Losing My Marbles

This is Owen proudly showing off his full jar of marbles. Parenting can be a pretty tough gig. Especially when your kid is going through a lengthy - I won't do anything you ask me to do - phase. 

After the appearance of significantly more grays (on my head and Steve's beard) and much trial and error, we finally found something that seems to motivate "he who will not go potty." Owen gets marbles for good behavior - listening, sharing, not having tantrums, staying in bed, etc. Once the jar is full, he gets a reward. 

Owen's marble jar recently reached max capacity after being especially kind to Mitchell, and this weekend we're going to see the new Peanuts movie. I just hope he likes Charlie Brown and the gang as much as I did when I was a peanut. Get it?  

And what did Owen do that was so kind, you ask? At this point, I honestly can't remember but I do know that he made sure to get extra candy for his baby brother while we were trick-or-treating. Little Mitchell was content in his stroller while Owen, the nice ghost, roamed the neighborhood scavenging for goodies. It was seriously the best night of his entire life.

The Boo Brothers - Halloween 2015

The Great Hope

Here is Mitchell painting, with his left hand no less. Daddy is very happy. No pressure, Mitch.

Getting Ready for BOO!

I asked Owen what he wanted to be for Halloween and he said, "a nice ghost." Then I asked him what Mitchell wanted to be and he said, "a nice ghost." Cute and easy - Done! Last night, thanks to Pinterest, we executed plans for our modern day Casper(s).

You'll notice the precision in both measurement and tailoring...

As well as the top notch makeup application.

Hmm, that's a bit spooky for a nice ghost. Good thing we have a bit of time to perfect the final look before we say Boo. Or shall I say Booyah...bring it Mets!

The Master and His Subject

I Know My First Name Is Mommy

Mitchell says lots of things like, "Thank you. Truck. Bubbie. Hockey. Eat. Book. Boat." He also understands lots of things like, "Get your shoes. Go to your chair. Let's go upstairs. Time to brush your teeth." He can make lots of sounds. He knows the sound a dog, cat, duck, cow, plane and fire truck make. He calls Steve, "Daddy." He calls Owen, "Owie" or "O-wish." And he calls me, "Owie Daddy." It's funny and a little sad all at the same time. I guess the whole, you know, giver of life thing isn't terribly relevant when you're just 18 months old.

What isn't sad is that our "fantasy deck" is now reality! After no less than one million sketches and designs, here is our tree house. Just in time for winter :)

My Little Pony

A day at the farm. Among goats, alpaca and various other friendly barnyard animals, this cute little pony was our favorite. These pictures of the boys with the pony pretty much sum up their personalities. 

 

Steve is now best friends with the pony.

 

Owen observed and thought about the pony.

And Mitchell, the littlest Linker, blew the pony (and the goats and cats) kisses.

Silly, Sweet, Wet & Wild!

A silly and sweet and "serious" Owen happily mugging for a photo shoot with Daddy.

And this is the moment we've been waiting for all summer. Drum roll please...

After being terrified of water, Mitchell is finally having fun playing with his best pal in the pool! As it turns out, little Mitchell is a wild man. He is a climber, an almost runner, and a lover of stairs. Great...