Halloween Days

Pirate Wench and Indiana Jones

We had a Halloween filled weekend.  The kids have been waiting for Halloween for weeks.  And this past week we had a daily countdown.  On Saturday I tried to convince the kids that we had canceled Halloween this year and instituted "Kids Work Day".  I had to give in when they both erupted into blubbering screaming pools of goo.  I guess maybe we'll see if I can get Halloween re-instated. 

We've had pumpkins for a while.  The kids picked them when we went to the corn maze.  On Friday, Jeffrey and I stopped at a corner store to pick up 2 more pumpkins for carving, and some smaller pumpkins for the kids (and their friends) to paint.  Anything with paint always elicits cheers.  Friday evening they painted their smaller pumpkins.  After dinner we prepared to carve.  The kids found some patterns left over from last year.  I'd hoped they'd get creative and make their own designs, but they picked out a few "simple" designs from the book.  Tom did most of the work.  The kids were required to dig out their own guts.  Erin doesn't mind it so much.  Jeffrey absolutely despises touching pumpkin innards.  I did get him to use a spoon to dig out some of his pumpkin.  Then while Tom carved, Erin worked hard to separate the seeds so mommy could roast them. 

Please Don't Make Me Touch It

Sunday rolled around and presented a gorgeous fall afternoon.  The kids have had their costumes picked out for months.  I stumbled across both of them at a local consignment shop.  Erin wore the adorable pirate wench costume (that she wore to the Faire) with a black shirt and polka-dot leggings.  Jeffrey has had his heart set on being Indiana Jones since August.  I was pretty certain I was going to have to shell out $30 online to find an Indy costume.  Imagine how psyched I was to find one that would fit him for only $8. 

Before we headed out for the afternoon we took some photos on the steps with their pumpkins.  Then we went to a local "Trick or Trunk" event at the school.  People volunteer to bring their cars to the parking lot and decorate them.  Kids then trick-or-treat from trunk to trunk.  They also had face painting, games, free hot dogs and everyone favorite -- a bounce house.  The kids saw some friends there so it was a good time.

Then for trick-or-treating we headed to spend the evening with some family friends.  There were 5 kids in all and the moms took them around the neighborhood.  When everyone got too tired to walk we folded down the seats in the back of the van and drove them all around.  They had an absolute blast running from door to door with their buddies.  And they made out like absolute bandits.

Today after school I figured we could easily incorporate candy sorting/counting into some math homework.  The kids dumped out their laden bags in the middle of the living room and proceeded to sort and count the loot.  Jeffrey ended up with almost 200 pieces of candy (a large number of Tootsie Rolls) and Erin counted about 150 pieces.  Each ended up with at least 1 full size candy bar, and 3 goodie bags.  They counted and sorted and played with their candy for almost an hour.  I think they had almost as much fun counting and sorting as they did getting it. 

Here's a little video I made of the kids counting their candy and showing off their sorting skills.  Extra credit if you know the background music and why I chose it ;)

 So we had a fantastic Halloween and hope that you all did as well!!! 

Playing Catch

We got to spend an extra morning with Noni, Oma, Grandpa and Uncle Jon after our visit to the Festival.  Erin still LOVEs to play with her Oma.  Even though Oma is not moving quite as quickly as she has in the past, she still loves her Erin time too.  While some of us finished out a card game inside, Erin and Oma ventured outside to play.  Erin wanted to play catch.  So she and Oma did this.  For about 20 minutes.

Before we left I wanted to get some pictures of the kids with their Uncle Jon.  Uncle Jon generally does his best ghost impression whenever a camera comes out, but he was willing to play along with the kids.  We even got Noni to sit down for a few photos too!!!  I think they just came out super cute.

Stepping Back In Time

Last weekend we made our annual pilgrimage to the Shire.  We dressed accordingly and headed to MD for the Renaissance Festival.  It's a part of the fall that we all look forward to.  We met up with Uncle Jon, Noni, Grandpa and took off for another time. 

