Happy Three Halloweens

October is so much fun. It's the month o' Halloween! We got to celebrate three times...

First (actually 2nd) - with some of our international friends - pumpkin carving is a very American tradition, even though other countries are starting to adopt the dressing up part of the holiday. We got a group together and hung out at the patio of EZ's to carve up some pumpkins and then eat.

 Our friends Yiyi and Fei with their first pumpkin!

 Kyle and Rebecca

 Me ad Lily.

 Christal and Nathan.

Celebration #2 (which actually happened first): The World's Best Book Club. It was my turn to host, so of course I bummed off my mom and we had it at her place. The perfect place - no (sweet) husband trying to get three kiddos to bed, and her Halloween decorations are spooky and kooky and perfect. The real Hostess with the Mostess: Bruelda the (Friendly/Kooky/Crazy?) Witch.

We read Dracula by Bram Stoker. (If you think you know the story because you know the cartoon/teen vamp version of Dracula - you are wrong!) We dressed up...a Lady Bug, Princess Elizabeth, a Garden Gnome, Lucy (from Dracula), Momma with a Bun in the Oven!, and Piglet. 

 Our book club is so awesome Rachel Zoe even dropped by. Bananas. I die!

My Dracula brownie/cake.

 This cheese may have actually tasted good but it looked so gross it pretty much didn't get eaten.

 Witch finger bread sticks. Yummy!

Okay, now on to Halloween #3 - the one about the kids!

Bee (in her Bee costume) dropped by after nap to help us get suited up and out the door for the Muke's party. Bee helping Boots (look familiar?) get her hat on...

 Still not quite awake from her nap.

 Owen was SO excited about his cow costume - it was a total hodge-podge, but it worked! The hat is from Owen's Co-op Gin - outside of Ralls, TX - where my McElroy grandparents lived - I thought it was a nice touch - and the horns are just lightly stitched on so the hat can be saved! The suite is from a school play (?) that Uncle Luke (?) was in in roughly 3rd grade - mostly, we know that it was in Nana's costume stash and had an awesome tail. And the cow bell was Bee saving the day (again) by running by Hobby Lobby.

 Bee, Boots, Cow.

 Garden Gnome Family.

 Headline: GARDEN GNOME GIVES BIRTH TO COW, MONKEY AND BABY GNOME!

 Cows make silly faces.

 So...if you're thinking - hey, Alison - why are you always dressing Kyle up in stupid costumes? Remember Diego? Remember the Fat Chef? Well...I am the good wife here. Check out these poor husbands! My Garden Gnome husband has nothing on Mr. Potato Head and Winnie the Pooh!

 And the lovely wifies. Is Melissa not THE BEST Jessie the cowgirl (from Toy Story)? She even had a little pull-string in the back! You've seen Piglet before. And Christal - the world's cutest non-cartoon cowgirl.

 Here are a couple group shots from the party. Unfortunately I was inside feeding Maggie so we're not featured. But you'll see the rest of our crew...

 And all sorts of other interesting beings...

 Of course the party ended with trick-or-treating. Here is Aunt Mel's speed-trick-or-treating group. Seriously - they ran from house to house. And no, she didn't go into labor...

That's what Thanksgiving is for!

The Real October Update

(This is the top of five new posts, so scroll down...Yes, I have been hoarding them and now we're all caught up!)

MAGGIE

Sweet Maggie is almost 5 months old - I can hardly believe it! At her four month appointment she weighted 17 pounds 2 ounces (97th%) and was 25.75 inches long (97th%).

 The biggest news from her end is that her bedtime has moved up considerably. I'd like to take credit for this, but she pretty much did it on her own. Since September its just been inching forward in 1/2 hour increments. It was at 9-10 for a while. Now she's ready to start her bedtime-dinner routine by 7:30 or so, usually in bed by 8:30. Let me be clear - THIS IS AWESOME! It means Kyle and I actually have some time together when all three kids are (theoretically) in bed! It's quiet. So quiet. We have actually gotten to talk to each. And read. And watch old episodes of The Office. Seriously - we love Maggie, but this is life-giving! (And the timing couldn't be better with all we have to do for the house!)

