Trash bag, green felt, & a roll of t.p.

Halloween for Eli = dressing up as a frog, watching crazy Bennett and all his crazy friends on sugar highs, dancing on stage at the Mr. David concert, playing with balloons, trying to lift pumpkins before we carve them

Halloween for Bennett = wearing a bag full of newspaper, (and consequently) waddling like a pregnant woman, TRICK or TREATING, dancing with friends, sniffing his bag full of candy on the ride home in eager anticipation of candy to come, loving the Lightning McQueen and Mater jack o' lanterns that Aunt Kristi made with him, reading Halloween books

Halloween for me = gluing felt to clothing and hats, scooping out pumpkin guts, holding sticky hands, repeating "Only one piece" to Bennett (and turning around to eat three or four myself)

Halloween for Stephen = surviving open enrollment, carrying the tired trick-or-treater over his shoulder for five blocks back to the car, scaring all the kids at the ward party with his Hagrid costume

Pumpkin Patch

Our little pumpkin

uno, dos, TRES!

Benito turned three years old on Friday and then celebrated with friends and family at his birthday party yesterday. We gave him creative control (what were we thinking?) of the shindig, which meant a dozen friends, a cars theme, and an obscenely white trash menu consisting of hot dogs, cheetos, orange pop, etc.. The kids could've cared less, however; they were all about the games, the presents, and the cake. This is the first year that Bennett has fully understood how a birthday works, and it was fun to see him get so excited about everything. From the invitations to the party favors to the color of the cake, the birthday boy was eager to help. I'm not sure we'll give him as much input in the future . . . (at least not on the food), and I'm already dreading having to tell him next year that he only gets parties every other year . . . but for this year, good times were had.

Captain Eli Sets Sail

This kid is in some kind of hurry to grow up. Eli Jonathan took his first steps at 8 months, walked at 9, and is now, 10 months today, officially into everything. He's even working on the John Travolta strut, where he tries to walk and dance at the same time. Really, really funny to watch. We'll have to try and catch that one next time. Sorry for the weird clicking noise (not sure why our digital camera does that) and the rather dizzying camera work.

I Heart New York continued

Day 3--
More Times Square fun--Japanese food, chocolate shops
Broadway show, "Mary Poppins" (phenomenal)
Walking around SoHo
Dinner in Little Italy
Rockefeller Center

Day 4--
Church at the Manhattan Temple
Sunday stroll through Central Park
Metropolitan Museum of Art
East side and Pio Pio for dinner

Days 5 and 6

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
Greenwich Village
Saint Patrick's Cathedral
The long-awaited Buttercup Bakery cupcakes
The Guggenheim Museum of modern art

What happened to Day 2? I just realized that I skipped it . . . or lost it in the time change or something. Anyway, the trip was awesome, a well-timed reminder that there is more to me than changing diapers and playing cars. As much as I love doing both of those things (only because they're extensions of my kids... I hope nobody loves diapers), it was so nice to take a break and remember how much I love to-- look at art, appreciate the talent of a musical, explore new streets and old landmarks, people-watch like crazy, and even sleep in. Liz was the perfect travel buddy/tour guide, too: she knew the best places to go, she navigated the subways like a pro, and she kept me laughing. She's the best. Did I mention that I love New York?

I Heart New York

This is one city that more than lives up to its hype, as I learned this past week on vacay with my friend Liz. She turns 30 this month, and what better way to celebrate than a trip to NYC? Quick (in my opinion; possibly ad nauseam to you) synopsis:

Day One --
Lunch in Midtown with Justin, my investment-bankin' brother
Times Square
Empire State Building w/its art deco design & ethereal views
FAO Schwartz (see Harry Potter creatures below)
Broadway Show, "The Drowsy Chaperone"
Carnegie Deli for late-night hot pastrami and NY cheesecake

More to come . . . (when the boys aren't crying)

Ode to the Boys

Back from New York, will post photos soon; until then, a big thanks to the best hubby in the world. p.s. I love my kids.