Halloween Fun--Part 3 Carving

The day finally came to carve our pumpkins. The boys were especially excited about it because they were planning on doing their carving by themselves (I would help if they asked). We had some fun pumpkins!

First came gutting those orange veggies!  Our oldest let us know that the pumpkin they had in school had over 200 seeds.  We  I opted not to count ours.  Too much goo.  :)

This was the first year that our middle son was really able to participate in the festivities.  He did a pretty good job and was focused until I finally said that it was time to take them outside!  In fact, he enjoyed carving so much that the face he started with ended up being eyes that connected to the mouth!  Why stop carving when there's more space that can be carved!?  In addition to that, the entire back of his pumpkin was a gaping hole--again, why stop carving??  Too fun!

Our oldest is a pro!

Once again, our youngest was sleeping because he was still sick.  He's better now thankfully!  We've already had a full flu season and it has just started!  Oh well.  Our finished pumpkins were enjoyed by our whole family and possibly by those that now pass by our house!  Just a few more days until Halloween!

Family Photo 2009

We just received the pictures from our most recent family photo op.  I love our little family! 
(Thank you  Alex and Carol!!  We love Alex Maynes Photography and Impromptu Studios!!)

Take a look at this cute family. 
(Okay, so I'm biased.  I'm supposed to be, aren't I??)

And how about this couple?

Next, the boys...

Then some just for fun...

Alex had his motorcycle in the studio and the boys were so excited about it!  He just couldn't pass up the opportunity to cement his hero standing in our boys eyes--he brought the bike over and let the boys have some fun!  Without a doubt, this was their favorite time of the day!!  Our oldest is trying to look tough while our middle son is just happy to be on the bike!!

Halloween Fun--Part 2 Grammy's Halloween Party!

Every year Grammy HB has a halloween party for the grandkids.  We missed Ellie, Anna and Jonny this year as they have recently moved to Arizona, but we still had fun with Amanda, Ethan and Ivy!!

To begin, the kids made quesadillas.  They used tortillas that had been cut into the shape of a pumpkin and placed triangle shaped pieces of cheese on them to make a jack 'o lantern before they were melted.  Wise and cute.  Always good to start with some healthy food in their tummies when you know that candy will be the main source of food for the next few hours!

Grammy then brought out the bubbling Witch's brew!  What child isn't impressed with all those bubbles and smoke?!  (Aunt Jaymee played too!!)

Then it was time to bob for apples!

Everyone retrieved their apples!

Even if they didn't bob for them!!

Then there were the games.  Have I mentioned how creative my mom is?  I am always so impressed with the things she does.  It makes me so happy thinking of all the memories the kids will have.  I love you mom!!

The pumpkin push:  Grammy demonstrates:

Our oldest and Ethan go next.

Followed up with our middle son's creative pushing methods!

Then we headed inside to decorate pumpkins,

and make ghosts!

More games like halloween bingo using halloween marshmellows, listening and following directions from a stories and other fun things!

Matching socks for cousins!!

Retrieving parachuting skeletons from the halloween tree...

with permission to drop them from the balcony!

Many other games were played too, but the pinata brought Grandpa into the picture!

Take a look at his expression as our oldest really hit that pinata!!

We then decorated cupcakes with spooky things and ended the fun by trick or treating to the upstairs bedrooms!

Does it sound like a fun party?  It was!  The kids loved it and I love watching the kids have fun with cousins and Grammy and Grandpa!  The only thing that could have made it better would have been our youngest being there.  Unfortunately our house has been dealing with the flu.  Our poor little guy missed the party because he was just too sick to make it.  Next year sweetie!  You can join the fun next year!

Thank you Grammy and Grandpa!!  Happy Halloween!!  We love you!

Halloween Fun--Part 1 The Pumpkin Patch

As a parent I've learned the importance of not sharing information with my children until an activity or event is just about to begin.  It's just too hard for kids to understand change--especially when they are excited about something.  Well, that said, it seems I'm not a one-time learner! 

Case in point--going to the Pumpkin Patch!  (in a downpour of rain!!)

Yep, I had let the kids know we were going to get pumpkins on the weekend.  They were so excited!  As the Big Guy Lowe and I were going through all that we had to accomplish on Saturday, we knew that the only chance we would have of getting to the pumpkin patch was to go in the morning.  At first the weather looked like it would cooperate, but alas, it was only the Northwest's way of teasing.  The rains came--but didn't stop us!  Out came the younger boy's Oaki Wear!  To check out more of this great children's gear click here.

