What else do we need?

As my blogging prowess increases, it seems befitting that the blog get a fresh new look. So . . . drumroll please . . . I give you "What else do we need?" Since this phrase leaves my lips and flits through my mind 14,207,498 plus or minus 142 times per day, I figured it was appropriate.

Never fear, my devoted fans - everything is still here. Cute photos, laugh out loud anecdotes, hold your breath suspense, hair-raising adventures . . . yep, this blog's got it all.

Super Wonderful Weekend

Cameron had a Super Why birthday party this weekend. Grandma Linda and Grandpa Frank came to join in the fun (and to give us a much needed hand!). The party was a rousing success. For completing a challenging obstacle course, boys got a Super Why cape with their initial and girls got a Wonder Red cape with their initial. Here are the little Super Readers.

William made me laugh when he noted that it was "lucky" that he got the W cape, as his name in fact begins with a W. What are the chances?

The boys quickly discovered that when wearing the capes, they were endowed with Super Speed.

They also searched for Super letters to solve Cameron's Super Problem: "What can I eat for my birthday treat?" Here is Blake finding a Super Letter. And here is the Super Answer! I was so relieved that it was cake and ice cream, not roast beef and mashed potatoes or something! Another twist on an old classic: Pin the Letter on Super Why.

Here is the end result!
Cameron had a fantastic time with his friends!

In other news, Matthew is full of smiles these days. He is enthralled with his mobile, rattles and other baby toys. Here he is celebrating a U-Michigan victory.

It is tough to be a Wolverines fan in these parts, but we start 'em early!

Name that tune . . .

Every day as Matthew cries, I have wondered, "What do his different cries mean?" Well, I finally figured it out. Seems that Matthew is an 80's rock fan. Specifically Quiet Riot. Last night, I am pretty sure he was singing his own version of "Feel the Noize." It went something like this:

Come on feel the noise
Mama, rock your boy (and bounce and sway and bop)
I'll get wild, wild, wild!
Wild, wild, wild!

So you think I got an innocent mind,
I'll tell you mommy
I don't know why
I don't know why

So you think I'm crying at the wrong time,
it gets me attention,
I don't know why
I don't know why, anymore
Oh no

So come on, feel the noise
Mama, rock your boy
I'll get wild, wild, wild
Wild, wild, wild

So you see I got a funny face,
I made some poopy,
And don't know why
I don't know why

Oh I gotta cry at such a pace,
I'm always in a hurry
And I don't know why
I don't know why, anymore
no, no, no

Come on, feel the noise
Mama, rock your boy
I'll get wild, wild, wild,
wild, wild, wild

Come on, feel the noise
Mama, rock your boy
I'll get wild, wild, wild,
get wild
Come on

Well you think I'll have a nap this time,
You should know better
I don't know why
I don't know why

So you say I got up too many times,
I'm a milk go getter
I don't know why
I don't know why, anymore
Oh no

Come on feel the noise
Mama, rock your boy
I'll get wild, wild, wild,
Wild, wild, wild

Come on, feel the noise
Mama, rock your boy
I'll get wild, wild, wild
Get wild
Come on (come on) feel it

Mama, rock your boy (mama rock me)
I'll get wild, wild, wild
I'm gonna get wild (wild,wild,wild)
I'm gonna get rocked tonight (come on feel the noise)
Rock it tonight (mama rock your boy)
I'll get wild, wild, wild OH YEAH!!

He'll be touring next spring. Here's his publicity photo with his drummer.

Random updates

Whoa, have I really gone almost a week without posting???

We had our first relaxing weekend in ages! A chance to catch up on sleep, housework, yardwork and family time. For the first time since Matthew's arrival, I did a little work on the Buzz Lightyear costume, although I must admit that I bought the gloves and a "jetpack." Just a few more finishing touches and then it is on to Matthew's costume!

