Pumpkin Cookies

I kept the boys home from school to spend some time with Mommy and enjoy a pancake breakfast with the Hammond Crew. We had super fun at breakfast! The kids were so cute. When we got home it was time to bring on October Fun. We started with making pumpkin cookies and then got out our October book box. The boys keep asking me when are we going the the pumpkin patch! I guess the remember the frequent trips to the Arboretum last October. Next week we will start our weekly trips to the Arboretum. I can't wait. G&G make the holidays so much super fun!! After nap time we plan on decorating the house with light up pumpkins. It's cute to see how G&G are understanding the seasons and holidays this year. Of course, the most frequent questions I get is when is our Elf coming back! (refer to December 2008 postings!)

Waffles, Raspberries and Dinosaurs!

I have had a few days off work and it's been great! I let the boys sleep in a bit and cook them breakfast before preschool. Grayson brings his dinosaur to the kitchen table and every meal and "shares" his food with him (sound effects and all!) Gavin had taken a new creative spin on eating and lately. We eat raspberries alot at the Howard House and Gavin loves to put them on all his fingers while naming them various characters from Thomas the Train. It's so funny! We've had a great week together.

Jim Fay is my HERO!!!!!

Anyone who knows me is aware Gavin is STRONG willed and smart. Oh yea, and spoiled too. Okay, gimme a break, he is my first born, I'm still learning my 'parent' role. We've had our ups and downs in the discipline department. We've read books, I mean ALOT of books. Leman, Dobson, Greenspan, and now Fay. (last names) By far, Jim Fay's is amazing. Greg and I purchased the audio CDs (for Greg in traffic) and books for me last week. We read about "love and logic" on their web site and started implementing basic principles-as best as we could-last week. Since last Wednesday, no tantrums-I MEAN none. Gavin response is amazing, we both see his true personality coming back. Now that he is 3 and has he mental capacity to understand reasoning and consequences , we are able to talk teach and guide him rather than time out this and time out that. It does take more time from our part and alot of patience but let me tell you-I'd rather do this than endure screaming tantrums that really don't resolve or teach my boy! I know we will still need time outs for acting out and hitting brother, etc, however I see major improvement in everybody in the Howard House. Grayson is doing well, he is compliant for the most part. He just turned 2 in August so the reasoning won't be until later, but simple explanations and time outs work great for now.

YEA Jim Fay!

My Favorite People...

I am so blessed!!!

ROAAAARRRR!!

The Slide

Honestly, I forgot we had this slide. We haven't taken it out in a long time. It has been folded up nicely in the garage. I thought the boys were too big for it, WRONG! They had a blast; especially Grayson! We were hanging out in the patio playing with play dough when Greg brought the slide into the backyard. Grayson grabbed a play dough container and hit the slide. He held the container in his hand the entire time, climbing, sliding and climbing. It was so funny! I had to reinforce taking turns with the slide...over and over and over again! The pictures capture it all.

4 Wheelin' Fun!

G&G had super fun riding their 4 wheelers this weekend. Gavin learned how to use the throttle bar on his steering wheel. He gets a turbo boost on his 4 wheeler and can take sharp turns without spinning out now. He is so proud of himself. Grayson still enjoys his batman lil quad 4 wheeler, however, I think Santa will have to replace this little ride with a big boy ride! Even Boomer joined in on the backyard adventure!