This is the first rainy season our youngest has been walking, so a whole new world has just been opened to him!

So, even though the rains were somewhat torrential at times, we were determined to get our pumpkins.  Because of the weather, we did adjust our plans and went to a pumpkin patch that was pretty close to our home instead of heading out to our regular patch.  No one can say we aren't flexible!

Our oldest son went straight to the corn maze, while the younger boys weren't quite sure they would try.

The big jump houses weren't inflated due to the rain, but we did play in the haunted house for a bit,

and climb their wet hay pyramid.

Finally, pumpkins were chosen,

tears were shed (you can't really have a family activity without someone getting upset at some point--it's best just to expect it, deal with it, and then move past it!!)

We have our pumpkins.  We played and had a pretty good time in spite of the rain!  And, we'll be carving those pumpkins soon!!  But I'm not telling the kids when...not just yet, that is!

Large or small, so grateful prayers are heard and answered...

I don't know if you heard... Yes, it was that huge sigh that just came from the depths of my being.  If you only could have experienced the anxiety I've been feeling--weighing me down, hanging over my head, never quite out of my mind, then you would appreciate that sigh.  What is the cause?  Yep, I joined our school PTA, and what's more than that, I volunteered to head a new fundraiser! 

Please, keep the snickering down.  Good has already come from it as I've had another opportunity to see the Lord's tender mercies in my life.  I agree, this may not be considered a huge, or really important item, but I know that isn't how our Heavenly Father judges importance.  Because I am a daughter of our Heavenly Father, just as each of us are His children, I know that if something holds importance in my life, it is in turn important to Him.  Now, I know that doesn't mean that all my cares are completely taken away and that challenges won't fall across my path, but I can rest assured that I will learn from each of life's experiences and that I can become better because of them--regardless of the outcome.  I also know that there are those precious, brilliant moments when with complete certainty I can say "my prayer was answered".  It's so wonderful to be paying attention at those times.  I wonder how many other times prayers are answered, possibly in ways that I wasn't expecting or maybe even wanting, and I missed recognizing the Lord's hand in my life; missed a chance to thank Him specifically for His blessings.  I'm feeling very grateful right now.  Let me explain...

Back to the PTA.  So I am chairing the Poinsettia Sale that our primary and middle schools are having.  It's the first year for this particular fundraiser so there hasn't been any past information with which I could benefit.  Did I mention that my committee consists of me?  Just little ole me.  Just little ole me who is brand spanking new to PTA and not familliar with the schools at all!!!  YIKES!  Let me just say that I have been learning a lot, and taking tons more time than what might have been needed if there would have been help.  I'll try to focus on the "learning a lot" part to that, but more important, my latest challenge was overcome today!

With fundraisers and other events, visual publicity is important; flyers, email blasts, signs, etc.  For those that know me, it is undisputed that I lack in visually artistic talents--I don't draw, paint, sketch--you get the picture--I was blessed with siblings that do all of that!  Regardless of that well known fact among my circle of friends and family, the PTA required that I perform.

Before submitting to my daunting task of creating TWO, 10 to 12 foot long signs, I took a moment to say a simple prayer.  I asked for help in accomplishing this task that was ahead of me.  After explaining my perdicament, I simply asked that I might be blessed with the ability to make the signs look presentable.  I wasn't asking for a talent that I didn't have or extremely unrealistic results.  Grateful for the peace that comes with prayer, I began.  Wouldn't you know, the Big Guy Lowe just happened to come in then (we had just put the boys to sleep) and asked what he could do to help.  Another level of peace came with the help of my greatest love.  (thanks babe)  I layed the paper out and began with the paint.  After a few hours of real work, I was thrilled with the results.  My prayers had indeed been answered.  The signs were finished and they looked great! (remember who's talking here!!)

Now, this might not have been like the time when the Big Guy Lowe and I were pleading with the Lord that we might be blessed to have children, even when the doctors told us it wouldn't be possible.  It might not be like the time we had just put money down on a house in California when we thought it was right, just to know it wasn't the next week, allowing us to safely remove ourselves without any negative consequences.  It might not be like the nights I have sat up with a sick child, praying that they might get better or that I might know when to take them to the hospital if things were to get worse.  But without a doubt in my mind and heart, I know the simple prayer offered last night from a little mother struggling to fulfill her seemingly inconsequential PTA responsibility was answered, and I am grateful. 

