Trick or Treat Part II

I have to say that Halloween is my least favorite holiday of the entire year. But my little "monkey" totally makes it a better experience. I can't stand the scary costumes, not to mention all the unhealthy treats. But Koen just loved the whole experience of being dressed up, passing out candy, having friends around and generally being the center of attention. Koen was definitely really sensitive about the costumes this year and he did not like the scary ones. He was watching out for the scary costumes and then would have me cover his eyes. I was proud of him for not completely freaking out. We did walk down our street a little bit, but he would stop in his tracks every few steps when we would run into a scary costume, so we didn't get very far and he ran to return to our safe front porch where he was in his element doling out candy and wishing people, "Happy Halloween," "watch your step," "have a fun night" and "trick or treat." He was my little echo and did such a great job co-hosting the front porch.

Tavin spent much of his evening indoors with Gramma, but he did make an appearance on the front porch for a half hour or so. He enjoyed sitting with me as Koen and I passed out candy.

I need to take a moment to mention how insane the trick-or-treat traffic gets on our street. I invited friends over (in addition to the fact my mom is still here with us) to help me with the kids, the candy-giving and family/household safety since Doug had to work all night. I was so thankful for all of their help. Thanks, Brian, Lisa, Megan and Sky! We probably gave candy to 150+ kids. We went through two huge, mega bags of Tootsie Rolls (yeah, lame-o, but seriously the budget can't take buying chocolate for that many people!) and then we also went through 5 bags of chocolate candy. And we still ran out 30 minutes before trick-or-treating was over. I was kind of glad for the excuse to get Koen back inside and on the getting-ready-for-bed track.

The boys both seemed over-stimulated tonight. They both struggled to bed a little, but they are now sleeping quietly and soundly. I hope we all have a nice, relaxing sleep. I'm exhausted!

Curious George Live!

Today we had a special family adventure...Curious George Live! at the Benedum Center. It was such a fun show. The performers were fantastic using voices just like the PBS show so that the kids would immediately identify them and be familiar with them. There were songs and dances in every act filled with life and energy that kept everyone riveted (including me for sure!). Koen loved the performance. I love seeing him being exposed to these types of special events. He was great sitting through the hour and a half show. During intermission he was all concerned about missing the rest of the show. Doug took him to the bathroom at that time and while Koen was taking care of business he said to Doug, "I hope we get back before the musical starts again." He did great paying attention to the storyline too. It was fun to have it be just the 3 of us for a morning. Tavin was potentially going to come along, but Gramma offered to stay at home so he could have his nap and it turned out really well. There was some sweet bonding time for them and a nice reunion for Koen, Doug and I to be out together.
Koen looks like he's scared here, but he was actually just cuddling close and then having a hard time focusing on the camera because he was excited to find our seats.
This is the several ton chandelier that hangs from the ceiling of the auditorium at the Benedum Center. Such a beautiful theatre!

This is probably the best shot of us three that we've gotten in a year. Doug and I had a lot of fun watching Koen take in the musical and enjoy being with us.

Two of my three boys! Doug just loves giving Koen a good time!
When Doug took this picture he said, "wow, now that is my boy." I've seen a lot of pictures like that of Doug from his younger days...what am I in for???!!!

Trick Or Treat Part I

Yesterday we took the boys to my office Halloween Party. It's become an office tradition to have the kids come in dressed up. When we did it the first time 4 years ago or so, there were about 10 kids. This year there were 27! It is such a fun activity for the kids and fun for all of us adults to see each others kids and how much they've grown up over the year.

Koen was a monkey for the second year in a row. He loves Curious George more than ever, so he was very enthusiastic about being a monkey again. Tavin was an elephant. He actually did a lot better with wearing the costume than I thought he would be.

Enjoy the pictures. Hopefully we'll get more photo shots of the kids on Sunday night with our neighborhood trick-or-treat, so look for Part II in a few days.

Making Walmart an Adventure

Today was an exciting day. It was nursery school (Mommy loves it, Koen loves it, Tavin is probably oblivious except for the extra Mommy attention). And then after a quick lunch we headed off to the airport to pick up Gramma!!!!!!! On our way though, we stopped for a quick errand at Walmart. Since it is such a long trip to the airport and running stops on the way there and back, I figured it might do Tavin some good to get out of his car seat and sit in a grocery cart. Koen picked out the double-wide of course. Tavin enjoyed it. He looked scared at first, but was comforted by his enthusiastic big brother (Koen got so excited and rambunctious about it that he ended up in the main part of the shopping cart with the groceries).

Although the ride in the cart was fun, the highlight of the afternoon was getting Gramma at the airport. Koen was so excited and kept her busy talking the whole way home.

