3rd Annual

Earlier this week we had our 3rd Annual MacGillivray Night of Frights and Spooky Delights. Every year I create a spooky dinner for our family and it is really becoming one of our most anticipated traditions of the year. I can't truly express what traditions mean to me. I love them. Love. Them. I love family ones that have been around for years and decades, passed from one generation to the next, and I love the ones that are special to just my little family, like our Halloween dinner. No matter how silly or ridiculous it is (and this year it was), I think family traditions are what life is truly about. It doesn't matter that you are eating a completely hideous dinner (just you wait), it's having those moments when you are with your loved ones, having fun, and making memories that will last a lifetime. To me, nothing is better.

So this year, I think things were a tad bit spookier. I had so much fun looking for ideas and found a great combo of things the boys love to eat that I was certain they would get a kick out of. That totally backfired. Dax wouldn't even touch his dinner. Would not touch it. He just stared at it. We couldn't stop laughing when at 8:00 Wyatt was fast asleep with a full belly and we were microwaving Dax a quesadilla. Maybe I need to tone it down a little next year....NAH! It's too much fun!

Centerpiece: This one was so easy and the spookiness was priceless. It's nothing more than a head of cauliflower in a jar with some colored water. Can you tell what it is? Yup, "brains". So creepy.

Spooktacular Graveyard Dip: While I made a seven-layer dip, Austin helped the boys color these hilarious tombstones that he was so clever to name. Just stuck them in the dip and made ourselves a little graveyard. Wyatt loves to dip so this was right up his alley. Monster Toes: I LOVED the way these little guys turned out and they were seriously delicious despite really looking like toes! First cut a wedge in cocktail wieners. Then cut tortillas into strips and wrap around each wiener and secure with a toothpick. Throw them in the oven for 6-7 minutes and then fill the toenail with ketchup. YUM! Slimy Worm-burger: Dax seriously thought these were too gross to eat...he wouldn't even touch them. Slice hot dogs and drop them into boiling water for a few minutes and they start to curl. Dunk them in some BBQ sauce and you've got slimy worms. :) The plan was to finish the night with orange chocolate covered popcorn but we never made it to Michael's for the chocolate. We settled for pumpkin pie. Pretty much Dax had no problem eating that. Go figure!

shaggy

What do you think? Is it about time to cut this shaggy mop?

Let's Ride

Yesterday was one of those days. The kind of days where there is not one thing on the calendar. The kind of days that seem to be very few and far between lately. I sometimes find them nestled in between days full of pre-school, work, play groups, soccer practice, church meetings, appointments, and errands, but not very often.

The boys so needed one of those days.

So, after lunch I told the boys, "Let's ride". (I try to sound like a cowboy when I say it but let's be honest, it does not come out "cowboy" at all.) The boys jumped for joy, grabbed their shoes, and headed straight for the garage because they knew exactly what it meant. Besides being so busy, we have had too many unbelievable hot months to even think about going for one of our rides. Today was the day and they were pumped.

Lately, my adorable Wyatt has been a wrecking ball. One who tries my patience in every way. Who has a voice, an opinion, a scream, a tantrum, a melt down, and a need at all times. Neither boy was very terrible at two, but with Wyatt turning three right around the corner, I can see those "terrible's" and they don't look pretty. He's a little naughty. A little mean. A little antagonistic. A little boy. I keep reminding myself that it is just a phase. Some days I handle it better than others, but this day, we definitely needed a ride.

The boys lead the way. I follow behind. We played games, picked flowers, starred at clouds, stopped and explored more times that I can count, had scooter races, inspected bugs, played at the park, ate snacks, and met new friends. And the boys petaled their little hearts outs.

After 4 hours of being out and about enjoying the beautiful day, forgetting all about what was left at home, and enjoying each other (minus the sand throwing in the before mentioned new friends face) I vowed to say to them "Let's ride" more often. Because guess what? My little Wyatt wasn't quite the wrecking ball I was thinking he was. He just needed some of my attention. I was the one that needed the ride. Not them. They are as quirky and funny and loving as they have always been. I was the one who needed to stop and slow down and enjoy my sweet boys. My little buddies. My ridin' partners.

one year later.

