Halloween 2020

Friday afternoon the kids and I hit the down town trunk or treat and mainstreet businesses circuit. We went with a friend and her two boys. 

My little skunk wanted to scamper off and was constantly being chased or carried. Big sister Elsa declared she would share candy and carry the bag. The Twinks, aka Fox and Unicorn also decided they wanted to share and the fox toted around their candy bag. Spartan Locke (Halo baddie) and the Wraith (who was supposed to he High Volt but his mother didnt have her act and craft supplies ready intime) were both capable and happy to have their own bags for goodies.

We didnt hit all the businesses but enough to keep the dentist in job security.

Then came Saturday, the actual day of Halloween! We decided we would just hit family inside of going door to door. Plus it is reminiscent of my childhood. Living in the country we hit a handful of neighbors. Drove to 4-5 places, spent a half hour visiting on then on to the next hacienda. 

We hit Grandma's first. Because Aunt C and Uncle R were getting ready to go out to supper and the boys hadnt been returned from the farm by their father. We turned on the garage light, and set a chair with a bowl of candy underneath and headed out. I couldn't find bug's Wraith costume and still didn't get the ambition to whip up the costume he actually requested. (Mom Fail)

I love getting the kiddos picture with Grandma each year. Bug went as a Farmer for the rest of the night, because he was still dudded up for chores. The Big D changed at grandma's. All in all happy kids, plus we kidnapped Dad and made him come with us. We only slightly regretted that choice after he stayed and visited with one of his Uncle's after we loaded up in the car for the next house...and continued to wait for another half hour. Luckily the kids had bags full of sustenance, sugary, crumbly, sticky making Mom vow no more food in the car ever again sustenance. 

Phew. Happy Halloween. 

Signs of Spring

Bear enjoyed getting to be outside in the nice weather.

The jury is still out as to if she enjoyed her big brother "helping" her drive.

  All the kiddos were big fans of seeing the baby chicks.  Now its Springtime.

The boys have been taking turns (and sometimes tag teaming) going with dad to the farm.  My oldest recently watched for the first time a calf being born.  He described it as "a little gross, mostly cool and awesome.  Do you know where baby calves come out Mom? I do....the BUTT!!!!!" 

You can be thankful I didn't share pictures of that.

Happy Halloween-y

Halloween 2013

The Big D ended up being more of an engineer than the tank engine.  Unlike the Postal Service, both rain and wind can and did stop him....from wanting to wear a cardboard sandwich board costume.  we made it for pictures at the newspaper and two houses...then were officially done with Thomas the Train.

Luckily, we still had the engineer hat and coveralls underneath so he still counted as dressed up.  Best part - both of his costumes were free.  My nephew wore this costume for Halloween 4 years ago. So my sister spent all the time finding the engineer outfit (which  she probably already had because the Conman is a huge Train lover)

The PreSchooler loved, loved, loved his Halloween costume.  Which shouldn't be a surprise since he has been saying "I really wish I could dress up like Wall-E" for over a year...well before Halloween last year anyway.  Which lead to requests for Halloween 2 years running.  As easy as it was to pull together (last minute of course, as that is how I roll) I am now dealing with guilt for not making it for dress up earlier.  Both boys have logged tons of time in that box.

Last minute progress.  I wrapped up the costume around 3am on the 31st.

The boys and I went trick or treating with a good friend of mine and her oldest son (Ninja Turtle).  So whilst the dads drank beer, ate pizza and handed out candy out our house, the moms braved the elements for sake of sugar.  It turned into such a windy and cold night...and beings as I was pregnant tired lady - we weren't all night diehards.  But the kiddos had fun and I loved watching them try on each others costumes back at the house all while running around in a sugar daze with pizza sauce all over their faces.

Having investors at work didn't stop me from dressing up.  I wasn't brave enough for the toga, but I went as Medusa...which my children have never heard of and now my children chase me around trying to put Mommy's snakes back in my hair.

Box Full of Fun

I don't know if you have heard of this company or not, but I had heard some good reviews.  I ordered one for a birthday present for a friend of the Toddler, apparently it was a great gift.  There was a sale going on for 75% off the first box for a monthly subscription or year's membership.  I sat on it for quite awhile, and then decided to go for it.

They are designed for ages 3-6, and I thought it would be perfect to help keep the Toddler active and help me come up with new ideas of things to do with him. Many of the reviewers also used it for their 2 year olds, so by the end of the year I expect both boys to be enjoying it.  There is a sibling add on pack too, for now we will just stick with the one though.

  Each box is supposed to contain four major components.

1. Create: 2-3 hands on projects with all materials included
2. Explore: themed project to engage your kiddo with their surroundings
3. Story tell: a new book in each box
4. Connect: prepaid interactive learning app to download

The starter theme is Sun, Moon, and Stars.

Scissors...yikes!

