Happy Birthday, Guinness!

Ten years ago today, our first son was born (the furry, four-legged one).  He was a Christmas present from Mike (technically he offered me a choice between a dog and a piece of furniture).  He has been a constant companion and faithful friend despite the many changes that have occurred in our lives such as moves, marriage, children.

Over the years, he's earned several nicknames, but "Guinea Pig" is the one that seems to have stuck. ("Guinea" because it sounds like Guinness and as a puppy he looked more like a guinea pig than a dog, and "pig" because he eats so much and constantly begs for more!)

He's crazy and can be cranky at times, but we love him and can't imagine life without him (who else would give us such a rousing send off every time we left the house?!).  Here's to 10 wonderful years, and hopefully many more to come! 

To celebrate his milestone birthday, Ryan organized a birthday party.  He even wrote a song to commemorate the event (the tune is "Wild Thing," which I find appropriate).  Note that both boys' shirts are a tribute to their favorite cairn terrier!

At the birthday bash, there were games to play...

Presents to open...

Treats to perform for...

New toys to play with...

And ice cream to enjoy...

Happy birthday, Guinness!  Hopefully today's indulgences don't lead to tomorrow's vomiting and diarrhea! 

(I do feel slightly guilty that Guinness' birthday blog is on time, yet several months later I still have not put up a post about either boy's birthday!)

A Different Perspective

Mike and I dream of evenutally owning a water front home, or at least one with a water view.  Our current reality, however, could not be further from our dream view of sand dunes, beach grass, and crashing waves.  On the dawn of the grand opening of the IHOP that sits practically in our front yard, we'd like to offer a different perspective regarding our view:

http://www.cmt.com/videos/lonestar/59318/my-front-porch-looking-in.jhtml

Although our resale value is devastatingly low as a result of the commerical construction across the street, the lyrics from the Lonestar song, "From My Front Porch Looking In" capture what's really important.

My blessings are in front of me

It's not about the land

I'll never beat the view

From my front porch looking in

I see what beautiful is about
When I'm looking in

Not when I'm looking out

It's like the old addage, "it's not what's on the outside that matters; it's what's on the inside that counts."  While the view out our front door is far from ideal, what really matters is what happens inside the walls of our home.  That's where memories are made.  From the chipped paint on the baseboards from truck races and soccer matches in the hallway, to the paint and pen stains on the kitchen table from impromptu art projects, and the juice stains and greasy fingerprints on the couch from family movie nights, I think we have a beautiful home built on love and happiness.

Caped Crusaders

"Wayne Manor is where most people think I live, but only bats know my true home.  Beneath Wayne Manor is my secret hideaway, the Batcave!  Here, all alone, I study clues to solve crimes. 

When Gotham City is in trouble, Police Commissioner Gordon sends me the Bat Signal.  I race to the scene of the crime in...the Batmobile! 

In the dark of the night, criminals think they can get away.  They are wrong.  I fight all crime and evil.  I am a creature of the night.  I am Batman. 

This is my story.  My real name is Bruce Wayne.  When I was a boy, my parents gave me a lot of love, and I loved them, too.  We always had fun together, especially when I pretended to be my favorite hero. 

But one night, on our way home from the movies, a thief took my parents' lives.  It was then that I, Bruce Wayne, vowed to spend the rest of my life fighting crime, criminals, and evil. 

As I grew up, Alfred, my butler, cared for me.  I learned meditation, self-defense, and boxing.  I educated myself by studying math, politics, law, and science to help me outsmart criminals.  I exercised to make my body strong.  I had to be more powerful than any foes I would face. 

One night, a bat flew past my window and gave me a brilliant idea.  To frighten villains, I became...Batman! 

I have many enemies - the Joker, the Penguin, Catwoman, and Two-Face.  There will always be a criminal to stop, a victim to save, a monster to fight, and a crook to catch.  Gotham City need not fear, but its villains should be very afraid, for I am out to get them. 

I am the protector of the weak and helpless, the guardian of Gotham, the Dark Knight.  I am Batman!"  (From the book, Batman.  The Story of the Dark Knight by Ralph Cosentino)

Michelle is going to kill me!

Mike here. I have hacked into the site. As Michelle has written, we continue to struggle with getting Ryan to be a good eater. Tonight we had a little taste of N'awlins with sausage, red beans and rice for dinner. In an effort to get Ryan to eat, Michelle made a strange deal with him. If he finished his dinner she would run around the house five times acting like a chicken. I'm sure she never thought Ryan would eat everything. As you can see Ryan finished his dinner...

PS - Hopefully I will ride this out in the basement...if I am never seen again help Michelle get off with an insanity plea...because she is an awesome mom.

PPS - Sorry it is sideways.

Pumpkins And Other Spooky Fun

Our annual trip to Baugher's Pumpkin Patch was a bit abbreviated this year since both boys had been sick for several days prior to our visit.  Although they were feeling better, they lacked their usual energy and enthusiasm.  Since we went on the last day that pumpkin picking was available, the selection was scant to say the least.  Everything had been picked over and most of what was left was starting to rot.  Luckily, the boys were able to find a few that met their approval.

In addition to pumpkin picking and carving, we also celebrated the holiday by decorating the house with ghost lights and pumpkin and bat garland.  We also made Halloween pancakes, cookies, and crafts.

Gavin, the task master, is focused on finding the perfect pumpkin.  He refuses to be distracted by Mom's pleas for a quick picture.  He knows the Ravens game is about to start and he has no patience for our dilly dallying.



He eventually concedes and smiles sweetly for a picture with the pumpkin he picked out.



Then it's back to the task at hand.  He directs us to the line for the hayride back to our car.

Our "punkins" with their pumpkins!

Gavin plants a sloppy wet kiss on Ryan's cheek.  And we wonder why they both seem to get sick at the same time?!  Guess it's a small price to pay for brotherly love!

Ryan, with a little help from Daddy and a lot of encouragement from Gavin, paints his pumpkin.  I thought the use of washable paints was brilliant until we put the pumpkin on the front steps and it rained for the first time! 



We made breakfast for dinner using Halloween-shaped pancake molds.  Ryan's job was to sprinkle (which he interpreted as "dump") chocolate chips into the pancake batter.  I think his strategy was three in the mouth for every one in the pancake!

Ryan poses with his bat and ghost-shaped pancakes.  Luckily, he drowned them in chocolate syrup so he probably never noticed they were partially burnt!

Ryan and Mommy assembled a haunted house foam kit.  Mommy constructed the house while Ryan added the spooky decorations!  

The sleeves are pushed up and he's ready to scoop out pumpkin guts!

Gavin prefers to use a spoon for the dirty work!

Boys being boys

Ryan finds pumpkin guts far slimier and grosser than he imagined.  Notice that he "acquired" the spoon from Gavin.

The boys quickly grew bored with the pumpkin carving and enertained themselves by unrolling an entire roll of paper towels that was intended for wiping messy hands and cleaning up afterward!  It's amazing the trouble they can get into when they know Mommy and Daddy are elbow-deep in pumpkin guts!

"Guys, can you quiet down, I'm on the phone!" (He pushed redial, so we're not sure who he was talking to!)

Ryan requested a carving of Batman standing on top of a building in Gotham City.  He compromised for an outline sketch that Daddy traced from one of his coloring books.  Daddy worked late into the night perfecting his masterpiece.

Daddy poses with the finished product. 

Here it is illuminated in the dark so you can appreciate the detail!