We made one last stop on our way home. I got to meet Uncle Nate & Aunt Megan's brand new baby, Alex. So beautiful. I wish I had a picture to share! Such a sweetie!

Evening at Osceola

It was a gorgeous Fall day here in Pittsburgh. The boys and I had fun in the backyard after lunchtime and I knew that I had to make sure we got out after naptime/dinner this evening.

Check out Tavin trapped within the play-yard after lunch/before afternoon nap. He is so fast crawling now, in the backyard it takes about 20 seconds for him to get from the back fence to the brick patio and even less time to get to the garden. So, we tried out the play-yard. He definitely felt a little trapped, but liked it OK I guess.

So, after the boys inhaled their dinners (seriously, Melder boys are hungry little creatures!), we headed off to Osceola Park to swing and play. It was a fantastic time outside. Koen is just a blast (I know I've complained a lot lately about his 3-year-old-ness, but truly, he is such a sweet, very vocal, little buddy). Tavin just gets such a big kick out of his big brother and it is fun to watch him explore his world crawling around the playground (not to mention trying to eat acorn tops and sliding down a slide for the first time!).

Here are a few shots...

Koen was too busy running around to get his picture taken face forward. I think it has been too many days since we've spent quality time at a playground. I loved seeing him that enthusiastic.

Could he be any cuter? He's really excited about his brother in the above picture.

"Can I do the climbing wall, too? Big brother made it look so easy!"

"I think I'll just sit here and watch." Actually, he's working on some business in his pants. It was at least a chance to catch him not moving!

Flu Shot Day

We had a sad errand to run this morning...flu shots for the boys. Ugh. With all the debate about vaccinations, I just usually go with my pediatricians recommendation. He said go for it, so we did.

Anyways, here are the boys before the shots in the waiting room...

Koen is annoyed that I'm distracting him from the TV there and had completely forgotten what a shot felt like.Tavin is blissfully unaware of what was about to happen.
Koen wanted Tavin to go first. Poor second-born, sometimes it really isn't fair. Tavin cried, but got over it quickly. Koen did really well, but also cried. He actually watched the shot being done which I always think makes it work. I tried to get him to look at me, but he couldn't take his eyes off the nurse and the needle.

We got out of there quickly and I took the boys to Starbucks on the way home for a rewarding cup of hot cocoa. Tavin enjoyed an apple slice to gnaw on.

We were quickly back to normal and actually all enjoyed the early morning walk and outing away from our normal at home routine.

The Storyteller

Koen has an amazing memory. He memorizes his books, books on CD's, DVD's, etc. It is so fun. I've blogged before about how he tells these stories often as he plays. A little example is that he has a Thomas the Tank Engine train that plays the Thomas song. When it starts it must remind him of the beginning of a book on CD about Thomas because he says, "Thomas & Friends by..., based on the series by..., published by Random House. You should be looking at the first page where Thomas and Emily are outside the shed. You should turn the page when you hear..." It is absolutely hilarious. He uses the inflection and tones exactly like that of the narrator on the CD and I just love how he says, "published by Random House." He also does the sound for when you are supposed to turn the page and it is entertaining! I didn't catch that story on video, but tonight he was putting on a little story show. This is from another Thomas book and he quotes it verbatim. So cute!

My Handy Manny

Recently I heard about Handy Manny, a cute Disney show about a handyman and his tools helping others in their community. I checked out a few Handy Manny books from the library and have let Koen watch a few episodes on TV (we don't get the channel, but luckily they are on demand for free and no commercials!).

Anyways, Koen of course adores the characters and stories. Koen will probably be very good with fixing things and figuring out handyman projects someday, I just see it already in his aptitudes and he definitely enjoys pretend playing that he is fabulous at it. =)

In the last few days, Koen has been really big into drawing a plan with a pen and then he slips it behind his ear. Yesterday I noticed the reason why, Handy Manny does it. Too cute!

Back To Normal

So after a busy weekend with a fun house guest, we are back to our normal routine.

Last night we had family dinner, Daddy played with the boys while I cleaned up after dinner. Doug and Koen invented a new game..."Boat." Tavin got his first laundry basket ride and loved it! He was pumping his arms and smiling the whole ride. Koen thought it was awesome pushing his little brother around.
Today Koen went back to nursery school. When I come up to wake him up in the morning on nursery school mornings and tell him that he gets to go there, he is so excited and is so, so cooperative with getting on his clothes, getting down to breakfast, using the bathroom and brushing his teeth. I love how much he enjoys school! Here is a picture from Doug dropping him off this morning...straight to work on building a train track apparently.
Tavin and I enjoyed our morning together. A rainy walk to the bank, playtime in the playroom (Tavin is not so interested in smiling at the camera anymore, too much to do now that he is mobile!).

