get out for something new and fun - it usually involves some sort of yarn petting, good food and wine… This time it was some drunken french toast for brunch and a tour around the plantation property a couple miles from Mount Vernon.  There is the home of George Washington's niece Nelly, Woodlawn which is very Georgian.  Then they rescued this Usonian Frank Lloyd Wright home from Route 66 destruction in Falls Church and moved it.  It was so awesome to see and hear about it, and taking hour long tours is not something I get to do very often! 

coop

Keaton's school is absolutely the best for making you feel like you are a part of the classroom.  Not only do you get a chance to coop (assist the teacher) in the class, but they send a photo rundown of each day!  I've been in the class fairly frequently, but it's nice to see all the fun recorded... I can only upload photos that don't include other kids, but here are some fun shots.  The sensory table full of oats and cinnamon sticks smelled delicious!  I wanted to play in it all day.  Rolling painted corn cobs was a hit.

That is Keaton's favorite green apple finger paint on the left.  I also love when all the kids respond on the same topic.  Keaton's insight on apples was "You can eat them!"

They do lotsa fun cooking and baking their own snacks.  Last week really yummy applesauce and this week biscuits and butter.  Look at those yummy homemade biscuits, the photo of the butter they churned was not nearly as appealing.

Keaton is a climber and swinger on the playground.  He loves to pretend he's talking into the flight radio on his rocket ship swing.

Reading the class books the teacher makes with pics of each kid in the class is a hit.  This is the sharing book that records everything the kids bring on their sharing day.

tooth fairy

The tooth fairy came to visit last night!  She left a lucky $7 for the lucky almost seven year old ;). He knows just what toy he's going to get.  He really earned this one by "exercising" that tooth like the dentist suggested to make room for his shark tooth waiting behind it. He also got a toy from the Mommy fairy as an incentive to stretch the tooth in uncomfy ways.

He was helped out yesterday by some cold hardened chocolate on the dipped Oreos J made with the boys and plenty of brother wrestling.  He went to bed and came running out a few minutes later while I was still on FaceTime with my mom.  He said his tooth felt really loose and I told him to yank it.  He wiggled and then started asking me if it would hurt once it was out... And while he was talking it fell out onto his lip!  Pretty easy and not too messy with a little "bonus blood on the tooth" which Aiden says means the tooth fairy gives you extra mula.  I bet there will be more tiny teeth coming out soon!

TGIF vid

spy guy

Aiden and J have been on a few daddy and son adventures, and I think Aiden and I were both ready for a mommy and son day!  I almost tried to convince myself that we should just invite J and Keaton along with us, but when I asked Aiden he said that he can't think of a time he and I got to do something without Keaton along.  I realized he was probably right and we should go for it.  So we left daddy and Keaton to find their own fun adventure (they went to a movie together), and we hopped over to the Spy Museum which we'd never been to.  We even snuck in a visit to the Shake Shack next door (pumpkin custard day!) and the Portrait Gallery across the street.  

Aiden is a really pumped for his spy birthday party this year, so we were there for some good spy research.  The spy museum had the perfect blend of stuff, including coded puzzles to solve and secret identity quizzes.  The very first intro is a ride in an elevator with crazy colored lights and a spy mission announcement.  Then you enter a room where you have to choose a secret identity to memorize before the briefing room opens.  There was a countdown clock and we had to memorize our details in less than two minutes.  Luckily, Aiden had his and my secret identities memorized (which was convenient since I'm not cut out to be a spy with a secret identity I can't remember) and loved to visit the suspicion stations to check to see if he had all the info down.  

The spy training was both of our favorite parts.  They had a station where you had to try to deactivate a bomb, another where you crawled through a ventilation tunnel to pick up numbers to a secret code, and another where you hang from a bar that is jerking around and blowing air on you (Aiden hung on for 16 seconds).  Least favorite was the LCD screen that looked like a very realistic shark tank, it said "knock on glass at your own risk" and someone knocked on it and the fake shark suddenly "cracked" the faux tank.  I think Aiden and I both screamed and then laughed hysterically.  We are jumpy gene carriers.  Aiden was convinced that every part of the museum had secret clues hidden everywhere.  He loved that the cars on display had secret lasers and special add ons.  It was a good first mission for this code breaking spy in training. 

three and a half

Happy Half Birthday to Keaton (belated from last Thursday!)
Just like sunshine and rainbows…You bring so much warmth and color into our lives.  I'll just let your shenanigans from the last year speak for themselves, Love you Baby Chi Chi, Mama


Keaton two and a half to three and a half from LB on Vimeo.

Sunshine by JJ Heller

Red are the rosiest cheeks i have seen.
orange is the sunset that lulls you to sleep.
yellow the birds that have folded their wings for the night.
You are the sunshine.
On rainy days.
And if i have sunshine.
A rainbow is coming my way.

Green are the meadows you see in your dreams.
Blue are the stars in the sky dark and deep.
Purple the evening that's tucking you in for the night.
You are the sunnshine.
On rainy days.
And if i have sunshine.
A rainbow is coming my way.