This day has been haunting me this entire week. I knew it was coming. I knew it happened in mid-October. I knew it was close. It wasn't until I went back to my original blog post that I realized it was exactly one year ago. It is quite possibly the worst day of my life. I look at this picture and I shutter. I can remember the screams, the blood, the panic, the horror. All of it. Tears still fill my eyes when I think about it. It was dreadful. The doctor said it would be a year before we knew how things would heal. Did you know that scarring goes though phases? I didn't. Until I witnessed it first hand every day. There were times when it was raised and bright red that I would think it would never look better. I went through more sunscreen on his head this year than one could ever imagine. I know Wyatt hasn't forgotten about that day. We drive by the hospital and he always tells me that is where he went when he hurt his eye. I look the other way. It literally haunts me.

And even though I love his long-hair-look like Johnny from the Karate Kid, I have to say, I don't think it's a necessary as it once was. Although it isn't as good as having no scar at all, I think all in all it ended up okay. Like I said in my original post one year ago...."My sweet Wyatt, he's going to be just fine".

kids in a candy store.

Once upon a time their lived two little boys. Their momma asked if they would like to go to the biggest, bestest, funnest candy store in all of Arizona.

They immediately began jumping up and down and said, "Yes!" So off they went with aunts and cousins in tow for what was sure to be the best candy store trip ever.

When the two little boys arrived at their destination they were overwhelmed! They had never seen such a place in their entire life. There was so much to look at! Suckers! Jelly Beans! Gummy Bears! Chocolate! The store was filled with every candy imaginable from ceiling to floor and was without a doubt these two little boys dream come true.

After numerous trips around and around the busy store, the two little boys carefully made their selection. A mere three dollars and ninety six cents and an hour later, all were happy and content.

On the drive home one little boy ate his red sucker and 8 gummy worms. He was so happy. The other little boy clenched his Spider-man Pez container in his hand and patiently waited for the perfect moment to enjoy his much awaited candy. When they arrived home the little boy waited while his momma filled his Pez container with one package of pink Pez candy. Shortly after she filled it with one package of purple Pez candy.

When all of a sudden the last package of yellow Pez candy and the other little boy were suspiciously missing and oh so quiet. After searching and searching, the little boy who had already eaten his candy was found hiding in a corner between the dresser and the wall in his momma's room surrounded by little ity bity pieces of trash.

His momma hunched down next to the little boy and asked, "What's all this?"

The wide-eyed little boy replied shocked, "There ess some trash en yo room!" Like it was a mystery waiting to be solved.

His momma, trying suppress her laugh asked, "How did this trash get in my room?"

The little boy, again with wide innocent eyes, replied, "Maybe some body ate 'em candy alllllll gone". By golly! Who would have done that?

The little boy continued, trying to prove his innocence says, "Yook in my mouth" and opens wide. As his momma peers in he says, "See? Es no candy in me mouth".

This fairy tale suddenly turns into a mini CSI episode. His momma says, "Yes! I see yellow candy in your teeth" while still trying to suppress her laugh.

The little boy stands there shaking his head with wide innocent eyes. His momma says, "Did you eat the candy?" The little boy runs away. climbs the stool to look in the bathroom mirror. He comes running back and says "Yook at my tongue". He sticks it out and his momma say, "Oh! It's yellow!"

The little boys shakes his head with a look of accomplishment and innocence and says, "No, es orange".

The moral of this story: Never trust a fibbing child with an orange tongue. And buy more Pez.

bff's

Winnie the Pooh once said, "We will be friends until forever, just you wait and see."

My question is, how do you amicably split such cute best friends before forever comes?? It's getting a little ridiculous.

Note: In case you were wondering what kind of freak animal is pictured, it's a lion that has been washed so many times his head is a matte of hair rather than a furry mane. I tell myself it adds character, but really I am appalled by its appearance. I'm still trying to figure out how the lion made it out of the house on this day. Please help me break these two up.

