"New" Technology

Yes, this is a boombox. It takes six energy guzzling C batteries. It only plays cassette tapes. 

It is old but "new" to Greta and Fieldin. 

They can use all new technology without being taught. They catch on fast to all current technology. 

BUT, they can't figure out this machine. 

We came across a "Grinch Stole Christmas" cassette at a book sale and realized we had nothing to play it on.. along with our wedding music, and other misc cassettes. We didn't want to buy a cassette player so this was a donation from Jeff's mom. 

The kids couldn't figure out how to turn it on or play it. We turned it on and I was upstairs when I noticed the music had stopped and it was veeerrry quiet. The kids were confused. "It just stopped" they said, "I hit play, and it wouldn't start", "There are songs that haven't played yet, it's broken" 

Then mommy did her magic, circa 1989, and flipped the cassette over to Side 2. 

Then they lost interest. 

The cassette sides are too short, too much work, too many buttons. 

Frustrating, huh? 

That's technology for you, even old technology. No wonder they hate the VCR. 

No time for rewind. 

Oh Christmas Tree! Yep, A Real One.

After the last couple years putting up an artificial tree, the kids asked for a real tree this year. 

Last year, Chompers Cat, DESTROYED our tree. We were a little nervous about getting a real one this year but in normal Babbitt form, we went ahead and did it anyway. 

I really missed the smell and texture of a real tree and I have to say it is nice to have one, despite the mess. 

The kids loved watching the tree be put on top of the car and they watched out the windows on the way home to make sure it didn't fall off on corners. :) 

 Looks like lil' helper is back on the scene. I think he is holding a play wrench but not sure. 

 I may try to make a swag out of the leftovers. 

 As for Chompers Cat, he is behaving himself so far. Only sleeping under the tree and pulling on a few lights. The ornaments aren't on yet, so that's the real test. 

Lil' Helper

I believe Fieldin should get a Jr. Griswald badge.

Jeff *started* hanging Holiday decor outside the other night and upon hearing this, Fieldin,was off like a bullet to put on a sweatshirt (like his daddy). He came downstairs with gloves three sizes too big, his sweatshirt on and his boots ready. Then, he declared "I'm ready to work". Just hours earlier, he was moaning in the the backseat of our car, telling me that " It is very hard being a professional 4 year old... so hard..*sigh*". I was glad that he had enough enthusiasm to help out after such a long day of work. 

Before we knew it he was lugging a stepladder across the front yard and helping string lights. 

Learning from the master, that you must always test the lights first. It was cute, watching young Griswald at work. 

Lights were hung but Fieldin took a break half way through his job to go play at the play structure with friends. Good work lil' helper. 

Finally.....

Since I wasn't able to post, this is a bit late but have to say....

Finally. 

Way to go Cougs. 

Thanksgiving

Been having a bit of trouble posting so have missed a few days. Just going to do a quick overcap. We just got back from our yearly Thanksgiving Loop and to be honest I think we are all still recovering from it. Very nice to visit with family but that drive is a bit hard on all of us. 

 Fieldin watching Macy's day parade with his turkey hat. 

 Sweet Gret.. since we didn't need too much help chopping for Thanksgiving dinner, Greta was outside mincing/chopping leaves. 

 Our barista at our beckon call. She loves the Keurig. She can make coffee with one button. She kept following around the adults asking if we needed coffee...all day. I think my veins are still caffeinated. I have to say when we returned home we were looking around for her thinking "where's our coffee?" She actually started a tab for all of us, 5-10 cents per cup.. lucky for us she through our tabs away because "afterall it's Thanksgiving"..:) 

 Our crazy travel cat. He did great but hates hotels. He was happy snooping around my dads and watching his quail from the sliding door. I think his week long travel days are numbered... 

The kids loved taking over Aunt Barb and Uncle Larry's Kindle to play games. They were at major tech deprivation at this point so they loved this. 

11 inches

Is all that separates my newly four sweet baboo from his 7 1/2 year old sister. 

We went through his too short clothes two weeks ago and yesterday we noticed clothes were getting short again. He's grown a 1/2" in two weeks and still growing. No wonder he's been tired and just wants to stay home and play. 

They have always been a pretty consistent foot apart in height but he is breaking ground. According to my obsessive first born note taking in Greta's baby book, it looks like she was almost an inch taller than Fieldin at this age. She still has bragging rights :) 

Fall Through The Years

They really do grow fast, don't they. Here Is a glimpse of Fall through the years. 

