trick or treating

 new neighborhood
missing our Islandora tradition
halloween block party invite with friends
new memories
 bittersweet
thankful

old friends
hugs
razor scooter riding
chasing games
chilly evening
all dressed up
jackets covered up their costumes

empty pails
candy excitement
silly energy
pregame cookout
chilli & hotdogs
spider oreos from yours truly

toy story host family
wished my kid's coordinated:)
pre" treating" candy chewing
cul de sac playing

girly girls
princess pair
all smiles

glass slipper prancing

waiting for her pumpkin carriage

"let's go trick or treating"

anticipation

one broken pumpkin pail {due to daddy's rough housing}
 scooby doo replacement bucket to the rescue
flying spiderman leading the troup
cinderella found her carriage

door to door
up & down the driveways
grass sliding {yes, sliding!}
racing through the streets
adult conversation
where's Miller?
candy loot sorting

happy trick or treating 2012!

all dressed up

Formally introducing Spiderman & his royal princess Cinderella all suited up in their full costumes. Their accessories hardly made an appearance in October. Since Miller could never make contact with his nose holes & eye mesh--it was a safety concern. Cinderella's crown was highly uncomfortable. Nothing puts a damper on all your Halloween fun like a little brain squeeze & a ear pinch from your headband. Her formal headpiece was replaced with a royal bow. Eliza Kate's convinced that all princess'  wear bows.

Miller needed a little help adjusting his mask and sweet Cinderella was at his service.

Magically, I convinced them to hold hands beneath the tall Georgia pines in the backyard. I just love my parent's backyard setting for quick shots like these.

Until spidey's mask {yet again} needed adjusting. At least his padded 12 pack muscles were exactly in place.

We took all the time we needed in hopes that our jack-o-lantern would turn into a royal carriage.

Can you see the excitement over the prospect of candy in spiderman's eyes?

It was easy for them to get into their character roles when dressed for the part. Spiderman showed off his web throwing, flying moves while Cinderella twirled & danced in the leaves. All dressed up for a night of trick or treating!

carving

We carved out some time for a little pumpkin etching this weekend. I found myself in a Pinterest frenzy five minutes before go time searching for a different design and then surrendered to free hand drawing. Miller's request was spooky & EK wanted a kitty-cat. Easy enough, right?

Miller dug around in the utensil drawer. An ice cream scoop for hollowing out the pulp..ha! The chill in the air and falling colors in the lake were all the more inspiring to put us in the spirit of carving.

While I dream up these grand visions in my head of intentional family time--it was somewhat stressful. I was either guarding the knives, drawing up the plan, or cleaning up the goop. Not to mention, playing referee and navigating the art of whine busters with Eliza Kate. Two cups of spilled hot chocolate later and I seriously questioned our tradition. Whew, and the tiredness was written all over my face!

But, at least the photos look peaceful..ha!

And, maybe just maybe the kid's memories of the night weren't as chaotic as I remember. They didn't feel the stress rubbing off on their carving fun.

One things for sure, the second cup of spilled hot cocoa made me a little crazy. I do know that kids are prone to accidents--daily.  Even their momma has some serious butterfinger slip ups. I remind myself to laugh during these {Lord, give me extra patience} moments and just count to 10!!

Our illuminated pumpkins were so cozy to look at all lit up. Their jack-o-lantern faces were just the ticket to make us feel festive peeking back at us through the window over dessert. Enjoying our Halloween Eve together after all the carving madness was over.

costume practice

Lots of Halloween themed hoop-la going on for our family. The foundation at Miller's school hosts an annual Monster Mash. We enjoyed a costumed dance social with a DJ. Each grade level team was dressed up--even the Principal and VP.
 It brought Landon back to the classic gym dance feeling of middle school. Miller continues to amaze me with his extrovert personality. He stretches me socially as his momma.  There's no warm up period with this guy--he was running up to friends in different classes and greeting them by name right off the bat. Miller trail blazes his way meeting & greeting his friends which forces me to get out of my comfort zone to introduce myself. God has big plans for my little man and his {God given} outgoing nature. I think sales is in his future. That or politics by how he works a room. Before long, several Kindergarten boys were following Miller's chasing games weaving in and out of the crowd to the loud music. He thrives on the chaos that these parties bring and moves full steam ahead. He lives life with zest and a sweaty head of energy.

Then it was break dancing time..who knew he had these moves tucked away in his repertoire? Another mom commented that we had a dancing machine on our hands. We're talking full out spins and leg kicking style. A permanent smile radiated his whole face. Our guy has fully enveloped the character traits of spidey and has already worn a hole straight through the knee of his costume. Good gracious...it's not even October 31st yet.

Eliza Kate clung for dear life to her daddy's neck. She broke her clasp just long enough for a hands in the air feel the beat moment. Wolfie was in attendance again. Enough said. She used some self talk to coax herself down from her safety zone. 

And, before long she was jumping up and down and twirling the way girls do to the "You Don't Know You're Beautiful" song.  Cinderella of the ball that girl of mine All the little girls were singing in high pitched unison.

I bribed them with the promise of an after dance refreshment at home to sit together for just one picture.

