Really Great Toys...

Do you have kids who like to play with light sabers. Like obsessively. Constantly. Disgustingly. And does one kid always end up crying because the other was too rough? Ok, maybe this only happens to me. But...last summer when we were visiting my parents, my boys discovered a toy that Grandpa J. had. It is called a Mashoonga. It was pretty much love at first sight. They are foam dueling sabers. And they pretty much keep my kids occupied for hours without all the crying! They love them so much that Grandpa J. let them bring them home last summer. And they've been well loved and well used. Just wanted to let you all in on my little secret to peace and harmony in the home--it's the Mashoonga. Seriously. You can find them at Toys R Us (and Toys R US on line). Happy dueling.

Happy BeLated Halloween Greetings

Halloween was a party at our house. The boys were amazing in there Jedi Knight costumes made by Grandma Rhonda and they had a blast at a pre-trick-or-treating party with their Shumway cousins hosted by Grandpa and Grandma Shumway. They even made it all the way down our street to trick-or-treat. And in typical form, Quin could have lasted all night and Drew was done by 7:30pm.









Grandma Rhonda was able to be here this year and the boys thought it was very cool that she dresses up for Halloween, too. Quin told me the best part of his Halloween was when someone said "Oh, you have a purple light saber, you must be Mace Windu." He got the biggest grin on his face and replied, "Yes, he is my favorite Jedi." I was dying of laughter inside because who the heck even knows who Mace Windu is? It made Quin feel better since I said no when he asked me if I'd paint his face brown (Mace Windu is played by Samuel L. Jackson in the Star Wars movies). He said if I didn't no one would know who he was supposed to be. Then he kept asking me why I wouldn't paint his face when his friend who was going to be Yoda was going to get his face painted green. So thank you to the Star Wars fanatic who recognized that my son was carrying a purple light saber and knew who was and commented on it!

Fashion Show

I made these tutu's for my girlfriends Summer and Abby (Happy Birthday today Summer), but I couldn't resist a little fashion show before I shipped them off. Max thought it was great, Quin was less than thrilled (notice his fake scary teeth). Anyway, it was a fun project. Thanks to Megan for teaching me how.

Warning Visitors...

If you are planning a trip to casa Shumway, you must be warned that you'll need to flush the toilet after you use it. We have a culprit in our home who usually forgets. If Quin happens to be the one to discover said violation of family law, this is what you'll hear:

"WHO FORGOT TO FLUSH? I DO NOT LIKE FLUSHING FOR OTHER PEOPLE. IT IS DISGUSTING."

What can I say, he's right. So if you're headed our way, do Quin (and the rest of us) a favor--don't forget to flush!

On Camping...

Lots of dirt. Lots of bugs. Four of the happiest boys I've ever seen. Guess we'll be doing it again. Thanks Ferguson cousins for inviting us and showing us the ropes.