Happy Boys, Happy Graduate, and Happy Halloween!

(Wow, this is way further back than I realized. Time flies. I think that shirt is too small for Thad now.)  One summer afternoon I was babysitting the boys and decided to take them to the Imagine! Museum here in Everett. It's a children's museum similar to the Discovery center in Boise, but a little more play-focused. It was really tough work handling two boys on my own! Being the cool aunt was easier when I wasn't outnumbered. But I think we all had fun. Thad was really serious and focused, if I recall correctly, and I think I do. This picture corroborates my story.

Ira was so small a few months ago! I can't believe he used to be this cautious. Now he tries to go down the stairs headfirst. 

Contractor Thad, seriously studying some blueprints. Or perhaps thinking about some architecture. (Sometimes when we drive around old neighborhoods, I will point out different houses I like for this reason or that reason. Thad will usually patiently endure my forced conversations, and will sometimes play along with me. Once he told me, "I like the spiral on that house but I don't think the color matches at ALL." He's so sweet and full of surprises. 

Exotic Animal Clinic Vet. 

Chubby baby with a helmet. And he really needs one. Seriously. 

He's happy and he makes everyone happy! 

Flash forward: Speaking of happy, Milly's graduation in September was the happiest occasion. I am so proud to be the last sister without a degree and/or career. Haha. Love you guys. And we missed our Mar and Sawyer, but this was a busy and full gathering! Not pictured: the dogs, who spent the entire weekend with us, chilling in the truck when required. 

I took Thad to the State Fair. I had been promising him we could go for weeks, so I finally had to make good on my promise and off we went. He was pretty excited about the cotton candy. 

It was actually really nice to spend the day with him and watch him get excited about going on the rides, and watch him wiggle in line when we waited for treats or games. He is such an awesome kid and really my best pal. I love living closer to him, even if 7 is a trying age for all of us. I need to remember sweet things about him sometimes. 

Originally, I was going to use felt to make the Halloween baskets, but that project went awry when Daisy chewed up the plastic mesh I was using as a frame. Toffee decided to offer his help by keeping the felt safe and warm. 

And I dressed up as a "witch" with some black clothes from my closet, a pointed black hat, and some cheap red hair dye. Why the red? I have no idea. I thought it would be fun and festive, or something. Between the Seattle drizzle and the rim of my hat rubbing my forehead, I was left with a lovely red stain by the end of the night.