Happy Halloween...

Although it feels like I should be saying Merry Christmas with the foot and a half of snow just outside my window. This is certainly one for the books! I think it was maybe '87 the last time we got dumped on in October? At any rate...it's a bit early for me, but it's actually kind of pretty out there and it certainly didn't spoil our Trick or Treat plans. It was a stellar year indeed...mainly because the four of us were together. The past few years, Halloween has fallen on a weekend, so M has been in CT with his dad and family and Evan has worked so my sidekick and I have gone candy hunting on our own. (Always in Grandpa and Regina's hood...hands down, the very best place for Trick or Treat!) This year we were together though...all of us...and it freaking rocked! This teenager of ours...what a great kid...he just really is. He's right on the cusp of being done with trick or treating and tonight he was seriously torn between hanging out with his friends and making one last candy round with Sammy. Visibly torn...he actually headed out and then came back. And you know...both Evan and I would have been totally fine if he had chosen to stay with his buddies but in a genuinely awesome moment of big brotherhood, the kid chose Trick or Treat with his little brother. I get a lump in my throat when I think about it. I love the way that these two adore each other...needling, wrestling, squabbling...all that aside...they would do anything for each other. I feel so, lucky, proud and downright privileged to be mothering these two. Ok...insert tissue here...regroup...and on we go to some shots of all things (with the exception of snow) Halloweeny.

Well hello there Mr. President. A little pre holiday fun at the Halloween store.

This guy always freaked me out when I was a kid...yeah...and he pretty much still does.

Pumpkin carving party with my three favorite guys...accompanied by a little Monster Mash and Time Warp.

The skeeter bug.

And the teenager.

Serious business, pumpkin carving.

Sammy screaming the word "guts" at the top of his lungs.

Both of us screaming "guts!"

Oh look...guts.

Two little pumpkins.

Almost done.

Several eyeballs, and one big scar later...

Pumpkin by mom.

If you give a teenager a pumpkin...
Seriously though...he worked on this for an hour and I think it's brilliant!

Three days before Halloween.

Beautiful

Exploring

Little black dog and little black pj's.

October 30, 2011

Two buried cars.

Red Ninja...ready to get his Trick or Treat on.

A good way to hide your identity while Trick or Treating with the two yahoos below.

Why Grandma...what big teeth you have!
Happy Halloween peeps!

Noteworthy...

This morning, I had to rip the hems out of pants that were too long at this time last year. He's growing...finally...and this is a big deal, even though there's an unspoken understanding that I should in no way make a fuss over any of it. So I won't say much, but it's for damn sure I'll feel it and find pure joy in the fact that underneath that chill exterior, this thrills the hell out of him. Grow away, you extraordinary kid, you...and I'll beam as inconspicuously as I possibly can.

City mouse...

Last spring, my mom and I conspired to give our little country mouse his very first taste of the big city. Miles has been to NYC a handful of times but it has been a while, so we decided on a day trip for this fall. Yesterday, very early morning, we all rose and hopped the train for a day of adventure. It's funny...somehow I really expected that Sammy would be awestruck by the size of New York. I pictured his eyes growing wide and his little chin dropping as we stepped off of the train into Grand Central, but he walked right into our day with all of the comfort and ease that he shows in just about any situation that comes his way. It was pretty amazing really. Needless to say, we had a blast. I have two really awesome boys...they're easy going, funny, observant and sweet. They look after each other and I love that. Not once did either of them complain about blocks and blocks of walking. It was a very good day...some snaps below.

Waiting patiently for Tuesday Grandma and Louie to pick us up.

A bright, sunny morning on the train.

Conspiring perhaps?

When I was little, I always thought that my mom was the most beautiful woman in the world.
And I still do.

He had this sweet little smile on his face for at least the first half hour of the train ride.

My littlest love and I.

Our first stop...the kid can't ever pass up a soft pretzel. And apparently pretzel/hot dog vendors love Sam. We seriously passed at least three of them that shook his hand, gave high fives and one even gave him a free bottle of water because I guess he looked thirsty?

Miles went for a good 'ol NYC dog.

M just saw Ghostbusters for the first time, so we couldn't pass up a shot of the library.

Sam was completely preoccupied by every fire hydrant we passed. Yeah...I don't know either.

It looks like they're peeing here but they're really just investigating a giant hole.

Sam at the park.

M at the park.

Who can pass up Mickey and Minnie?

Buzz was his favorite though. Pretty much anyone dressed as a Disney Character was stoked to see us heading their way that day.

Why yes...actually I am.

These guys were amazing...we took a cd home with us.

Sammy soaking up the music.

A tip for the guys.

Teenager in the city.

Tuesday Grandma and Louie

Times Square

Three of my absolute favorites!

525,600 minutes...

I didn't even notice the sign behind him when I took this, but smile he did...that is until he took a header about three seconds after we left the store and his M&M's scattered all over the sidewalk. M&M store...take two!

Our final stop...the Nintendo store. All sorts of fun here!

A big day of walking...and really, not one complaint.

Back on the train and headed home. A very good day, indeed.