She's still not a fan of the bottle. And by not a fan I mean - hates it with a passion and pretty much refuses to take it. Probably our fault for not introducing it sooner. A few weeks ago, with our pediatrician's approval, I left Maggie with Kyle (armed with bottles and a freezer full of milk) while the kids were at my dad's. The theory was that eventually she'd get hungry enough to take the bottle. And it worked. But not for almost 24 hours. Yep, 24 hours. (Don't call CPS - remember those 4-month size stats.) The next day it was 5 hours. But then no repeat. We can't get consistency and she puts up an extremely painful fight. So...I think we've both lost hope a little bit. But...the silver lining (I'm hoping!!!) is that we can start introducing solid foods now. And if she will take that from a grandparent or babysitter than (from my perspective) its the same as taking a bottle - we can leave her for a couple of hours and know she's fine and so her caretaker. We'll keep you posted...

She's continuing to make lots of new noises. She loves to laugh (sort of a big gasp) when the kids play peekaboo with her. She is still sticking her tongue out almost all of the time and she drools like a little dimply monster. :)  She isn't rolling over yet, but we're playing on the floor a lot more. And we busted out the exersaucer and she's enjoying playing upright! Seems like 5 months has gone by fast...

REBECCA

Seems like potty adventure and 2-year olds go together. So, first things first. Rebecca went pee pee in the potty back in September - for Kyle. It's very important you all catch that last part. Rebecca pee pee'd in the potty for Kyle. That was pretty much an isolated event (because we're not pushing it). Then a few nights ago while I  was giving her and Owen a bath she pooped. In the tub. We responded like ninjas and got them moved to our tub so Kyle could get them cleaned up (again) and I could clean the kids poop tub. Then she pooped in our tub. Kyle had stepped away to get their soap and when he got back they were both standing out of the tub looking at the evidence. So, back to their (clean) tub. And I cleaned our tub. Rise, repeat. The same night, Rebecca pooped in the potty for Kyle. So, she poops in the bathtub for me, and in the potty for Kyle. 

While pooping adventures is not my favorite part of having a toddler, listening to her sing is! Favorites right now are anything she learns at school from Ms. Jessica (Jeh-Kah), anything her brother sings (Bob the Builder, ABC's, songs from Dahdo/Pam's) and anything form Mary Poppins. This girl love her some Mah Poppen! I'll listen to her falling asleep while singing Let's Go Fly a Kite, plus Feed the Birds. And of course the old standby's Twinkle Twinkle, Itsy Bitzy, Jesus Loves Me. Oh, and by the way - she does not want you to accompany her. This is a solo act. Unless you're Owen - maybe.

Let's talk about other news that goes with being two - fun new words/phrases!

• pinow (he is very specific about what pillows she wants in her bed)
• one poney, 2 piggies (her hair options)
• hurts ME! (what she says when pointing out very old booboos - she'll need a bandan)
• Bep-Bep (how she says her name - melt my heart) (Our friend Emmy calls her RE-becca.)
• Bee-Dee (Bailey), Ahnnie - Sisster (Maggie), Pan (Pam)
• Po me. (Follow me)
• Raaaaar (sweet and raspy - growling is not just for little boys)
• What does Swiper say? Ohhhh, Maaaaah(n)! 
• baby punki(n)! Gotta love October.
• Ont go Momma bed now! Peeeeese! Her very clear request if she wakes up in the middle of the night. I have caved on a handful of occasions. One night both she and Owen ended up in bed with me (I'm so weak when I'm sleepy!) and we eventually pushed Kyle out - to Owen's bed.
• Repeating random stuff with Owen - Oh no, my tail!!! (When he eats the tail off of a dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggett

She doesn't just copy Owen's words and games, but his bedtime stall tactics too! Owen - Momma, I don't want to go to bed. Rebecca - Momma, no ont go bed! It's like listening to a song sung in rounds. Owen likes to come out of his room at night to tell us something Rebecca needs (that we just told her, in his presence she can't have). And after we've all done all the kisses and hugs you can imagine, Rebecca will try to stall by telling us we need to give Owen another hug. Even though it makes parenting a little harder when they sort of gang up on us it's soooooo fun to watch them develop their own special relationship. They are truly playing together. And getting into trouble together...

