First, we carved a pumpkin today. I call it "Feelings," and it's a self-portrait. (Man! Life's been hectic!)
Let's see... About 1,000 years ago (or so it seems), Elliott started school. That much you know. But then, the Bus Glorious Bus began! Here's Elliott on his first Bus Day. (Yes, he's dancing in the driveway in an effort to vent some excitement.)
And here it is! The photo that will make my cry for years and years to come! My first baby, all grown up, getting on the bus for the very first time!
Um, Elliott? Did you not get the memo? This is that bittersweet, tug-at-your-heartstrings moment for Mom. THIS is your face? Ohhhhhh-kay. Crying problem solved!
Things started great at preschool. If you don't know, Elliott's in a peer modeling program. He's one of four peers paired with children who have some minor delay. The peer models learn patience, compassion and more, while the other children benefit greatly from "normal" behaviors and language from kids like Elliott.
At any rate, Elliott started saying he didn't want to go back to school. Silly, nonsense stuff. But, a few days later, he threw an all-out fit, absolutely refusing to get on the bus. He even threw his shoe when I got it velcroed to his foot. He was SERIOUS. He backed down a little when I said I'd drive him to school, and that Patrick and I would stay with him for a while.
Long story short, Elliott was becoming obsessed with one child, who had a pretty severe case of autism. Elliott could not handle a kid whose behavior was so far from the norms he'd come to know and expect. I think he really wanted to help this child and got so frustrated that he couldn't make any progress.
Oh yeah. I said, "long story short"... Okay, here goes: We moved him. He's in the same program, better school, awesome teacher and a much more even-keel group of kids. He's thriving! He's absolutely loving gym with Mr. Brad, being a helper for Miss Lisa, singing "The Wheels on the Bus" with Miss Carolyn each morning, playing in the classroom kitchen and learning the preschool computer.
They also had the fire department come to their school to teach the little fire-starters some safety lessons. Elliott was thrilled, but sometimes, he's had just about enough of the paparazzo he calls "Mom."
Sadly, I thought it was hilarious, so I kept snapping.
"Noooooooooooooooooo!"
Patrick, oh yeah, Patrick.... Is THIS how I do it??
Oh, just one last school thing: Elliott's bringing home so much artwork! Even HE'S impressed a three-year-old pulled off such masterpieces!
Meanwhile, Patrick has had some more one-on-one time. (And, in the interest of full disclosure, more time with my neighbor, who watches him three mornings while I work...) But, here's Patrick having free reign of the park.
Too small to swing? Nah!
He's little, but he loves to throw his weight around. These things MUST be tested for tipping and flipping, right?
Finally! It's all about meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Sorry, Patrick! Family time!
We went to Circle S Farms in Grove City, and holy crap! That place puts every pumpkin patch I've ever met to shame!
Do such adorable shots need introduction?
Ah, a tractor! Now we're talkin'!
What an invention! A hay maze for the little ones! Pete thought I was nuts to let Patrick head in, but he could hardly stand back and watch Elliott and all the other kids tearing around this place!
Anyone with an older sibling will tell you, "Patrick, get used to that view. You'll be playing catch-up the rest of your life!"
When we finally had to leave the maze, I realized how futile it was to call to Patrick, gently asking and trying to entice him to make his way toward the nearest exit. It was time to call in the big guns.
Do such adorable shots need introduction?
Ah, a tractor! Now we're talkin'!
What an invention! A hay maze for the little ones! Pete thought I was nuts to let Patrick head in, but he could hardly stand back and watch Elliott and all the other kids tearing around this place!
Anyone with an older sibling will tell you, "Patrick, get used to that view. You'll be playing catch-up the rest of your life!"
When we finally had to leave the maze, I realized how futile it was to call to Patrick, gently asking and trying to entice him to make his way toward the nearest exit. It was time to call in the big guns.
Elliott! Run inside and get your brother! Try to look like the tiniest abductor authorities have ever seen. Use whatever force you deem necessary. Drag the suspect out by a limb if you need to! Okay? Okay. Go!
Oh, now see. It worked! The fun family trip ended with a hay ride. Mom had visions of a perfect shot with her two boys. Alas, she got one kid throwing hay, and the other trying to eat it. Perfect!
(If you haven't caught on to the pattern, it was navy blue sweatshirt day at Circle S Farm.)
The hay rides stopped in the middle of the pumpkin fields, so we could all pick our own. Hey, Patrick. Pick that up for me, k?
Patrick? You got this, right?
What do you MEAN it outweighs you??
On the hay ride back to the parking lot, the boys bid the pumpkin patch farewell...
...and spit over the railing to help next year's pumpkins grow even bigger.
Just kidding (I think) about that last caption. But it sort of is a plausible explanation...
So, I TOLD you that'd take a while! Now, Happy Halloween prepping!
Elliott INSISTS he dress as a pumpkin (how fitting!), while Patrick will be what every pale, white kid wants to be: Diego! (For those of you who don't regularly watch Nick Jr., Diego is a Spanish-speaking animal rescuer, who quite frankly, resembles my boys not at all. Still, Elliott likely wouldn't know what a Scarlet Macaw is without his show, so I guess we owe Diego at least one costume tribute!) Photos to come...