 2009

2010

 2011

2012

Off My Knitting Needles

I have been in a bit of a knitting frenzy lately. I just finished these two hats and have two more projects going. I have to say I am addicted to cables. I love the challenge and seeing the designs come to life. I actually won't knit at the moment unless I can use a cable needle. All those years of fearing cables and now my cable needles are good friends. Next mission: socks! I think I can, I think I can. 

 Greta in a cable and twist hat. Love this color. 

In my favorite owl hat. The buttons were from my moms collection of buttons. These are pretty little vintage things. I dug through a box and was lucky enough to find 18! love this hat. The yarn is made out of recycled blue jeans and actually turned by bamboo needles blue for a short time. Hopefully it doesn't do the same to my hair on a rainy day :) 

Laaazzzy

We just had one of the laziest I can remember in a long time. Lazy has been our theme lately. Besides a quick trip to a science museum to get some wiggles out,

 Our weekend pretty much looked like this...

movies, lots of games, some cleaning, lots of knitting, baking and indoor time just resting. 

I think we always need more weekends like this. 

Sauna Toilet

EVERY morning the kids pile into our bed.  

On the weekends we have lots of time to talk, tell stories etc. 

Today we got on the subject of my "sauna toilet" and the kids found it hilarious.

I was in my early twenties and living in my first post college apartment after spending a summer interning 

at an advertising agency and crashing in someones kitchen, sleeping on a cot.

Construction was done so I moved in right away. 

It didn't take long to realize there was something wrong with the toilet. 

From down the hall, you could see steam radiating from it. 

I fixed this by just keeping the lid down. 

When the lid had to be opened the bathroom would fill with a gush of steam and condensation. 

My apartment was cold in the morning and sitting on this toilet was not fun. 

Turned out it was some crossed piping and hot, hot water was piped to my toilet. 

The kids thought this was soo funny. 

Fieldin, whom always has an answer for everything was giggling and telling me...

"Mommy, you should have called the owner and said my butts burn-y, my butts fired!" 

giggle giggle

Oh the stories I have from living at that apartment. Pretty sure I could write a sitcom about it. 

Good Call Greta

Greta came home yesterday with a booklet she worked on at school about elections. I thought it was a great learning tool(for me). On the last page she was supposed to choose whom she thought would be our next President. Why should it be Mr. Obama I asked? Her reply, "He already has the job why not keep it. Then he would have to get a different job". With this thinking, I totally confused her when I told her in 4 years he will have to "get another job". Only 8 years in office.... I know Greta. confusing. Please never ask me to explain electoral votes :) 

What I Am Loving Right Now....

my knitting needles, 

getting down the holiday book bin and switching Halloween books to Christmas books,

(having the kids be so excited about this that we read them as they appear from the bin)

my somersaulting cat, 

the weather,

family time, 

friend time, 

The Nutcracker sound track, 

knitting, tea and NPR,

watching Fieldin play legos, 

watching Greta draw, 

Library book sales, 

Micheal's coupons,

putting out old crocheted blankets on the sofa's,

Fall art projects, 

watching and waiting for our brussel sprouts, 

birds returning to our backyard, 

all the beautiful Fall leaves outside,

squash.

This is just a little list. 

Hallows Eve

Yesterday we celebrated Halloween as much as we physically could. Greta wasn't feeling too well so we had to scale back a bit..Here are glimpses of the day in pictures. 

 Fieldin at his pre-school party. He told me he had "a nice day" at school. I think it was better than nice because he was one happy little fellow all day retelling me about pre-school. It was his snack day so he was line leader which always makes a day extra special. 

 Eating a ghastly grin. After making oodles this month I finally tried one and I have to say pretty tasty, not an once of ghastly. 

 Then it was on to Greta's school party. An art project, serpentine of costumes, making treats and storytelling. This party lasted twoooo hours. Despite candy, I needed a strong coffee about now. 

 All ready to trick or treat Jeff's office. 

Below... silliness. 

 Checking the loot. Chompers it turns out loves candy. Not to eat to play with. His fav toy is any type of sucker so there were lots of tootsie pops for him to hide for later. 

The ocean princess and Captain America trick or treating the 'hood. 

Sleepy pumpkin. I can say this because he told me I can call him pumpkin on Halloween AND Christmas.... 

After reading Big Pumpkin over and over again he finally dozed off after lunch. Only to energize for evening!