Sick kids and New Kids

It has been a while since my last post! We each went through a little bout of "stomach bug" and then had lots of committments last week. Brice has been experiencing a lot of back pain (and doctor appointments), but the recent physical therapy seems to be helping.

Will had his 15 month check-up last week (athough he is actually 16 months old) and things are looking fine. He is still on the skinny side, but he is in the 75th percentile for height. He was much more frightened by the doctor, nurse, and scale this time, and it was much more difficult to keep him entertained during the long wait! I'm glad the doctor visit is over.

Mr. Cutie-Pie helps Mommy clean with the Swiffer Duster!

My junior high friends and I went to the New Kids on the Block concert at the Tacoma Dome on Saturday night! Isn't that WILD?! We went to NKOTB concerts together in 1989 and 1990, so we couldn't pass up the reunion tour. It was incredibly fun!!! Here is a picture of us posing with our tickets outside the Tacoma Dome. The tickets said "no cameras," so we left our cameras in the car. Fortunately, another friend didn't heed the rule (nor did most of the crowd), so I have access to lots of great concert shots. I'll post more pictures and more details very soon!

Lazy Sunday

I'm feeling good about the fact that I just submitted this week's assignment for my online course, so I'm posting a new blog as a "reward!" I still have more work to do -- another paper due next Sunday and a comprehensive Unit Plan due in two weeks -- but this is a nice break.

I finally took a picture of Brice in his Crown Royal costume (see explanation in the Halloween post), as you can see! I also took some snapshots of Will wearing one of Brice's baby outfits. I remember thinking it was sooo cute when Donna first gave me the bag of clothes, and I couldn't believe he would ever be big enough to wear it! Anyway, you can't go wrong in checkered bell bottoms and a matching sweater. What a cutie!

Will made a few new discoveries this weekend:

1. Just today he started "stomping" to the music of the TV. He usually waves his arms like a madman, but the footwork is new. He looks like a mini River Dancer!

2. Will has also taken a liking to eating apples. He eats them like a real man, too. He just takes bites right out of it! Don't worry -- I always keep a very close watch on him because I know apples can be a choking hazard. He sits on my lap and I take it away if he starts to bite off more than he can chew.

3. He had his first boiled peanut today! He seemed to like the first one, but then spit out the second one. Hmmm.

4. We showed Will how to get on his bouncy horse yesterday, and the result was hilarious. He finally decided that he likes it! He can't get on by himself, but once we help him up it's all over. He bounces, wiggles, and pulls on the horsey's ears, all while saying "brrrrrrrrr" like a car.

5. He likes to shove things underneath the couch, oven, and refrigerator. Ugh. (see picture)

6. Will is a puzzle master! He has three basic wooden puzzles, and we've noticed that he understands how to put them together on his own now. Even when all of the puzzle pieces are mixed up, he takes each piece to the appropriate puzzle, tries to put it in the appropriate hole, and usually succeeds! Then he applauds himself and says "Yay!" We'll have to get some video of this trick (along with the bouncy horse).

Well, that's all I have for tonight. There may be other things, but my brain is fried! Prayers for Brice would be much appreciated -- we were both feeling sick today but he doesn't seem to be improving yet.

Have a great week!

A busy week

We had quite a busy week! I know I (Julie) was feeling the pressure with the first middle school choir concert of the year on Thursday, Halloween on Friday, a performance on Saturday, and a total of five papers due Sunday night! Thank goodness my son is adorable, my husband is amazing, and my parents came to visit!!!

Preparing for the middle school choir concert felt more intense than usual (larger choirs, toddler at home, perhaps?) but things were very smooth on Thursday night. The kids made me proud! It was quite a relief when I was able to turn out the choir room light that night and head home. A big thank you to Mom, Dad, and Brice who stayed at home with Will so I could be at school most of the day!

Friday was an early release day, which means I have to be at school longer than usual due to district meetings. (Ironic, eh?) Things at school were just fine -- I dressed as a mime in order to save my voice for a "secret" performance on Saturday. I had been very hoarse all week. I stayed silent for all three choir classes! I think I'll dress as a mime every year on Halloween -- the students were remarkably calm in response to my silence. :)

Brice dressed as a bottle of Crown Royal whiskey, an inside joke that was a big hit with his coworkers! He had the great idea a few weeks ago when he found out that everyone in his office is required to dress up for Halloween. Apparently quite a few people in his office enjoy Crown Royal! He found an idea for the costume online and had help from his mom and my mom putting it all together. We didn't take a picture, but I'll try to remember to take one soon. (The costume is still sitting in our front room!)

We spent Halloween night at the Glasers' house, which was REALLY fun! Their street is the busiest in all of Ellensburg as far as trick-or-treating goes. We ate pizza and salad, wandered down the street to see decorations and costumes, and answered the door for over 650 trick-or-treaters! Master Yoda (a.k.a. Will) was mesmerized.

Mom and Dad left on Saturday after some furniture shopping and a yummy lunch at the new restaurant in town (Sazon). Brice stayed at home with Will that night while I attended EHS Choir's "Evening on Broadway" with Joed. I loved seeing and hearing all of the performances! I felt like a proud parent watching all of those former students sing their hearts out. I also sang the "reveal song" at the end of the night -- a secret I kept even from Joed, who was sitting next to me! Well, I spilled the beans during the third silent auction, but I didn't tell her what the musical was! (It's "My Fair Lady," by the way!) Fun stuff.

What a weekend! :)

Halloween teaser ...

This is just a little taste of our Halloween adventures -- stay tuned for more pictures and a real blog!