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.

teds

Ted's B ulletin at Mosaic has been "coming soon" for almost two years!  At one point they painted over the sign and I knew they opened one in Reston and I was worried they cancelled, but it was a false alarm, phew!  I literally never have to force J to drive into Capital Hill or 14th St again.  I've had a few miracle parking situations, but it's mostly a mess around both of those other locations.  Ted's is my favorite restaurant - comfort food done right with quality ingredients and fun little spins.... Like the honey sauce on the chicken and biscuits they just added to the menu.  We snuck a spot (from an Instagram post invite) at their soft opening last Thursday.  We were the waitresses' first table and she was just as enthusiastic as we were.  I may have been gushing while talking to the managers.  Milkshakes were OOTW!  J had the sloppiest Joe for the first time and loved the chicken on the honey beer biscuits too.  The pop tarts for breakfast the next day were an extra treat.  They officially open Monday and I'm not sure they can keep me away for long.

brothers

Some summer brother shots that almost got lost in the shuffle for this TGIF!

hyper lapse

Keaton and I were on our way to the apple farm when we started driving into some storm clouds, so I detoured over to Kid J unction… It's the perfect spot to enjoy a rainy day.

One of our new favorites is this app called H yper Lapse, were you can speed up the action.  Here is an intro followed by some hyper laps, and some slow mo at the end:

Kid J unction! from LB on Vimeo.

good list

This good list is full of memorable favorites from the past few months.  J's been on the T25 kick since the start of the summer and it has worked it's 25 minute magic!  He gets crazy excited by one arm burpy and push-up jacks and all the other crazy planks, etc etc.  He can't wait for Insanity in 30 minutes which comes out soon!

This books of animal mashups is a favorite of both boys.  They live to create their own animal ideas.

The plasma car rocks and rolls!

Brad Paisley really rocks ;)

I needed by size seven needles so I was finally determined to get this patternless wonder off the needles.  Still working on the crossover collar, but yet again I may have a piece that is too small for Aiden, yet too big for Keaton.  Aiden calls the squares Legos which is fun!

The newest fireplace banner is made from chalkboard paper - it says be curious for back to school.

This guy is loving drawing and is especially keen on writing Ks and making acrobat guys.

J has been traveling and this past trip brought us an extra special tasty treat: "bear poop" peanuts covered in chocolate and dusted with powdered sugar to make them more appealing?

cooking class

As a belated birthday treat, we hosted a private chef to teach us how to cook a favorite meal: Chicken Tikka Masala, Basmati Rice, Spinach, and Apple Cider Donuts.  Our chef was a bit of a character and at times I felt like those drill sergeant chefs on TV are the real deal, but she mostly teased us.  We had one grease fire and a few misshapen donuts, but J went back for a second serving! And to top the cake, and proof it must have been tasty: Aiden gobbled it up!  So I call it a success ;) 

treats

It's always such a treat to have family visiting!  Makes me wish I could squash the states together every time!  We did a whole lot of chillaxing which we are really good at - but we kept moving too - and I think my sister broke 30,000 steps on her fitbit in one day!  Keaton wanted to copy his cousin and ride in a stroller (which he hadn't ridden in for almost two years!) for some nice walks. My mom and I found a new trike for Cam and he was already scooting around on it.  The big boys looooved their European surprise egg treats and the tiny adorable toys are getting plenty of playtime.  Thanks to our favorite candy mules who even found a giant happy egg guy to decorate and hold all the cute toys ;)

fall fest

Beautiful weather and balloons... Ice cream and cotton candy... Live animals and pirates... Olaf in costume and bouncy houses... Kettle korn and crab soup... Family visiting from out of town... All ingredients for a good day!

tidbits

Tidbits ::  Back on the ice after a session break, this alpha instructor isn't messing around.  He jumped right back in...

The apple pattern hat guy hopped off the bus after his family one apple celebration with all sorts of fun stories... Apple tastings, exercises, pattern hats, songs...

It was color week at Keaton's school and it was so fun to see the kids play with color mixing.  The giant palette was my favorite.

Keaton was so excited to have me in his class again and this time he was able to be the sharer.  He brought a magformer rocket ship he made with a robot and Jedi riding in it.  It was pretty cute hearing him explain it and his friends asking questions about where he got it.  He was excited to say for his birthday from his grandparents - thx!

This guy is back to piano lessons... which are getting tricky and sometimes just plain hard.  So sometime you get the face on the left followed by the shrugging guy on the right.

His sharing bag he decorated himself.

His class looooves having books read to them and they all wish they could squeeze on one lap.