Trick-Or-Treat Night

Tonight was trick-or-treat night here in town. With the weather being unusually warm Mallory and Miles only had to wear a long-sleeved shirt underneath their costumes. Mallory needed no extra prompting to get her costume on (and did she ever look beautiful in it), but Miles, well that was a whole 'nother story). When I was putting his shirt on we were struggling to get his shirt over his head. He said, "Mommy...I can't breathe!" with a whimper voice. Then he didn't want to wear the cute shoe covers that made it look like he was wearing boots, then he didn't want to wear his hat because I had made a feather and pinned it on. Sometimes I wonder about him (I just keep telling myself that he is three)! In the end he did not care because he said his "trick-or-treat" just like his big sister and said his "thank you" or "Happy Halloween". From just walking up and down one street in Grandma and Grandpa's neighborhood their bags were full of candy...and then there were a few other stops:). Needless to say, they are well-loved and have plenty of sugar to enjoy for months. Thank you to everyone for your treats!

I have included two pictures. The one picture of of Mallory and her grandma. Pretty much each year her costume has been made. Mallory enjoys the process of choosing what she wants to be and having her grandma make it for her. I have a special tote under Mallory's bed with all of the costumes that have been made over the years. I cannot bring myself to give them to others or put them into a garage sale. I wonder what project Mallory will choose for next year? She told me today that she wanted to dress up next year as a magician. Time will tell.

The second picture is a special one...one with their great grandma. Their great grandma's house is a special place to both of them. Miles was actually upset that we were leaving so soon because he wanted to play with great grandma's train track. That is always a highlight of his visit to her house.

Carving Our Jack-O-Lanterns

While Miles was napping today, Mallory and I set everything up to carve our pumpkins. She was super excited about doing this. With the weather almost hitting 70...yippee!!!...we did everything out in the garage. She designed her pumpkins and did her best to carve too. I wish we would have had those special cutting tools you can buy. I will need to get some of those next year! Mallory ended up carving two pumpkins and Miles did one when he woke up. Miles was funny to watch as he would stick his hand in the pumpkin and pull out one seed at a time. Mallory tried to help him by putting her hands in there and loosening the seeds but he did not seem to change much. He ended up going out front and running around in the leaves.

I must admit that this picture was totally staged. Mallory and Miles followed my direction of "make a yucky face like this" quite well. Mallory truly looks like she is grossed out by touching the goo...doesn't she? They are so funny when a camera is around and pointed at them. What can I say...these pictures are their memories:).

Trick-or-Treating the Zoo Way

Last night we bundled up, loaded up, and headed for the zoo to trick-or-treat. It is always a lot of fun. We all enjoy seeing the zoo lined with pumpkins and the displays they have throughout. One of our favorites was "Gourd Diego Gourd". It was very funny...especially since Diego was in the air sliding down on a rope. I guess you have to see the show to understand. The night was a little on the cold side and we were pretty lucky to get Miles to wear his hat (he told us that Peter Pan does not wear a hat like this one). We made it through the zoo and did not make it past the train without jumping in the very long line. Mallory was not very happy about waiting because she was all about the treats. I told her that not too long ago Daddy and I had to wait in the same line because a little girl wanted to ride the train too. From there she was okay. What can I say? She is a trooper. It was a lot of fun!

A House Fit for a Little King

Yesterday afternoon I was doing the dishes, Mallory was in on the computer, and Miles was playing in the living room. Miles was going about his merry way moving this and then that. I did not think much about it. After doing the dishes I told him it was time for a nap. He said, "You like my house?" I looked down at the floor to see that he had taken pillows, his GeoTrax Grand Central Station, the shopping cart, and everything else to create his "house". To most, it would appear that it was just a huge mess. But in the eyes of Miles and once I walked closer and saw the little bed he had made for himself, I knew it was a house. He asked if he could sleep there. Who was I to say no? He ended up sleeping there and boy did he ever look cute in his little "house". Maybe he will be an architect someday...he does have quite an imagination though...time will tell.