 R has been able to climb up on this for a while, but the other day she and Owen were out playing and through the window I heard him so, "Becca, I am SO proud of you! You climbed up and back down!!!). And he was seriously SO proud. He ran in to tell me what she had done and that he had told her he was SO proud. What a lucky girl to have such a sweet big brother.

 Here they are watching a spikey caterpillar in the backyard. I'm sure Owen is teaching her all sorts of interesting things about it.

OWEN

Seems like there is less to update you about Owen - probably because he just seems to be cruising along in big boy mode. He is such a sweet big brother to his two sisters. He puts up with a lot and usually responds pretty kindly. He loves try to get Maggie to smile and laugh. He loves to get Rebecca going on some silly game - repeating silly stuff or doing silly things. He's probably figured out that she'll pretty much do whatever he tells her to (unless it has to do with sharing). 

A few weeks ago I was the "helping parent" in his preschool class and I forgot his lunch (yes, of all days). Anyways, when I told him he was so sweet about it- he sort of chuckled and said, "Silly Momma, I forgive you!" (I hadn't even asked for forgiveness yet!).

He continues to be Mr. Curiosity. Bugs, letters, maps, outer space, anything construction or train-related. And he continues to be Mr. Story. He can make up a story about anything. And if its your turn to make up a story, he'll be sure to tell you what its about and how it goes...

Here he is playing a little manly football with Kyle. Intense.

 The You Can't Get My Ball face. Watch out.

Okay, seems like that's about it!!! Thanks for hanging in there with us!

The Mezger Home in a MEZGER HOME

So, welcome to our new house! Sort of. This is the lot in Central Austin (a small neighborhood called Bryker Woods) that we're under contract on. You'll notice there is a house on our lot. There won't be for long. After we get preliminary plans drafted, close with the seller, and get a slew of permits approved...enter the demo crew. Or have you ever seen one of those houses on a flatbed truck on a highway? Maybe we'll go that route.

Either way, we're excited about having Mezger Homes build these Mezgers a home. Owen is excited about bulldozers and cement mixers and worker men he think are going to build him a bunk bed. (He was also mad when we told him we were going to meet with our architect because he said he wanted to design the house.) Rebecca is excited because there is a stray or neighbor cat we always see running around the backyard and she thinks its Hello Kitty. Kyle and I are excited about working with Luke to build a great home to (Lord willing) raise our family in, and be hospitable in. We're excited about our new neighborhood - with its eclectic mix of new and old houses, walkable streets, big trees, and on and on. We're also going to be neighbors with some of our bestest buddies - the Murrays - who are going through the same process we are about a block away. And yes, we're realistic (at least we think we are) about what a big undertaking this is. So we definitely have our freak-out moments. But this is something we've been wanting for a long time now, so we can't help but be excited too! Oh...and we're open to advice if you have any...

The Future Mrs. Joel Fisher Brege

So, I went to Georgia for a looooong weekend with my college besties - Megan and Cary. Megan lives there and Cary lives in Raleigh. We rendezvoused in Atlanta, saw Megan's crib and drove to a cabin (thanks to a Cary in-law-hook-up) just outside of Blue Ridge Georgia. We talked and talked, played Outburst - Bible Edition (thanks to the Cabin owners), talked and talked some more, made 82 s'mores (I was pittiful enough to get Megan to make mine - she does the marshmellows just right and adds peanut butter - divine!) in the fire that Cary built us each night in the fireplace (she is quite the Girl Scout), talked and talked some more, went on a couple of walks, played with our cameras, took some naps, and then stayed up late to talk some more. (Confession: we also bought a cheapo dvd player at the local Radio Shack because we needed to watch Save the Last Dance.) Ah...it was just about perfect.

And did I mention Maggie got to spend some time with her betrothed? Meet Joel Fisher Brege - Cary's 6 month old sweetie.

 Wud up?

 Maggie was not quite in the mood to smile during our little photo shoot. And she hates tummy time.

