Costume ideas

Thank you so much if you offered a suggestion on Halloween costumes for the boys! I must admit: I loved Julie's idea of the Wizard of Oz theme. I even thought of Shane being the scarecrow and Ethan being Toto! Since I would probably be carrying Ethan most of the time anyway, it would be a good fit!

I still may work on trying my hand at making the Junior costume....I'll have to give that some more thought though, and do a little searching to see if I could find all the right 'ingredients' to make it. I don't want Col and Cameron to look all cute and 'professional' and poor Ethan to look all homely with a generic, terribly-done homemade costume! *giggle*

After searching eBay a little more, I had another idea that I just may go with (cause the costumes were relatively cheap--buying three of them runs up the cost really, really fast!): Three different colors of M&M's.

I thought that would be cute, right?

There were other really great ideas, too, that I will definitely keep in mind for use in future years. Thanks again for pitching your ideas everybody--I really appreciate the input!

What to do?

I am desperately seeking opinions (a.k.a. help) today.

I thought it would be so cute to dress my clan as something that was a 'group' for Halloween. Immediately, Veggies came to mind, because the boys--all three of them--love the Veggies so much.

Bob the Tomato, Larry the Cucumber, and Junior Asparagus

I found these Larry and Bob costumes online.

Larry--tall and skinny, perfect for Colin....

....and Bob, shorter and rounder, perfect for Cameron. *grin*

I was going on a hunt for Junior for Ethan. Ethan, as Junior Asparagus, I thought, was perfect. The little one of the bunch, always wanting to be included in everything that everyone else is doing. "How great is this?!" I thought to myself.

Until I actually started searching, and found that I can not find a Junior costume anywhere.

I have googled. I have yahooed. I have asked.com (yes, I verbed that). I've checked on eBay. Does anyone have any other suggestions for finding this costume?

And, on the off chance that you don't, does anyone have any suggestions for other cute trios or groups of things? I'm not looking to dress them all the same (for once, right?), but rather as a 'group' of something. I'm under the gun--only 30 days left! HELP!! I will appreciate any and all suggestions!

Calling all picture lovers

Now that you've heard my 'complaints' about my less-than-ideal previous camera, I'm asking for your input.

I am in the market for a new digital camera *grin*, and I was wondering--does anyone absolutely love their camera? Would you recommend the kind you are using, or do you hate it? And, if so, why do you love it/hate it? Is it easy to use, and does it have lots of functions you would recommend?

I'd love some feedback from anyone (yes, even you lurkers who read this blog but never comment!) who would be willing to share.

Help me get a new great camera that I am going to love!

Progress

I just wanted to thank you all for pitching in your ideas for helping Ethan adjust to regular foods. And, if you haven't yet, please scroll down to the next post and add yours! I got several ideas that I intend to try, including what many of you said: trying to 'mash' the food up a little bit more. I am hoping that will do the trick!

Today we had quite a successful breakfast and lunch, so between that and everyone's comments, I am encouraged! Ethan had zucchini bread (not a new one--he loves that) and some dried cereal for breakfast, and Wheat Thins, some yogurt, several bites of cut up banana (which I did have to shove in his mouth for him, but he didn't scream and cry this time--he chewed it up and ate it like a champ, which is definite progress), a few bites of my PB&J, and a few Sun Chips for lunch. (He is a carb addict like his mom, can you tell? All the things he loves most....Sun Chips, zucchini bread, Triscuits, Wheat Thins, dried cereal.....CARBS!)

Anyway, thank you all for giving me some good things to work with....just goes to show you that with motherhood, you are always learning new things!

Calling all Mommies.....

Okay moms. I am calling for H.E.L.P.

My youngest little man, Ethan, is a pretty easy child on most fronts. You would think that by child #3, I would have everything down and hence, not need to be asking advice on something like this; yet, here I am, finding myself facing something that is new territory for me as a mommy.

Ethan will be 16 months old on the 31st of this month, and he is having an absolutely terrible time transitioning to 'normal' table foods. He is still eating jarred or mostly pureed food, like yogurts or refried beans (soft things). Colin and Cameron--and I do realize that each child is different--both began eating some table foods in the 9 - 12 month range; and were eating only table foods shortly after that. I always thought that 'once they get a taste of real food, they don't want to eat the jarred stuff anymore!'

However, that is not proving to be true with Ethan. He is giving us the hardest time.....meal times have just begun to get out of control. I mean, I really am starting to dread them. Ethan doesn't cry much....in fact, the most he does cry is when he is in his chair at the table! I have tried offering him MANY different foods, and he just cries and cries. However, when I finally give in and give him a jar, or some yogurt, because I know that he has to eat something, he stops crying (mostly) and eats.

He does like some table food; he will eat triscuits (how weird, huh? He loves those) or sun chips, cheerios or any kind of breakfast cereal, refried beans, some rice, some cooked hamburger, green beans (sometimes), yogurt, eggs, and cheese. But I am so limited....he just cries and cries if I offer him anything else. Today at lunch it was spaghetti (cut up really small, of course) that we fought over.

He won.

Another really weird thing....even with the foods he does like: when I put them down on his tray, he cries. I have to actually pick the bite up, put it in his mouth while he is crying, and wait for him to chew. Then, he realizes, "Oh, I actually do like this...." and will eat the rest by himself! It is just awful, and is really wearing on me.

I am at my wits end here. I know this may seem strange to some of you, especially if you have good eaters (and my other two have been!) but I am really struggling with this, and would appreciate any advice you are willing to give! :-)