Muffle Muffle Moo

I have been trying to assess the little twins verbal skills. This is difficult, because they are on the move, and I have the echo in the house. The "Echo" is named Matilda. She either is repeating what I say very loudly and in dumbed down tones to the little twins and Lucas, or, she answers the questions I ask before anyone else has an opportunity.

For instance, yesterday I was sitting with an open book of animals. Rowan seems to know most of his animals, and earlier that morning I thought I heard him say "cockle doo" for rooster. I held out the book and said "Rowan, what does a rooster say?"

Rowan opens his mouth to reply, but then Tilly blurts out "cock a doodle doo".

"Tilly, I was asking ROWAN what a rooster says. Rowan, what does a rooster say?"

Rowan opens his mouth, but, Tilly blurts out "COCK A DOODLE DOO."

"Tilly, are you listening? Mommy wants to hear if Rowan knows what a rooster says. OK?"

"OK" (I am glad toddlers reply to redundant questions).

I make strong eye contact with Rowan and ask "Rowan, what does a rooster say".

Rowan doesn't attempt to reply. Tilly screams "COCK A DOODLE DOO!!!"

I then clasp my hand over her mouth. Regain eye contact with Rowan and ask, "Rowan, what does a rooster say?"

Rowan opens his mouth, but, before he can reply beneath my hand Tilly says "Muffle, Muffle, MOO!!!"

I give up.

Here is Tilly first thing in the morning, and Lucas with his 7 pacis.

At the Blue Willow Inn

While my sister was visiting we made the long drive to the Blue Willow Inn. This was the first time I have not put Lucas and Tilly in high chairs at a restaurant. I think this probably won't be attempted again for a loooong time. Tilly kept twisting around and squirming and climbing out of her chair, and Lucas wanted to stand up in his. Lucas probably ate an entire chicken, and Tilly ate only raw tomatoes and sweet potatoes. She is so picky when it comes to food- she prefers vegetables and fruits.

Lucas is now a "cat". He went two days last week without uttering a single word. He meows when he wants something, shakes his butt like he has a tail at the end of it, growls when he is angry, and swats you with his "paw" when he is mad at you. The only way to get him to come to me when I want him is to say "Here, Kitty, Kitty". One day I meowed back at him and Tilly laughed and said "Silly mommy. You are not a cat, you are a mommy!".

I have now made those pumpkin scones three times and Duane has "placed an order" for himself and his coworkers next week. They are so good, and to keep them fresh, I freeze small batches. Scones- like most biscuits- are the best the day you bake them unless you freeze some back to have on following days (The pumpkins scones are the best the first two days you have baked them).

I am baking a blackberry cake for Thanksgiving. We are going to my sil's home. My sister is traveling down to spend the holiday with us and we will be cooking a few things together to take with us. Is anyone else working on their Thanksgiving menu? I am going to bake a Blackberry Cake (from my aunt and grandma's recipe), make a Broccoli Casserole (not your "broccoli cuts and sticky rice" one- I use only the fresh broccoli florets, fresh mushrooms, add celery and onions and its very good), and my sister is going to make Deviled Eggs I think. I am still tinkering with this. I am also tempted to try a few new recipes I have come across recently that use steamed veggies.

And I received a wonderful crock pot in the mail! It is "Mable Hoffman's Crockery Cookbook" revised addition from 1995. This has some interesting recipes in it that I can't wait to try! There is a recipe for crockpot caponata. A recipe for Beef Stroganoff, a recipe for cabbage rolls that you basically "fix and forget" ("Fix it and Forget it" is also on my crockpot cooking wishlist), a recipe for rice pudding. Reynolds Wrap also has crockpot recipes on their website. Right now the crockpot is the ONLY way we have a homemade meal in the evenings. I just can't find the time to cook anymore. All the twins are in the "witching hour" and I can't cook with meowing and whining in the background.

Here are some recent pictures of everyone- I have Lucas and Tilly in the blue and yellow again. I love them in those colors for Autumn!

Rowan likes to make faces and roar like a lion:




Ewan walking around with gladware on his head, and later jumping on the bed.




Lucas and Matilda at the Blue Willow Inn:

Halloween pictures

My sister came to spend Halloween with us and the kids, and we took the kids in their Halloween costumes to the center of town where they were hosting a local "Trick or Treat" by the merchants.

Ewan was the local favorite in his "Dumbo" outfit, loaned to him from my friend Melanie's son Xander.

Lucas- dressed as "Captain Hook"- got the best candy, because he stared at each merchant all ga ga (they were dressed up as well) and I think they thought he was hinting for more candy. He was completely fascinated that people dressed up as goth witches and pooh bear were putting little wrappers of candy into his Elmo Pail. Also into his Elmo pail were added a GI Joe found along the way, and a lovely rock of a shade of gray that Lucas found irresistible.

Matilda - as one of many "Tinker Belles"-did not do so well. She glared at the merchants and stomped along on her way, a little repulsed by the audacity of STRANGERS to put forth their hand into her lovely Princess pail. They had to fling their dum dum suckers into her pail as quickly as possible. To which she snarled. She wound up giving me the pail to carry.

Rowan - as "Tigger"- still has some stranger anxiety, and didn't enjoy Trick or Treating very much. He and Ewan stayed in their twin stroller and were photographed often.

Then, the candy was forgotten, so its now in mommy and daddys care for safe eating..ahem, I mean KEEPING.