Cai's Bday at the Dovers

We went to Ryan's brother's house to celebrate Cai's birthday on Sunday. Since we invited ourselves over, we provided the dinner (moussaka...yum!). When we first arrived, Cai was so scared he didn't even want to climb the front steps, but he settled in after a few minutes (which is more than I can say for what happened at nursery today - 30 minutes of crying...yikes). Once he got settled in, we barely saw him because he was too busy playing with the kids and the dog. The kids enjoyed playing and it was nice for us to get some adult interaction with Brent and Cathy.

As for the presents, the Dover's gave Cai a really cool scanimation book called Gallop. When you turn the pages, it looks like the animals are running. Cai and Dez loved it. Grandma Lubbers gave him a cardboard block set that the boys will spend many hours building with. All in all, a great visit with the fam.

Snowbird

After Ryan took Dez to swimming lessons this morning, the boys and I were off to Snowbird for an adventure. We left Ryan behind since he hasn't been feeling too well (the whole family has been passing around a cold for a couple weeks). In fact, Cai actually has an ear infection, which I didn't even know about until taking him to his well check appointment this week. The Dr. was surprised to see an ear infection since he hadn't been complaining about anything. Maybe he has complained, but he's been so crazy I didn't notice. Cai is most definitely in the middle of his worst separation anxiety episode ever. It's not just separation anxiety though. There is a general fear for things like going up and down stairs (maybe balance issues with the ear infection?) and getting in other people's cars and houses (even if I'm getting in too). It all seems so irrational, but the fear/anxiety is very real to him.

Anyhow, we went to Snowbird and donated canned food in exchange for a tram ride. The boys had a great time on the tram. The view was beautiful, even though the fall colors are past their peak. We didn't stay at the top for too long because the wind was freezing (even with our coats!) and one mom with two kids on a mountain peak is a little crazy. It brought back all kinds of memories from traveling in Europe, especially when Ryan and I got trapped on the Matterhorn (the real one) with sudden severe weather. It was July and I was in shorts. My legs have never experienced such sharp stinging from cold. After huddling with a herd of sheep to stay warm, we ran down the steep trail to get back to the tram. Crazy times. Nothing like that this time around. We were prepared with coats, but didn't stay long. Instead, we went hiking and played at a river near the resort. The boys had a fantastic time spotting squirrels, throwing rocks in the river, and hiking with their "hiking sticks".

Daybreak Haunting

Daybreak has a legend that says the land where Oquirrh Lake was made is actually haunted. Bella and Nick disappeared mysteriously years ago and every Halloween, their friends and enemies come searching for them. We debated taking the kids for a walk around the lake with all the ghouls and figured it wouldn't be too scary. They loved it. Lots of ghosts and zombies walking around...some of them a little too drama happy. Caetano learned how to say ghosts and hasn't stopped since. The cookies, hot cocoa and light saber balloons afterwards were pretty good too. The kids got glow-in-the-dark fangs that they've been obsessed with.

October has proven to be a fun month as Caetano is growing more imaginative and playful. The only bad thing is that he is also going throught the worst separation anxiety phase ever. Daycare is out of the question and nursery has been intense. We're hoping things will get better soon.

Caetano's Birthday Weekend

Vovô and Vovó came to visit this weekend since it was fall break for my mom and Caetano's birthday. They arrived Friday morning and we left Dad to rest at the house while Mom and I took the kids to This Is the Place for what I thought was a quickish, free Halloween event. I was doubly wrong. We got a discount by joining with some others in line and paid $5 each (except Caetano). At first, I was disappointed since I'd thought it was free, but we ended up spending the whole day there. It was great fun! The kids loved the train rides, hay rides, and pony rides. They loved making corn husk dolls and running for the candy canon. It was fun to see the village, especially the replica of the Pine Valley chapel where we watched a puppet show that Dezi later re-enacted for Papai (Ryan). The petting zoo was great and, as usual, Caetano felt the need to hug and kiss willing animals. Fun times, for sure.

The next day we went to Herriman's Pumpkin Fest. The kids got candy, which made them ecstatic. They also got to see fire trucks, which were trumped by the huge bounce houses. For the first time ever, I was denied entry into a bounce house. The guy said it was a liability to let me in (to which I say, bs Mr. power trip). Cai wouldn't go in without me so we went to the bigger and better bounce obstacle/slide house and I was permitted entry. If you fail at first, try, try again. I was glad we went because Caetano loved it!

As for his birthday, the weekend was so busy, I admit the actual 'party' was a disaster. I made cupcakes, frosted one of them, lit a couple candles and we sang happy birthday. He was all shy for a second and didn't want to blow them out, but once Ryan and Dezi blew them out, he wanted to do it too. Over and over again. I think we lit and blew out candles at least a dozen times. His favorite present was a Mater remote controlled car (Dezi has a Lightnin' McQueen one). The boys went to bed cuddled up with their cars.

As usual, they were sad to see Vovô and Vovó leave. Lots of love for all the grandparents out there!