the King's quarters

Have you ever tried carrying
around a 35 lb sack o' flour?
It gets to your back, doesn't it?
Well, try leaning down and picking it up
over and over.
Yow, the pain!
We really needed a solution for Bugg's bed.
Something safe for him, but high enough to be gentle
on our backs as we lifted him in and out.

And this is the nifty contraption!
Made from ...............this Ikea bed,which used to look like this.

Grandpa & Dada sawed off the bottom bunk,
keeping the length of the legs of the top bunk.
The bottom bunk then became Mia's bed.
Score!

To hide all that space,
my ma rigged up this curtain
that matches his hot rod bedroom.

Velcro tabs make it easy to take on/off.

This space is just awesome for hiding clutter
in his cozy bedroom.
Or playing hide 'n seek,
having tea parties, or
having at it with green paint (ahem, Mia).

This bed was perfectly timed & gifted to us
a couple of years ago
from cousin Tristan.
Bugg really loves it
and so do our backs.
The bed is just the perfect height for
me & the Hunk to tuck in our sweet boy,
nuzzle noses, whisper secrets in his ear,
and kiss his angel cheeks.

we took it outside

I'm a fanatic about life.

I am.
Optimistic & enthusiastic about.....
pretty much everything.
I like to brush the gunk aside
and eat a cupcake.
But when daylight savings comes around
during the Fall,
I get kinda panicky.

the eve of Daylight Savings

Long, sunshiney days are coming to a close.
Cold, COLD, dark and dreary winter days are near.
And can you tell,
winter is not my favorite.
I know, you're all shocked.
Could it be possible that Bree knows how to whine?
Oh, yes.
I'm probably ridiculous but I felt like this past week
had to be spent outside as much as possible.
To sample every ray of sunlight,
revel in each bright Aspen,
glory in the dazzling blue skies,
and relish the warmth of this perfect Autumn week.

And outside it was!
5 trips to the park + 4 picnics = real good times

It's even worth the tantrums she throws
when it's time to leave.

Oh, and we got family
pictures taken.
You'd think my little fam would
be used to this kind of stuff by now.
Man alive,
was it hectic!
Thank you to my friend, Tami,
for puttin' up with the bunch of us!

And of course,
Bugg is ready to sack out.
And Ella broke his glasses.....again.

The cute couple in the middle are my parents
(note: Bugg's missing piece to his glasses)

Uncle Kenny & Brice

Food tastes so good outside.
Especially when magical leaves are falling
all around you.

Kisses do, too.

Marie ~ yumm peaches,
thank you!

We are still getting a total kick
out of Bugg's new skills.
He LOVES sitting up.
Can you imagine how empowered he must feel?!!

Oh, life, I love you.
And alright, alright,
winter will be welcomed with a smile.

a trick up his sleeve

Progress with Bugg has always been slow.
I got used to it.
Maybe a bit too used to it.
Therapy was just discouraging for me and he despised it, too.
I decided to love my special boy just as he was
and I fully accepted him and his disabilities.
Therefore, therapies and pushing him to do more
slacked.
But then just recently,
we've seen him scootching backwards
and doing crunchies.
And then standing.
And now........

Sitting.
What in the world?!
Sitting!
REALLY?!
When did this happen?
It's like Christmas around here!!!

The other night,
I was getting Bugg dressed into his PJs.
I sit him up and pull his shirt off over his head.
Then I help him fall backward.
But on this night, he didn't fall.
He just sat there.
Like a pro.
For 5 looooooong seconds!

I know he gets lots of therapy at school
but THIS!
It's like Bugg was saving it up for this moment
to just blow me out of the water
and say, "Mama! Surprise!"

And then ever so slowly,
he rolls backward into a crunchie,
catching his head just before he hits the carpet.
Like a pilates pose.
That kid.
The miracle worker continues!
And PS: he's up to 2 minutes now.

Enjoying your Fall?

Can anyone say,
"roots"?

The sound of the leaves crunching
really got to him!

The big boy practicing his
STANCE!
Love it, Love it!

We are, TOO!

you may quote me if you like

Days are like a batch of cookies.
Some work out, some don't.
But they disappear all the same!
So make the most of it,
is what I'm trying to say, people!

Hallow's Eve

Beautifully spooky Halloween Eve,
on our way to the family party.

a bunch of grapes, hippie Mama, the clown,
Dada in a black 'n orange shirt (what??),
and a hippie Bugg

Oh, my gosh, I love Halloween.
"It's my favorite holiday."
(I'm sure I've never said that about any other holiday.)
I love all the happy stuff about it, though,
none of the spook stuff, thank you.
Orange is such a cheery color, for one.
And what is not to like about a smiley Jack o' lantern?
Pumpkin cookies, a spaghetti brain (ok, that's gross),
leafy garlands, changing our minds about costumes a zillion times,
our leaning homemade scarecrow that weirded out all the neighbors,
giddy 6 year olds over for a "late night" making pumpkin play-do
and painting fingernails orange.
Enjoying cider & donuts with friends.
oh, oh, OH! LOVE.


And Happy Halloween to me
from my dad-in-law (thank you)!
A bounce flash! Hip! Hip!
My sis-in-law is the queen of Halloween
and threw a happenin' party.
As in, practically every room in her house
was dedicated to kids being able to have-at-it.
I bet their shop-vac motor blew trying to suck up all the hay!

Esmerelda, the Halloween witch, came during the night!
She left these sweet little friends
in the 3 pumpkins on our doorstep.
One for each of my babes.
I wonder if Mia will ask her friends what
Esmerelda brought them in their pumpkins?
Last year in Kindergarten,
she came home from school and said
that none of her friends got anything in theirs.
What?!!! How could that be?
Those poor children.

Halloween Day was very spooky
with gray skies, rain, crazy wind, and hail.
Hail!

We spent the evening cozied up at
G & G's house.
Mia was good with just a quick jaunt around the block
for trick-or-treating.
She hasn't even asked about her candy today.

And check this out.......

Bugg & Uncle Glenn at the park

IT'S NOVEMBER!
We are going to gulp up this first week
of this new month.
The weather is supposed to be nice & clear.
And with Daylight savings on Sunday,
our chances for picnicking and park-going are
dwindling.

Enjoy your week outdoors,
everyone!