Happy Halloween...

This year was much like last year in the costume selection process...-N- knew what he wanted to be and -A- still doesn't care. So, much like the cowboy with his horse combo from last year, we had Buzz Light year

and Woody

this year.

If you could only begin to understand the excitement that surrounded this costume...he wore it every day this month that he listened well and took his nap without argument. Just because today is Halloween holds no bearing on whether it will be worn tomorrow or not. We started the afternoon by carving our pumpkins.

-N- helped his dad by directing him to use the shapes he has been learning about at school, a triangle, circle, square/diamond and a half circle.

As for -A-, I picked up a Mr. Potato Head style pumpkin kit last year after Halloween, so -A-'s pumpkin turned into a witch in no time,

and was later turned into a work like Picaso's, by his older brother.

We then went trick or treating around the neighborhood. After about 10 houses -N- declared that he would go to one more house and then he was done. -A- was cracking us up, as -N- didn't really understand this whole process on his second Halloween, but -A- was like an old pro and was walking away from each door with a piece of candy in hand ready to eat it.

Once we returned to the house, we packed up and went to my parent's house to show off costumes

and have dinner...Turkey Dinner. So delicious, a little different from the norm, but a new norm I could easily get used to!

Fall Program...

-N-'s class put on their first program of the year. They invite all of the parents, grandparents and anyone else who wants to come out to see the kids perform a few songs in honor of the current holiday. Today's was all about fall!

It was so fun and though -N- isn't visible the entire time, he was too cute and spent the entire ride home watching it on my camera in the car and singing along!

Are you trying to say somethng...

So today I asked -N- to clean up his kitchen...with which he replied, "Okay Mom let me just put all my dishes in the sink like you do."

What?

I think he is trying to say something, but my children would never attack my method of keeping our kitchen clean, so that {must} not be it...would it???

Painting...

About that pumpkin painting my kids have done it every year and this year was no exception. -A- actually got into it this year too.

Yummy Cookies...

We set out to make yummy sugar cookies today while -A- slept, -N- was so excited!

and he has become quite the little BAKER!

Just look at how yummy they look...

and tasty too!

Bring on the pumpkins...

Once again upon us, is the beginning to the holiday festivities. We have been busy painting pumpkins with friends this week and had so much fun painting.

Before we could paint though we had to make a trip to the Pumpkin Patch of course.

It was an amazing Pumpkin Patch by local standards, keeping in mind that there aren't any actual pumpkin patches here.

This one did a great job of faking it, setting the pumpkins out in a field to picked through,

a hay maze, bounce houses, funnel cake, (yes I said funnel cake!) and ample opportunities for photo ops.

Let's just say the past two years I have had much to be desired after leaving the pumpkin "patches" but this year...I was satisfied!

We will be going back again next year! And hopefully -B- will be able to join in on the fun since the year he spent the day working.

The Zoo...

It has quickly become a tradition that we visit the zoo just before the weather gets cold. With the boys being older, -A- was intrigued by everything and -N- wanted to know more info about the animals than just a simple "what's that?" We met some friends and toured the zoo.

-N-'s favorite animal is and remains the elephant and -A- was quite impressed with the Prairie Dogs and giraffes.

-N- also over came his fear of gorillas to my surprise.

Fun was had by all even when the birds were dive bombing -N- as he fed them...

In the learning barn, -N- discovered the "milking" area and was extremely interested in finding out just where the milk he drinks comes from and how they get it out. So it looks like we'll be going to a dairy farm soon to find out more...

Pudding Painting...

What a yummy way to paint and -A- loved it! We went over to a friend's house today while -N- was at school, a stripped down to a diaper little man sat happily and painted a picture using pudding brightly colored with dye.

Mmm, Mmm, Good!

My Married Clothes...

So, a current obsession (we have many) at our house is the idea of marriage. Surprisingly so, as I expected this conversation with girls, however I don't have any girls, I have boys. The oldest is deeply interested in the idea of marriage. He spends most of his days pretending to be married to a woman with the same name as mine and children who are coincidentally named the same as he and his brother. When you ask who he is in this scenario, he will happily inform you that he is my husband and he is just pretending. Too cute the way he is imitating his dad and family.

However he is also quick to inform you that he is going to marry Miss -H-. They both have conversations about this in their own little worlds both separately and together. It is ever so sweet, but we are now beginning to wonder if they know something that we don't???

Today my grandmother and the boys and I were wandering around JCPenny and happened upon a Christmas Church outfit, at which point -N- proclaimed that those were "married clothes" and asked if he could try them on.

Since we weren't in a hurry I figured sure why not and off to the changing room we went. He was absolutely enamoured with the idea that there were married clothes that fit him now, as he has had it explained that he needs to go to school, do lots of homework and start working before getting married. He has added a laundry list of things he should complete first as well, such as grow "whiskers", buy a truck, a house and maybe a car and a van. HA!

But today he is focused on these married clothes, and wanted me to share the pictures with Miss -H-, so here we are, Miss -H-, -N- misses you dearly and hopes you like his married clothes.

He rides...

John Deere! When his older brother, -N- was this age he had a bit of a battle with this tractor because he couldn't quite get his bottom positioned to ride on this tractor given to him by Great Aunt Jan.

It ended badly with a major tantrum and everything, but NOT this time! -A- had it mastered in no time and was having a jolly good time!