heroes

William loves super heroes. Superman, Wolverine, Batman, Luke Skywalker, Spiderman... he really likes Spiderman. Some days he'll bring me a towel, a blanket, or even a rug to make into a cape. He loves to play super hero video games. He won't leave the house without his Spiderman shoes. I mean, who wouldn't want to be a hero. They can do all sorts of super cool things. But William has a real hero too.

My daddy is my fav'rite pal,
And I help him ev'ry day.
It's plain to see I want to be
Like him in ev'ry way.
He teaches me that honesty
Is best in all I do.
I'm very glad that he's my dad,
And I know he loves me too.

This primary song rings so true! William adores his dad. On Sundays while he is getting his suit on he asks, "Dad will look at me--so handsome?" He knows that when he gets all dressed up Rich will tell him how handsome he looks. Every day William talks to Rich on the phone while he is driving home for lunch and dinner. The first thing he asks is "Dad, you get some clothes?" He knows that when Rich changes out of his suit then it's time for fun. On Saturdays when Rich goes for a run William always wants to join him. A few weeks ago the two of them went to a Hornets game together... William had the time of his life! Recently William has started imitating everything that Rich does... it's pretty funny to watch. He loves to help with the yard work, fix things, play guitar, play ball, read, color, etc. It doesn't really matter what they do together--William has a blast with his dad.

William loves his hero... and I do too!

pumpkin patch adventures

Well, we finally made it to the pumpkin patch last week! Every time that we passed the patch William would remind me, "We need to get a pumpkin!" Yes, we did... and it finally cooled off enough for pumpkin picking. William thought it was all pretty fun. He even got to go on a "train" ride.

Of course, this is where the trouble began. He wanted to ride over and over and over again. Unfortunately there was a girl scout troop there who also wanted rides. Then the tantrum started. (This was partly our fault for taking him so close to bedtime.) The people there were so nice and let him hop into the golf cart that pulls the train around. He thought that was pretty cool. Anyway... we didn't get too many great pictures but I thought you might enjoy these!

(the one with William pointing to his mouth is his way of saying "I'm smiling, Mom")

a little oasis

Yesterday was crazy. Neither of the boys slept well the night before. William was up at the crack of dawn. James wouldn't go down for a nap. But then we took a trip to the library.

William made a bookmark...

and then he entertained himself for a long time by punching out all the foam stickers. James and I sat and talked to the librarian.

Then we built a tower...

and knocked it over.

and then built it again.

We had a good time.

I love our library!

and off he goes!

James has been scooting around the house for a few weeks now but this weekend he started to crawl! He's still perfecting it but he loves to play on the ground now. Yesterday William and I were making cookies while James played in the living room. William walked back into the living room and said "Hey, where's James?" I peeked in thinking surely he is just in a corner but he was no where! Upon closer investigation we found him half-way down the hall heading into the boys room! I guess I'm back to the days of making sure that doors are closed if James is on the floor!

(creative) mental block

So in my attempt to be a more fun and creative mom William, James and I went on a nature walk the other day. It would have been much more enjoyable (for me) had it been crisp and cool as autumn walks should be. The heat didn't seem to bother William though. Before we left I decorated a brown paper bag and he got to fill it up with all the neat things we found on our walk--rocks, feather, rocks, flowers, rocks, leaves (and he really wanted to find an ant to bring home). On our arrival home we dumped everything out and did some "rubbings". You know, where you put the leaf (or other object) under the paper and color over it.

Tonight we made jack-o-lantern pizzas. This was one of my favorite things to do around Halloween while I was growing up. William enjoyed it as well and was so excited to show the pumpkins to Rich when he got home.

This is about the extent of my creativity lately. When I read posts like this or this or this I feel as though I should be able to come up with something... and yet, well nothing comes. I recall my mom doing fun stuff with my sisters and I when we were young--problem is I can't recall at the moment what those things were!

I'm in desparate need for projects to make the day go by--so that the television remains off a little more and I keep my sanity. So I come to you, my dear readers, for suggestions. What do you do for fun? What fun projects do your kids like to do? What did YOU do as a kid? What creative outlets do you find successful?

can you find James?

On more than one occassion I have walked into the boys room and found this scene. William loves to dump all the stuffed animals into the crib and then join James himself.

Can YOU find James?

(Hint: James is wearing striped pajamas)

what we've been up to

We've been creative...

William loved creating his monsters with playdough and googly eyes... and it was fun for me too!(Thanks Lori!)

We've gone out to eat...


Friday night we dined at the Piedmont Diner. (I still regret not taking Amy and Jeff when they were here.) It has been a long time since we've attempted to take William out to eat. He did great!
We've listened to the prophet...

What a wonderful conference! William even sat still for a few moments of conference and was excited to see President Hinckley on the TV.

And we've been happy...

Now you have to admit--these boys are just so darn cute when they are happy!