Happy Halloween!

Just wanted to post a couple of pictures.  just a couple.

Evy wanted to brandish his sword to show his pirating skills.  Merritt just wanted to DANCE, oh, and eat Tootsie Roll Pops.

Gone Fishin' with Papa

For Papa's birthday, Evy invited him to go fishing.

So, a couple months later, after the weather was cool enough, Papa came over early on a rainy Saturday and they went fishing.  They were gone for hours, which was surprising given how wet it was.

And, they caught like 20 fish!  (It is a catch and release pond.)  He had so much fun, he wants to fish again and again!  (and he has)

Evy and Papa with Evy's First Fish

Over the course of the fishing trip there were fish, frogs, and turtles.  What more could you want?

And, Sheila was excited to see that he brought home this frog!  Cool stuff!

See some of the fun:

Merritt, Merritt

He can't resist a photo shoot.

He growls with the best of us.

softly:  uh-huh

CARS

CLIMBING

can't stand to wear pants

running races

Making Mommy Chase

NNNNOOOO!

sweet, sweet temperament

Can't believe he is about to be 2

Last Week's Halloween

Had a great time last weekend.

Erik as a doctor.

Sheila as Sally.

Everett thought all the face make-up was a riot.  Merritt didn't recognize me.  He wasn't scared; he just kept flirting with me and running away.  Cracked me up.

Science Museum and Hot Air Balloons

Several weeks ago, Everett and Erik spent the day at the Dallas Science and Nature Museum and at the Plano Hot Air Balloon festival.  (Sheila was at home with sick Merritt.)

At the museum, booths shared information about conservation.  One booth had one of Everett's favorite things:  chickens. And, another booth had Evy's daily quest subject:  worms.

Evy played with his cousins at the festival and lit up the night with his own very special LIGHT SWORD! 

And, an action spot:

Arboretum in August

At the very end of August, we went for Dallas Arboretum's Dollar Days.  The Arboretum is just so peaceful and relaxing.

And the most amazing sight:  a squirrel carrying around a hedgeapple by his teeth.  Hedgeapples are HEAVY!

Whimsy Wall: The Beginning

I've begun.  You can't see the sketch of the background images 'cause it is in pencil.

The colors in competition.  It will mostly be monochromatic. 

Can't you see it now?

Brothers

In their favorite hiding corner with their new flashlights.  (trying to convince Dad that he will fit, too)

Need to be close, most of the time.

They are under there.

They are hiding because they were running away from me after they were both very Naughty!

Early Morning Curious George

Pumpkins

I've recently wanted to learn how to use pumpkin puree from scratch instead of a can.  We had a great time getting the pumpkins ready.

(sitting on pumpkins like eggs, you know, like on Happy Feet)

Merritt's Reading Preference

A couple of weeks ago, Merritt and I were at the library while Evy was at school.  We did our usual routine of the Children's section first.  Merritt was *not* interested in any of the books there.

So, we went to the fiction section so that I could find a book.  Merritt took off around the corner and across the room, climbed onto the step stool, reached really high, found himself The Book (it was as if he knew exactly where to get his book and no others would do), and would not let go of it until we got home.  I had to have the librarian check the book out while he was still holding it.

He was so proud, holding that book.

Today Went Okay Because of Erik

It is 9:30 pm and Erik is cleaning up the kitchen.  I am out of commission, unexpectedly--hopefully for a short time.  And, though he did a lion's share of the work this evening, like almost everything from 4:00 on, he still listens to me complain.  And, reminds me to take my medicine.

There was a point during today where I was truly in a panic.  I mean, I didn't go yelling crazy and waving my arms around, but I was going to have to make a really hard decision and accomplish something humanly impossible, logistically, and couldn't get Erik on the phone.

I, Panic Sheila, drove to his work and was able to find him with the help of the security staff there (you just don't walk into his building and jaunt through the offices).  As I waited in the lobby for someone to find him, I started to calm down because I knew that at some point they would find him and he would help me.

And, he did.

Thanks, Erik, for helping me, um, again.

You are a sanity and lifesaver.  And, thanks for wiping down Merritt's spaghetti covered chair.

True love.

Chills and Thrills

The answer is Yes.

To the questions of:

• Will they have more than one post for October?
• Has life been crazy for the Sjolseths?
• Is Sheila taller than Erik?
• Will they have their annual "Ugliest UT Sweater Competition" even though UT is hurt-in this season'?
• Do they have the cutest boys ever?

Holy Crayola!  It has been something else.  September was a kick in the gut, and October was a couple of punches in the kidneys.  Fo' sure, people.  I hope that the holiday months are blessedly boring, boring.

This week we are trying to get back to normal.  Fun plans for the weekend with dinosaurs and fossils.

Everett turned four last week, awesome pictures will be posted at some point.  His request for his birthday was chocolate.  "Chocolate cake with candles and fire," said while frantically moving his hands to simulate fire.  So, we had a Chocolate Birthday Party which went really well.  Today, I started teaching him how to play dominos.  He is a crack-up!

Perpetual Motion Merritt is as cute as ever.  I have to learn how to repair and replace our window screens before the number of ones he has damaged gets to the double digits.  (glass has been safe so far)  He now says "I love you"--it sounds like "ouu."  He is the best hugger and loves to run into our neighbor's garage while fleeing any kind of request like,"Merritt, come here .  .  . Merritt, time to get in the car . . .  Merritt, here's a cookie!"  Can't be bribed away from that garage.

Erik and I dressed up for a fun Halloween party on Saturday.  If I were more energized I would put the pictures right here:               !  You'll have to just wait until I do the huge download.

I started sketching the whimsy mural.  I need to get paint.  Some day I'll remember to buy it.  I have the next adventure the Magic Schoolbus people should put together.  More on that later.

Gorgeous weather!  Lots of playing outside, races, making compost, digging for worms, burying toys, eating dirt, premature picking of peppers (eager youngest gardener), and Everett's growing green bean plants.  Finding the reddest leaf, because Mommy likes red.

Erik has held down the fort.  Seriously. 

Friends, friends, friends, and family have been a super support.  Don't know what I would have done without them, aside from crawling into a fetal position in the back of my closet while whimpering to myself.  (instantly reminded of the short story, "The Yellow Wallpaper")

I am looking forward to November.

Blessed

I've got quite a bit going on here at the Sjolseth House.  The upside is that I should, very soon, have time to work on the mural.  Just gotta remember to get some paint.

I am blessed.

I am blessed with two bright, fun loving boys.

I am blessed with a husband who loves me and isn't shy about agreeing or disagreeing with me.  (I actually learn a lot from him when I listen.)

I am blessed to have a happy home.

I am blessed to have a backyard.

I am blessed to have family that love me.

I am blessed to have friends, no matter how far they are from me, who listen and care.

I am blessed to have 8, yes-eight, bell peppers growing out of the plants that were killed.

I am blessed.