A birthday and some very busy days

We have bid farewell to September and summer seemingly at the same time. Here it is October and quite brisk... the kids have been wearing jackets to school every day. I don't really remember an October this cold this early before, but I have to admit loving how it feels exactly like fall should.

We celebrated Eli's birthday a day late in the hopes that he would feel better after a couple doses of the antibiotic. He didn't really feel any better... just as I suspected, he was allergic to the medicine and the doctor ended up prescribing a new antibiotic Monday morning. Without getting too far off subject... I'm trying to stay focused on the birthday festivities. I made these little car cakes for our little guy who loves his "beep beeps", but he didn't even notice. He was so enthralled with the candles that once we blew them out, he just had a tantrum... he wouldn't even eat a little bite of his cake. I was incredibly disappointed, but kept telling myself... he's only 2. The highlight for Eli, though, was the presents. I don't think there was a single present that he didn't like. Even now, two plus weeks later, he is still playing with all his new toys... and he is ear infection free! Last week, he had his 2-year check-up. He is a very healthy boy, aside from the persistent runny nose and cough, which the doctor said is most likely allergies. His vitals: weight = 30-lbs (75th %ile) and height = 33.5-in (25th %ile). He weighs just 3 pounds less than his brother weighed at 4-yrs. The doctor says it's pretty normal for there to be such a wide discrepancy in the numbers and to expect that he'll hit a growth spurt during this next year. During the checkup, he did demonstrate his alphabet knowledge (which the doctor was impressed about). The worst part of the entire visit was when the nurse had to do a thumb-prick blood draw. Eli cried about the needle prick and he cried about having to have his hand held still while the nurse collected the blood, but he screamed and thrashed when the nurse tried to put the bandaid on his thumb. In fact, he pulled the first two bandaids right off, causing his hand to be covered in blood. The nurse finally had to put a third bandaid on, surrounded by tape to keep him from pulling it off. And then... after we left the doctor's office, he still cried every time he looked down and saw his thumb!

I took Eli in to have his 2-yr portraits, but wasn't completely happy with the results, so I have another appointment scheduled for the coming week. Let's hope that his nose doesn't look too red and that he doesn't permanently cling to me during the photo session.

Jason's parent's are home safe now. They had a nice visit here and we enjoyed having them. The kids really enjoyed them being here. Lucas and Eli took turns getting in bed with them each morning. Clara is still wearing the nail polish that Grammy painted on her fingernails and toenails. Eli still talks about his "papa" and "mammy".

Jason and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary. Jason's parents were here, so they watched the kids while we went out. It was really nice... especially since it's been since our last anniversary that Jason and I enjoyed dinner out without the kids.

Our weeks seem to be disappearing like magic. With Clara's and Lucas' activities, we stay busy constantly. This past weekend was a bit more than what we are used to (assuming one ever gets used to being this busy). Clara had to attend a dance-a-thon (a fundraiser for the Nutcracker) on Friday evening from 6-9pm. Although she was hesitant about going, we invited a friend to go with her and they both ended up having a blast. Then Saturday evening, she went to a birthday party from 4-8:30pm. I'm trying to think and it seems like that was the first time that she's been away from us in the evening... and definitely the first time for two evenings in a row! I'm really not used to her not being here in the evenings. Although it was much quieter (the boys were playing together so nice without her being there to antagonize them or scream when they do something wrong), I actually missed her.

We found out that Clara will be a snow angel in the Nutcracker. She has been to two rehearsals so far and seems much more excited about it now. At first, she was extremely upset and said that we tricked her into signing up and did not want to go to rehearsals. I am glad to see that the attitude has changed.

I feel like Lucas hasn't had much space in this post, but not to worry. Lucas is having a lovely time right now. He loves his preschool class and teacher. He loves mini-kickers soccer. He loves dance. He even loves going to watch Clara's soccer games. He is exploring a burgeoning interest in sharks, is scared of the newer "kid-friendly" movies, and hums songs from Phantom of the Opera while doing his puzzles. He loves his siblings and gives the best hugs. And on that note... I'll say goodnight!