We Are Making A Big Nest

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Our neighbor, the guy who has every power tool imaginable, lent Bill his leaf blower. It looked like something out of Ghostbusters! It was nearly dark when we started and pitch black when we ended. The photos were taken in complete darkness. I'm pretty happy with them, but a fill flash would be better.

The kids had a blast "helping" Daddy with the leaves.

They made nests.

They jumped.

Daddy dragged them around the yard.

They stood in the whirlwind of leaves.

I went to bed with their belly laughs ringing in my head.

My mom reminded me of the one year I "helped" my Daddy rake leaves and procedded to jump into the pile and come out covered in dog poop (we never had dog!) Good times.

Bawk, Bawk, Bawk

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Mama chick finds her long lost baby chick at the car cruise's trunk or treat.

Repeat

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We hit up the park again. Aunt Deb joined us. Nolan drove her to the zoo.

It was just too beautiful not to get out and enjoy it. I'd like to put days like these on permanent repeat. Perfect temp, leaves at peak color, and the kids having fun.

The Farmer & The Chick

www.nolanpchak.blogspot.com We had a great time at Boo At The Zoo on Friday night and will get a post up soon, but just had to show off my little chick and the "John Deere tractor drivin' farmer" (yes, that is what he called himself all night. The firemen-at least I didn't say something totally stupid this time- running the hayride got a real kick out of him.)

bawk, bawk, bawk

Eastlake's Finest

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We stopped by our local fire dept. today so the kids could say hello to my mom's neighbor who works there. Really, we went to climb all over the trucks, but hey, it was because of her that we got to do that.

When we pulled in all the hoses were unrolled and filled. It was the yearly pressure check. Our timing couldn't have been better. What is more fun than 2 2-year olds and a bunch of hoses?! Of course, it also gave me an opportunity to say something totally stupid, like "Wow those are some big hoses you've got there." Yeah, I don't get out much anymore. Kind of lost my ability to socialize and tend to say whatever pops into my head. Kind of like a 2 year old.

I found the visit very informative because I got my burning question answered. Last month I kept seeing other local firetrucks using this big tube thing in the front yard of the fire station. It is a tester of some sort and our city is the only one that has it. Each truck is required to be checked once a year.

I also got the scoop on the fire that happened at an apartment building just down the street from the firehouse last week. We had been driving home and when we got to the intersection, Nolan saw all the flashing lights so we went to check it out. We had missed all the action, but I did see a news story on it. The fireman that was showing us around today happened to be interviewed for it and I mentioned that I saw him on TV.

I also mentioned that we saw them practicing with the jaws of life on a couple of cars this week in the empty lot on our exploring route.

After I mentioned the last two things, I said, "yeah, we kind of stalk out the firetrucks. You know, for the kids." Again with the stupid comments.

At this point he said goodbye and closed the doors.

No really, they were all super nice to us. They let the kids climb in ambulances and firetrucks. They gave them hats and badges. They even let them drag the hoses around and play with them.

Full days photos here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=39296&id=1418118548&l=aaf3c45e84. There's some artsy ones and scenic shots of the Chagrin River as well, so if you enjoy those, take a peek.

A big THANK YOU to firefighters everywhere. Thanks for being there when we need you!

Indian Summer '09

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In storytime this week, the kids were given shiny scarves to throw in the air and act like they were falling leaves. Nolan decided to be the class clown and put his scarf on his head and yell, "I'm wearing a kabuska!" (In case you are not familar with babushka). Everyone; fellow moms & grandma's, librarian, even other little 2 year olds busted up. That's my boy.

Pre-story time playing Reagan's fave spot

It was a gorgeous day, so instead of usual stop at Chik-A-Yeah after storytime, we headed to the park. I got to go take a few pictures while Grammy and the kids played. Of course, I took a million more pictures of the kids. I just can't resist their Campbell Soup faces.

The Three Amigos

Photos: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=39178&id=1418118548&l=b814940198

Yes, It Was

www.nolanpchak.blogspot.com The kids haven't asked to go on their exploring route in a long time, but after playing outside this morning, they asked to go in the car so they could look at "the mailboxes". This is part of their route where almost everyone on the street has a fun mailbox. Our favorite, the 4ft. tall walrus, always gets a rousing rendition of, you guessed it, "I Am The Walrus". As we crossed the one-lane bridge over the river to get to the mailboxes street, Reagan looked out her window at all the geese and ducks in the river and said, "It's a beautiful day for the ducks to come out for a swim". Yes, Reagan P. It was the perfect day. Probably the last we'll see around here for a long time. So glad she made me stop and enjoy it even more.

