Because sometimes, inexplicably, boys just have to shoot the moon.

I had planned to buy Matt a present this year.  In years past when we’ve had a little extra money to get each other a little something here and there on special occasions I’ve never been able to surprise my husband.  He always guesses it.  Or convinces everybody to tell him.  Or opens it early.  I don’t think he’s had a surprise on the date he was supposed to have it in nearly 11 years.  He likes it this way.  I hate it.

So, this year when I had a little extra to spend and Matt had been going on and on about the new GoldenEye 007 with gold Wii-mote I knew just what I would spend my money on.  The kids were even excited.  I called his mom and asked her to pick it up for me.  I thought that would be the safest bet to keep him surprised.  That particular store happened to be out.  I would have to wait.

And then the money in theory became money in hand and it was burning a hole in all our pockets.

Matt announced he would be running to town to pick up GoldenEye.  Me, in all my non-pokerfacedness, could not hide my intentions.  He laughed with glee and said with an ah-ha! in his voice, “You already got it for me for Christmas!”  To which I then had to tell the truth.  Because I am horribly incapable of lying.  I told him I hadn’t gotten it for him, but that I planned on it.  He then guessed that his mom had gotten it for him.  I told him again that we didn’t actually get it because I was holding out for the one with the fancy Wii-mote.

So, the very next day with a sick child in tow (yes, we’re STILL, 3 weeks in, fighting the sickness around here) went and got the coveted video game.

And then my husband proceeded to play the game not only in front of the children but also with the children.

Can I just say here, that I hate James Bond.  I do.  I hate the stupid plots, the stupid gadgets, and I especially hate the scantily clad women.  Matt and I have gone ’round and ’round over Bond.  Alas, I just don’t care, but it seems rather stupid and he loves the one person shooter games, so really, whatever.

Today after a full day of playing the game my 9 year old son was excitedly telling me all about all the plots and what happened and who shot whom.  Seeing my bored to tears face, Matt laughed and told the kiddos that “Mama hates GoldenEye, she might not care so much what’s going on in all the levels.”  The Oldest boy then tried to defend what a great game it was.  And my 5 year old daughter said to him, completely from my point of view, “What?  It’s just about war and stuff.”

And My Oldest said, “It’s not about war!  It’s about saving the world!”

Matt fell out laughing.  His point proven, “See, Little Lady, therein lies the heart of a boy.”  Indeed.

We went with a traditional Halloween theme this year.  Black cat, Frankenstein, Mummy, Bat, and oh, a Bunny.  But the Bunny Suit has been worn at this age by every one of my children, so I could.not break tradition.

I couldn’t get the older ones to pay much attention to the camera as long as the Baby Bunny was in the frame, but let him run off and it was full smiles all around!

Memorable moments from this year:

I loved how while I was working on the Mummy’s costume TheOldest was voluntarily helping the 3 year old.

I loved how my girl was so proud of BigMan in his Bat costume.

I loved how The Oldest looked in his costume and how he came up with the Lincoln Log bolt idea and his papa came up with the coat hanger around the back of the neck idea.  And how his daddy made the ideas a reality.

I love how Baby wore the same costume that each of his siblings has worn including the shoes.  And I love how much he enjoyed it, so much more than the others did.

I love how the Mummy Middlest enjoyed the slide at the carnival so very much.

And I love how, even though it was hard to let my older 2 wear something borderline edgy (we’ve never worn anything so creepy as Frankensteins or Mummies before) that all told we spent less than $30.  And I love how we once again fit everything in: carnival, trick or treating, laughter, cuddles, and even a few tears on the way home.  Because really, what’s a Parker outing without a few tears to balance out all the rest of the goofiness?

And I love how all my blue-eyed beauties have looked so delicious in this bunny suit.

I hope your Halloween was as memorable!

Baby turned one.  Everybody take a second, say “aw” in a little bit of a sad “he’s already that old and growing up so quickly” way.  And then everybody collectively say, “Yay!!  Baby!!”

We did it up in true Parker style.  We went to an air show and then came home for a Parker family party.  Because really when there’re this many Parkers – it IS a party.

After Baby had his cake – everybody with me now – he ate it too.

And can I just say for the record, that is the saddest birthday cake I’ve ever made, but I was tired, people.  And instead of a failure I like to call it Seussian.  So there, redeemed.

Baby is officially walking.  Like, doesn’t crawl anymore.  That happened 2 days before his birthday.  So he didn’t set any Parker records.  He tied the latest walker record with The Middlest.

He has 12 teeth.  Really.

No hair.  Except these two little strands right behind both ears.  Weird.  I want to cut it, but since his hair’s so light and it’s barely noticeable I’ve opted to leave it.  It is, after all, kind of Seussian.

He’s over being scared of peek-a-boo, he plays it himself now.

He eats table food and baby food, but his favorite is nursing.  All day and night.  (It’s my favorite too.)

He babbles, but no true words, just Mama sometimes and kind of Daddy.

When he’s caught with something he shouldn’t have and you ask for it, he throws it.  Or, if he’s standing up with it, he runs.  Like a man on a mission.

Observe the pumpkin being thrown after being told to take the pumpkin out of his mouth.

He’s losing his squishy “rubberband” fatness.  Now, that’s sad-worthy.  But I know he’s traded it for the cute running.

Oh, y’all, we do love that Baby!