Happy Halloween!

Pierce's Halloween started out at school.  He was able to dress up in his beloved monkey costume and parade around our local bank with his schoolmates.  I accidentally ran into them at the bank (I thought they were going earlier...sorry Jen!), and they all looked so cute!  While Pierce was at school, Carter and I made some fast work at finally putting my car through emissions, dropping off the letter of intent for the play ground to the town hall, and hitting up Michaels Arts and Crafts for some of their sales.  I also intended on making some projects with the boys today, but we just simply ran out of time.  Oh, and lets throw in some crazy dancing time with Carter, and that took up our whole morning.  There were so many laughs out of the kiddo, it was awesome. Plus it gave him some confidence on his feet, and confidence in who he is without Pierce around.  That is never a bad thing.

Once we picked up Pierce from school, Carter passed out, which gave Pierce his one on one time he has come to expect after school.  Originally I was going to read some books and do a lesson with him, but he begged and pleaded for Yo Gabba Gabba and I gave in.  Finally Pierce fell asleep, and I took some much needed me time.  I uploaded pictures and took advantage of Shutterfly's promotion of 101 free pictures.  Then I do not know what happened in our house.

It started with Carter; he woke up screaming at the top of his lungs.  I picked him up, and he fell back asleep on me.  Then about 30 minutes later, Pierce wakes up screaming as well.  He comes in and wakes up Carter by climbing on my lap, then they are hitting each other because they do not want to share me.  Feeling like a punching bag, I just started to get them off of my lap when Pierce peed all over me.  I was more shocked than anything since he has been doing fantastic at no accidents, running to the potty when he wakes up, and being vocal about it.  So I could keep my composure, I sent Pierce into the bathroom to clean himself up (keep in mind he was still screaming at me), and placed Carter in their room so I could have hands free.  I made a bottle for Carter, and tucked Pierce back into bed with strict instructions that he could not come out until he would either talk to me or he was done crying.  And then I left the house and went out on the deck.  I can handle tantrums pretty darn well when I see them coming, but I have never had both kids at once in full out tantrums.  Wow, is all I could think.  Then I thought some more on how can I calm these guys down.  I heard less and less tears, and I was only out there for 2 minutes.  Then I remembered how much Carter liked dancing earlier today, so I popped in more music.  That got a smile out of him, and after about 2 songs and hearing Carter and I dance like elephants in the house, Pierce came out with a big "Mommy, I want a hot dog."  I was already in the middle of making Shepard's Pie, but I was not going to argue with the child.  I wanted to save Halloween night from an epic tantrum.  He climbed up in his chair, and was looking for something to do.  I whipped up 2 muffin trays with 1 whole filled with flax seed, another brown sugar, and another with kidney beans.  Then I gave each child a melon baller and told them to have fun scooping and pouring.  And it worked!  They stopped screaming at each other, being cranky, and they started LAUGHING at each other and WORKING together.  Yay for this mom!  I will remember that for now on, and maybe all of the other blog reading is paying off.  :)

After dinner Dan came home and went to bed because he was exhausted, and I got the boys ready for trick or treating.  I certainly was not going to limit the boys since it was just me, and Pierce was looking forward to it.  We caught up with one of Pierce's friends just by running into them, and went as a group.  It made the night most memorable for the boys, and they had so much fun.  It was great to hear Pierce say "Trick or Treat" at every door with his friend, and making sure he said thank you as well.  Even Carter said thank you to every person.  Not a lot of candy was given out this year, but that is alright by me.  Less sugar for my sweet enough boys, and nothing for my waist line.  After trick or treating we stopped at Auntie Pat and Uncle Johnnie's house and the boys went wild just playing with them.  Pierce was even more excited since he helped give out candy to the other kiddos.  And he learned how to fix a sit and spin too.  lol.

Now we are home, and the kiddos are in bed.  Pierce already thanked me for a great day, and you have to know it was a great day when your 2 1/2 year old thanks you for it.  You also have to love when he randomly walks up to you and whispers "I love you Mommy" like he did today.  I learned that when you look through the eyes of a child, it makes everything in your world special too.  And each day I live like that, is the best day I could ask for.  To them everything is new and exciting and as I peel back my layers, I feel like I am starting to shine this beautiful youthful light and it is awesome.  So Pierce, as much as you thanked me for an awesome day, I need to thank you and Carter for the perfect life.  Tantrums and all.  I will always love you boys to the moon and back.  Always.