Our house is the world and these planes are flying around it.

Jer and Owen have been making paper airplanes this week. Yesterday Owen told me this. He said his planes were full of people going to places like Asia and Hawaii.

Jon & Rachel went back to Tennessee yesterday. We met at Red Savoy for a farewell lunch of pizza. When we got home we started organizing the storage side of our basement that got destroyed in prep for the boys' bedroom reorg, Owen's birthday party, and Thanksgiving. When the kids went to bed Jer & I had big plans of watching a movie in the basement. I think I made it through 5 minutes and Jer said he made it through about 10 before falling asleep. Maybe we'll have better luck tonight!

Here's a video of sweet Walter being silly (he's really interested in trying to get himself dressed lately) and showing some of his tricks:

Is it Christmas today, Mommy?

I've been telling Owen, first its your birthday, then Thanksgiving and then Christmas. The first thing he asked me this morning was whether or not today was Christmas. He is very excited to decorate for the upcoming holiday!

We had a lovely Thanksgiving here with the Hipps family yesterday. Jon, Rachel & Isabelle were here from Tennessee. Anita was here from Las Vegas. The rest of us were here to eat too much food. Jer & I hosted Thanksgiving right after we were married and the turkey wasn't cooked well enough. This time around was much better! I thought the food was quite good, the atmosphere was warm and calm, and the company was wonderful. We did have lots of help from Joanne and my sister, thankfully.

We've had a few big days at Sunny Hollow that I haven't talked about yet. First, a week ago, we had Owen's birthday celebration. We got to meet all his classmates, tell stories about Owen's life and after, Owen got to show us all his work alone, while the rest of the class was in the gym. It was great to see what he enjoys working on and how proud he is of his classroom. Then, on Wednesday we had our first parent/teacher conference with his 3 teachers. He certainly made us proud. They told us he was very kind to everyone and really interested in following all the steps of a presentation. They said he was certainly excelling in this environment. We couldn't agree more. Although still a quiet boy, I can see his confidence growing. I'm so happy with this whole situation.

I've kind of been focusing on Owen on the blog lately between his birthday and all the Sunny Hollow excitement, so here's a little update on our sweet Walter. His favorite word is now fish. (I wonder why!?) He probably says it about every other word. He's turning into a little goof-ball. He likes to try get people to laugh and loves seeing his bro do silly things. He can sure make a person smile. He thoroughly enjoyed his first real Thanksgiving meal yesterday! (And the left-overs for dinner tonight!)

What does that spell?

Owen's on to my spelling tricks these days. If I need to say something without him understanding, of course I do the old parent ploy of spelling. Unfortunately now he wants to know what I'm spelling!

We had Owen's birthday party with all the 3 & 4 year olds from my moms group on Friday. They all came too...all 14 of them! Wow. It was interesting. We had a fishing party (for obvious reasons) and the kids went fishing, dressed up like fishermen, got fish face paintings and made their own lures. We had pizza and fish cupcakes, too. I think everyone had a good time...with the exception of the adults that were here helping. It was crazy, crazy, crazy! Here's some proof:

I'm just so excited to see what's in there!

As you know, today is Owen's birthday. Although his new bedding was his main present, you know I couldn't leave it at that. I told him that after dinner he could open his gifts. At dinner, he said this a few times. Once he did find out what was in there, the fish stapler was by far the most exciting gift.

I think its safe to say Owen had a special 4th birthday. He received all sorts of phone calls from family and friends, a visit from our neighbors and Auntie Kindi, and I'm not sure I told him no once today. He had macaroni & cheese for lunch & dinner, he got to watch a movie tonight, we made cupcakes that he decorated, we did a few art projects and we built a house for his little people. I reaped the benefits of many 'I love you, Mommy's' throughout the day. He's such a good boy...and so big!

"Don't worry, about a thing....

'cause every little thing is going to be alright." Today during quiet time Owen was playing down stairs and I kept hearing him sing this Bob Marley song as he built a house with his Lincoln Logs. They must have played it or sang it at school today.

