Oh, my Riley-boy ... he sure keeps it entertaining!?!

I so love my Riley-boy. He is my first born. He has these deep, dark brown eyes than can just melt your soul. He is a determined thinker and problem solver. He is the protector of his brother and friends against bullies. He is my sweet boy that loves to snuggle. He genuinely loves to "help" with almost any task and is really adept at most household chores. He can also, at times, be more stubborn, outgoing, opinionated and "helpful" than is good for him.

Last week Riley had an exceptionally trying week at school. In his class at pre-school, they have what they call "centers." Each center has a specific function or activity: building/construction, puzzles, reading, art, dramatic play, writing, housekeeping, etc. When Riley was in a center he really enjoyed (building/construction, puzzles, dramatic play and housekeeping) he would thrive and be just a model student. His lead teacher even made sure to express how he really excels in areas that require fine motor skill and following specific directions (such as constructing cars, helicopters and buildings either through imagination or following blueprints.) However, when he is in one of the other centers that he doesn't like as well he would deem them "stupid" or "boring" and not want to participate. He would even try to escape and go "help" other kiddos that were in centers more to his liking. Occasionally he was even going into full meltdown mode trying get his way. Unacceptable.

Then, to top things off, during a discussion regarding farm animals, Riley decided it would be a great idea to pull his pants down and announce to his friends that, "My private looks like a cow's 'gutters'!" Oh boy. Even though I actually find that pretty comical, it is obviously not appropriate and we had to deal with that along with his disrespectful behavior. This meant being super strict with him and even a couple of spankings - which I totally hate - and so does he - but sometimes that is the only way to get through to him. We also did a lot a role-playing at home to help him learn to make better choices. His prize or punishment, depending upon his actions on Friday was getting to stay for the school Halloween party or him having to leave with me and not get to participate.

I went to his school on Friday at noon with the worst feeling in my stomach. I really did not want him to miss the party. Seriously, how terrible would that be? How did I get to be this mean mom? I just kept reminding myself that he was aware of the consequences and we had talked many times about how he is responsible for his actions. I had the best surprise ever when I walked in to see him being such a good boy and the teachers said they would love it if he could stay and celebrate with them. Yay! He has, for now, mostly continued this good behavior and even got a "Star Student" award on Monday for once again being so awesome!

Lord knows I am all for a little dissent here and there. I definitely do not want to raise a little robot who blindly follows whatever those around tell him. It's good to question routine and authority now and then, as long as it's done respectfully. I sincerely hope that I can find a way to teach this to both of my boys and be a good role model. In the meantime, though, let's hope and pray that this good boy sticks around!!!

Whole mess of pictures of random events and subjects ...

I got these silly vamp teeth for the kiddos and was so sure they'd love them. They could care less. On the other hand, I dig playing with them!

Riley put together this whole setup one day while I was in the shower. This is him getting embarrassed because he didn't realize I was watching and taking pictures!

Riley came out in his Superman jammies, but couldn't find his cape. I offered him one of my scarves, but he wanted to make his own cape -- all on his own -- and so he did ...

The back view. Pretty darn ingenuitive!

Aaaaand he's off!

A couple of hoodlums made good use of a pair of mom's hose!Gager makes sure to throw up the peace sign before the big getaway = )


We watched a stray cat scurry into this storm ditch. The boys waited patiently, hoping it would come out. In the meantime, they told each other stories of the "werewolf" hiding in the "sewer." They had to be careful not to dangle their feet or he'd get them! Love their crazy imaginations!


The leaves turning color on our maple tree are so gorgeous right now!


Our cat Winston. He is so stoked to get his picture taken. Can't you just see the excitement!

Gage decided to decorate himself with permanent magic marker. On his face. Awesome.Although, this is much better than the permanent marker artwork his brother made on the siding our house!


The boys breaking in their new camo housecoats. So cozy!

Our spooktastic jack-o-lanterns = ) Gage really dug removing the seeds and guts. Riley thought it smelled disgusting and wanted no part of it. He did thoroughly enjoy helping wield the knife for the carving, though!

The S's: Sillies, Sweetness, Stubbornness, and Sadness (?)

Silly quote:

Riley while heading to the computer, "I'm gonna get online here and see about getting us a pizza going." (side note: we have literally only ordered pizza 4 or 5 times in the past 2 years, but it is always big excitement for the boys!)

Sweet quote:

While I am laying down in bed with the flu, Riley comes in, kisses my forehead and gently strokes my cheek and says, "It'll be okay sweetheart. You'll feel better soon." (it is amazing to me the sweetness that can come out of this boy when he sets aside his orneryness!)

Stubborn quote:

Overheard while the boys were left alone for a few minutes to finish an art project ... Gage, "No. This just isn't working for me. Riley I NEED the BLUE sparkles and the BLUE scissors." Riley, "Gager, I'm using them. Just use the red ones." Gage (getting a tad excited now,) "Wellllllll, maybe I didn't 'splain [explain] myself clearly .... " (hmmmm, maybe he's heard that phrase a time or two hundred?)

