The Calm Before the Storm

The kids with boundless energy are finally in bed...


The 6 inches of ice covered by 3 inches of snow are now welcoming 3-6 inches of sleet....


The tree is in place and the stockings are hung...


And the table is set. We are just waiting for the guests to arrive (and Santa!)...

A Black and Blue Christmas

The past couple of weeks have been interesting. It started off pretty good with our first snow fall but then went south after that. Matt fell on a cup he was playing with and is now sporting a beautiful black eye. The next day I hit my head just right on a bedroom door and had to have 10 stitches. The doctor said I will probably have two black eyes by Christmas. Then last night Jack woke up with a fever of about 103. To top it off, we are hosting Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Hopefully all the bad is behind us. Terry and I are looking forward to being at home for the holidays with family and friends. We are excited about not driving, putting the kids to bed early and staying up with family and eating all the leftovers this weekend.

The McGuffage's in better times...

A sick Jack falls asleep on the floor...

Matt and Jack's favorite activity is for Jack to hold one end of the baby monitor and for Matt to hold the other end. Jack then pulls Matt around the house. This is a very fun game for both boys and has kept them entertained for a long, long time.

Is It Too Much To Ask?

How can I get two boys to sit still for a picture (that I want to take 100 times)? Look at the camera! Stop jumping off the couch! Smile! And holding them down with my feet only made it more fun for them!
Our Christmas cards may not go out until February.

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

Matt has to go with the flow but I know that Jack is loving Monday's snowfall. After a doctor's visit in the morning, the boys and I shoveled and played out front. Matt can hardly move in his snowsuit which may be a good thing since he loves to run in the street. Jack ran around non stop. His favorite activity was to run up and down a mound of wood chips now covered with snow in our neighbor's yard.

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was spent at my parents house this year. Thankfully everyone was healthy unlike last year when my mom spent the week in the hospital.
The house was packed with friends and relatives. Our kids were the only ones under 15 however they did not seem to mind. Matt spent hours either on the kitchen counter playing with pots and spoons or in the family room whirling around my grandpa's cane. Jack loves being teased by my dad, Uncle Greg and my grandpa. This year Jack wore his construction hat and work gloves (my black mittens) to my parents. By the end of the night everyone had a turn wearing the hat but Uncle Greg had the most fun when he put on the hat and mittens and chased Jack around trying to steal his blanket. Jack cannot stop talking about it and says how silly pop and Uncle Greg are. I am dying for some cousins for the kids but it is nice that the grownups fill in in the meantime.


Congratulations to the newly engaged couple, Colleen Johnson and Ryan.

Love You In The Shower

Jack has had a huge break from school. He really just had Veteran's day off but one day off makes a difference when he only goes three days a week. We spent one day with my parents, another day raking leaves and today was spent at the Children's Museum. The boys and I are constantly in the car and when we are, I listen to Madonna. Yesterday I was getting Matt out of his car seat and I was still singing the last song I heard before turning off the car. I really was not paying attention until I stopped singing and Jack picked up by belting out "she might make you breakfast and love you in the shower". I now may have to switch to The Wiggles or Justin Roberts.

Matt is getting so big. Here the boys are goofing around on the stairs.


Matt ate graham crackers as Jack actually helped put leaves in the garbage can.


Matt loves Jack's blanket just as much as Jack. Matt has his own but there is just something about the green blanket! Lucky for Matt, Jack was in a sharing mood and let Matt walk around biting the blanket and hugging it.


Here is an action shot of the monitor falling on Matt's head. Even Jack closed his eyes because he knew what was coming.

Matt digging for bones at the CCM...

Jack enjoying the water works at the CCM. He spent a good hour in this room.

Jack was soaked from head to toe but still on a high from the water works room. He kept himself warm under one blower while I tried to dry his shirt under another blower.

Time For a Commercial?

