Another Last "First"

 Well, it finally happened. Matthew got a tummy bug on Tuesday and threw up for the first time ever in his life. Not the best "first" to happen, but it was bound to happen sometime. 

He was so brave and didn't freak out at all. He just had this look on his face like, "what in the world just happened?" He cried every time but was really good about following direction and getting cleaned up each time he got sick. Poor buddy. He was sick for a good 48 hours, not eating or drinking a whole lot except for saltines and sprite (his first soda, too.. and he loved it!).

He has a great big sister who sat with him, read to him and cheered him on to get better. She was a really big help and didn't freak out when he would puke (which would not be surprising!).

 Thankfully he was back to his old silly self in a few days and I hope it is a LONG time before he gets sick again!!

Pants Free

Oh my sweet boy....

For the past few months, the terms "sssirt fee" and "pahhs fee" have been uttered often by my almost 3 year old.

He first started asking to sleep naked (except for a diaper) at nap time. Sure, I said. He thinks it is silly and usually laughs himself to sleep. However, it sometimes can be a problem when I have to both wake him AND dress him when it is time to go get Evelyn from school. Talk about a fussy boy.. not my favorite moment of the day for sure.

Now he has progressed to asking to be pants free at any given time during the day. Somedays I choose not to pick that battle and let him wear whatever. Somedays he has no choice and sometimes its a challenge to get him dressed. We're working on that....

Here is my pants free boy, heading out in the cold with daddy. They were only going out to Doug's shop for a brief moment, so I let him forgo pants. He was thrilled!!

I thought the "clothes battle" was only going to be with Evelyn. Guess I was wrong!! Good thing he is so cute!!

Halloween Fun 2012

What a (super busy but) fun-filled day we had yesterday! I have to admit, I really am not a fan of this 'holiday'. AT ALL. But the kids get excited about it and somehow manage to suck me in. It was a bit hard to get up and get going this morning, let me tell ya.. but I am thankful for the Halloween that we had (and that it's done until next year!)

On Tuesday, the kids and I made cookies to take to Doug's work Halloween day. In the past I have let them each decorate a couple and then I do the rest. This year I let them decorate all of them. Other than having to send them to re-wash their hands multiple times (they are great taste-testers...haha) and having to explain to them more than once why 20 candy corns on ONE cookie probably is too many, they did great!

 My sweet helpers

Halloween morning we got dressed and headed to see daddy and his workmates. Matthew wanted nothing to do with putting on his costume. It took telling him he would get NO candy and NO cookies if he didn't to convince him to put it on. Once he got in it, he did great. Phew...

 They love their daddy!

 They  love drawing on the "big board" at his office too!

We got home, ate a quick lunch, then Evelyn and I headed to school. Her class took their first field trip.. to an apple orchard... and I got to go help. It was so fun!

 Evelyn and her "field trip buddy" Alissa on the bus. . She's a Beaver fan.. but I still like her! HA!

 Enjoying the wet, rainy, and windy hayride. 

 Jumping in the "Apple Bouncy House!"

 We attempted to get a good class picture.. not sure if we succeeded or not.. HA!

The afternoon went by quickly and then it was time to head out trick or treating. Matthew was SO excited.. about going AND seeing kids come to the door. "More trick-or-treaters!!!!" He would squeal when the doorbell would ring. His enjoyment of the evening was so fun to see!

 Think they are related? 

 Blurry but still cute.. heading out!

 The kids with our sweet babysitter (and neighbor), Sarah

 Out and about... Doug said they were very polite and could have stayed out a lot longer than they did!

 Inspecting the loot. (well.. Matthew is already taste testing..heehee)

Watching for more kids before they had to go to bed

My and my sweets (Matthew had already taken off his chicken suit)

Despite being a bit sugared up, both kids went to bed fairly well and were asleep quickly. Here's to another Halloween in the books!!

'Cited'!

Yesterday we drove down to Salem to watch my nephew Zach's last flag football game of the season. It also happened to be his 11th birthday the day before, so we had a party afterwards.

Matthew woke up ready to go watch "fuball" and had one of his footballs ready to take with him in the car. I don't know how many times he said, "I so 'cited'!" He loves football.. although he kept telling people at the party that his favorite sport is soccer. Love my sporty boy!

It was raining and cold (of course) so we bundled up the best we could. The kids were troopers butI am thankful that we got there with about 20 minutes left in the game!

 

Because I had Evelyn on my lap most of the time, I didn't get many pictures of  Zach in action, but I did get some. He really enjoys playing and seems to do very well, too!

Since it was their last game, there was a short awards ceremony after the game. His coach is so great... and totally reminded my of my uncle Scott. Excited, encouraging, and loves what he does. Make me tear up a bit.. I miss my uncle pretty bad!! We were all proud of Zach for getting a leadership award!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BUDDY!!

Pumpkins!

Doug was off today so we made the most of the beautiful morning and headed to our favorite place for pumpkins, Baggenstos!

A photo montage of our day...

 All dressed up and ready to go!

 Our favorite patch... 5 years in a row!

 Matthew checking it all out.. he wasn't as afraid of the noisy tractors this year. Phew!

 Daddy and his favorites

 "I see puhkins, mommy!"

 Yep, there they are!

 Matthew thought this dump truck was cool

 Being a boy and tipping over the poor pumpkins... he thought it was "fuddy" (how he says "funny")!

 So many pumpkins to choose from!

 Evelyn, as usual, found hers first! 

 A trip to the pumpkin patch is not complete without taking a break and romping thru the Christmas trees!!

 Doug trying to catch a tree frog that the kids saw. It went into hiding and we never found it.. sad!

 I think this is my favorite photo of the day!

 He found one!!

 My sweet family!

 

 Our ride back to the barn

 My two favorite men!

 My beautiful girl and me

 Hay Maze time!

 Evelyn twirling. She will dance anywhere... trust me!

 Happy boy running free!

 Working together to get thru the maze

 Love these two with every ounce of my heart!

 Crazy climbing kids! Last year, they were both too scared to climb on this thing. They are getting bigger.. and braver!

 Down she comes...

 Matthew likes to do what sissy does!

 Enjoying the slide

 "I go super fast, mommy!"

 They had a good chat with the chicken!

 At first, Matthew wanted NOTHING to do with putting his face in the pumpkin eyes. So Evelyn did it by herself.

 Then daddy joined her!

 Then Mr. Dude decided it would be okay... silly boy!

SO thankful to have a beautiful fall morning with Doug home to go get pumpkins! Another wonderful family memory made!