Hurricane Sandy

We knew she was coming. Lots of warning put in place, starting on Friday (storm began Monday). President of Monmouth decided to close the University for Monday and Tuesday-- on Friday-- so we knew it was going to be at least coastally bad. Press was calling it "Frankenstorm" due to the fact that a cold weather front (think SNOW) was going to hit a warm-weather hurricane (wind and rain).
We rescheduled Oliver's family birthday party for Saturday night so that our guests could make it home before the chaos started. Good thing we did. It was exhausting (will post pics once I can recover them) but very exciting to see Oliver so happy.

We made sure we had enough food and water, filled the bathtub, checked the flashlights... and recharged everything we could. Our power didn't go out until Monday night, just as we were putting the kids to bed. The winds were loud and strong all day long... some clocked at 90 mph. It would start loud and strong, and then get louder and stronger, and then get even louder and stronger. I've been through tornadoes before... but this was really, really loud. And it would start, then stop. Very eerie. Almost like a momma in labor, with breaks between contractions.

This is the tree that we had pruned last week... All day long we kept an eye on it to make sure it didn't crack in half and go right through our window. We ended up losing only one big branch.

More Monday rain and blowing trees.

Oddly enough, both Jim and I were able to go to sleep. When we woke up on Tuesday, most of the rain and wind had died down. Here are some pictures from our initial trip out and walk around the neighborhood.

I believe I Instagramed this shot, titling it "Sandy, leaf us alone!"

These two peppers made it. The last of our crop for the season.


New birthday gifts: Play-Doh and puzzles. Keeping the young-ins entertained.


This tree cracked in half and landed on the fence that separates two neighbors' homes.

That's Trenton underneath the tree.

This final picture was taken on Tuesday morning of a tree that landed on our neighbor's car, garage, and house. The thing completely lifted out of the ground and flopped over.

So many trees look like the hand of God just came down and ripped them straight up. Insane.

Jersey is a mess. Stay safe & positive. JERSEY STRONG!

Oliver's Kid Birthday Party (#4)

Tell me this isn't the most adorable cow you've ever seen.

We celebrated Oliver's birthday the weekend before Halloween with two costume parties. In the morning, we had his friends over. The kids bounced in the bounce house, ate donuts from string (his idea), tossed eggs, and played soccer. 






Momma was a carrot and Daddy was "Spinach Man"






After the pinata and some "Pin the Nose on the Pumpkin", the kids ate their buggy cupcakes.
Happy Fourth Birthday, buddy!

Party Time!

 My friend Laura and I are the party coordinators for our local MOMS Club... this year, we arranged to hold our Halloween Party at a local indoor playplace. Unlike other play places, this one has complete swingsets set up inside a warehouse... and lots of room to party!
Above, the costumed boys take a break to eat some pizza.
Below, Oliver and Alex (in motion!) play a bean bag toss game.

 This "Mystery Box" had all sorts of stuff hidden in it-- worms, brains, eyeballs, rat tails-- you name it! The kids took turns putting their hands in the holes and trying to identify what they felt. Gross!

 Ellie was a good sport. So was Ollie!

 And finally, Trenton was chosen as a S.T.A.R. student this week for his efforts in helping others! This is a big deal, as each class only nominates two students a few times a year. Trenton helped a friend by removing a cricket from his backpack and safely putting it outside. The principal recognizes the students during the Friday morning announcements, which are done via video chat. Oliver and I were lucky enough to sit in on Trenton's classroom that morning and take a short movie!
Listen to the principal when he gets caught up in giggles over Trenton's 'achievement':

Nature Vs. Nuttiness

When you live where we do, just about everyone you know has a season pass to Six Flags Great Adventure. There's the drive-through safari (which is no longer going to allow cars... but will still be the largest safari outside of Africa), a huge waterpark, and, of course, the amusement park. It is basically a paradise for kids. And a haven for teenagers. 

There are a dozen reasons why WE do not have passes, however. The primary one is that I'd much, much rather be spending time doing other outdoorsy things during the months that Six Flags is open. That includes going to the beach, hanging out at the various awesome local parks, and taking day-trips into the city. Not standing in lines and sitting on rides. 

These kids sure get that ;)

 (Check out this article if you're looking for easy ways to connect your family to nature.) 

Recent playdate hike at the Manasquan Reservoir

But the other reason why  I don't get the passes is because, inevitably, someone that I know is generous enough to share some free passes with us... and we usually end up going about twice a season. And that's quite enough for me.

The boys LOVE it. Below, Jillian, Oliver, Desi, and T (way in the back).