motormouth

Dear Dax,

I love you. And one day when you are older and looking back at this journal, I want you to know something. You are a motormouth. Do you know what a motormouth is? Let me tell you. A motormouth is someone who talks excessively and incessantly. Those are big words. I'll tell you what they mean. They mean you talk all the time. No, I don't think you quite understand. All. The. Time. Don't get me wrong. I love it. There is never a dull or quiet moment in this house while you are awake, but I love it. I am a great listener. Did you know that about your mom? You talk and I listen. We have a great relationship. I sure love you.
You usually start off your best conversations with, "Hey mom, did you know...." and follow up with a question about some animal that you know some crazy fact about and that I have maybe heard of once. For example, "Mom, did you know the rainbow jellyfish shoots lots of colors at you and that you fall asleep and never wake up?" When I say, "Wow! No, I didn't know that" you proceed to say, "I'll ask grandpa if he knows. He knows lots about animals." It's true. Or another one of my favorite conversation starters is, "Guess how many..." followed by some outrageous statement. Something that I could possibly never really know how many. But you always know how many. And you always tell me. And then remind me not to forget. But I do. I'm sorry about that. And these next conversations are by far the most fun for me because I really don't know where this information comes from other than your wild imagination. They go, "Remember when I was a little baby..." followed up by something that I have never told you, but you are convinced you did as a little baby. It's hilarious. I love when you share stories with me about your infancy.

Sometimes I long for those peaceful moments, but it only last a split second. Because I want you to know, I honestly and truly am delighted to hear your daily play-by-plays of what happened at play group and preschool, what you think about every species of dinosaurs, and what your best friend likes to eat for lunch. So yes, your being a motormouth suits me just fine. I hope you never change. I think your future wife will find it a charming quality.

Oh! And did you know? The average 4 year old uses 800 words. I think you use 1800. Boy do I love you.

Love, mom

why?

Kids eat funny things, would you say? Dirt, bugs, food off the floor, sand, play dough, dare I say boogers (gross), scabs from owies (even grosser), chalk, crayons, grass, glue, their hair...so many different, crazy things. Why, oh why do they like to gross their mothers out like this? After I found Wyatt with a face full of crayon shavings and every color of the rainbow on his teeth I decided I needed to get inside the head of a two year old and figure out what on earth possess this child to eat such random, crazy, should-be-nowhere-near-your-mouth kinds of things because I just can't figure it out. So I ask him, "Why did you eat those crayons (the extra splurge on Lightening McQueen ones I might add). We don't eat crayons." His brilliant answer? "Because I wanted to mommy."

There you have it. Can't argue with that.

And I didn't.

day in & day out

Day in and day out they're just boys with wild imaginations making me laugh and smile.....

We're explorers who can't stand on the tile because it's the "sticky icky mud tile". But, it appears safe for mom because she is deemed official piggyback ride giver so others can cross it safely. I am so honored.

We're deep sea divers the moment we wake up swimming from room to room because our house is a great big ocean. Watch out for SHARKS (that'd by Wyatt of course)!

We wear sunglasses for goggles and laundry baskets on our head as rocket ships and fly to the moon while playing space wars.

We're paleontologists digging around in the dirt in the backyard looking for old dinosaur bones. Don't worry, Dax uses that word and chimes in to remind me who we are because I can never for the life of me remember that word.

We're (Wyatt and me) robots getting blasted by Ice Man (Dax) stopping us from moving until we get unfrozen, also by Ice Man (which entails a punch in the arm). Thanks.

We're Shanghai knights perfecting our moves....sometimes too perfectly.

We sit on blankets for our magic carpets and imagine flying around the Cave of Wonders.

We're mobile pet shop owners and sell animal pets from the back of our Crazy Coupe cars. Anyone want a giraffe? Because we sell those.

We're pirates sailing to a desert island from the platform of our play set. We're loud pirates too...sorry to our neighbors.

We're chefs that bake the best ever banana cake in the entire world using every plastic tupperware and wooden spoon in the house (leaving their mom to clean up the mess). How very sweet, but it sure is good!

We're at a theme park riding on a "miracle ground" which in 4 year old language is a merry-go-round. No worries, I don't correct him. It's too cute.

We're mountain climbers who carefully wait at the bottom of the bunk beds for the rock slides to pass (aka pillows being thrown off the top bunk) before we continue our ascend. Pheww. They are always close calls.

Like I said... WILD! And I am so so grateful.

oceanside, ca

Our yearly beach vacations are what we look forward to most all year. Unfortunately, they always come and go way too quickly! We just got back from a great vacation in Oceanside with my parents. They graciously invite us each summer to spend time at a condo they rent for the month. We NEVER pass up the chance to go. Here are just a few reasons why....

