McGrath Moments

I was fixing the kiddos lunch yesterday and I grabbed two spoons to set on the table...they were having chicken noodle soup. Braeden brought his spoon back to me and said that he already had his own spoon and didn't need the one I set on the table.

Braeden: I already have my own spoon.

Me: You already have a spoon? Let me see it.

Braeden holds up a plastic spoon.

Me: Where did you get that from? (We don't use plastic spoons/forks/knives unless we are having a lot of people over to eat.)

Braeden: I found it underneath my bed.

Me: (giving a crazy look) You found it underneath your bed and you want to eat with it?

Braeden: (you could see the light bulb go off in his head) I better just throw it in the trash.

Me: Good idea!

Note to self: check under that child's bed and see what else might be hiding!

Tuesday night the kids and I were watching the news and the weather segment was on. I told the kids that they might see some snowflakes on Wednesday and immediately Braeden jumped up and said, "We have to make our Christmas lists for Santa!" I grabbed a pen and paper and wrote down exactly what they told me they wanted, word for word.

Braeden's list was pretty basic and to the point:
Nintendo DS
Battle Zhu Zhu Pets
Remote control Big Foot

Brenna's list was pretty entertaining:
Dollhouse
Dora
Santa Clause Toy
Baby
Cinnamon
Dollhouse for Braeden, a bad guy dollhouse
2 Dolls
Toy
Another Dollhouse

Word for word and so funny! I had the kids show Ed the list when he got home from work and when he questioned Brenna about 'Cinnamon', she looked at him like he was an idiot, rolled her eyes and said, "Dad, Cinnamon Toast Crunch!" Easy enough and who knows maybe she will even get two boxes of Cinnamon Toast Crunch! It is certainly a budget friendly gift!

I love the innocent TV shows that the kids like to watch...Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Dora, Little Einsteins, Handy Manny, and Special Agent Oso. Braeden can use the remote somewhat, like the On/Off button or volume, but he cannot use the satellite Guide button to change the channel and Brenna cannot use the remote at all. So, they watch what I put on the TV. That is why it has surprised me that within the last 2 weeks both children have revealed that they are now fans of Hannah Montana and Justin Bieber(I don't even know if that is how you spell his name, just using the I before E rule).

Brenna mentioned Hannah Montana in the car about 2 weeks ago and I asked her how she knows who that is. Of course she had no answer. Braeden announced last week that he wants a Justin Bieber guitar for Christmas. Ed and I just looked at each other and gave the "what did he just say" look. I don't know why, but I just don't like the whole crazy popularity of these teen stars. Actually, I am sure the reason that I don't like it or don't get it is because I am "old"--I suppose I did love New Kids on the Block back in the day, but I would rather my kiddos still love Mickey Mouse!

This is just another one of those transition moments that remind me that they are getting older and obviously learning things from other kids. I wish I could bottle up their innocence, because each day I am remined that it is slipping away.

Our Halloween weekend started out with Braeden's Halloween party at school. All of the children at Delaware Ridge dressed up and had a parade through the school and our neighborhood. Very fun!

During his class party we had three different stations set up with activities. One of the stations was toilet papering like a mummy. Here is Braeden's teacher getting all rolled up in toilet paper.


The second station was pumpkin bowling. This is where Brenna and I worked. We passed out treats after the kids bowled. They loved it!


The third activity was taking pudding and making witches or Frankensteins with oreos, licorice, and other yummy treats. The kids thought they tasted really good and I thought it was a really creative idea. It was so much fun watching Braeden have such a good time with all of his classmates. This was the first party of the year for me to participate as a "room mother" and I loved it! Watching the kiddos have such a fun time was great! It really brings back memories of school parties from when I was in elementary school.


In between Braeden's party on Friday and Halloween on Sunday, I turned 31 years old. We had a FUN night out Saturday!

Let me introduce, Iron Man II(aka Braeden) and Princess/Ballerina Belle(aka Brenna). Neither were interested in letting me pick out their costumes this year, so this is who they wanted to dress as. Such cuties!!

The kids had such a good time trick-or-treating with their cousins and friends. I think we may have enough candy to last until next year. I will have to admit, I have enjoyed helping them eat it!

I was going to do our Halloween post this morning, but as I got started I realized that I have no idea how to take the pictures from my camera and put them on this computer. A Halloween post definitely needs cute pictures of the kiddos in their costumes. Ed is out of town and he is my computer tech, so I guess the post will have to wait.

Yes...I am that computer challenged! :(

Halloween Take 2 COMING SOON!!!