trick or treat

We were able to go to our city's Halloween deal for kids again this year. Sam was so excited about it. From the bus ride there, to the candy, to the bus ride home he had a smile on her face.

there were a lot of rain clouds int he sky and the forecast called for rain, but that did not stop us (or the other 6000 people!)
and then it came, it came down and hard. Thankfully Kirk thought to bring the big camera
The line was long, though it did get shorter once the torrential rains came :) they were very smart, and allowed us to create lines in the firehouse so that we were not out in the rain as long.
it was a fun night despite the rain, they got candy and even books. Molly enjoyed this and would not allow me to hold her bag for her (ever) except during the bus ride. She saw IT, wanted IT and wanted everyone else to know she needed IT. Smart mama that I am thought, ok... I will make you a deal. fooler for candy... she called my bluff--- and WON!!! (she did not even have to think about the trade!! wow, can you say ADDICTION?!?!)

halloween yumminess

I love Halloween. I know a lot of people find that surprising since I am a Christian. To me Halloween is just so fun, I mean really, what other day can you play dress up, ring your neighbors' doorbell and expect them to give you candy?! What a fun, fun tradition :) my kids have already learned to love this little ritual as well!
I decided to take halloween one step further this year... I am always the one that comes up with a ton of fun and great ideas, but then I don't work the kinks out in time, I forget about them or they just do not turn out as planned. I tried to be more on the ball this year and had fun creating a fun halloween snack dinner:
hot dog mummies-- how cute are they? so very simple, I think next year they will look cuter, but hey, not bad for a rookie huh?!

check out these cute mini pizzas!!

and then the final product... we also had pea pod/almond monsters too. unfortunately, the kids were really indifferent about the whole deal, but Kirk and I thought it was cute-- so at least someone thought it was fun. (there is hope next year they will appreciate it more... or not)

Pumpkin patch 2010

Phew--- watch out, it is picture overload (again)
We were able to go with our friends to the pumpkin patch like we have every year. The kids love it here. They love the animals and have no fear. It was a beautiful day, we brought a picnic lunch and just had a nice time.

looky there--- I finally got a picture of the two of them together---
those goats can be quite amusing
and a great audience apparently
hungry, hungry hippos cows

it's a wonder they come back home with all 10 fingers still attached



Happy Fall Ya'll

tinkle tinkle little star...

potty training.... love it or hate it?!
YOU DECIDE:I love this... it shows her true form. The only time we can sit on the throne is after nap time (and even then it can be quite tricky as she is quite stubborn and has caught on to my routine) I love the wild wild hair along with the screaming tears scene.
We go round and round, sing songs, run water, etc. I have to say, I think that she is so in love with elmo, and so in love with the fact that he is on her diapers (pampers) we may never get them off of her.

funny story though... the other day she (as usual) pulls the toilet seat down onto her back and then says "I'm a turtle" pretty cute, helps the frustration ha ha.
and....then all of the sudden, all is good yet again...

what we do

So this is a a way the guys bond. Molly on the other hand, chooses to go shopping... oh what do we have to look forward to :)

just like a bad penny, they keep coming back---

yup, these are my special "ducky friends". Michelle and I have been been "sharing" for like 6-7 years now. Just check out the yummy goodies that they held!! These ducks are ugly special little friends. You just never know when or how they might turn up. you can check out the real story here, for those of you who do not know. I thought for sure I had posted about these guys several other times, but was unable to find the posts. Anyway, my friend Michelle just moved away a few weeks ago. She did not just move to a new house, but she moved to a whole new state--- several states away. :( I know she was all excited about her new house and just how she was to decorate it. I just assumed these tacky beautiful ducks would be her inspiration -- I mean, why wouldn't they?! Well, as you can imagine, I was quite suprised when they showed up at our last Bunko night. I had forgotten about them actually (I know, I know, who could forget these lovelies, right?!))

Happy Halloween

Whew, What a fun night!!! It is Halloween here. Our church has a trick or treat alternative night where they have all kinds of fun activities and CANDY for the kids. We have gone the past 4 years---- go here , here and here to see our previous times. It is fun to watch and see how much better Sam is at the games/activities each year. (he is not great yet, but he definitely enjoys it more and more) And of course Molly thinks she can keep up with the big kids.


There were GAMES:

fishing

bean bag toss-- Sam somehow got closer and closer to the target each time he tossed. Molly tried a different approach--- throw all at once. (she caught onto the fact that the sooner you finish a station the sooner you get candy very, very early on)

pumpkin bowling

have you noticed how Molly has the candy bag attached to her arm? She was very possessive of it--- and she managed to keep ahold of it the whole timethere was pumpkin seed spittingSam got a hole in one here

ball toss--- again, Sam kept getting closer and closer to the board. Molly, well, she just stuck the ball there--- why throw it and possibly miss? it would take longer to get the candy that way
THERE WAS CANDY:we saw several of our sweet friends there:

there were crafts:and of course, the inflatables:it was a fun night, the kids really seemed to enjoy it, and let's face it.... that is what it is all about isn't it?!--- just check out those sweet faces