October 31st, 2007

Most grateful moment of the day: I had a few. The first was spending the afternoon out with Jack and Mallie. We haven't been able to leave the house much since they've been sick....so getting them out was so fun. Mallie slept the whole time. But I took them down to Sweetwater Landing to eat lunch and see the boats and ducks. Jack was infatuated with the water and especially the wind (it was a really windy day). He threw leaves in to the ducks and said 'Here go ducks....eat!'.
Also, this evening, Dede and my dad came over for dinner. They were so happy and excited to see the kids (and vice versa). Then Brian and Claire and Drew showed up....along with Tommy's parents. Jack got to Trick or Treat for the first time with an entourage. I got good video of it. It was a special memory with a lot of people to share it with!

One thing I learned today: You can fit more into your day than you think. I was panicked this morning wondering how I was going to carve a pumpkin, clean the house, make dinner, entertain the kids, shower, bathe the kids, get them into costumes, and grocery shop.....but somehow it all fit in. Jack is getting to the age that he is almost helpful or at least can entertain himself for a while....and Mallie's pretty good no her own for a little while too!

Best life tip of the day: Make your house a drop-by house. Not everyone can do this and keep their sanity...But I love that everyone knows that they can just stop at our house without calling to see us or the kids at anytime. I wanted that type of atmosphere here and I think we achieved it. I think it's good because people feel comfortable and relaxed and actually do stop more often. It's good for Jack and Mallie to see their friends and family on a regular basis in their little environment!

One moment I wish I could redo: Jack ran away from me in the parking lot at the grocery store today. He did it on purpose to make me mad because he was mad that he had to get out of the 'truck' shopping cart in the store. I am at a loss when he does this...although it's getting better. When he did it today, I scooped him up and put him in his carseat and then grabbed his cheeks and told him 'no!'. He laughed right out loud at this, even when I did it again. I felt like he needed to learn a lesson, so I smacked his hand and told him ''no' again. He started crying at that. I don't want to resort to hitting him...but it seems to be the only thing that gets through to him in a situation like that. I didn't do it out of anger and thought it through, but I still hated doing it and feel guilty about it.

Biggest laugh of the day: While Tommy was out trick-or-treating with Jack, he stopped to talk to a neighbor across the street. Jack, as usual, was trying to interject in the conversation and was pointing at our house, yelling at the poor man 'THAT MY HOUSE!!!!' about 100 times. No one was listening to him, so he kept at it. We could hear him from across the street and Brian thought it was the funniest thing.

Best Tommy moment of the day: Tommy is a really, really good dad and is also a nostolgic person. He was a little disappointed tonight with the flood of people here and how it took Jack's attention off of remembering his first Halloween with 'just his dad'. When so many people are around, Jack gets really distracted, as would be expected and Tommy got lost in the shuffle of all the new, exciting people around (Papa, Brian, etc.) It just showed me how much Tommy really cares about making memories with the kids...he's a great dad.

Best Jack moment of the day: Jack went trick-or-treating tonight for the first time. Amazingly, he knew exactly what to do. He walked right up to the first house, with his entourage in tow (including the video camera) and said 'trick-or-treat!' and then was shocked when he got a piece of FREE candy in his bag!! The look on his face was priceless. He even said thank you. He also got to help hallow out his first pumpkin today. He was shocked by what was inside and not afraid to touch it and help. I think his first Halloween was a success!!!

Best Mallie moment of the day: Mallie dressed up as a Fame dancer again this evening (using the same costume that won her the costuem contest at Claire and Drew's party). She looked so adorable in her pink leotard, gray cut-off sweatshirt, white tights, gray leg warmers and white headband. She's such a cutie and loved the extra attention from everyone tonight.