Castle Noel

My aunt's Christmas Museum/Experience opened up last weekend.  Castle Noel  opened last Friday.  Ares, Atlas, Mom and I all went up to check it out - along with about 3,000 other people.  Maybe.  It was crazy busy.  At least we got there at 5:45 and it didn't open until 8.  So we got to walk around when all of the carpenters, electricians, fire chief, and helpers were still putting stuff together.   It didn't all get done in time for the opening, but it was still amazing, and perfect.  Now, each week it's getting better, with more and more things to see.  The Santa was funny, and had Ares and Atlas with him for about 10 minutes while they were setting up the cameras.  Ares wants Transformers, clothes, cars and super hero stuff (anyone surprised?)  lol

How NOT to Paint a Room

Talk to husband on phone as he leaves Cincinnati and tell him plans of painting the toy room  (We've already OK'd this, paint color was agreed on and purchased.) 
move toys and couch to the middle of the room 
Realize it's after noon and it's a good idea to eat lunch before starting a big project. 
Lunch is completed, time for a nap 
An hour later (oops!) wake up 
Go downstairs to get painting supply box 
Get the paint out, 
Go to the basement to get a screw driver to open said paint 
Go to kitchen to get cheap plastic container to put the paint in (for edging) 
Open the paint 
Go upstairs to change clothes 
pour paint into container, 
Grab drop cloth and lay it out 
get paint poured into smaller container 
go upstairs to grab a step stool 
start edging with brush 
decide you don't like said brush and find another one 
edge the ceiling of all 4 walls 
start edging the base boards, get 3 feet in and realize that the ORANGE color bleeds down a bit, so i'll need to tape 
hunt around house for tape 
No tape found, call Adam to find out he's 10 minutes away. 
Welcome kids home, talk about weekend, give kids showers.   

Surprise Visit!

This past weekend was our annual girl's weekend away.  (Walter's and Kratczer girls).  I think it's the 5th annual, as the first time I went I had just announced that I was pregnant with Ares.
I had a great time, the dinner/theater show was the Roaring 20's.  It was entertaining, not great, but what else do you expect from a small town the size of New Concord putting on a show?   We had wine, and we had 3 different tables, which means we threw food, so awesome times.  
I learned one thing - I can drink two bottles of wine and a few washington apple drinks, and I will not wake up with any sort of hangover - however, my cousins (in their 20's - and who were not pregnant 10 of the last 13 months) cannot.  Awesome socks, I rock!

Adam surprised his parents and drove the boys to Cincinnati.  He's never watched them on his own yet, this was going to be his first weekend.  My first thought was, geeze, you're still not ready to do it on your own (I know he is, he just hasn't), but then, the thought of driving Atlas 4 hours each way, by myself took over.  Adam had it MUCH harder than just keeping them at home.  Unfortunately, it was a rough visit as Atlas decided not to sleep AT ALL Saturday night.

They were down there for less than 24 hours, but Ares had an awesome time, especially playing in the leaves.  He talked about this all evening long.  Of course, look at how he was flying, it looks like awesome fun!

PAINT and Stuff!

The "and Stuff" first.  While Doug and Shawna were over, I made this for our front door.  I love it, except that you can still see the big bump in the door from the street.  Oh well, I think this is cute!

We also have a painter over to paint our foyer.  He's doing an OK job.  I'm not extremely happy with the workmanship, but I LOVE the color we chose.

AND, a silly picture, just because I love my boys.

The Hotts

Doug and Shawna brought their kids up for a nice visit his past weekend.  Ares and Evelyn got to play together all weekend, and camp together in the tent in the dining room.  The kids all behaved very well and the visit was nice and relaxing.  I still went to book club and Ares still went to swim lessons, but beyond that, we didn't do a whole lot. 

Before they came into town (they didn't get in until 1 AM), we went to the new Giant Eagle in Solon.  It was pretty cool, I won't lie.  I actually caught Adam doing this in the confectionery section:

very overwhelming

And then I caught Ares doing this, of course, right next to the baking area, where all of the candy was.

We also went to Michaels to buy some frames for the new super-hero posters I bought for the toy room.  Pretty cool, eh?

Halloween!

We went to a Halloween party at Ben &  Sabine's house and had a GREAT time.  All of the daycare people were there, plus the families we've met while camping with them, plus some book club people, and some neighbors.  The kids were all amazingly good, the drinks and food were fun, and we just had a fantastic night.
Ares dressed as "The Hulk dressed as Superman", Adam was Ash from Army of Darkness, and I was Miss Frizzle from the Magic School Bus.  I actually made Atlas' costume, he was a baby candy corn.  So cute!

Apparently Adam liked the dirt I made.  

 Halloween was actually post poned due to a LOT of rain and wind - in Streetsboro.  But since Halloween was still a go in twinsburg, and the boys were already there with my mom, Adam and I took Ares around her development.  He had a great time, and said "Trick or Treat" and "Thank You" every.single.time.  He's awesome, that kid.  We made it about 45 minutes before he got cold and tired.  We were soaked to the bone (even with umbrellas) and while the temperature wasn't cold, being wet made it a bit chilly.   In the picture to the right, Ares was a bit confused with his costume.  He was originally the Hulk dressed as Superman, but then he had the option of wearing the Captain America mask.   He did for a few minutes, until mommy brought out the brand new Hulk light up mask she bought on clearance 5 months ago.  She's a rock star.  Ahem, I'm a rock star.

Since our Halloween was rescheduled for Sunday, Ares had Matthew come over to trick or treat with us.  Matthew lives in Hudson, but goes to school with Ares.  they had their trick or treat on Halloween too, so they didn't go very far in their development.  We were very happy to have therm come with us.  Casey also brought Andrew, Matthew's little brother.  It was nice to have someone tag along with us.  We had a great time.

It took about 1/2  hour for the boys to do our entire development.  They RAN and RAN and RAN, haha.  So much fun!

Matthew is Bumblebee, from Transformers, Ares is the Hulk dressed as Superman. 

Atlas stayed home with Grandma, who was SOOO nice to stay back and hand out candy at our house again, for the second year in a row.  We are so grateful for her to do this for us, so we can take Ares around.