Pre-Thanksgiving Thanksgiving, Part II
The evening of the 13th, hopped up on cake and about ready to explode with anticipation, Ian was sent to bed at around 10pm… and then his cousins showed up at around that same time. So he was allowed to sort of hang out and say hi… I think everybody was shy and trying to get used to how each other had changed. So the real fun started the next day. We took so many pictures I’m going to have to divide that day into several entries…
The morning of the 14th, and Ian enjoys drawing with Kaylee. See this image larger.
*Yes, drawing is fun I suppose…* See this image larger.
*But wouldn’t a road rally be even more enjoyable?* See this image larger.
I want to take this opportunity to say that Connor was brilliant throughout the trip. He was patient and engaging with Ian, and never looked down on him for being little or in awe, which the little guy was. Connor was also patient with me, as I had a lot of grown up things to do and couldn’t play video games as much as I wanted to with him. A big thank you to Connor, I hope he sees this. See this image larger.
Can you tell Ian is having the time of his life? See this image larger.
*Let’s build a ramp!* *Yup!* See this image larger.
*Let’s roll this truck down the ramp!* *Yup!* See this image larger.
*There it goes!* See this image larger.
*Yup!* See this image larger.
Breakfast break! See this image larger.
Connor made the biggest ramp possible on our chair! See this image larger.
…which Ian tried to climb. See this image larger.
They built a rocket-ship, and Ian looked so cute in it… See this image larger.
…that after a little modification, it turned into a group photo opportunity! See this image larger.
Same shot, but from Aunt Melanie’s camera! See this image larger.
Finally “the boys” built trains before we decided it was time to go outside. More next entry! See this image larger.
The first to arrive were Grandma Barb and Grampa Ray, on November 13th… they took us out for dinner, and Ian showed everybody that the only thing he loves more than ribs, is big piece of cake for dessert! 
He dove right in and got as much as we’d let him. 
*Ian, you’ve got a little something… on your… yeah right there.* 
Anybody remember that movie from the 70’s called “Meteor?” (I’m pretty sure Ian’s eating it in this picture.) 
I figure if we had Boojamas, we can have flannel pajamas be flajamas. 
One more monkey jumpin’ on the bed! 
One of the few situations where complete joy seems to be the result, every time is when Ian gets to jump on the bed. 
BOING. 
BOING. 
Comfy rest. 
BOING. 
Hey how tall are you? 
And then a night-night book, and then to bed. 
BOING. 
When we last left our hero, he was waiting patiently… *seriously, people, I have a world to save, here.* 
What is it that feels “Wizard of Oz” about this picture? And so, the Jester, in search of a laugh, the kitten in search of a warm place, and the miniature super hero in search of something sweet, headed out down the grey cement road. 
It got cold quick. Grampa Dave and Grandma Marcia kindly stuck with us through our whole neighborhood, as we quietly shuffled from door to door. 
How well do his hat and mittens match his outfit? 
At this point I attempted to remind Ian of Kenny Rogers’ long-standing “Gambler” advice, however he ignored me and counted his money (candy) while sittin’ at the table. (wagon) 
Perhaps it will please you to know that I’ve eaten an awful lot of that candy since this image was taken. Just trying to save him from too much sugar mind you. 😉 
Home at last and starting to warm up, Ian tried another look. 
And yet another! 
And that was that! Thanks again to Grampa Dave and Grandma Marcia for sharing in our Halloween joy! 
Halloween night we were joined by Grampa Dave and Grandma Marcia! I stuffed my face with as many of Grandma Marcia’s cookies as I could while everybody was playing with Ian, and then we went out for Mexican food and had a great time! But then, apparently there was a super big problem, or perhaps some super letters needed to be found… because Ian again took up cape and tights in the name of justice! (Or whatever it is SuperWhy! believes in — perhaps a good paperback, I’m not sure.) 
*I see your camera flash, good sir, and I RAISE you a squinty grin!* 
But wait, Ian!– I mean, SuperWhy! You forgot your mask and Whywriter! Ruuuuun!!! 
Dun dun dun DUN! Dun dun da DUUUN! 
We bought the outfit a little big, and it paid off bigtime… it turned out to be extremely cold on Halloween night, and he ended up with a sweatshirt and sweatpants under his costume. Worked out well for a little while, anyway. 
*Come on you guys, what’s taking so long?* 
*Shhh… can you hear it? It is the cry of a thousand fun-size candy bars in need of rescue!* Will he get there in time? Find out in our next blog entry, Halloween 2009, Part II! 
Here’s some pictures of the Halloween party at Ian’s daycare. As you can see, there was plenty of sugar to be had! 
Looks like these were maybe even a little strong for Ian! 
Somewhere there’s a picture of me in my youth wearing a red turtleneck… Ian’s wearing an orange one here. I think the clothing, the blur, and a few other things about him in this picture make him look like I did when I was around his age. 
EDIT – Hmmm I think this is the picture I’m thinking of. The resemblance is actually a little less than I remember. I’ve seen a couple of other pictures with more similarity.
*Hurray for puddin’!* 
*Hey! That little girl still has puddin’!* 
Sensing a super big problem, and knowing that a super big problem needs us, the Super Readers… Ian dons his costume. 
*It’s for you, Mommy!* 
*I don’t remember much about the culprit, officer… just that he or she really had to pee.* Want to know more about Ian’s class? Spiderman (Jacob) there on the left is probably the one I see hanging out with Ian the most, the kid on the far left is Owen, and he seems like a really nice kid. Bryce, in the duck hunting outfit is either the class ruffian, or the class scape-goat, we haven’t figured out which. The kid standing right next to Ian is Quinn, he’s a couple pointy ears away from being one of Santa’s elves. The witch on the right (that is not facing the camera, unfortunately) is named Milee and she’s a real sweetheart — if I ever drop Ian off in the morning she always asks me “Where’s Ian’s Mommy?” 
Alright let’s get caught up again, sorry… Ian came home from church looking extremely suave on October 25th, so we snapped some quick shots. I like this shot, it is like he’s saying “Welcome to the stairs to our upper floor, kind guest!” 
Ah how I love my family! 
Try not to think of this as him sticking his tongue out at you… the intended recipient is yours truly! 
One of those situations where I think maybe I ought to point the flash right at Ian’s face. Bad idea.
Same day, Ian leans out the Thomas tent with his blankie to watch a little tv.
And this is Ian watching the “that’s mine!” SuperWhy video of himself which is playing on my computer. 
Ian’s first measure of toilet success from a daycare standpoint, I guess… I think we’ve maybe had better luck at home, although he’s very inconsistent. 