More to Say

Some days, like today, I pause for a moment and realize that progress is still being made...

ex:

K: I'm going down to the garage to get some Cottonelle wipes...be back in a minute.
J: For me?
K: Yes. I'm getting them for the downstairs bathroom. Do you need any in the upstairs bathroom?
J: No, we don't need any upstairs. There are still some left up there. I just need them downstairs. You know, the bathroom I always go in? But bring some for later for upstairs, too, Mommy, ok?
K: Ok. Got it. I'll bring some extra!

Unusual? Not in the least. Except that not too long ago, that conversation would have looked much more like this:

K: I'm going down to the garage to get some Cottonelle wipes...be back in a minute.
J: For me?
K: Yes. I'm getting them for the downstairs bathroom. Do you need any in the upstairs bathroom?
J: No.

There just wasn't much dialogue. It's not something an outsider notices, of course, but when you are around other kids you hear how much more they add to their answer. The back and forth. And then one day, we had it too. I don't think I'm quite used to it, as every once in a while it still takes me by surprise. Just an ordinary moment that isn't so ordinary at all.

Don't Poke His Eye Out (well, just this once)

Pumpkin carving at the Halberts...gotta love days like these!

First Sleepover

We're making memories over here at the Halbert house...Jack is currently having his very first sleepover with his friend Jayden. Jayden and Jack became fast friends while in Kindergarten and, though they are not in class together this year, have stayed good friends. They even get to ride the bus home together on occasion, and both think that is a real treat!

So, when I say that the boys were eager to have their sleepover during Fall Break, that might not do their excitement justice. As we picked up Jayden this morning at 9:30 a.m., both boys were beaming from ear to ear. And their excitement never waned today. They played together, ate together, and played some more. They tolerated an interested toddler little brother, rode bikes, played Wii and in general, had a blast.

Lunching and gaming...

This was the view for a good part of the afternoon...no Mommies or little brothers allowed!

After dinner and a little more playtime, the boys changed into their pajamas and went to hang out in the den. Guess who had to be right in the mix? Little brother Tyler, who adores Jayden so much (that he'll poke him in the eye!)

The boys enjoyed being in front of the camera and decided to try out some different looks. Not sure which one is my favorite, but I think I'm leaning toward silly!

Best buddies!!!

After a quick "Cars" story, the boys were headed to bed. Jayden called "top bunk" and Jack was excited to let his friend have his choice.


They were asleep by 9:15 and as of midnight...not a peep! It doesn't come as much of a surprise that the boys are already planning their next sleepover...though Jack admitted he was not exactly ready to sleep at Jayden's yet.

I'll call this a major milestone and proudly add it to the list of Jack's accomplishments! I'm so glad that Jack has a friend like Jayden and so happy for the excitement of little boys and sleepovers.

May I Introduce You To...Wall-E!

The upcoming holiday, celebrated each year at October's end, is not a favorite of our little guy. Sure, he's participated in most years, but it isn't the holiday that he counts down toward with gusto. So, as the discussion turned to costumes, there was some waffling. I started to think that, perhaps, the time had come to end the ritual of trick or treating for our eldest. What IS the age that it becomes child fodder?

So you can imagine our delight when Jack proclaimed that he thought he might like a Wall E costume. We discussed creating the costume out of a cardboard box but then decided to peruse the internet...and stumbled upon this beauty!

From the moment it arrived, our little boy has been completely enamored with this costume...







And here's the actual costume in action at our church's Trunk or Treat event, accompanied by a sweet little tree frog.



And again on Halloween night with his friend Clarissa and her family and neighbors.




We're glad to see that trick or treating is alive and well again this year for Jack. It was wonderful to see him enjoying trick or treating with friends (he didn't get excited about Halloween until Clarissa invited him to T or T with her!) and we had a long fun night of neighborhood strolling in the near-rain.