It was simply a gorgeous day!  Amazing weather.  Not too hot, not too cool.  As always, upon entering the kids wanted to make a bee line to get their faces painted.  This year Erin wore a super cute pirate girl dress while Jeffrey got another year's use out of his knight costume.  Erin chose to get "princess eyes" for her face paint, and Jeff asked for a knight sword, complete with blood because he had just slain a dragon ;)

We spent the rest of the morning, taking our time and wandering through the Shire. We stopped in at the honey shop which is always a favorite.  Erin and Tom did some juggling.  The kids got their pony rides and Jeff tried out a few games --- a crossbow game and a Jacob's Ladder (those climbing ladders that flip over if you don't balance right). 

We also caught a few shows.  We saw the end of one show where the highlight of the performance was the actor walking a wire over the audience with 3 swords in his hands.  Oh yeah -- he wears a kilt :)  Uncle Jon always likes the Rogues and the kids really enjoyed their music.  Then we went to see a Hack and Slash "Ale Show" that was just silly and fun.

But, as always, the Bubble Fairies were the highlight of the day.  We made a few trips to visit the Bubble Fairies.  Both kids have become old pros at making amazing bubbles with their wands.  Erin really enjoyed making bubbles for the younger children who were there and didn't have their own wand (you must purchase a wand to make bubbles, and we did that several years ago.  We continue to bring them back with us each year).  We stopped back at the end of the day for some extended bubble time.  The lighting was just gorgeous and Erin's favorite Bubble Fairy was there.  Erin looks for this Fairy every year.  She loves how they play and make bubbles together.  They stood and made bubbles for close to an hour at the end of the day and it was wonderful to watch. 

I Captured This Image Just As Erin's Bubble Burst.  You Can See It In The Picture.

So, we had a fantastic day.  Great time with family.  Great food (love the Steak on a Stake and Peasant Bread) and Cider.  Can't wait until next year!!!

Lost In The Corn

 

I just love autumn.  The way the trees change colors.  The cooler temperatures.  The apples and pumpkins.  Cider.  I love taking the kids outside and snapping pictures.  Yet as always seems to happen our weekends are quickly filling up, and I'm not sure how many opportunities we're going to have to escape to the great outdoors this fall.  So, with the kids out of school for a teacher work day yesterday, I took them to a local corn maze.  I've never seen anything quite like this.  It's mammoth -- 20 some-odd acres of corn fields cut into intricate mazes.  We joined with a group of Girl Scouts from our county and explored the Statue of Liberty maze.  Hidden inside the maze were 13 different quiz questions.  In order to "finish" the maze the kids had to find all the questions and bring back the answers.   At one point Erin mentioned that she wished the maze were the Washington Mo'm'ument because she knew a lot more about that.  I let her know that this was a great opportunity for her to learn about the Statue of Liberty.  All in all, it took our small group about a hour to find our way through the maze.

After we finished with that, I took some cute pictures of the kids near random hay bales, corn stalks, tractors and pumpkins.  They put up with my antics about as well as they usually do.  Then they were allowed to pick their own pumpkin from the pumpkin patch.  They really enjoyed being able to wander through the patch and pick out their very own pumpkin.  Much more exciting that buying one at the store.

I'm hoping we'll still find some more time to get outside in the next few weeks.  The colors here haven't really changed yet so there's still time!!!  Stay tuned for more cute pics of the kids in autumn. 

My Idols

We just finished an exciting weekend of singing and dancing here in the 'ville.  The annual C'ville Idol show was this weekend and we were all involved.  Tom co-MC'd the program, Jeffrey and Mommy played in the group numbers and Erin sang her little heart out as one of the local Idols.  It was so much fun!!  A ton of work, but completely worth it.

The theme this year was "A Little Bit Country, A Little Bit Rock & Roll".  The kids did some classic Rock&Roll revues,  Tom and I were in a Country Revue, a "Hair" segment and the ever fun YMCA performance.  For her solo, Erin sang Yellow Submarine by the Beatles.  She was amazing.  I can't believe that at such a young age she had no issues getting up in front of a big crowd and just letting it all out.  We're all so proud of her.  So here is a little montage of some of the group numbers, and a video of Erin's solo.

Enjoy!!!

Growing up is not easy . . .

. . . for mommy that is.  It seems that my little baby girl is no longer a baby girl.  When did that happen?