Let The Haunting Begin.....

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Halloween is the kids favorite holiday. Well, really it is Mommy's favorite, so theirs by default. We've got lots on the calendar for the next two boo-tiful weeks. 1st set of costumes. A really scary, fire-breathing dragon. Baby Kitler showing Mom her paw.

Saturday night we headed to the Farmpark for the annual Haunted Hayride. Last year it was rainy, and Nolan was under the weather so it was just not that great of a time. This year was the exact opposite. It was chilly, but the rain stopped earlier in the day and the kids (and grownups) had a great time. Reagan proclaimed that she was not afraid, but she also said I needed to hold her tight on the hayride.

Nolan stopped to talk to some scarecrows along the haunted path, but our little kitty cat only had one thing in mind.

The pony rides! Nolan's favorite thing of the night. A John Deere. He even gave me the model #, but I can't remember it.

Full photos: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=38739&id=1418118548&l=64020ffb19

Pumpkin Patch

www.nolanpchak.blogspot.com It was a quick visit to the pumpkin patch as it started to sleet about 10 minutes after we got there. Still got some good shots and the twinadoes managed to touch each and every pumpkin in the patch!

Must have been an inside joke.

"It's very heavy. I'm very strong!" "Lift, lift, lifting!" This is a line in one of his construction books, so I laughed out loud when he said it.

Kiss The Star Game

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If you know my Uncle Bob, you know he and the Dallas Cowboys go hand-in-hand. He's loved them since he was a kid (they had football then?), and he never stopped. Family vacations were planned around games and visits to Texas Stadium. When he moved there in the early '90's he got a job with the Cowboys and the love affair continued. All things Cowboys are held in his high regard. He was over the other day, wearing (of course), a Cowboys shirt. He picked Nolan up and Nolan was counting the "o's" in Cowboys. UB told him to kiss the star, so Nolan did. UB threw him into the air. Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

Now, as soon as he sees UB, he yells, "Kiss the star!"

I had on a Cowboys shirt today and he wanted me to play the game. All day.

Monitor Musings

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Reagan and Nolan (well, mainly Reagan) have a lot to say once they are put down for naps (sometimes bedtime, but mainly nap time). For example, as I type this, Reagan is yelling (to a snoring Nolan) that they are "going to Australia!!!" She must be reading one of her books their Aunty Susan (who lives in Aus got them). She takes numerous books to bed so who knows what she has in there! Other times she likes to talk about places they have already been, mainly Kalahari Waterpark. It is my habit to always ask them questions about something we have just done. What was their favorite part? Do they want to do it again? etc. So, again to a sleeping brother, she yells, "Did you like Kalahari, Nolan?" "What was your favorite part?" After about 6 times of this, he groggily answered, "the bucket is my favorite" and went right back to snoring. Reagan replied, "Me too!" The other day, he turned the tables on her. He woke up first and started talking to her. She was not having any of that. She yelled, "I'm sleeping, Nolan. Don't talk to me!" There is also lots of singing going on up there. Right now, it is mainly Duran Duran. Yes, I have created two Duranie babies. The other day they were singing, "Please, please tell me now....." Their other favorites include "the wolf one (AKA Hungry Like The Wolf)" "Planet Earth" "Save A Prayer" and "Sunrise". They even have dance moves for Sunrise. Some other cute things they are saying these days... On rainy days, they like to walk outside with their "cumbrellas" and "soak up in the rain." With all the Halloween "decorates" out in the stores, Nolan declared that he "doesn't want to look at spooky." Reagan is always very sympathetic and run over to give you a hug and big "awwww" if you mention something is wrong. She is always very encouraging if you say you can't do something she says, "I think you can Mommy, I think you can!" Conversation from the bathtub: Reagan, "How are you today, Nolan" Nolan: "Ummm...Pretty much good." Nolan enthusiastically says "Thank you very so much" or he "certainly does need X" and things that are pretty are "absolutely gorgeous!" Everyday their vocabulary grows, most times Bill and I are just Mom & Dad, not Mommy & Daddy, and they are just so fun to talk to. They've had some fun with Uncle Bob & Aunt Chrissy this week (more on the "kiss the star game later) and last night during their bedtime routine (lights out with glow in the dark stars for Twinkle, Twinkle, then the "Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep" prayer, and a special prayer for people they think need special prayers--The list always includes Papa, Grammy, Grandpa P, & Baby Jaime. Others are added as necessary) Nolan added Uncle Bob & Aunt Chrissy to his list. I have to say it brought tears to my eyes (and UB's too when I told him). The boy can just ooze sweetness and love at times. Ok, enough Mommy-sap for now.