Last-Minute Pumpkin Carving

Wow, the month of October really got away from me!  I think this is the first year that we haven't made it out to a pumpkin patch.  Which is sad to me because it's one of my favorite things to do!  But since Halloween is on Thursday and we have something going on after school Monday through Wednesday we were running out of time for carving Jack-O-Lanterns.  We decided to make a quick trip to purchase pumpkins from a local stand on Sunday afternoon.  When we got there and saw that their carving-size pumpkins were $15-$22 each and everyone wanted their own, we quickly moved to Plan C...buying them from the huge box in front of Kroger.  (Not exactly the fall photo setting I had in mind, but oh well!) :) 

One quick pic by the pricey pumpkins

(Crosby thought I'd grabbed his shoes, and I thought he already had them on, so he shopped in socks.)

Yay for $3.99 pumpkins at Kroger!

It was rainy, so we carved them in the garage.  

Crosby wanted a happy face pumpkin, and Alexee and Rhett wanted to make vampire pumpkins.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

School Carnival & Zoo Visit

Thursday evening was the fall math and literacy carnival at our school.  Costumes were optional, but Crosby decided to go as Spider-Man.

Alexee's kindergarten teacher was working at the face painting table.  It was fun to see her (and her little girl who was also helping!).  They painted a rainbow on A's cheek.  Alexee and Crosby had fun playing games and going to the jump house with their friends while Rhett helped with the EAST club's station.

One of Rhett's classmates was the school mascot for the night, so R walked around with him part of the time.

We love our friends!

*****

The kids were out of school on Friday for staff development, and Lane was off work so we all went to lunch at Panera then ran some errands and went to the zoo for a while.  It was such a pretty day and fun to get to do something all together.

Fall Picnic & Zip-Lining

Last Friday my niece and nephew spent the night with us.  I think this was the first time for them both to stay!  Everyone was excited!  Rhett had been invited to a birthday dinner for a friend, so we dropped him off at the pizza place then I took the others to Chick-fil-A to eat and play on the indoor playground.  They were all so sweet and seemed to have fun.  Everyone slept in sleeping bags in the playroom that night (Well, except for Rhett--that's him asleep on the couch.)  They were all awake by 6:45 Saturday morning, but that was fine because we had a busy day ahead and didn't have time to sleep in anyway.  We planned to leave at 8:45 to go meet my sister and Mario and ride to the fall family picnic together (2.5 hour away in Mountain View).

The weather forecast did not look promising for the day, but we went anyway.  We left home in the rain, but by the time we got there, the sun was shining!  I'm so glad we didn't cancel because we'd cancelled twice last year due to the weather, and by then it was too close to the holidays to find a weekend to go. 

On our way!  The road was VERY curvy, but no one got sick.  Thanks, Mario, for driving us!

We had originally planned to picnic at Blanchard Springs, but it was temporarily closed due to the government shutdown.  So...Plan B...Mom was able to make a last-minute reservation at the Sylamore Creek campground, which worked out fine.  It was a pretty place, and the kids loved the creek.  We met the group at the general store at the entrance to the campground.  

Sylamore Creek Picnic

Mountain View, AR

October 12, 2013

Back:  Mario, Dad, Rhett, Lance, Aunt Judy, Aunt Janice, Micaela
Front:  Jaiden, Jeryn, Mom, Alexee, Landon, me & Crosby

Of course Alexee found a caterpillar to bring home.  It is now in a bug box next to her bowl of tadpoles.

We had a birthday cake and sang Happy Birthday to Mario and Dad (b-days this week).  Mom's birthday is actually in July, but she is in the birthday pic because the second part of our day--ZIP LINING--was what she wanted to do for her birthday LAST year, and we were finally able to do it!!

Happy Birthday to these very special people!

Dad, Jaiden & Rhett

Dad & Alexee

Sylamore Creek

Thankful for family and for the beautiful weather we had that day!

Landon (my cousin's little boy who is just three months older than Crosby), Rhett & Crosby

With Mom, Micaela, Aunt Judy & Aunt Janice

Dad with his sisters

Next we left the camp site and drove a short distance to LocoRopes for our zip lining adventure.  Rhett volunteered to go first and wasn't the least bit afraid.  This was not fun for me to watch at all.  Alexee said right off that she didn't want to do it, and Crosby said that he did but changed his mind as soon as we climbed to the top of the tower.  I thought I could do it, but I just couldn't make myself go once I got to the ramp.  It didn't look high from the ground below, but from the tower it seemed like a crazy thing to do!  I'm boring, I know.  Janice and Alexee watched from the benches below...and Crosby and I soon joined them...but everyone else zipped across!  

Way to go, Rhett!

Mic & Mario

Mom & Dad

Jaiden, Landon & Jeryn
(They looked so tiny going across!  I was a nervous wreck.)

Landon was having the best time.  He was laughing and cheering as his Dad zoomed across.  He turned around to the group and said, "LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL!"  We all thought it was so cute and funny!  

Lance & Judy

The kids all had fun doing the climbing wall!

Rhett was sweet to tell Crosby not to worry because he'd be there with him.

Top:  Crosby & Jaiden; Bottom:  Jeryn & Alexee

What a super fun day!  I love this time of year!

Fun Weekend: Soccer, Movie & Musical

Yesterday morning the "Sharks" had their team photo (in the rain).  I just think this is the cutest thing ever!  Crosby is loving the season, which makes it so fun to watch.  We really appreciate Coach Adam leading our team!

This picture of Crosby and his good buddy is actually from a previous week, but my friend just e-mailed it to me, and I had to include it--love their expressions!

After the game C ran over and sat on R's lap!  :)

Alexee & K had fun playing in the creek during the game.  We brought home three tadpoles in a plastic cup...she has checked them many times to see if they've grown.

We had a quiet afternoon at home.

Then I decided to take them to see Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2 at 6:45.  It was a lot of fun.  Everyone sat still and stayed interested in the show!  We ate lots of popcorn and candy and enjoyed a night out together!  :)  They are growing up so fast.  I wish I could freeze time and keep them at these ages (9, 6 & 4)...feeling really really blessed.

And then one more fun event this afternoon:  Alexee and I went to see the musical Pinkalicious at the Arts Center.  We met friends there and had such a great time watching the show and then going out for frozen yogurt after!

Sweet girls!