Happy Halloween!

Little Red Riding Hood and The Big Bad Wolf (have you ever seen a wolf with a paci?!)

H-3 1/2 yrs W-20 mos

The Pumpkin Patch

We took the kids to the pumpkin patch last Saturday, definitely the coldest day of fall to go! It was so much fun, just windy and freezing! The little ones did not even notice though. They ran around, jumped in the bouncy houses, went down the big slide, went on a hayride and ran through the pumpkin fields, played on the hay bales, and ate. See our lovely family picture above? Nobody wanted to stop playing to take a picture. I can't blame them. It was a full day of fun and is always worth the trip!

Girls Night Out

I took Hayes to the fall festival at church last night, just us and not the boys. It was so much fun! I felt bad leaving Watson at home, but Watson and "out after dark" just don't mix good! And now I am sure he could not have hung in there. We didn't make it last year, our kids were just too little, but it was so fun to have just one -on -one time w/my big girl. We waited in line several times for rides and games and she never complained, and was probably more patient than me! The highlite of her night was cotton candy-so gross and sticky and pure sugar-but guess what we-we both ate it up, and then got on a spinning ride. Not a great idea. Our night ended w/me feeling sick! Oh well it was fun and memorable. She was WILD when we got home from all her sugar and candy and staying up late. Fun times for all. Oh and W had a fun night w/his daddy at home w/riding toys so it worked out well for everybody!

Baker's Birthday Party

Our nephew Bake Bake turned 3 last weekend and had the cutest dinosaur party! If you read Lindsey's blog-you have probably already seen lots of pics! It was a great day and we all had so much fun seeing everybody and celebrating Baker. It is hard to believe he's already 3. I think having kids makes your life go by at triple speed!

Loving the bouncy house...

and Baker's new sandbox!

going on a dinosaur egg hunt-such a cute idea

two good men

and another good little man

and another

Thank you Lindsey for a great party and Baker for having a birthday! We are thankful for you and we love you!!

Halloween Chex Mix and my baby

This chex mix is so, so, so good. And addictive! I found it on Plain Chicken (of course) and Hayes and I made it this week. We couldn't keep all this sugar for ourselves so we gave it all away to the kids' teachers. I highly suggest it if you love a salty and sweet snack. I adapted her original recipe. It would probably turn out great with whatever you want to add in there.

8 oz chocolate melted (the original recipe says white chocolate but I didn't have that), 4 cups chex mix, 2 cups mini pretzels, 1 cup candy corn, 1 cup reese's pieces (or m&ms), Melt chocolate in microwave and then stir in all other ingredients. Sprinkle halloween sprinkles in mixture and stir. Pour on wax paper or in foil and let harden. And then let your big baby lick the rest of the chocolate out of the bowl.

Here is our little baby feeding all the dolls and toys from the stuffed animal basket...

He's still going strong w/the paci attachment and I've just about given up. He doesn't have it when we're out and about, that's the easy part. But when we're home, it's just too hard to keep it from him.

Plus look at his baby-ness! I could eat him and his sister too. All that messy hair and constant wet face. Still just a baby!

We have had an action packed weekend and I can't wait to share some pics from a fun b'day party for our cousin Baker-man. Happy B'day Baker and Brent! Both kids are fast asleep right now, which is for sure a sign of a good weekend.

Aldridge Gardens

This morning we had a preschool playday at Aldridge Gardens. This fall weather is so nice today and it felt so good outside. We were so super late we started to not go, but I'm glad we did. The kids ran around and had a pumpkin hunt and blew bubbles and I was able to catch up and visit with other moms, which always does me so much good. I think I get way more out of playdates than my kids do. Being with other moms and sharing stories/challenges is so refreshing. And that is something I need often!!

The Farm and Other Things

Hayes' preschool class went to Old Baker Farm last week to the pumpkin patch. It was a great day for it, a little warm but really nice. I used to go every year w/my kindergartners. It's much more fun though when you're taking your own child! She picked a pumpkin for her and Watson to bring home, had a hayride, ate lunch and picked cotton and saw farm animals. Fun little day for her.

My babies on a wagon ride

This kind of sums them up-monkey see, monkey do-and smitten with each other (for the moment)

Watson found the cheerleader picture at Bruster's. Silly boy!

One day they will not want to ride the zoo train w/us or the carousel

but for now they do.

New favorite activity-cutting and gluing all by herself-usually during rest time or after W's bedtime. he's not ready for that!

his favorite activity-eating!

do you eat your cheese dip w/a spoon too?

And a paci update-he is making progress, he still has it at naptime and bedtime. I just can't give up long naps and late mornings! The drive to the beach and back didn't help the cause. that piece of plastic is my sanity! He is doing good during the day without it though, especially if he's busy playing or outside. Baby steps for sure!