Well, off to pack up a lunch-on-the-go for Koen. After I walk to nursery school to get Koen we are off to go grocery shopping. Hopefully the rain holds off!

Weekend Catchup

It's been a busy weekend at the Melder house. Our good friend, Melissa, came into town Saturday morning for a baby shower for Aunt Jen. I hosted the baby shower. Unknowingly, Doug got roped into childcaregiver for the afternoon. He had Benjamin (5 months), Tavin (10 months), Koen (3 years), Roman (4 years) and helped a little with Molly (7 years). Pretty impressive. Here are a few funny pictures at the beginning of the shower when Doug had some of the kids outside. The first one, he's holding down the fort, the second one he (and Koen) are responding to a surprise spit-up attack from Benjamin. Ha!
The shower was a blast. It was a pleasure to throw this party with Jen's other friends. Aunt Jen is such an amazing friend, it was great to get a chance to bless her back a little. I think it was a great success! Here are a few shots...

Koen, Tavin and I got to go out for lunch with "Miss" Melissa after church today. It was fun to have someone around all of Sunday since usually it is just the boys and I. Here are the boys at lunch. They were so well-behaved and it was a really enjoyable time out on the back patio of the Elbow Room, not to mention yummy food!

Koen and Tavin have really warmed up to Melissa. I laid both the boys down tonight with Doug out, so Koen got to watch a little show with Miss Melissa while I laid Tavin down. They are officially pals. =)

Tavin's Developing Play

It's amazing. The moment they figure out how to crawl, it all changes. Tavin get his hands on so much more now and he is interested in figuring it all out!

Here is a glimpse into some of his new abilities...Comin' at ya! Watch out, he's fast! We now setup a gate between Koen's room and the playroom so if Koen wants to set up a "job," Tavin can't come and crash it down.Ok, so he can't exactly get on the truck himself, but he loves being up there and sits up on it by himself playing with the steering wheel activities. One day we surprised Koen at the end of his nap by opening the door quietly and then pushing Tavin in on the truck by himself. Hilarious!
Playing with Big Brother's Play-Doh toys while Koen takes a nap...finally the fun stuff!Still of course, plenty of time for rolling around on the floor with Mommy having some loves and ticklefests. My productivity during the in-between between the boys' naps is quickly disintegrating as Tavin is into everything in my room and multi-tasking on the computer is quite interrupted. A quick pre-nap read, nothing like J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit" from Daddy's bookshelf.

The Zoo with Two

Today Koen, Tavin and I went to the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium. Thanks, Aunt Abbie! She's gotten us a membership for Koen's birthday the past two years and it is such an awesome gift that keeps on giving!

It is a beautiful Fall day here. I've been looking forward to hours outside in the good, crisp Fall air. The boys are still dealing with runny noses, so I bundled them up really well for the outing. The sun was warm though and it was completely comfortable spending that much time outside.

We met our neighbor and some friends at the zoo with their kids. Koen's best bud, Delia, was there and they had such a good time pal-ing around the zoo.

You can barely see it in the above picture, but Delia and Koen are spotting the tiger lazily laying in the sun. Not the most exciting first stop, but they were quickly off to the next. But first, Koen had to stop at the Zoo Map to chart our course. He loves maps and planning - a perfect combo!

So after the map we passed the rhino, the lions, a construction site, gazelles, ostriches and then on to the elephants. One of our family favorites. Above is a picture of the two little buddies watching the huge beasts romp around. Koen saw the baby and said, "he is so cute!"

Koen and Delia were excited to see if they were as tall as the Baby Elephant, Zuri. Just about!
The orangutang was in a crazy mood today. It had a new toy and was pulling it apart. The kids were mesmerized! The gorillas were kind of slothful today, so we hiked up the hill past the bears and then got to the aquarium. The penguins, polar bears and seals are our favorite in that area.
On our way out of the zoo the kids spotted this large rubber ducky and we put them up there. Delia was singing a song and Koen was just watching his friend sing. So cute.

There were not that many people at the zoo which was a nice change from our summertime visits. The animals were really active and interesting today, I think they were enjoying a beautiful Pittsburgh Fall day too.

Koen and Tavin both did very well. Tavin took a short nap in the stroller, which was a perfect help. Then he pretty much listened, watched and sucked his thumb the rest of the time. Huxley was also a perfect little cherub, just hanging out in his stroller watching the older kids. Koen did a pretty good job with "listening and obeying." He walked a lot with Delia, but also rode in the carriage eating and eating and eating. Man that kid can eat!

The boys are napping and I'm blogging (although about to start working and then getting some house stuff done). Ahhh....