Random Update

Orin Friday, Orin's went to his first Thanksgiving Feast (at least his first without mommy and daddy). Even though he doesn't usually go to school on Friday, he was invited to go (free of charge ) for their Thanksgiving Feast. I didn't get much out of him as to what they ate, but he did say he didn't like the pumpkin pie. That's not surprising though because these days he doesn't like anything (food-wise at least). Here is a picture of him with his hat and napkin holder he made for the feast.



Micaiah had to give it a try too. Glad Orin was willing to share.


I just love his profile!


Seasons in Texas? I've been really pleasantly surprised by the fall colors surrounding us in Dallas. Ok, well it's no Virginia fall, but it's more than I expected. I'm enjoying it while it lasts.


A couple of weeks ago, Damien was reading books to Micaiah before bed (usually done in the rocking chair of his room) and had to use the bathroom. Instead of waiting for him to come back, Micaiah brought a bunch of books into the bathroom, moved the stool over from the sink, and Damien read to him there. Bad idea! Every night since then, Micaiah has insisted on reading on the "stool" as he says. I think it's hilarious, but since Damien is the one usually having to read to him that way, I'm not sure he's thrilled about it.


Micaiah has finally started learning how to play on his own while Orin is at school. This is how I found him on Monday.



I love watching them play together. I also think it's cute when they play with the doll house. (Orin's special toy that he got to pick out from giving up his 'passy' a year ago). Looking at their mouths they must have been eating something too.



For the past six months Orin has been coming to our room in the middle of the night. We've resolved to leaving a sleeping bag on the floor to minimize our work at the usual 2am. When we moved to Dallas we put a chart on his wall and he got a sticker if he stayed in his bed all night long. Once he got 5 stickers, he could pick from the Geo-Trax toys I have in the closet (Toys-R-Us had a lot of them on major clearance months ago and I stocked up on a few items for awards such as this) So, we've been in Dallas since September 5, and it took him this long to make it five nights (not in a row, just five nights in his bed). Two were right in a row last week. He took his time picking the toy. He even slept in his bed all night a night or two after. But for the past 4 nights he's been back in our room. I guess it's time for another chart maybe? Or maybe we should just give up...



As usual, the kids said some funny things this week. Of course, they are always saying funny things and I haven't been as good about writing things down.I hate when we're out and they make a cute remark and I think "I need to write that one down" but by the time we get home can't remember what they said. I'll have to make a separate post sometime with what I've recorded over the past few months. We were all at Blockbuster yesterday and Orin and Micaiah were looking at movies close by. Suddenly I hear Micaiah, right around the corner from us ask someone, "Do you know where my mommy and daddy are?" I hear the girl (about 16 say) "I don't know where they are?" He asks again. I then come around the corner to see what was happening. Micaiah spots me and looks at the girl and points to me and exclaims excitedly, "There's my mommy, there's my mommy!" as if he'd been lost for hours. I was impressed that a kid barely two years old was able to have a conversation with a stranger and she actually understand what he was saying. Plus it was cute that he was out of our sight for 15 seconds and thought he was lost.

Orin and I were talking about the days of the week and he had two funny comments. First, he was going through each day and said, "Monday, Tuesday, Threesday." (as in 'Twosday'). I thought it was totally logical. And as we went through the rest of the days, he said, "Saturday is the day you cry." (as in 'SADurday').

We're in New Orleans right now for Thanksgiving. It's definitely nice being only half the distance we were in Virginia. Eight hours seems so quick. We pack a lunch and have some videos for the kids to watch - mixed in with some music time and a nap. On the way this time we only had to stop one time for a combined potty and gas break. We made it in 7 1/2 hours - not bad!