 Getting mad.

 (Please honey - be sweet to your future mother-in-law!)

Nope. Lost it.

 We propped Maggie up against the wood pile with Joel strongly by her side.

 Ohmygoshohmygosh-whatisthat???

 It's gone. Let's eat some leaves. (You're funny! - he says)

 And now we're both happy!

 Leaves don't taste good. How about someone give me a marshmallow on a stick?

I absolutely don't get to see these girls often enough. But I'm always thankful for and encouraged by the time together. Next time we'll actually get a picture of all of us together!

_____

Did I mention that Kyle kept the kids for the weekend? You probably assumed. Anyways, Owen had a fantastic sleepover with Cousin Bailey and Rebecca had a sleepover with Nana one night when Kyle had to work. (How lucky are we that we have so many awesome family members and friends here? Broken record, yes, I know.) I think it was really good for the big kids to get some parental attention without Baby Sister around. And I know Kyle enjoyed it. They went to the Children's Museum and just did a lot of playing. Kyle also got to be the "helping parent" in Rebecca's preschool class one day (he'll plan on doing Owen's in the spring sometime). When I got back and was dropping the kids off at preschool several of the other moms commented to me about what a TROOPER Kyle is - that he was "on duty" for a long time and is essentially THE MAN. I couldn't agree more. Thanks babe.

The Society's Newest Member

The Hill Country Camping Society had its first trip of the 2011-2012 year a few weekends ago. We camped at one of our favorite spots - Pace Bend Park (where we went last November). A great time was had by all. Owen and Rebecca spent the night in the tent with Kyle (Rebecca slept in her mini-tent "pea pod" in the family tent and Owen luxuriated on my inflatable mattress) and Maggie and I came home after some campfire time. Thanks to the Fosheas and the Tulls for coordinating and providing the food! 

Katie with Maggie. Katie is the baby-wisperer. If your baby is crying - give him or her to Katie!

Loving my first campout!

Some of the kids doing what kids do. As usual, the rockets, glider bikes and camping furniture was a big hit. And the tents and trucks.

Yep, that's a giant bone. Here you go.

Can't remember if Bailey was climbing in our out of the truck window. In I think.

A walk down to the water. It took a looooong time to get there because Lake Travis is so low.

See?

Guess that's it. The weather was beautiful (is it ungrateful to say, finally!!!) and it was just good to get away and play!

Dolphins Have Thick Skin

For Owen's birthday Bee and JoJo took him to Sea World in San Antonio. Owen spent the night the night before (in Bee's new "grandkid room" with pull-down twin beds) and woke up to storm clouds. Uh oh. They decided to brave the elements and make the drive. When Bee tried to prepare Owen that she couldn't promise Sea World would be open because of the rain he quickly retorted that "But Bee...Dolphins LOVE the rain!". And it was open!

 So...after purchasing 3 Shamu panchos they hit the park. They watched several of the big shows. They even rode a roller coaster (although Owen is quick to point out that it was the little one so he wasn't scared). But the highlight was there special semi-private experience with the dolphisn where they got to feed and touch them! Owen says they have very very thick skin.

 Owen also got a little kid digital camera (I know, how cool is that?!) for his birthday - here is his best shot of the dolphins.

What a special adventure. We think this is going to be a four-year old birthday tradition! Thanks Bee & JoJo. Eeek eeek.

October Update

So, this post isn't really an October Update. It's a tease post to let you know why there hasn't been an October update (and won't be for a bit)...No, we're not pregnant. But we do have a long road ahead of us.

We are under contract on a house! And for us that really means a piece of property with a tear-down on it - a place for Uncle Luke to build us a house. We're really really really really excited about it. And a little daunted by the task ahead. So...its been a crazier than usual couple of weeks. And its going to be a busier than average couple of months.

Anyways, I'm actually going on a little girls' trip with Miss Maggie and two dear friends from college this weekend. So...check back in later next week (Mom) and hopefully I'll have had a chance to post all those pictures you've been dying to see and funny kid-sayings you've been dying to hear posted (plus some more info on the house)! Hopefully...