Virtual Trick or Treat 2011

Man I love Halloween!  This year was the best yet!  Well, except that I am way too pregnant to be planning a Halloween Party...that was a bummer, but in the end, the best and healthiest decision.

This year when we began asking McKinley what he might like to dress up as he insisted on being a train.  Well, I wasn't exactly sure how we could pull that off.  None of us liked the Thomas costume (no offense...), and the engineer...it's been done...a lot.  So, I gently suggested a conductor.  It was like a light bulb turned on simultaneously in our heads.  McKinley said, "How about the Conductor from the Polar Express???" I was thinking it as he was saying it.  It became my mission to replicate the costume.  Cary too!  We went everywhere rounding up little bits of what we needed to create the Conductor, the result?  Right on the money!  And incredibly adorable too.  I mean, who doesn't love a four year old in a dark mustache?!

As always, we carved pumpkins, watched the Great Pumpkin and toasted pumpkin seeds and made yummy cider.  All of our favorite family fall treats, love it!  We also visited the Halloween festivities at the park, the train was a trip...I could barely slide in because of the belly!  Hilarious!

We made our annual trip to Zoo Boo, McKinley chose to wear his beloved Mail Man costume again since we hadn't yet completed the Conductor.  He looked so cute and we had a blast as always.  We decorated cookies, we played games, and of course, we rode the train!  It was a great time, always a favorite of ours. 

The Sunday before Halloween the school hosted the first annual Trunk or Treat.  Because of our crazy October schedule and the pregnancy, we thought it best not to decorate our trunk and instead walk through.  I'm glad we did, but next year --- LOOK OUT! 

Cary was on vacation this week so he got to attend McKinley's school Halloween Party with me.  It was so fun having him there, especially since I'd signed us up to bring the party treat (chocolate dipped s'mores...on a stick..YUM!) and needed all the help I could get carrying anything these days.  Lordy, the belly is big.  Anyway, the party was a major success, the costume was perfection --- SO McKinley! --- and everyone had a great time.

On Halloween we made our usual rounds and walked the Boulevard.  I'm extremely exhausted from that walk, not smart on my part, but I wouldn't miss it for the world.  On our way around the neighborhood we ran into several people we know, including McKinley's buddy Isabella, her brother Ian and their parents! 

We ended the night at my Mom's house where we got to trick and be treated!  We brought along the left over Party Treats and shared them with the Sheere's and Mom.  We were all really wiped out.  Leaving for a little getaway though, so time to pack!

Happy Halloween!!!!!!!

Lynn

 

The perfect fall weekend

Cary had the entire weekend off, so lots of fun was in order! Two of our very favorite fall traditions: Picking the perfect pumpkin at Anderson's Orchard and Zoo Boo! McKinley's AWESOME Halloween costume isn't ready yet so he chose to revisit the mail man from two years ago, but this time he asked to use his Dad's hat since the costume hat no longer fits. I must say, he certainly looked the part - and a lot like his Daddy!

We had such a wonderful weekend. I love the fall. So thankful for beautiful weather and an entire weekend to dedicate to family fun...

Lynn

Get Lost

Well, it may be hard to believe but Fall is here! All of the beautiful festivities are right around the corner and yours truly can hardly wait! Zoo Boo, Street Fair, pumpkin and apple picking...it's my very favorite time of year! Tonight we visited Hobson's Farm with the Semmler Fam and had some great kid-sized fun.

For starters it was dark when we arrived...and dark for all of the activities, but we made it work! We fed some animals...I'm still not sure what we fed because it was so dark. I think we fed goats, a miniature horse and a donkey! After that we decided to head out to the corn maze - prepared with our make-shift flashlights...our cell phones. We ended up getting lost...but just a little. We found our way back out, and the kids loved every second of it!

After the corn maze we made many trips down the roller slide (FUN!) and then did a lot of jumping on the giant pillow bouncer (SERIOUS FUN!). I don't know about the other adults in our party, but I definitely had a few moments where I felt like a little kid again. Those things ROCK! I loved watching Cary and Rick bouncing high into the sky and their little 3 year olds bouncing up and down on the bouncer like popcorn. They weren't REAL sure about what their Dads were doing, but in the end they enjoyed it...and let's face it...it was really funny for Robin, Austin and me to watch!

We sat for a few moments by the fire and were back at it in the soybean maze (much easier, by the way). McKinley and Savannah enjoyed a few rounds on the corn 'train', and gave our furry friends a late night snack.

Two hours flew by! We are already planning a 'next time' but want to be there longer and earlier. Great time with great friends!

Happy Fall!

....Almost!

Lynn

A gorgeous fall afternoon with my boy...

Is this not the quintessential picture of a happy toddler????? I LOVE THIS!!!!!

Earlier today (um, okay technically it was yesterday because I'm up late again and just now taking time to update), upon realizing that it was GORGEOUS and WARM outside I asked McKinley if he would like to go to the park. Duh, like I had to ask. Then I asked if he would like to have a picnic. Again...don't bother asking! So I packed a quick lunch, ran a few errands, picked up a couple of extra things for our impromptu lunch and we finally arrived at the park. I chose a parking spot and McKinley set out to find our special picnic spot, which was just the perfect sunshine-laden spot between two bare trees with a view of the little train garage, train tracks and the playground. I set off to fill our pitas (or is it pita even when plural??? Have to look that up to be sure) with the yummy hummus we picked up on our way to the park and cheese along with a mish mash of other healthy goodies, and we chowed and chatted. It was perfect. I had a great time sharing my pita with McKinley and we even munched on a little cookie.

I noticed some birds chirping, then heard that tell-tale sound of knocking, and I got to introduce McKinley to a small group of "WOODPEPPERS", as he so fondly refers to them now. He kept saying, "Mommy! See Woodpeppers???" I laughed and laughed!

Then, a ladybug landed on our blanket (a long-time favorite of mine). McKinley went in for a closer look, held it in his hand and when the ladybug flew onto his pants he was so excited that 'she' wanted to stay by his side. Pretty soon she flew away, and he watched as she moved locations.

Soon Nonna stopped by (since she lives right beside the park) and did their annual 'walking of the train track' (Note: this is not a real train track...it's a ride-on train that has been around for AGES - since I rode it as a child, at least!). When they returned, McKinley handed me a pretty silk flower he found on the ground along the way - obviously left over from the previous weekend's fall decor. How sweet!

I think we all ate today up - it won't be long before there's snow on the ground and a real chill in the air. I'll miss all the spring/summer/fall nature, so it was nice to give us a brief Indian Summer to enjoy - short sleeves and all!

Lynn