This morning Jack and I went to my friend Courtney's house to babysit Hayden and Declan. We had a great time at the park and enjoyed the 70 degree weather. Then the ride home got a little harry. The kids were tired, hungry and hot. A normal 15 minute walk took about 45 minutes. Just when I thought I could not go on, who do I see but my husband eating a sandwich at our favorite former neighborhood spot. While Jack kept asking me if that was his daddy (like he doesn't recognize him out of our house?) I notice these people gathered on the corner. One man approached us and asked if we would mind shooting an Allstate commercial with our family. Sure! Why not? So we did. Terry, Jack and I were even paid for our time! I was so nervous about getting Hayden and Declan home that I did not ask when it would air and I did not say goodbye to Terry (and he did not help me across the street with the three tired kids - a UIC student finally offered!).
Keep your eyes peeled for us in the Allstate commercial.



I left the kids in good hands....

Happy Halloween

The boys went trick or treating through the neighborhood yesterday. Jack is just starting to understand Halloween and Matt just enjoyed being outside picking up sticks and smiling at the neighbors. Matt's favorite part of the night was meeting a stuffed Dracula on a neighbor's lawn.
Now I have to explain Jack's costume. He was supposed to be a fireman but changed his mind last week and I was too lazy to find a spider costume for him. I meant to stuff black nylons for spider legs but never did. Instead he wore a sweatshirt with spiders on it, black sweat pants and Spider-man socks. I thought that was sufficient. Jack did not seem to mind!

Party Pictures

On Sunday we had a Halloween themed birthday party for Matthew. Matt had a great time and proudly wore his Dalmatian costume made by Grandma Johnson. It was a wonderful day complete with pizza, cake, family and friends. We would like to say a special thank you to Kathleen and Griffin who babysat Saturday night and then again Sunday morning as Terry and I prepared for the big event. We could not have pulled it off without you guys!



Terry made the most incredible Halloween cookies....



Blowing out the candles....


A tired little Dalmatian...

Matthew Sean is One!

Our little Matthew Sean turned one years old today at 6:13 am! He was so excited for the day that he woke up at 5:30.
Remembering back to about a year and a half ago, Terry and I were nervous about how a second child would impact our lives (especially Jack's!). But now we could not imagine our lives being any different. Matt is our little smiler, babbler and into everything little guy. He loves to cuddle and will sit with us for a long time after his bottle. His favorite activities are walking around aimlessly or just staring at Jack in amazement. Every morning when Matt and I go upstairs to get Jack, Matt's arms start to flap and his breathing quickens. He cannot wait to see his best friend.
Happy birthday to our little guy. We love you!

Street Fair

This weekend was the much anticipated 99th Street Fair with candy decorating, pumpkin painting and good eats. Both Matt and Jack had a good time. Matt is getting a little more independent. I still need to keep a close eye on what he is putting in his mouth but overall he can keep himself entertained.
This last year seems to be a blur. There is always something to do and Terry and I feel that we run from pillar to post everyday.
This morning, I found it fascinating to see Jack paint and Matt walk around aimlessly laughing at his reflection in store windows. It is nice to sit for a minute and take it all in.

Little Picasso

Terry and I got Jack a paint set. When Matt naps, Jack runs to the playroom now to paint. My whole house is filled with Jack originals. Terry is wondering if we frame one, his works would actually sell.

Class Photo

Jack got his class photos today. He was out sick all week but returned just in time for make ups. I think they turned out well despite his cold.

The Great Pumpkin

Terry and I took the kids to the pumpkin patch this morning. Jack and Terry hunted all over the farm for the most perfect pumpkin while Matt and I sat in one place enjoying the shade.
It was nice to spend some alone time with Matt. His favorite outdoor activity is to pick up sticks and leaves, study them and then throw them. At the park yesterday, he spent at least ten minutes throwing sticks through the slats of a fence. His face was so serious like he was performing surgery. I loved just watching him. I am always wondering what is going on in the kids' heads.