The Things She Does

We can't turn our backs for 30 seconds or this happens.

We are trying to teach Olivia how to go to the bathroom by herself.  Sometimes it takes a bit of bribery like tonight.  We had to give Olivia a piece of Halloween candy in order to get her to go by herself.

After about 30 seconds of her being in the bathroom we started to wonder where Finn was.  It is natural for us to get scared when we think he might be in the bathroom by himself as he likes to play in the toilet water. GROSS!

Scott:  Olivia, is Finley in there with you?

Olivia:  No, he's in the closet.

We opened the closet door to find this smiling up at us.

That little Olivia put him in there so he wouldn't bother her.

Hoytsgiving 2013

The third annual Hoytsgiving was held this past weekend.  A group of my high school friends get together each year to celebrate all we have to be thankful for.  There was food, friendship, and laughter galore.

The kids had a great time playing together.  There were only a few meltdowns over stolen toys.

Dinner time.  I still can't believe we could get all of the girls to sit at the table long enough to eat dinner.

Poor little Finny, he still has to sit in his high chair.  Maybe next year he will get to join in on the kiddie table fun.

Finn spent a lot of his time at the door watching the dog.  If it wasn't for Mommy's allergies the dog could have been inside.  Sorry Finn.

Once again Amber bought the girls matching PJ's to wear after dinner.  They are all so cute.

Picture time.  The girls had their Owl PJ's on and Finn had his Raccoon PJ's.

After dinner the girls had a movie night in Lily's room. Of course Olivia wouldn't sit still for more then 10 minutes.  She missed the majority of the movie.

I just love Finn and Juliette together (they are only a month apart).  They are two peas in a pod, or trouble makers as I like to call it.  I have a feeling Finn won't mind being the only boy as long as he has his partner in crime there with him.  These two spent a lot of time climbing on the table and chairs and tearing the magnets off the fridge.

Monday Madness

We're just trying to cure your Monday blues over here.

No need to buy these two any toys for Christmas.  They insist on playing with pots, pans and mixing bowls.

{Never mind the outfit that doesn't match.  Olivia is becoming fiercely independent and insists on picking out her own outfits.}

Jaws

The biter at Daycare now belongs to us this week.

I am so sad.  Both of my babies have been victims of biting at school.  When I picked the kids up on Wednesday I was given the bad news.  Finn is now the biter.  Jaws bit a child in the face and broke the skin.  If I wasn't walking in the door we would have received a call to come pick him up as he was being kicked out for the day.  I can't believe it.  I am just like any other parent and told them I have never witnessed that behavior at home, which I haven't.  Finn is such a calm baby, even with Livy stealing all of his toys, milk, and blankies.  I wonder what provoked him.  Hopefully it doesn't happen again.

On to a happy note.  How could you not love these cuties.

This caterpillar has had some major miles put on it this week.

Olivia has been obsessed with her sleep sheep this week.  The sheep goes everywhere with us....with the volume turned up as high as it goes.

The kids are also obsessed with playing in the "boat" which is what they call the table below.  Olivia will round Finn up and ask him if he wants to play in the boat.  Finn will drop whatever he is doing to follow her down the hall.  We hear the loudest giggles when they are playing in there together.

Just Call Me Mouse

Halloween was so much different this year compared to last year.  Olivia is finally starting to understand what it's all about.  Finn was pretty much just along for the ride.  We would carry him from house to house and then set him on the porch next to Olivia.  He would stand behind her and just hold out his bucket just waiting for the goodies.

We pulled out the costumes a few weeks ago just to make sure they still fit, however, it wasn't until a few nights ago that Olivia started to get really excited.  She insisted on wearing her mouse costume for an hour each night.  During this hour she wouldn't let us call her Olivia.  Every time we said something to her she corrected us.  "No Mom, you say come here Mouse".  This girl really gets into character.

This is the second year in a row that Olivia has worn her mouse costume.  I just can't bring myself to put her in anything different.  My mom made this costume for me when I was little.  I love that she is able to wear it as well.

The actual Halloween night was cold and rainy so we didn't spend too much time outside.  We went to about 10 homes.  Every time we were done with one Olivia would say "Mom are we going to go to another one".  Girlfriend likes her candy.

Olivia knew that her job was to ring each doorbell and say "Trick or Treat".  If only she waited to say trick or treat when the people came to the door.  She usually said it to the front door as soon as she rang the doorbell.  She did remember her manners, though.  Each homeowner was thanked for the candy and received a goodbye and a friendly wave.

There weren't too many kid out this year, but there were still a few scary costumes.  I didn't see very many cute ones though.  Of course, no costume would be cuter than my kids costumes.  Every time a scary costume would pass us Olivia would say "look at that scary thing".

Pumpkin Hunting

We took the kids to the pumpkin patch this weekend.  We may have waited a few weeks too long, but everyone still had a good time.

The pumpkins were pretty picked over and it was awfully cold/windy, but the smiles were out in full force.

Olivia loved pulling the wagon and hunting for the perfect pumpkin.

Finn had a heck of a time walking, probably because of the getup that I had him dressed up in.  It looked an awful lot like the Christmas Story snow suit, minus the pants.  Just trying to keep them from getting any sicker than they already are.

Next year we will have to go a little earlier in October.

Yearly Pictures

Here are a few pictures from the most recent photo shoot.

September 2013
Olivia - 3 years old (almost)
Finley - 1 year old

The photo shoot was a major disaster.  Actually, Finn was a major disaster.  Meatball did not want to sit still.  I think we have just two or three pictures where he is actually cooperating.  I was in a full on sweat by the time we left the store.  Thankfully my mom went with to help and Olde Towne bakery was right around the corner.

Olivia on the other hand was sweet as pie!

These are the outfits that Scott brought home from his trip to China.