Phases

I have noticed since becoming a mother the phrase, "It's just a phase," is one commonly used. It may be hopeful (oh, Brenna's sleeping patterns of waking up before any sane person should is "just a phase." If that is true, it's been a LONG one, pretty much covering all the months of her existence.) While other phases are just part of the territory. We are currently beginning our journey into the Tooth Fairy phase, as Grant lost his first tooth. I would like to suggest that I get paid for my body parts that are falling apart or off all together, particularly my hair. Who knew that having babies would cause my curly locks to straighten and my hair to fall out by the handfuls. I guess I shouldn't complain, my 17 strands of hair should be sufficient to do a nice comb over someday. But, if I were to be paid not necessarily for each strand that falls out, but at least by the brush-full, I'd be racking it in. I feel like the tooth fairy was kind to bring her dollar and hope it is the right amount for boys his age! We have honestly been dreading the appearance of the permanent teeth because every dentist that has ever seen Grant has viewed the x-rays of his permanent teeth, looked at us with huge eyes, eyebrows raised to their hairline and exclaimed, "This boy is going to have REALLY big teeth." So, bring on the awkward phase...and a future of braces...and a possibility of tooth filing! Grant is also in the phase of spelling my name whenever he needs my attention. I frequently hear, "M-O-M" followed by a request. It's pretty funny. Other phases you hear kids go through and you cross your fingers that your kid won't-we've got that going on right now too. I know it's common, but the "repeat every word you say phase" that Katelee is in makes me (as Grant may express, C-R-A-Z-Y!)

Spooktacular

We had a spook-a-rific haunted holiday season! We saw Witches, (The kids are all making a "scary" face here. I especially like Brenna's tongue.) We ran through a corn maze, picked out the perfect pumpkins, carved 'em up good...then I burned the seeds. We usually love to eat the roasted seeds, but this year I thought I would scorch them-not happy about that, but I suppose there's always next year...and the one after that...etc. We did eat some other nasty things though...eyeballs, mummies and worms just to name a few. We had a pretty low key costume assembly year. I seem to recall my growing up years where we just scrounged up what we or a neighbor had around the house. We were close to that this year. Grant, opted for a scary vampire, Katelee was Rapunzel. Her wig looked awesome after about 35 seconds-hair flying every which way, by the end of the night it was sideways and Katelee had to have brushed it out of her face 6 times per second. It was funny. Brenna actually had three costume choices-a hand me down Little Red Riding Hood costume that she would have nothing to do with, then the second one on my list was a U of U cheerleader. She really would have made her daddy proud with that one, but she, in true Brenna fashion wanted to pick her own and found Grant's old Lion outfit. Yes, it is a male lion, but people dress up like the opposite sex all the time, so why not dress up Brenna as not only a lion, but a boy lion. I was a flight attendant, flying the friendly skies. Trick or treating was a success (for the older two), Brenna just said "TREAT," as she knocked on a few doors. She was an excellent assistant at handing out candy. We are now trying to go through a sugar detox program.