Oceanside {August 2010} gorgeous Southern California weather . breathtaking sunsets . condo on the beach . listening to crashing waves 24/7 . breathing in fresh salty sea air . walks along the beach . watching surfers from the pier . chasing seagulls . collecting rocks, seashells & sand dollars . the park on the beach . sleeping with open windows . frisbee, smashball & boogie board rides with dad . fish n chips from the harbor . late afternoon swims at the pool . ocean breeze . shopping at the outlets . Ruby's on the pier . reading two books in four days . precious time with family . scooter rides . scrumptious dinners . building sand castles, sand volcanoes & sand towers . making memories . boys jumping, splashing, & falling in the waves . watching movies . getting sun-kissed . empty beaches . naps on the sand . picnics on the beach . playing War, Crazy 8's & Memory with the boys every night . loving every second spent with grandma & grandpa .

Thank you for a fabulous week!

dads

A few weeks ago we ran into a family friend of the MacGillivray's. She knew them long ago when they live in Torrance and Austin was just a skinny little curly haired boy. She was a nice as could be and had told me that she had ran across my blog some time ago and read it occasionally. She knew the boys names and told me about some of her favorite posts; like when Wyatt would sneak into the bathroom when he could barely walk, climb into the sink and turn on the faucet for his own make shift bath. Totally one of my favorite phases in his life too (insert sarcasm here). But it makes me smile because he is still so mischievous in that same exact way even now. For example, today after breakfast when he was supposed to be washing his syrup-y hands and face I walk into an empty bathroom, water on, plug pulled and soap dripping out of the soap dispenser. He had ran off to get his submarine figurine to give him a make shift bath. Classic.

As we were talking she said something that kinda struck a cord. She said that when she came across my blog she wasn't sure who I was married to. She saw our family name, MacGillivray, (and seriously how many people do you know with a name like that?) so she knew it was from the family she knew back in CA, but wasn't certain I was married to Austin. She said I never talked about Austin or posted pictures of him or mentioned him by name. It was all about the boys. She had to go back months and months to see a picture and find his name. I thought about it and realized she was totally right. I try and keep up on this blog as a journal for my boys. I hope one day they look back with happiness seeing how they spent their days, the corky things they ate and wore and said, our adventures in the backyard, the first night they slept in a big boy bed and wore big boy undies, the day they learned to ride their bike and became a big brother. All those things and a million more.

But how can I do all that without posting about their number one hero? Their dad. It would be a huge disservice to have this wonderful journal for them and not give their dad the praise he deserves.

Both boys are the same. They cry when their dad leaves the house and run to hug him when he gets homes. Me, not so much. They can barely turn their head to give me a kiss. When they get ready for bed and ask for a story, they ask for their dad when I try to lay down. We have officially started a rotation and worked me into the schedule....pathetic. When they scrap their knee, elbow, head, any everything else they scrap (and trust me they do) they go to their dad for comfort. I'm only lucky when he isn't here and I get to console them by default. They fight over who sits next to him at dinner, at Church, or at the movies. Basically Dax sits next to him and Wyatt sits on his lap. It's the same when they walk anywhere. Dax hold his hand and Austin carries Wyatt. That seems to please everyone for the time being. They want to be just like him. And why wouldn't they love him? Not only is he the greatest dad, but he takes them to get chocolate milk at McDonald's every Saturday and makes them huge pancakes every Sunday. I can not compete with that...not even close. (No really, I really suck at making pancakes....I'm a waffle kind of girl anyways).

This past week we were in Oceanside (more to come later) and the second we got to the condo my parents rent on the beach Dax was down playing in the water. I sat on the wall that separates the condo from the beach and snapped some pictures of the two of them playing with the biggest smile on my face thinking of a Primary song (I promise that was the only time I thought about Primary while I was there). Austin really is Dax's favorite pal. He really wants to be like him in every way. Dax loves him to the moon and back and I know that Austin loves the boys double that.

After they played their hearts out I was kissing Dax goodnight. As he's dosing off he looks at me square in the eye and says to me as sweet as any 4 year old in the whole world has ever sounded, "Mommy" and then he pauses I'm sure for dramatic effect, "I love daddy." I chuckle and smile and say, "Me too buddy, me too."

Young Champion

Dax has finished his first semester of karate. Last night we enjoyed a performance and awards ceremony where Dax advanced from his white belt to a yellow belt with a black stripe. He was so much fun to watch and I felt so proud of him! He worked so hard, learned so much and really wanted to do good all semester long. He is so excited about his ribbons he earned and his new belt color. We love this karate kid! Ki-ai!!!