Just a month old

The newest thing.  It was announced to me when she got off the bus this week that she has two boyfriends.

Erin's always related well with the boys.  She can be a bit of a tomboy when she wants.  And to be truthful, that was me as a kid.  My best friends in elementary school were boys.  I could sit and play Star Wars guys with them for hours on end. We spent weekends digging in the dirt.  I was certainly more of a tomboy than Erin is.  I hated dresses, never owned a Barbie, and loved playing softball with my dad or climbing trees. 

This Is NOT Erin

Even in Kindergarten Erin had a best buddy.  She and he were pretty in-separable the second half of the year.  But first grade rolled around, new class, new friends and they both moved on.  Last year she was friends with one of the boys in class. They sat together at lunch every day for a stretch. This year apparently there is a new friend in class.  This is not someone I've heard her talk about before.  But she certainly talks about him a lot now. 

She came home last week talking a lot about him, and how they sat near each other.  Then the big announcement was made this week -- she's his girlfriend.  I'm pretty sure that doesn't mean what it will mean in a few years, but Erin asked me if it was OK if they held hands while walking to lunch.  The fact that she asked me, makes me think she's growing up.  This is different from Kindergarten.  Apparently he's also mentioned that they should go on a date -- ummm NO!!!!

And now there's a boy on the bus who's decided they're boyfriend/girlfriend.  I do believe this is the same boy who made her cry on the first day of school when he called her a baby.  You know, we tease because we like -- wait what am I saying.

I certainly don't think that at 7, I was thinking about "boyfriends" but times have certainly changed.  Characters on cartoons aimed at elementary schoolers talk about crushes and dating.  Disney shows are loaded with "couples".  Or maybe I was just a totally oblivious kid.

Now excuse me while I go and clean out the shotgun for Tom to get ready for the next few years.

Just Look At Those Legs

Gorgeous Afternoon

Shot From the Falls When We Hiked There in 2006

Saturday afternoon was simply the most gorgeous day we've had here in a long time.  It was slightly cool, breezy, sunny -- perfect.  We'd planned to maybe take a day at the pool, but with Erin being a little tired from the sleep-over we decided to head into the mountains.  Of course, I left my camera sitting on the dining room table.

We packed a picnic lunch and drove to one of the nearby picnic grounds on the Drive.  We've been there before and it's an awesome place for a picnic.  An open area in the center with picnic tables, cooking pits (we forgot about this and will remember for next time) and place to toss a Frisbee.  The kids had an awesome time throwing the Frisbee around and kicking the soccer ball together.  We even set up a little soccer game with the 4 of us.  Tons of laughter and fun...totally awesome.

We then decided to take a little hike on one of the nearby trails.  We've hiked that trail a few years ago and it leads down to a nearby waterfall.  We didn't intend to hike all the way down there, but once we started and mentioned the word "waterfall" the kids were determined.  As with most hikes in our area, they start at the top...go down...and head back up.   The up was a bit long, with some complaining, and plenty of carrying but everyone was glad we hiked down to the waterfall.

By the time we got home, everyone was beat and ready to just relax.  It was such a great afternoon.  I'm looking forward to more afternoons just like it.

More Sleep-Over

Here are a couple of other pictures taken at the sleep over.  Thought they were so cute I just had to share.  I can't believe how grown-up my baby girl is.

First Sleepover

Erin got to go to her first sleepover this weekend.  One of her friends from the plays was having a sleepover so they could all watch Camp Rock (a Disney Channel show of some sort).  It was rather last minute invite, which was probably good.  Neither Erin nor I could stress over it too much.

The theme of the party was "Rock Star" so Erin dressed in her best Rock Star get-up.  She was all sparkly and glittery.  And soooooo excited.

Mommy wasn't quite as excited.  Erin's been away for the night before, but with Grandma or Noni, or Aunt Katie. This was her first night without someone from the family.  My biggest concern was that she might get a migraine.  It had been a long week and sometimes a migraine will hit her at the end of a long week.  But I decided that I couldn't keep my baby living in a bubble.  We talked together about things she could do to make help prevent a migraine (drink more water) and how she needed to tell a grown-up if she started getting a headache.  After she agreed to those things, we packed up her sleeping bag and pillow, as well as a backpack with clothes for the next day  -- AND all her SillyBandz. 

