Cooking & Crafts with Curren: Summers End

Grandpa Gary has finally "retired" and his co-workers threw a fabulous party. Traditional Mexican cuisine and had a cake made in the shape of a liver! We had a great time sending him off in style. He and Nana are now officially dual residents of South Carolina and Florida. We miss having them so close but wish them all the best in their new adventures.

Carl got an opportunity to visit London for work in August. He spent a week working and sightseeing. I think his favorite part was Sunday Roast at the local pubs.

We visited Florida in September and loved every moment. Grandpa Erich loved watching cartoons and playing with the boys. Bennett got to meet everyone in my family for the first time. We spent the day with Grandma Linda to celebrate her birthday. Nothing like a Publix buttercream birthday cake, yummmo! Most of our time was spent at Nana and Papa's beach home. Unfortunately, we did not get to see them this visit. We spent most of our days at the beach or pool and visiting with family. The boys just loved playing on the beach with aunt Laura. They built sand castles and she taught Curren to jump waves. Carl had to miss most of the fun due to work demands but joined us the last few days of the holiday. He spent his time alone at home putting a new stain color on the stair railing. It looks great after much sweat and a few tears (not that he'll admit the latter).

Now that fall is here and the one deciduous (great Sesame Street word..basically, a maple) tree in our front yard is losing its leaves, we have been decorating for Halloween. I enjoy decorating with pumpkins and celebrating the old ritual of getting the first tupperware from the crowed attic out for the start of the holidays. Carl sounds like Clark Griswold foraging in the attic. We are planing on making costumes for the kids again this year. Wish us luck that our minds are not lost in the process.

Last week the boys and I went to the Dallas arboretum to see the spectacular pumpkin patch. It is truly breathtaking to see the gardens all dressed up. Bennett and Curren had a grand time climbing on the pumpkins and picnicking with friends.

We have enjoyed a long and awfully hot summer. Now that the heat has finally broken the putzing around inside the house has ended and we joined a new play group. The group consists of six toddler boys, one sweet girl and two babies. Our boys are getting their own social scene these days. Between three days of play groups, one day of story time, and other outings there's not much time to just stay put and relax.

Curren has taken a liking to the scooter that he received for his second birthday. He's really picking up skills and rides to the park as we follow behind. He just gleams with pride that he is able to be like the big kids in the neighborhood. He loves to sing and dance when Carl plays LPs and run around the play room full speed. He is talking a lot these days, now that he has the words to go with all those deep thoughts. He looks after Bennett by pulling him from dangerous things and I will catch him rubbing his hair or holding his hand. It melts our hearts to see them so happy and loving with one another.

Bennett is changing rapidly. He is pulling up and transferring between furniture pieces. He is working on his sixth tooth and will only eat table food. He refuses any type of baby food and wants what his big brother is eating. He adores Curren - just beams with delight when when he sees him. He also loves to wake up at 4am to talk and play with his sleepy parents. We are not a fan of this development.