A "Nice" day in Minnesota

As a mother of twins, you have to be creative and resourceful. It is always to play with one twin (tickle, hug, etc...) and then catch a glimpse of the other one watching longing for his turn. It is a harsh realization that even as you do ALL that you can do, you cannot clone yourself. Add to this mix a 5 1/2 year old that is been an only child for a long time and it becomes very easy to see that multitasking is a MUST. I am always looking for ways to involve everyone in everything, but don't always manage. Here is an example. 

We had an Indian Summer (for those of you not from anywhere cold, this means a few warm days in the middle of Fall). This is especially special when you live in Minnesota. It was already cold for October/November and the Winter was lurking, when all of a sudden we have 60 to 70 degree weather, and this is a gift from God. It does not matter how many loads of laundry must be done, or even if children are hungry, it is absolutely required that everyone enjoy the outdoors and the last bit of nice weather for the 6 months to come. So, we did. The boys and I walked to the park. Nicolas rode his bike. It was the perfect opportunity for them to try the swings for the first time. I started with Matteo, since he seemed to be looking at the other kids swinging. HE LOVED IT. Enzo was staring a long wishful stare, sometimes kicking his legs, waiting for what he hoped would be a turn. I was holding Matteo in the swing, watching Nicolas on the monkey bars, and keeping Enzo next to me as I started hearing him chant with excitement. Then, as would be no different in the Twin Cities, I felt a cold wind and looked up. The sky revealed dark clouds coming and, since this is our third long year here, I knew a change to this weather could come in as fast as 10 minutes. Enzo needed a turn; he must have one after waiting so patiently. We also had to walk back... There was only one solution that was feasible. Move them to the bigger swing and have them both on at the same time. This is what I did, with my big helper Big Brother Nicolas, assisting me. It was great. They loved it. Sure enough, a couple of minutes in, I had to put their hoods on. We had blankets on for the walk home. By the time we arrived, all noses were red from the very last minutes of our Indian Summer. While we are sad to see the first signs of Winter, it is good to know we enjoyed the very last minutes of the nice day that we were granted. Check out the pictures and video. 

Halloween 08

Finally, it is time to trick or treat! Nicolas is so excited. He adores this every year. It's very cold (of course, it is Minnesota), but not nearly as cold as the last two years. We bundled up and decide what who will go and who will stay. Matteo's costume does not fit, so I improvise. I remembered ordering Incredibles pj's for Nicolas a couple of years back. They were too small and the shipping to return them was more than the price of the pj's, so I kept them. Hoping they fit well enough, I put them on Matteo. Now we have Dash and Jack Jack! Nicolas was thrilled when he saw him. I felt kind of bad because Enzo was now wearing a different theme, but was glad I had something for him to wear. I stayed behind to meet the trick or treaters, although Nicolas LOVES to do this. Enzo later joined me. We ended the night with a yearly party at our Michelle and Dan's house (neighbors). The neighborhood kids got to play a little and compare the amount of candy they got. 

Mrs. Glew's Fall Party

What a great day! I volunteered in Nicolas' classroom and got a peek at what his days are like. I got to help Mrs. Glew with copies and other things. I also helped her set-up for the party. I later came back with the babies for the actual party. It was so much fun. There were lots of activities based on nursery rhymes (face painting, trying to knock Humptey down from the wall, etc...). I met lots of Nicolas' friends. It was a wonderful time. 

The Baker

Nicolas' kindergarten class had a "Fall Party" for Halloween, where the kids were supposed to come dressed as a nursery rhyme character. Nicolas was a baker (pat a cake, pat a cake, baker's man!). Thanks, Kate, for coming up with this easy and cute suggestion. We had an apron, a whisk and some flour for his face. Nicolas and I made a chef's hat with poster board and tissue paper left over from last Christmas. This is us testing the costume before the day of the party.