For the Create portion: a paper mache moon shaped nightlight and a star frame

For the Explore portion:  binoculars and lunar calendar, to learn about the moon phases

For Story Tell: A Twinkle Star book

For Connect: a fun app that lets the boys play twinkle twinkle little star on the piano IPad

Apparently every box comes with a parent gift, so I scored a wine stopper.

Info on downloading the app.  This one allows the kids to play with a virtual keyboard teaching them to play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.  Its pretty cute.

The Toddler's new favorite activity after we get home is to run outside with his binoculars and find the moon and then record it on the chart.  He has also been sleeping with the binoculars, they are his prize (surprise).  I'm hoping this will be a something we all look forward to every month, heading into the winter months more activity ideas should always be winning.

Progress on the paper mache moon
The Toddler was only interested in popping balloons and didn't want to get his hands dirty.

For a better review/wrap up, here is the video sneak peak of the box.  I love that before you even get it, an email tells you what to expect.

Football is Like Life...

Football is like life - it requires perseverance, self-denial, hard work, sacrifice, dedication and respect for authority. ~ Vince Lombardi

Uncle N was helping me teach the boys football last night.  Well he was actually just attempting to play catch with them. I viewed it as an important lesson though.  Sunday was the FIRST football game I have actually been able to watch this season, so far the boys don't share my love of watching the game.  They prefer the Bubble Guppies, Super Why, and Bob the Builder to the Green Bay Packers.  I'm beginning to wonder if they are really even mine. I jumped on the opportunity for someone else making football seem fun.  The rundown: catching skills leave a lot to be desired, aim is improving...attention span is not.

We can't run.  We can't pass.  We can't stop the run.  We can't stop the pass.  We can't kick.  Other than that, we're just not a very good football team right now. ~ Bruce Coslet

The Toddler has raised my hopes and then dashed my dreams of raising a future quarterback.  I tried to teach him the diamond method to prepare for catching, but this lead to him concentrating too hard on the shape his fingers were making as opposed to keeping his eyes on the ball. We'll call that a failed lesson, but one we will come back to at a later time. His aim started to improve and he actually came close to a spiral a few times.  However, he became too busy to continue playing catch, as he decided to have a tea party and then skip through the living room watering his imaginary flower garden.  The game was interrupted a few times for us all to have tea and smell the flowers.  I love his imagination, in fact normally I encourage it...I really do...but how do tea and flowers trump football?

The Big D was more into it, but would get sidetracked after throwing the ball.  He kept catching sight of and then subsequently remembering all the cool tractors at Grandma's house. I would direct his focus back by handing him the football and he would happily throw it. Then I  stood behind him and put his arms out and help him catch the ball.  He would clap and cheer for himself, excitement is good!  Left on his own though,  the arms remained outstretched and never moved until after the ball smacked him in the face and dropped to the ground.  After a while he became a bit lazy and just sat on my lap.  I will give him a break though, he got back up to throw the ball again...he is a bit clumsy and also got sacked a few times.

This all means one thing....footballs for Christmas!

If winning isn't everything, why do they keep score? ~ Vince Lombardi

Pumpkin Patching

The smell of a wood furnace burning,

 crisp days with brisk breezes,

sweater weather, tall boots, & bright chunky scarves,

colorful crunchy leafs,

warm comfort food and football, 

with hot apple cider.

Just a few of the things I love about fall.

Brown paper packages tied up with string...these are a few of my....okay, okay I'll hold off on the singing.

These days, my absolute favorite thing about Fall is the Pumpkin Patch

Sunday was our 2nd annual trip, one of those budding family traditions I hope to do every year until the end of time....or end until the end of my patience, what ever comes first.  I really should have a lot of patience left to spare though, in 28 years I haven't used any!

We ran into a Great Aunt, who happened to just get back from a two week trip to Europe!  It was such a nice surprise to see her and hear some of the stories.  The boys enjoyed posing on pumpkins with her, and getting in some smooches.

With plenty of kids in tow we had lots of helpers running around and helping us pick out pumpkins!

My cowboy nephew.  A careful eye will spot his beloved belt/statement piece.  

It is a BIG deal, I was informed it was mom's and grandpa's before that.  

So naturally it is worn like he recently won the heavyweight championship title.

My nephew and the Big D.  Both impressed with the big pumpkins!

Me and my babies

They are good if they sound hollow right?  Wait or is that a watermelon?

Coming to a tabloid cover near you...

which sister simultaneously carried a baby and pumpkin better?

You just can't unhear things.

This sweet little group of 8 year olds were plotting about staying up 

ALL NIGHT TALKING ABOUT BOYS....giggle giggle giggle.

Oh girls...forgot the boys for a few more years.  Didn't you hear they have cooties?

My niece and her friend that came along.

"Can I trade you pumpkins and you sit on the smaller one?"

"No you sit and I hold you so you don't fall."

My boys and a couple of their loving Aunties.

Wait for me...I help you!

Demonstrating the proper way of lifting, 

use your knees not your back

The Big Haul!

We don't throw up signs, we throw out squishy faces!