We arrived to a bustle of activity.  Kids running around the house, music playing.  Erin dropped her stuff and ran off.  Her host gave her a little Rock Star goodie bag (which included even more SillyBandz).  I hung around for a few minutes, but when the pizza came out it was clear I wasn't needed any longer.  After a quick peck on the cheek I was dismissed.

I spent the night with my cell phone and house phone next to the bed, just waiting for it to ring.  Nope.  She didn't need me. 

When I arrived in the morning she was wearing a wonderful gold sparkly number and swinging from the monkey bars.  She'd had a blast and stayed up late talking with the girls -- just as it should be.  Turns out she never even opened her backpack so she'd slept in her friend's PJs and missed out on the SillyBandz trading.  S'ok.  I'm sure there will be more opportunities for that.

I'm so glad that she had an awesome time.  I remember sleepovers as being one of my favorite things as a kid.  I'm sure there's more to come in our future. 

Back to School

Baby Brother and Big Sister

Today is the first day of school here.  That means my baby boy hopped on the bus this morning (first time in 3 years we've caught the bus on the first day).  He got up and took care of eating a good breakfast, getting dressed and even brushing his teeth and washing his face all on his own.  Erin was very excited that baby brother was getting on the bus with him.  She tried to give him the "scoop" about riding the bus and who he might get to sit with. 

I took my camera to the bus stop at the end of the day, but just as I was getting ready to take a video of them running off the bus the battery died!!  Just as well I guess, Erin was upset because someone had made fun of her on the bus (the joys of being 7) and called her a baby.  Jeffrey had a fantastic day it seems.  He ran up to me so excited to tell me he had NO Timeouts today!!  Guess he knows what I worried about most.  He says his favorite part of the day was playing with his friend Owen.  Erin calmed down after a few minutes and admitted that her day hadn't really been that bad.  We made a special trip out for some after school ice cream as a treat for a great first day of school!

Waiting for the bus

Cool New Backpacks

Off They Go - No Looking Back

Joseph Rap

We just wrapped our summer show -- Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.  The kids were both involved in the show as well.  They always love being part of them.  One of their favorite parts is listening to the music at home and dancing on their own.  Here is Erin's interpretation of the Rap (with much of the original choreography) along with Jeffrey's own style of dancing.  Erin said she was Dan, one of the brothers who was played by a woman.  Jeffrey was, Mr. Marc, another brother.  Interestingly, neither of them chose to be daddy. 

I could watch this all day.  It just makes me smile!!!

Bad Blogger

Yep.  That's me.  I've been a bad blogger this summer.  It has simply just flown by.  We've spent a lot of time at the pool, a lot of time at rehearsal, a lot of time in the car, and a lot of very special time visiting family.  Oddly enough I haven't taken a ton of photos.  I've got a few, but not nearly as many as I'd expected.  A few fun highlights from the summer:

 -- Spending my birthday with the kids at a local pool with a sweet diving board, a "lazy river", a pirate crossing and some small water slides.  We had an awesome day and completely wore ourselves out.

-- Watching Erin march in the 4th of July Parade with her Girl Scout Troop

-- Visiting family in Rhode Island and NY.  Cousin time is awesome!

-- Going to Natural Bridge with Noni, only a few hours away, but we'd never been.

-- Rehearsing and performing Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, one of mommy's favorite plays ever.

So here is a little slideshow of our summer fun.  We head back to school in a week.  So while there aren't a ton of pictures from this summer, there are certainly tons of fun summer memories.

Soccer Camp

The soccer crazy continues here near the 'ville.  We've watched some World Cup games together.  Most excitedly, both kids got to take part in a mini World Cup Soccer Camp last week.  The man who organized the camp specializes in teaching "football" skills to young kids (and women as well - I go to a weekly session with him).  He also brought out a bunch of jerseys from different countries for the kids to choose from, a globe with flags of countries, pictures of players and kids playing from across the world.  It was such a great experience for all the kids.