We headed out there on a Sunday evening... which is tricky in October, because Six Flags also promotes something called Fright Fest. They decorate the park all spooky-like... and after 6, start playing creepy music... and the zombies come out to roam. Essentially, folks dress up all creepy and follow you around the park. Not a nice mix with these boys, so we high-tailed it out of there just before the sun went down... Many thanks to Amy, though, for inviting us to come along ;) I even got to ride Rolling Thunder with Jillian!

***

 So this is what I came upon the other night, when I went in to check on the boys before turning in myself:

Yes, they have plenty of room in the full-sized bed. No, I don't think they're ready for the bunk-bed juust yet. They love reading to each other as they fall asleep. 

In the morning, one kid usually wakes the other one up, though. That happened this morning at 5:15: Oliver had a bad dream and cried about it; Trenton yelled at him for crying and waking him up. But instead of scooping one boy up and bringing him into bed with me, I put my foot down and insisted they stay back in their place. Pillows over our ears, we went back to sleep... and woke up just in time to feed, clothe, and put T on the bus. HA!

***

Halloween is all about parties, apparently.

I'm helping to plan and execute a party for my MOMS Club on Friday. Then there's Oliver's kids party on Saturday, and a family party on Sunday. I volunteered to help out in  the preschool party on Tuesday, and in T's class on Wednesday. And then we actually have to do SOMETHING on his real birthday... 

The picture below is of the 'spooky box' that I created for the Friday party. The idea is to put random stuff in each of the numbered holes, and get the kids to guess what they're feeling. Stuff like spider legs, worms, eyeballs... Oliver helped me peel grapes today so that the kids can get a slimy surprise!

***

 Oh, and then this happened.
Barbara, my hair-stylist, cut Oliver's hair this week, just in time for his party. I did tell her that it needed to be shortened, for sure... But when you see it, you're going to notice that it is SO DIFFERENT. He looks like a big boy. Uggh!

 No more bowl cut. Just a big-boy hairstyle now.
:(((
Still looks darn handsome, though.

 Final pics: Above, our tree gets pruned and fertilized. We are trying so hard to preserve it. Apparently, it is not native to these parts, and is very susceptible to a mold that is slowly killing it. I'm hoping that the steps we take now will allow us to enjoy it for years to come.

And, time to cut pumpkins!

Squeaking Another One Out...

Yet another gorgeous weekend... we're totally getting spoiled. 

Look! Soccer games! No rain!  Running children! (Trenton is in the middle... nice stride, buddy).
He blocked all shots against him when he was in the goal. It is still tough for them to learn how to 'play as a team'... we were hoping that they'd practice a bit more, but it seems to be raining every Tuesday, which is when practices are scheduled for... 

 Anyway, when we got home, I was completely itching to get to the beach. Made 'em eat lunch in a hurry, pack up, and ship out.
Trenton rode his bike over a mile while I jogged with a ready-to-fall-asleep Oliver in the stroller.
Sun felt great on our faces ;)

When he woke up, they played.

 Shirtless. Because it was hot.
Wearing pants, though, because someone thought it was permissible to put away the summer shorts.

 Da man wit da swaggah...

 The cutie on the slide...

 They love taking their shoes off and climbing all over every surface imaginable.

 Oliver found a few ladybugs.
They didn't stick around too long.

 T even did some exploring under the boardwalk.
I'm happy just to have gotten some great outdoor October pictures ;)

Weekend Shenanigans

We've been experiencing SPECTACULAR Fridays recently. Makes for a great trip to Dorbook, followed by some playtime at the playground... no beach this week. But great pictures, all the same.

 He loves this spiral slide.

 The PTO hosted a Fall Festival at T's school. Someone thought it would be a good idea to put me at the face-painting table. This is what you get.
That's a vampire above and a wolf-man below.
Most kids asked for a pumpkin, or a bat. I can make those, no problem. These were a bit more of a challenge...

 The farmers warned us that the animals were SUPER HUNGRY and that we should dump the feed into our hands before going near them. Trenton freaked a bit and just dumped it on the grass.

 This is what I came home to. A pile of Konopack men.
Here's hoping the floor was clean.

 Ah! And then it was a birthday extravaganza! Two parties on the same day, at the same place...each starting an hour after the next. The kids bounced their brains out... ate pizza and too much cake... and slept like puppies that night. Sweet!

 Great Grandma Wilson gave the boys this game of Tiddleywinks. Although it is not vintage, she said that when she saw it in the store, it reminded her of playing it when she was a kid. Aww.
Both boys are slowly mastering the skill.
And using the chips to filter the light as we take pictures.