Today is one of my favorite days of the year. Owen's birthday is tomorrow, which means I was in labor all day today. I really like thinking about what we were doing 4 years ago throughout the day. At 10:30 p.m. four years ago, I had just received the epidural, they pumped up the pitocin and told me to try and get some sleep. I remember thinking that was just a crazy idea. He was born at 1:24 a.m.

We got Owen's school pictures back today and although I'm sure this is illegal, I have scanned in a copy to share. Isn't he one of the two cutest boys you've ever seen? (Oops - I mean THREE, Jer!)

I know, we have to use our mental muscle.

I asked Owen how we were going to remember to bring the milk caps (Kemps nickel's for schools) to Sunny Hollow tomorrow, as we've forgotten 3 school days in row now. This was his response.

The highlight of our weekend was getting Owen's 'new' big boy bed. It is actually the bed his daddy slept in as a kid. He is so proud of it. At 6 pm on Saturday he asked if he could get in his pajamas and go to bed - no book or story. Of course we said o.k. and of course he did not actually stay in bed, but it sure has been easy to get him in bed the past few nights. The only problem is getting us out - it sure is a cozy bed! Here is a video of the boys giggling in the bed - Owen was copying Walter.

I don't want to take a bath until Christmas.

The bath battles have begun.

Owen went back to school today after having two sick days off. He was excited to bring with him a rock from Grandpa Harala. I'm not sure when/if he'll decide to bring it home. We will be going there for his birthday celebration next Friday and I plan on emptying out his locker then. I can think of at least three sweatshirts he has stashed in there.

Walter & I went to playgroup at Maggie's today. Jer & her husband were in a similar group as small children. How fun it is that we are doing this now with our children. Walter loved playing with the big kids. He tries so hard to keep up with them. Generally, they are all so patient with him, too. 

Can I make some coffee for myself?

Jer made Owen a special kid's coffee this weekend (hot chocolate) so as I was making some tea this evening, Owen asked if he could make himself some coffee.

Owen had his first sick day today. He has an ear infection and got some medication today. While we were at the pediatrician's Walter got his second half of his flu shot. He then got a fever...in addition to the onset of a cold. I'm also starting to partake in the party, so we are going through tissues like crazy. Awe, winter.

We decided to take a family drive out to Roger's this weekend to see the huge fish tanks at Cabella's. The boys loved it. They also have all sorts of animal displays. Kind of a funny road trip, but it was enjoyable. We stopped by Lindsay & Andreas' house after to see a 3D picture of their baby. Lindsay is due early April and I'm nothing short of stoked!

Aren't they darling?

Owen is sleeping in his dog costume (that is two sizes too small) again tonight. He started pulling out all his dog stuffed animals this evening and after we set them up on the couch for a group photo (Walter is the owner according to Owen...I mean 'Golden Retriever'), he said this. After the photo, he made individual beds for all the dogs on the floor of their bedroom.

I'm not much for pushing my views on people, but I have to just say that I have been smiling all day today. What a fabulous, energetic 24 hours it has been! Congrats, President-Elect Obama!!! This is going to be good.

ba-ball and bu-ball

In true Hipps baby form, Walter is nowing saying 'baseball' & 'football'. He walks around saying these words throughout the day, which sometimes I can't quite distinguish between. His other favorite word is 'dat' (that) which he says while pointing at something he wants. Every once in a while he'll say mama, dada and choo-choo, too. He is one busy boy trying hard to keep up with and follow his big brother. I like to call him Mr. Personality these days. Today we had music class, which is always fun.

My dad swung in to pick up my mom this afternoon. I think they both had a good time with the kids and my dad enjoyed his hunting trip. I know for sure that my boys enjoyed their time with them and I can say I enjoyed all the help and trips to yoga.

It's warmer closer to that line.

Owen and Jer were talking about the seasonal changes and Owen kept saying 'but its warmer closer to the line.' When Jer asked him what line, he said 'um...the equator'. Um, wow, thank you Sunny Hollow!

Walter got his first full fledged mommy haircut today. I've been so reluctant to cut it as I think haircuts always make them look older. Jer talked me into it and of course, he looks so cute, but what's new. My baby is growing up.

Tonight we used the Mall of America ride tickets Owen got trick or treating last night. It was a fun family night!