Sadness (?) quote:

A year and a half ago we lost our sweet fish Mr. Indigo Pickles. There were many tears shed over his demise. Riley's heart was particularly broken. To help the healing we picked out a new fish, Mr. Fireball Pickles. Unfortunately, Fireball took his last breath yesterday. After a long prepared speech about the life cycle of fish, we held a toilet bowl vigil for our dear departed friend. Riley had these parting words to say to him, "I'll miss playing with you Mr. Fireball Pickles!" Then a quick flush and an even quicker, "Bye bye weeniehead!" (yeah, not quite the dramatics of last time. it's amazing how much difference a little time can make in their reactions to events. however, this is also the boy who still prays for our dear dog Gracie who passed and will shed tears for her in the drop of a hat because he misses her. you just never know with these boys.)

Oh how we love Schaake's ...

The sillies started at the entrance ...

Then there were so many choices ...

That's a good one!

The master pumpkin pickers in action.

Riley, mom and Gage with our fantastic finds .

Riley, Gage and Daddy with our pumpkin picks.


We ain't afraid of no ghosts!

Eveyone was tired of saying cheese, so we decided to just be silly cheesey = )

Tunnel Vision 1

Tunnel Vision 2

Guess who's about to get spooked? (hint: look closely in the cornfield = D)

Scary Monster Pumpkin 1

Scary Monster 2

Beautiful weather + pumpkin patch fun family outing = a darn near perfect day!

Not enough time ...

You know, sometimes I feel so overwhelmed trying to keep up with everything and being the best that I can at each thing - mother, wife, careerwoman, part-time cake decorator, full-time cleaning/laundry/cooking machine, daughter, sister, friend ... - the list goes on and on. There is just not enough time to be as perfect as I'd like to be at any of it. Thankfully my compulsivity for perfection is waning with age. I surrendered to just do the best that I can at any given moment and pray that it's good enough. And, I've found that if I actually take time to sit back and really observe what those around me actually want and need from me, it is often less than I am killing myself to give. I am reminded of this often during my lunchtime conversations with my mom. She is the best! How in the world I came from such a wonderful, laid back, common sense person with an easy grasp on the important things in life is beyond me sometimes -- but I am so glad I did! Thank you mom for keeping me sane!!! So that, coupled with the memories I have through all of the pictures I take of our adventures, help me feel not quite so inadequate. One of these days I promise myself that I will ease up and relax, but in the meantime, there's work to do and expeditions to document = )

Entry arch at the Fall Arts and Crafts Fair. So fun. So much to see.

There are some truly amazing artists around here!

The boys partaking of the biggest batch of curly fries ever. And, loving every minute of it!

After all of that grease it was time to burn off a little energy -

what better way than the jumphouse?


This is how Gage looked most of the time in the jumphouse.
He would get to giggling so hard he just could not stay vertical!



My big, independent boy. I walked into the kitchen the other day and found this. The batteries were dead in Riley's Lightning McQueen car. He figured he knew where all the tools and supplies were, so he'd just take care of it himself. And he did. Oh my, he is growing up so fast!

Riley enjoying some quality time with Grandma Soukup,

otherwise known as the person who calms my freakouts = )

Gager in his "AWESOME!" new Buzz Lightyear jammies.

He swears he's going to be an astronaut when he grows up.

Mommy and daddy would be sooooo proud!

Riley in his super cool Bakugan jammies.

They helped him summon super powers for his kung fu moves

Never a dull moment here = )

You're killing me ....

So, tonight I'm putting the boys to bed. After reading the second book, Gage, as usual, is begging for another. After I say no for what I thought was going to be the final time, I have the following conversation with our funny little redhead ....

Gage: "But, mom, you're killing me."

Me: "Really? Now, just how am I killing you?"

Gage: [with hands clenched tightly over his chest] "Momma, you're breaking my heart!"

Oh my, how can you say no to such sweet dramatics?

Lovin' life on the long weekend ...

Wouldn't it be awesome if every weekend were a 3 day weekend? We sure think so at the Huber house! It's amazing how much fun can be packed into just 72 hours ... 3 parks, the swimming pool, backyard bbq's, cowboy dress up and just general silliness. Good times!

Howdy partner! The boys had fun raiding mom's hats and bandanas = )

Gage sportin' his cool shades he got from a classmates party at school. He LOVES them!

Daddy had to try them out, too = )


If you ever wondered how Gage's hair got that beautiful color, it might have something to do with the number of oranges this little redhead consumes. He LOVES his citrus fruit!


I didn't have a full and true 3day weekend myself as I started my new part time job on Saturday as a cake decorator at Dairy Queen. Aside from the few extra hours a week I'll be away from the boys, I think I am really gonna dig this job. It's like getting paid to go to art class and create = )

Then here's a short little video of our dancing machine, Riley. This boy loves to get his groove on. Check out the different styles ... I dig how he seamlessly goes from ballet, to jive, to breakdancing. Talk about skills!

Well, after all of that fun, it's time to wind down for another work week. At least it'll be a short one!