Erin really enjoyed it.  She's been blossoming in her soccer skills this past year.  She's not nearly as afraid of getting into the game.  She understands more of the concepts and skills.  So she really loved learning some new skills and applying them to a playing atmosphere.  Jeffrey also had a blast.  For him, listening and following the directions of "Coach West" was his biggest improvement.  And that boy can get some power behind his kicks too.

A local TV station was there doing a short piece on the camp.  They got some great footage of both kids.  Erin is wearing the green Mexico jersey, and Jeffrey chose a yellow Brazil one that day.



Here are a few other pictures and videos that I took of them while they were at camp.  We're just really lucky they had such an awesome opportunity to have fun, exercise, and learn all at the same time.

Giggle Time

We went and played at Noni, Oma and Grandpa's over the weekend.  It was a wonderfully relaxing time.  I've got more pictures to put up, but wanted to get this video shared.

One 3-year old kiddie pool - $30
One Butterfly Sprinkles - $15
Tupperware Cups and Bowls - $5
One Inflatable Rolly-thingie - $20

Hours of two total giggle monsters -- completely priceless.

A Visit With The Queen

Last weekend we met up with some friends and headed off to the VA Renaissance Faire.  This is pretty small in comparison to the one we go to in MD.  But it's size also lends it to being a little more personal.  There are a lot of activities that are geared towards kids, so they always have a really great time.

Both Erin and Jeff got dressed up for the faire.  Jeff insisted on wearing his knight costume (even though it was in the mid-90s).  Erin had a few other options and chose a little butterfly/fairy costume with wings.  Then she added her flower crown and was the belle of the ball. 

One of the first things we did when we got there was attend a privateering course.  The kids learned what it took to be privateers on the high seas.  At the end of the talk they got to work together to a sea chanty and pull "Sir Frances Drake" to safety on a big heavy wooden sled.  It was great to see them work together on something so simple.

Then we stumbled across a roaming magician.  There weren't a lot of other folks around so he did some special tricks just for the kids.  He used each of them as assistants as well.  Jeffrey was immediately taken with him.  As we know, the boy makes friends very quickly.  This magician soon became Jeffrey's best friend.  Every time we'd bump into him throughout the day he'd ask the magician to do a special trick.  Jeff also made sure we didn't miss his stage show where....you guessed it...Jeffrey was chosen to be on stage for a trick.  He had coins coming out of his ears!!!

Erin really enjoyed the children's area.  She got to meet the queen and participate in a fashion show.  There was some bubbles to blow, games and dress-up clothes, and even a woman helping teach how to make a rag doll.  The highlight of Erin's day was getting her hair braided.  She really wanted her face painted, but the face painter wasn't there that day.  So she got a beautiful headband braid put into her hair.  It lasted almost a week before we decided to take it out. 

All in all it was a great day with special friends.  We hope we'll be able to go back next year.  And Mr. Magician had better be there as well...

Free Willy

Erin has always been my little bug girl.  They don't seem to freak her out (too much at least).  She loves picking up caterpillars or worms outside.  Catching fireflies is one of her favorite things to do on summer evenings.  She'll even pick up and carry little toads around.

Over the weekend we stopped at a few yard sales.  The kids were each allowed to bring $5 from their piggy banks to spend at the sales.  Erin was having a really hard time picking out what she wanted.   As we were leaving one sale, she saw a little "Bug box" on the ground.  "Mommy mommy! I want that.  I can put bugs in it!!"  Since it was her money we let her make her choice.

Yesterday morning, while I was in the shower, Erin can running into the bathroom.  "Mommy! There's a spider downstairs!"  "OK honey.  Don't worry about it.  Or you can squish it if you want."  2 minutes later.  "Mommy, I killed it.  What should I do?"  "Just leave it, or put a box over it.  Or pick it up with some Kleenex."  2 minutes more follow.  "I put it in my box.  It's not dead!  I'm going to name him Willy.  Like the whale!"

Now when we bought the box I assumed that we'd been having some visitors.  I expected fireflies, or caterpillars.  Maybe a toad.  Nope.  We've got a little spider.  She's named it Willy. 

Willy is now living in a box on Erin's desk.  I'm really hoping I can convince her in the next day or so that spiders would rather be outside.  Because I'm certainly NOT going to go looking for food for Willy. 

So someone help me convince my daughter to Free Willy.