Cloudy days.
Will Blow away.
And the sky will not always be grey.
Cloudy days.
Will blow away.
And the sky will not always be grey.
You are the sunshine.
On rainy days.
And if i have sunshine.
A rainbow is coming my way
(Sunshine)
On rainy days
And if i have sunshine.
A rainbow is coming my way.
If i have sunshine a rainbow is coming my way.

eats and treats

Trader Joe's hosted a Pumpkinpalooza complete with live music and tastings of a bunch of their pumpkin products.  Pumpkin Kringle danish was a highlight, but it was all delicious: pumpkin cranberry crackers, pumpkin biscotti, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin beer, pumpkin chai, spiced pumpkin seeds, pumpkin ravioli, pumpkin soup mixed with thai yellow curry and pumpkin croutons.   Keaton's mini cart was full of some of the favorites we didn't already have at home.

These little toys from the surprise chocolate eggs literally have filled up an entire teacher workday of brotherly fun.  They played so nicely with them all day long!  These guys travel with us just about everywhere. Here they are being tucked in to a napkin bed.

I made a giant batch of banana oat muffins for Keaton's school snacks, etc. I tried a new recipe and it was so good - full of oats but still light and airy with a really nice texture:

Banana oat muffin recipe - makes 12 muffins
 1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
 1 cup rolled oats
 1/2 cup white sugar
 2 teaspoons baking powder
 1 teaspoon baking soda
 1/2 teaspoon salt
 1 egg
 3/4 cup milk
 1/3 cup vegetable oil
 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
 1 cup mashed bananas

Directions
Combine flour, oats, sugar, baking powder, soda, and salt. In a large bowl, beat the egg lightly. Stir in the milk, oil, and vanilla. Add the mashed banana, and combine thoroughly. Stir the flour mixture into the banana mixture until just combined. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper bake cups, and divide the batter among them. Bake at 400 degrees F for 18 to 20 minutes.

good list

These guys love restaurants that have these ridiculous ziosks with all sorts of simple touch screen games.  It's the highlight of daddy going away on a trip.  They even like to sit together and watch each other play.  

This guy is always happy surrounded by mums and pumpkins.  If he needs to shake the sillies out we just go dance around the nursery and touch all the pumpkins and especially try to count all the indian corn.

This lego inspired sweater needs some sleeves and some blocking (since it looks kind wonky int eh shoulders especially), but it actually fits him!  Maybe I can finish it in time for him to actually wear it?!

Everyone in Keaton's class tasted and picked their favorite apple.  Our strong flavors guy picked the Granny Smith, but it may have been because it was closest to the color blue which he kept insisting is his real favorite but "apples don't come in blue!"

Playing with our buddies is especially fun with mini foosball tables and adorable dogs looking in on the action. Best part is that they were surrounded by a bunch of knitting friends!

This chess set is back out at Mosaic and they replaced some parts that didn't survive last winter (plastic cracks when it freezes solid ;)  This spot is one of my favorite place to be after dinner, especially now that Ted's is open!

Trader Joe's hosted a Pumpkinpalooza complete with live music and tastings of a bunch of their pumpkin products.  Pumpkin Kringle danish was a highlight, but it was all delicious: pumpkin cranberry crackers, pumpkin biscotti, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin beer, pumpkin chai, spiced pumpkin seeds, pumpkin ravioli, pumpkin soup mixed with thai yellow curry and pumpkin croutons.   Keaton's mini cart was full of some of the favorites we didn't already have at home.

These little toys from the surprise eggs literally have filled up an entire teacher workday of brotherly fun.  They played so nicely with them all day long!  These guys traveled with us just about everywhere for a while.

I made a giant batch of banana oat muffins for Keaton's school snacks, etc. I tried a new recipe and it was so good - full of oats but still light and airy with a really nice texture:

Banana oat muffin recipe - makes 12 muffins
 1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
 1 cup rolled oats
 1/2 cup white sugar
 2 teaspoons baking powder
 1 teaspoon baking soda
 1/2 teaspoon salt
 1 egg
 3/4 cup milk
 1/3 cup vegetable oil
 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
 1 cup mashed bananas

Directions
Combine flour, oats, sugar, baking powder, soda, and salt. In a large bowl, beat the egg lightly. Stir in the milk, oil, and vanilla. Add the mashed banana, and combine thoroughly. Stir the flour mixture into the banana mixture until just combined. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper bake cups, and divide the batter among them. Bake at 400 degrees F for 18 to 20 minutes.

tidbits

Leaves are already starting to fall and there are patches of color coming out.  The boys with their soft swords are getting way more outdoor play time now that the bugs are mostly gone for the season.  

Home Depot never disappoints with these guys - and Keaton can cram the nail in to start the hammering now, and boy he's proud if he gets it in on his own.  This time it was an ambulance with working wheels.

Playing grocery with a little girl who looked like a miniature grown up.  The rocket ship rides are always a favorite.

Bringing in apples to sort by color and then make apple sauce at school!  Keaton was very happy with his mixed color apple.

All of their caterpillars changed into butterflies and they released them in the garden outside in the preschool courtyard.  They have successfully made it into a monarch way station.

This guy will pick dress up clothes over just about anything else at school.