On Saturday, we went to a local "Harvest Moon Festival." Somehow, it is hard to get into s'mores and pumpkin painting when it is 80 degrees at 8pm! Cameron gave it his all though.Sunday, we went to church where the choir sang a hymn with verses such as "Lord, make me more faithful," and "Lord, make me more righteous." I'm pretty sure this is awful of me, but I all I could think of was how funny it would be if there was a verse "Lord, make me more smarter." Get it? More smarter?

Another big event was Cameron's birthday! He had asked (repeatedly) for the Black Spiderman action figure and was ecstatic when he opened it. I am ecstatic that, although Black Spiderman was an exciting gift, the bamboo Creata building set I got him has gotten more play time!And here are my boys in a photo series depicting how boys really are. "Look how peaceful we are! Quiet. Serene. Perhaps we shall fall asleep right here." "Agggghhhhhh! Let's roll and scream and wave our arms like we're being attacked by fire ants!"

Of Challenges and Achievements

I finally captured Matthew's sweet little smile on camera! Here he is, happy. And happier yet!He must have been feeling excited about being 7 weeks old!Cameron is our little artist in residence. Earlier this week, he brought home this masterpiece which he had created for his daddy. Side one is Daddy (represented by the large red circle, if it isn't obvious) "looking at Cameron" (the small red smiling circle).The other side is a moose (brown scribbles) with an apple (red circle). The piece is creatively signed with a C for Cameron and a backwards D for Daddy.Emboldened by the warm reception this work received, Cameron endeavored to extend his skills to watercolors. He felt the paper was too confining, however, and branched out to body art.

And, just a funny story to share. Cameron tried hot chocolate for the first time yesterday and thoughtfully declared it "challenging but tasty." While this may seem a strage remark, I think it accurately reflects the complexity of the beverage. You see, it wasn't just any hot chocolate. It was my prized European Drinking Chocolate. Challenging indeed!

Going to the chapel

My little sister, Stephanie, married Bryan this past weekend! The whole weekend was wonderful -- Stephanie looked absolutely gorgeous, the ceremony was beautiful, the weather was perfect and the reception was amazing! I am so happy for Stephanie and Bryan and it was an honor to be a part of their big day. It was also such a treat to see so many friends and family. At the rehearsal, Matthew met his Aunt Stephanie and Uncle Bryan for the first time, as well as his Uncle Zack, Aunt Beth and Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa!

During the ceremony, Matthew was cared for by his grandma, who has been a real lifesaver for us in the past few weeks!

Zack and I were both in the wedding party, and my mom joined us after the wedding party bus didn't agree with my sensitive stomach ): Here I am with my baby brother.I hope my boys love me this much when they are grown up!After a little nap and some food, I was all recovered for the reception. And after giving my toast, I could finally relax and enjoy the huge party! Cameron, who did a bang up job as ringbearer, was a maniac on the dance floor.

He wasn't the only one gettin' jiggy with it, though! Here are Kendall, Tara and Zack.

As at every wedding, some people don't know when to say when. Here is a tired and dishevelled Cameron making another trip up to the bar. The candy bar, that is!

Congrats to the happy couple!

Self-fulfilling prophesy?

While making the long drive home yesterday, we were treated to yet another viewing of "Rescue Heroes: The Movie." Now, certainly you will all be familiar with the main characters, such as Billy Blazes and Warren Waters. But as I listened to the always suspenseful story, I began to ponder the parents of some of the lesser known heroes. What kind of parents name their child Al Pine or Bob Sled? And what were the Beaches thinking when poor little Sandy was born? But, fortuitously, all these Rescue Heroes grew up to take on roles befitting of their moniker. You see, Al Pine and Bob Sled are responsible for mountain rescue while Sandy Beaches is a lifeguard. Can we prove cause-and-effect here? No . . . but it is a persuasive argument for the power of a name. Just think how much BETTER I could have been at my job if my name had been something like Sharon Genetic Information. Or Sharon Theresultsofyourultrasound. But there is a darker side to this. Just think of the Walker families of the world and what might happen should they name their son Jay. Or if they are more eclectic namers and their daughter ends up "Street." So, to all the pregnant women out there, I beg of you, give careful consideration when choosing your child's name!