The Banditos

(The Banditos: Wyatt, Daddy, Calvin, Cyrus-not pictured)

The Banditos are an EXCLUSIVE, all-boys club, whose headquarters are located right here in my apartment. The founding member of this club is known to most outsiders as "Daddy." Membership into this club is extended to all males in the Shafer family. Members convene in the evening after their fearless leader returns from a hard days work in "the real world."

Banditos are many things, but chiefly they are TOUGH. They spend most of their time honing and sharpening their skills through rigorous practice. Practice includes, but is not limited to: jumping on the bed, jumping over each other on the bed, wrestling, and pretending to fall down.

Most bandito meetings involve some sort of important conversation involving superheros, either which one they are or whose powers they would like to have. Favorite superheros discussed include: Hulk, Ironman, Thor, The Silver Surfer, Reptil, and any other member of the Super Hero Squad.

Many women might scream and stomp up and down, complaining that they have been ousted from this all boys extravaganza. Then there are smart women like myself. A woman who recognizes a good thing when she sees it. A woman who knows that a man that takes his boys and plays with them after she has had a long day tending to their teeny, tiny needs is a lucky woman. She knows that she is lucky to catch a break and squeeze in a juicy thirty minutes of Access Hollywood . . . . . . completely . . . . . . undisturbed.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

A Little Sumpin' Sumpin' For the Grandparents

No Tricks. Just Treats.

H A P P Y H A L L O W E E N !!!!!!

Was your Halloween as good as ours? Did you get a truck load of candy? Are you just staring at it as it sits on your counter??? Is your will power as good as mine?? I still haven't had any yet. And yes, I'm jonesing for it bad, but I'm not going to give in. No, no, no. My willpower is stronger than a fun size snickers.

Cast of Characters:

Cyrus . . . . . Superman

Wyatt . . . . . The Homemade Puppy (thanks Jeigh)

Calvin . . . . . DK, as in Donkey Kong. (Please don't call him "a cute monkey with a tie" or "Curious George")

Mommy . . . . . Louis Lane (I had a little bit of trouble with the bun in my hair, glasses, and skirt suit, but otherwise I have to say that I think I'm a dead ringer for her)

Daddy . . . . . . The Invisible Man (or just someone kind enough to take all of the pictures, but not be in any. Honey, thanks.)

He's 3

Dear Wyatt,

What kind of words should I use to describe you?

Happy

Kind

Chirpy

Puppy

Daydreamy

Chatty

It's your birthday today! I tried so hard to not let you be born on Halloween. That's why you were born at 11:42 p.m. I held out as long as I could, but you weren't having it. I didn't want you to have to share your birthday with anything else. I still feel a little sorry for you that you have to. I always imagine birthday parties in the future where no one wants any of your birthday cake because they are too full of Halloween candy. Bottom line: I think that you are too special to share your day. But alas, it is what it is.

You are dear to me. You remind me of a pleasant, gentle breeze on a warm day: easy and delightful. One of my favorite things to do is watch you play. You are so content to just lay on the floor, chat with yourself and your toys and daydream. I can't help but wish that I were able to be that content in my own thoughts. It's very sweet.

I'm completely bonkers in love with you. That adorable under bite that makes you look like a bulldog is fitting since you have recently fallen head over heals in love with puppies. I love to watch you tuck all of your stuffed animal puppies into bed and pull the blankets over their heads. I love your pudgy cheeks and thoughtful questions. I love driving down the road and hearing one of these: Are these roads busy? Mom, do you like bananas? Is Colton my best friend? I love it when we sit across from each other at the kitchen table, just you and I, sharing smoothies and Cheetos and practicing winking at each other. Bliss.

I'm such a schmuck. Even as I type I weep. I can't help but feel like I've gotten more than anyone could ever hope or ask for. I feel like the Lord has just heaped happiness at my feet. I love you, Wyatt. I love every little teeny, tiny inch of you. I hope when you are a tween or teenager and go back and read this post it embarrasses you to no end with all of it's sickeningly sweet talk. I can't help myself.

All My Love,

Mom.

Family Picture: The Outtakes Edition

We were so happy to get a family picture because it has been a long time since we have all been in one place, smiling, and looking at the camera. It was, oh, how do I say this???? - - - a challenge. I will only give you 5 outtakes, but you must understand that of the 100+ pictures we took, we only got one.

Yes, one good picture.

But you only need one, right????? So don't be surprised when you see this picture turn up everywhere. If you get a Christmas card - - - yep, there will be our picture. Log onto facebook? yep, there will be our picture. Check your email at our house? yep, the wallpaper will be our family picture. You get the picture. heh heh heh. ;)

Anyway, onto the pictures and witty captions.

Bossy Mom caught in action. But what mama isn't bossy. Doesn't Noah look a little bit like he is not trusting this shot?

Wouldn't a picture of us all hugging be soooo cute? Don't be alarmed. No one was hurt in the making of this picture. Newborns naturally scrunch. So, rest easy.

Wyatt is shocked that we are still taking pictures. I am just focusing on the picture. "Keep smiling, Katie, keep smiling. You can only control yourself." Noah obviously has something important to say. If only we knew what it was.

I suspect that this captures the very first moment that Wyatt will give us that indicates that he will be a moody teenager. Even as a 2 year old, he is in touch enough with his emotions to know he doesn't like to be told how and when to smile. Katie, just keep smiling. Or, look like you are napping. Either will do.

Though not an official member of the family, he was a willing participant in the photo shoot.

Things To Love About Cyrus

1. The bunched up, scrunched up, newborn way he curls up in my arms.

2. His baby acne. Let's be honest - - - zits only look cute on a baby. Plus, he doesn't even cry when I tease him about it and ask him if he wants me to order him some Proactive.

3. The excuses he gives me to sit down for 20 minutes at a time and watch TV. a.k.a. nursing.

4. His adorable sleep smiles. I love it! What is making him smile? I'm sure it's me with my amusing stories, lovely singing voice, and sweet breath.

5. Baby gas. I'm sorry. I know that is a little crude. But it makes me laugh that he is so gassy. When he is really gassy, we pump his legs to "help him out." The other day Noah got 7 toots in a row!! That could only make a mother and father proud.

6. I love his natural ability to grow my laundry exponentially. I used to get by on one laundry day a week. Now I have 1 laundry day + several small Cyrus loads throughout the week.

7. His dark eyes. They seem so curious.

8. AND MY FAVORITE - - - - He helped me lose 30 pounds in just a matter of weeks. What a son!!! What a son!!!

Hey Kids! Why Don't You Make Your Own Breakfast?

Nothing says healthy living like a big batch of Trunk-or-Treat candy for breakfast. They even covered the four main food groups: chocolate, fruity, sucker, and gum. Maybe it's time Yo Mama got outta bed and tended to the older two kids.And I'm pretty sure that mass amounts of sugar at the crack of dawn coupled with letting your two year old put himself down for a nap can sometimes lead to this:
Yep, that's the living room floor. The hard, wood floor. Almost as good as a bed. Actually, just as good when you are plunging down from a sugar high.