Glasses

Look who just got glasses...

Isn't he handsome?

Apparently he inherited his mother's blindness. I'm just glad he's so positive about it. He said, "Finally! I look like a real scientist now!"

Octoberness

I don't know if I will ever catch up on my blog. I really hate cramming tons of topics into one post. It goes against my style. :) But, here I go:

We started the month off in all it's awesomeness when my sista' and Nanna came up with all the cousins to visit the Castle. Tons of fun.



I turned 32. And let me just say, as a proud mama, that my boys made this cake by themselves. The only thing I did was get the cake in and out of the oven for them. They did everything else, including topping it with fudge and teddy bear sprinkles. :)

Lane painted the car green. Or tried to anyway (don't get me started). So we spent a Family Home Evening scrubbing the car... I'll leave it at that.

We had a yard sale. And Witten was the best little salesman I've ever met. I swear we made more money off his cuteness and rock dancing than the junk I was getting rid of.

October is Disability Awareness Month. So I ran Witten's school's Hop-a-Thon again this year, where the kids raised money and hopped for Muscular Dystrophy.

Race is taking taking some on-line classes from Connections Academy so we can get extra speech and language support. So we went to their Fall Festival down in the Valley where he met some of the kids in his classes.

We spent a Saturday with Nanna and Papa and got lost in the Mortimer Farms Corn Maze. (I'm not kidding, we really did get lost.)

Race wanted to see New Mexico for Fall Break. So, one of the great things about home-schooling is fall break can last a few days longer if there's important things to do like visit New Mexico. So, after a super busy break, we went up to Springerville to spend a few days with the fabulous Auntie Adriane. Witten had school, and I was all for him missing and having an extended fall break, but the responsible little six year old chose to stay home with Dad so he wouldn't miss any school. Can you believe that kiddo?? I must be doing something right... Anyway, it worked out well because Daddy would have been super lonely home alone.

Adriane took us to Sipe Ranch. It was so great!

Race checking out the fire damage on Escadilla. I love this picture.

Race is all about state facts and information, and he plans to visit all 50 states. So here's one more checked off the list!



Lane was very fascinated with nature's toilet paper... Mullein.

I miss the White Mountains so much. There is feeling, a familiarity with the mountains that's not like any place else. Many native Arizonans refer to the White Mountain's as God's Country. And I'd have to agree. There's a vast solitude about the mountains that is absolutely amazing. I miss it. I miss those quiet drives with my Daddy up to the lake, or out to chop wood. I think no matter where I go in my life, the White Mountains will always be home.

Big Lake. Just as beautiful and peaceful as alway.

The boys and I moved up a belt in Tae Kwon Do.

Witten just drank a big cup of cool-aide can you tell?

Race earned his Wolf in Cub Scouts!! He's such a fantastic little scout.

And of course, Halloween. We kept it simple this year. Reused old costumes, went trick-or-treating with our dear friends. And it was just awesome.

Octoberness = gratitude for the priceless memories in the month of October.

Link, the Naked Rock Thrower

On September 1st, Lane turned three.

I can't believe it.

My baby is three.

He had a Zelda birthday; a Link hat and a sky sword.

And a Triforce cake.



It was the perfect day for my Lil' Man.

I'm so grateful for Lane. He adds so much life to our little family. His vocabulary amazes me and he always keeps me on my toes. And I save his life every day. No kidding.

...Which by the way brings me to another point. Why is it "terrible two's???"  For me, three has always been the harder age. Feedback on this please, people.

---

So Lane, I thought about whether or not to post this on the blog, but the idea of blackmaling you as a teenager won over. So here you go Future Lil' Man:

This last Friday I was helping Race finish up some of his school work. And from Race's desk, I have a clear view of the front of the house and the road. Well, I see one of my neighbor's drive up the road and she slows way down when she gets close to our place. Her car pauses for a bit like she's waiting for something, and she's got this hysterical laughing face.

My confused thought: "Are the chickens out in the road again?"

But then, my thought changes instantly when I hear Lane's tough voice (as deep and loud as a three year old can possibly get), "I'll get you, you bad guy!" coming out from the road.

I quickly go to the window, mad at myself that I didn't check on him sooner. And what do I see??? 

A bare-butt naked Lane standing in the road with both his arms raised to throw something.  And what was he getting ready to throw at my neighbor's red Lexis? Two large (well they looked large in his bity little hands) rocks.

My son was throwing rocks at my neighbor's car.

In the nude.

Thank goodness for good neighbors who get their kicks out of watching what goes on at our house.

So after chasing down the naked super hero and sending him to time-out with some clothes on, I called my neighbor up in my frantic, embarassed state:

Me: "So, Marilyn...sorry about the show out there."

Her: Laughing

Me: I hope he didn't hit your car with a rock. Did he?"

Her: Laughing harder, trying to say no.

Me: "Okay, well I'm guessing everything's alright then?"

Her: More laughing. "Oh Teddy." More laughing. "Bless you."

Me: "What's that?"

Her: Laughing still. "Bless you raising all those boys.

And expecially on days like this particular day, I'll take all the blessings I can get.

---

I love you Lil' Man.

Museum of Natural History

Every summer we hang out at my sista's place for a week and take full advantage of the Valley. Then we head back to our cozy little home in the country after we've had our fill of the city. This year we did Sunsplash and the Museum of Natural History.

No pictures at Sunsplash because... it's Sunsplash. I wish so much I had a camera though, because Race and Witt's fearlessness really came out. Witt wasn't tall enough for a few of the slides, but his cuteness and boldness won the hearts of many-a-lifeguard. He went down every slide there. No kidding.

The boys loved the Museum of Natural History. And Race and Witt could have stayed all day if we weren't trying to control our own little T-Rex named Lane:

Race loved panning for gold and all the Arizona history.

Witten could have done puzzles all day. The scorpion was his favorite.



And Lane loved being among fellow dinosaurs.

It was a fabulous day.