There is a God.  We are His children.  He loves us and wants us to reach out to Him.  He will always bless us, even when those blessings might not come as a requested 'poster'.  As for last night, I'm grateful the blessing did come in the form of finished posters--after much work.  He helped me be better than I was by myself.  I'm grateful, so very grateful.

Want to see the posters?  Take a look at these!

The Big Guy Lowe and I hung them up today.  I am so relieved they are finished...

and I am grateful...

YAHOO!! Big Boy Undies grace our home once again!!

Yes, you read correctly.  Oh, can you feel the excitement buzzing though my fingers as I type this?  I can barely contain myself to sit instead of doing a huge happy dance!!  YAHOO!!!  YIPEE!!!  Smiles to everyone everywhere!!  It is a good day!

Okay, now that I have released some of my excitement I will explain the reason for my excited bliss.  Our middle son is now wearing big boy underwear everyday!!!!  Yes, you read that correct!!!  YAHOO!!  YIPEE!!  Opps, there I go again.  I am just so happy!

Last week we decided to go to the store and let him pick out some big boy underwear so that he could have something to begin encouraging him to use the potty on a more regular basis.  For a short while he had been using the potty every once in awhile, but not regularly.  I guess spiderman and Lightening McQueen have a way with convincing little boys to try a little harder!  Once we returned home "Big D" asked to put his new big boy underwear on.  I figured that it couldn't do any harm and decided to give him the opportunity.  He didn't have one accident that day!  Imagine my surprise, as well as the creeping hope that maybe, just maybe, we might be approaching the realm of another diaperless boy.  Well, in the past week there have been a few accidents, some my own fault, but other than that Big D has done great!!  Our biggest hurdle was overcome last night though.  For lack of a better term, #2 finally ended up in the potty on purpose!!  YAHOO!!! YIPEE!!!  I felt like I had spent the majority of the day in the bathroom as Big D needed to go, but alas, the fear of #2 appeared to be winning...until the evening.  Big D was so happy, he said that he wasn't scared and that it didn't hurt and that he heard the water splash!!  Oh these details will be relished when Big D is in his teens.  We are so happy for our son and for our garbage that has already noticeably decreased this past week.

Now we just need to work on the proper way to wear the big boy underwear...or is it okay now to tuck shirts into them?  ;)

Congrats Big D!!  We love you and knew you could do it!!!!

World's coolest mom

I am happy to say that I am friends with the World's Coolest Mom!  Let me explain...

Yesterday was going to be a great day.  Our oldest didn't have school and we were all excited to play like we did throughout the summer.  Don't get us wrong, school is great, but we also love playing together and exploring outside throughout the entire day!  Knowing that we had a free day coming, we planned with our friends the Crumb Crunchers, to share yet another day in the great outdoors.

The Crunchers have one of the greatest yards we know, and with the promise that there were many Praying Mantis to be found in their back field, we didn't hesitate to bring our treats, nets and buckets.  We knew it was going to be a fabulous day!

We were not let down!


While most of the boys were having a great time playing in the sandbox,

...our oldest son was on the hunt!  First a little garter snake was found.
 
Then, the world's coolest mom really started to shine. Knowing the love my oldest has for creatures/critters, she decided to start their riding lawn mower to take a few swipes of the yard to stir things up.  How cool was that?  My oldest son was so excited!



Prepared with net and bug house in hand he diligently followed the mower, looking for whatever might be moving.

When movement was seen in the tall grass, did the world's coolest mom stay on her mower?  NO!  She jumped right off and helped look!

Think that was cool enough?  Not even close.  After their search, she got the 'go-ahead' from me and then let our oldest son drive the mower himself!!!

I don't know how many passes she let him take, but she walked with him all over that back field.  I tried hard to take some pictures of our oldest looking like he was out there by himself--because I knew he would think that was great, but the world's coolest mom was never far.

After mowing awhile, the hunt continued for things.

More snakes, grasshoppers, praying mantis and other insects were captures for observation.

Doesn't this just make your heart sing?  Boys, bug, and snakes.  The only thing that could have made this day better would have been throwing in a trip to the creek!

Thank you, World's coolest mom, for helping us have such a great day! We think you are amazing, and I am grateful that I get to call you my friend.