Perspective

Half-Full

• I successfully made my Mom's roll recipe. It was only my millionth try.
• I got all of today's laundry folded.
• I had dinner on the table at a decent time.
• I showered and put on make-up.
• I read to the boys.
• I cuddled with Cyrus a lot.
• I got Wyatt to use the potty all by himself all day today. Not one pee accident. (This is huge.)

Half-Empty

• I ran out of sugar while making my Mom's roll recipe and used brown sugar. It wasn't the same.
• The laundry was completely wrinkled because it was sitting in the basket for who knows how long.
• Though dinner was on the table, the appetites were absent. As we started to eat, Calvin leaned over and whispered in my ear, "This dinner is so yucky. I think I'll just eat rolls."
• I did shower and put on make-up. Then I promptly put my pajamas back on.
• I read to the boys in the bathroom while trying to get Wyatt to do #2. That isn't my first choice in reading rooms.
• I cuddled with Cyrus a lot. He was kind enough to cry in my ear for most of the time.
• I got Wyatt to use the potty all by himself today. Except for that one accident. On the kitchen floor. And it wasn't #1.

Philly

We did it all for the cheese steaks. Though we saw many of the sights of Philadelphia, let's just be honest. We were there to eat a cheese steak. We are not history buffs, we are foodies. And even though we got the sandwiches later in the day after the sight seeing, we'll just go ahead and address the pictures now. What?! It was a good sandwich.

This was the line for Pat's. In the background you can see Geno's. Don't waste your time on the flashy neon lights of Geno's (seen in the background). Go to Pat's. Okay, so I've never tasted Geno's, but Pat's was mighty fine.

Ahhhh..... I love this picture. It is nerdiness only a Mom can accomplish. Seriously, I know I look like a cheeseball, but I was on cloud 9 after my sammy. Oh, and yes, Cyrus did have crumbs on him. You can't eat with your child in a baby carrier without getting something on them. Poor kid. It's my experience that he's going to be getting a lot more crumbs on him in the upcoming months.

And on to the sight seeing. This is Betsy Ross' house. I don't know. She's just some lady who made some flag.

Attempt at a family picture in front of Independence Hall. Calvin l-o-v-e-d to cooperate in this one.

So, we just cut the kids out of this next one. But don't we parents look like we love the Liberty Bell?

And we're all back for a picture in the room where the Constitution was signed. This was the best part of the tour. You know, the part where our kids just tried to run around through the hallowed room. Then it got better when Wyatt fell down, hit his head, and cried - - - big time. So much that the tour guide had to address it later on. Ahhhh, kids make everything easy.

This is a nice candid shot. Noah loves to catch me off guard (want more? click here). I think that I was standing up from getting something off of the floor. And no, I am not in a bad mood or giving the camera a dirty look. I'm just using a transition face. I guess. Maybe I was mad that I had to stand up.

Some modern art work. We appreciate art. That's why we tried to climb it.

AND, The Philadelphia Museum of Art (aka the steps that Rocky ran up in the Rocky movie). Needless to say, we all ran up the steps and then did that boxing dance where you punch the air and raise your fists. Shameless. I know.

Adorable picture of Wyatt sitting on the steps after he ran them. Yes, he ran them. What a champ.

And this is what Cyrus did all day long. What a cutie pie.

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.