We had another costume trial run at music on Friday. Eliza Kate enjoyed her weekly class in full costume with our friends. Maggie and EK were dressed as royal princesses this year. 

Our little friend Landon enjoyed class with his monster shirt. These preschool friends are precious to us. We look forward to our weekly lunch date on Fridays after class. It's a fun tradition that has carried over from my music days with Miller.

Instrument time continues to be our princess's very favorite part of class.  If only she would share her shakers with mommy or Maggie for that part. The pink egg is a hot item in demand.

A very royal friendship is blossoming between these two with chasing games & giggling. The hand holding cuteness was just way too much to handle. Here's to our Halloween dress rehearsal! Patching up Miller's knee so he's good as new.

a look back

I was digging in the archives reflecting on our brother/sister pumpkin patch picture memories this morning. I was indulging in EK's dimpled baby goodness..she was so squeezy. Laughing at Eliza Kate's face on the big brother neck squeeze. It was full of innocent 3 year old love. She wasn't too sure about his friendly clutch during her first patch visit in 2010.

In 2011, she was more confident and gave Miller his own leg squeeze:)

 

 And, this year..the challenge was getting them to pose together in the same breathing space. No brother sister hugging in fear that it would turn into a rolling wrestling tumble in the patch. A large pumpkin between them gave EK all the confidence she needed to enjoy the moment.  Eliza Kate is a wise little lady. Love my two little pumpkins and treasuring the days that they let me take pictures of them in the pumpkin patch.

kindergarten warrior

 
We are enjoying the neighborhood {small school feel} of elementary school for Miller. Kindergarten is a big adjustment.period. Miller really wanted to participate in the Lego club each week, but I held my ground in order to watch his afternoon crankiness meter to decide about spring semester.  We did sign him up for Wolfie's Warriors this fall that meets one Friday a month--- a perfect commitment right? And, little man was over the moon getting to wear his club shirt to school.

 WW ties the character traits that they are learning in school to Biblical principles. I love that there is  a strong parent involvement at his school. In all the educational environments I've been a part of --I've never seen such visible parents. A few of the dads facilitated the small groups led at Wolfie's Warriors. It's encouraging that a little over 100 kids attended this past meeting. Nothing like the testimony of all those warrior club kiddos wearing t-shirts with scripture on their backs to school.
 October's meeting discussed Responsibility and centered the kid friendly lesson around The Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25.

Tommy Cho came sporting his 100 % Jesus uniform to demo some happening karate moves. He shared his testimony and talked with the kids about what it means to be responsible. I strained my ear to decode his accent, but he shared his heart with the kids. Tommy sure did capture their attention with his fancy moves. Miller was into it. Tough guy:)

Hmm.. maybe a little karate kicking is in his future? Can you spot my little warrior in the front? He's full of lots of energy.

And, guess which mom was prompted to lead the rowdy K boys for our breakout session? All ten of them!... this boy mom. God wired these little men so differently than the calm girl group.It helped me to see Miller with his peers and confirm that they're all just a little active. I only hope that my short 5 minutes of instruction broken up by a game, then 5 more minutes of instruction broken up by a video clip ministered to these little, growing warriors. A Friday attention span can only handle so much at 3:45pm in the afternoon.  Blessed by Miller choosing the right friends to hang with in Kindergarten. Covering this one in prayer!

more patch playing

morning in our favorite patch
farm dog greeting
cock-a-doodle-doos
turkey strutting
piggies in the mud
stinky farm smells
e-i-e-i-o

hay bale sittin'
john deere tractor riding
picture posing
hanging on tight
bouncing through the woods
all in a day's work on the farm

bright sunny days
sweet friends
scarecrow vignettes
fake floral arrangement holding;)

We're squeezing in all the festive events.  October brings with just two weeks left. Thankful to have friends to share in all the fun. Sadly, Miller missed out on this one. That school thing gets in the way of these weekday play dates. I sure do miss his zest at these events. Although, it's nice to have one on one time with my girl.

Berry Patch Farms added a few little extras to their farm this year--a welcome addition. We watched the ponies munch on their breakfast this morning with their dirty chompers.

The kiddos couldn't keep their hands off of the fake floral arrangements adorning the photo op set up on the farm. They looked like they were in a wedding carrying bright fall bouquets on the farm. ha!

Don't worry. We set it all back up picture perfect!

Then it was pumpkin picking time. Eliza Kate picked out just the right mini pumpkin. It was a lengthy {well thought out} decision process to select just the right one. She doesn't like marks, warts, blemishes, dirt or even a damp pumpkin. Picky, picky..this girl of mine!

Holding hands with Mr. Scarecrow. She met a new friend in the patch.

The Zimmermans came prepared with their shades..cute, cute.

We drank down our apple cider and set up lunch in the shade.

These two giggled up a storm in the double rocker.

Landon took a front row seat to all the fun too;) Then, Ansley warmed up to the idea. The muddy farm dog Macy entered the scene for their after lunch entertainment.

 

If only Miller and Jack knew about the little sisters' tractor riding games while they were working hard at school. We'll be sure not to share that they missed out on tractor riding fun. Shh!

--just another glorious day at our favorite patch