A Yearly Event

Every year the teachers quake in their shoes waiting for the main event in the gym, to see once again what they will be put through. I must admit, it is fun! This year I was quaking a little more than usual. A big piece of plastic was put down to cover the gym floor (not a good sign), then we were given shoe covers (another bad sign), told to put our head through a garbage bag and make holes for our hands (I was thinking YIKES!! at this point...as if I was not already thinking that way), and then...we were given a shower cap (I almost lost it)!!! Once we were blindfolded, we were told that we needed to get all of the pumpkin goop from the pumpkin to the bowl. I thought...this will be fun and we were off. I thought I was doing pretty well and figured my "partner in crime" was doing the same. When I got to the bottom there were a few pieces left (by the way, it was fruit cocktail), I decided to tip up the pumpkin to try to slide the last few pieces into the bowl. I guess that was cheating (I must have missed the directions on that one). Oh well, it was fun!

Thanks to Jules for taking these pictures for me! It is rare that I have this yearly event on film:)

Paul's Birthday Weekend

This past weekend was a lot of fun for our family. On Saturday morning the four of us traveled with Mom and Dad to Paul's house. Since his birthday was the 27th, we decided to head to his house for a sleepover. It was so much fun! Mallory and Miles were so excited when we finally made it (Miles stopped us three different times for a potty stop...that is a good thing though). We unloaded all of our things and settled in for fun. Food is always fun with Paul around...he LOVES to cook and is EXCELLENT at it too! We never went anywhere, but just sat around and enjoyed each other's company. It was wonderful! After our yummy dinner we celebrated Paul's birthday by singing to him. The birthday cake was delicious...good job Melissa!!!

Opening gifts was a treat. Melissa had wrapped her present in multiple boxes one inside of another. After the third box Mallory said, "It's another box...I like that!" We all laughed at her honesty and then I wondered what she would do if we all did the same to her. There is a birthday coming up of hers....hmmmmm.

After a few movies (I have no idea how many times Miles watched "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas"), a few games here and there, munching on yummies, it was time for bed. Now, you might think, "I bet your little people were so exhausted being that it was late that they went right to sleep" right? NOOOO! Mallory went to sleep without any problems at all, but Miles kept saying, "I want to go home now!" over and over and over...you get the point. Ryan finally had to take him in the van for a ride to get him calmed down. It was lovely! I believe it was about midnight before he truly fell asleep. I stayed up and talked with Paul and Melissa until almost 2! I do not regret it one bit!

We woke up bright and early on Sunday morning (7:39 to be exact) and went downstairs. M & M watched some early morning cartoons and slowly faces began appearing. We had a good breakfast...once again...Paul at work here! And then enjoyed doing this and that together. We were all sad when it was time to leave. I have this feeling that Paul and Melissa took a much deserved and much needed nap shortly after we left.

Speaking of nap...we were not even three minutes away from Paul's house when Miles asked, "Mommy, can you hold my hand? I'm going to take a nap now." It was so precious! He ended up sleeping most all of the way home with his new hippo on his lap. Mallory held on to herself for a little longer and fell asleep about halfway home. Her new penguin is in her lap. They both love their new friends:).

Paul...I hope that "Black Monday" was good to you!!!

A High Time

What a great fall day we had. Mallory's last soccer game was in the morning and she did such a great job. She even had a couple of kicks near the goal! It has been a fun first season watching her grow as a soccer player and hard to believe her first season is over.




After Miles' nap the four of us went to a nearby park and played for a little less than an hour. The amish had gathered their cornstalks in their unique way. It is so relaxing to go through the countryside.




Then is was off to the airport. We had heard through the daycare there was going to be a balloon launch. We were excited to see eight balloons set up to fly when we got there. Since this was Mallory and Miles' first time seeing the whole process of a balloon launch it was exciting. We watched as each of the eight balloons passed over us and threw a pumpkin towards the target.


Once all of the balloons had launched we watched them drift away. What a beautiful scene it was with all of those beautiful colors in the sky. We decided to follow them and see if it would be possible to watch them land too. We ended up at the hospital (without injuries) and watched four of them drop around us. A gentleman from one of the balloons told Ryan and I that we could take Mallory and Miles over to the balloon so they could get into the basket. The crew was very nice and had each of the little ones come into the basket and pull on a cord to make the flame go. They were both super excited about that! From there, Mallory became one of the crew. She (and Miles too) walked into the balloon when it was lying down and then Mallory had work to do. She went to the top of the balloon to feel the warm air coming out, helped to put the balloon into the bag, hoisted the bag into the trailer (with some help), and even got to sit on "Santa's Bag". She was thrilled! It was definitely a fun day!