N3 Halloween Party

The boys had their Halloween Party at school and it was so very exciting for them since they really really understand Halloween and apparently we can thank school for that besides my efforts.  I got to see a glimpse of what all of the paint on their shirts was representing -- their treat bags.

 

On the Sunday prior to the party, I was looking for something on Amazon and the boys spotted the book - "the Big Pumpkin" and had me read the small excerpt that was available to them and after I was done, they proceeded to read the rest of it to me. I was in complete shock as I wasn't aware that this was something that they were working on.  I made sure to order the book for their reading enjoyment.

The teacher played the CD for us to listen to and most of the kids were able to recite the majority of the story.  Connor joined in but Jackson just listened despite knowing as much of it as his friends.  It's as if he decided to be shy all of a sudden.

Top Row - Andrew, Maggie, Celia, Eli

    Bottom Row - Allie, Emily and Rebecca

Top Row - Warren, Brooke, Jackson

Bottom Row - Gilian and Kim

Connor, Hadley and Paeton

After listening to the Big  Pumpkin, the kids treated us to a rendition of 5 Little Pumpkins.   It was great.

Peter and his pal, Cinderella, a/k/a Brooke. Shh. Don't tell Tinker Bell. She's really jealous.

The Captain showing off his costume with great pride. Connor's teacher told me how appropriate that the costume was for him and we couldn't agree more.

Friends.

Our proud Captain!!!!

As we were getting ready to leave, Jackson moved on to the trains so obviously the party was over.  But, we were so happy to included in the party and are looking forward to the trick-or-treating.

Halloween Pajamas

I totally love holiday pajamas and was super excited to see that the ones from last year still fit. 

Connor was incredibly unhappy about not being able to wear the skeleton pajamas.  He initially didn't want to wear the skeleton pajamas because the skeleton was made of bats but after Jackson wanted to wear them -- Connor was all over it.  He pulled himself together for the pictures.

A

Fall To Infinity and Beyond

Once the weather FINALLY cooled off, we pulled out the Woody and Buzz pajamas and they still fit. Our duo.

Farm Animals at Baughers

After leaving the pumpkin patch, we finally were able to catch up with the animals.  We had seen them on the routes to and from the apple picking and pumpkin patch so the boys were definitely antsy to see the animals.

Connor taking in all of the animals.

We didn't see the cow last year so Connor spent a good bit of time watching his or her every movement.

Jackson moved fast and picked up a brush to brush the donkey. It was super proactive and I'm LOVING his tip toe approach to reaching the goat's back.

Connor LOVES watching the animals and taking it all in. He is terrified of actually touching the animals and especially the lamas.  It was either the llamas or alpacas that were chasing him around.  

On the opposite of the spectrum from our terrified Connor is Jackson petting the llamas.

Checking out the chickens.

Beautiful scenery.

Finding the Great Pumpkin at Baughers

After we delivered our picked apples to the car, we boarded the tractor to the pumpkin patch.

Immediately upon departing the tractor, the boys spotted the giant pile of hay bales leading to a slide and they were all over it.  Underwear showing and all, the climbing commenced.

And, down the slide they went.

We had told the boys that they had to pick a pumpkin that they could carry and they were off in search of the Great Pumpkin.

Putting everything he has into it. Knees bent and all.  He actually could pick it up but carrying it around was not happening.

Success! Who said that pumpkins had to be orange.  Since the pumpkins were so picked over, the boys had to settle on green ones once they realized that the orange were too heavy.

Working hard to get another one to take home.

It took Connor a good bit of time to catch up to the idea of getting a green one and had a lot of trouble with slipping and falling in the vines and his general indecisiveness.  His jeans were so muddy but he continued his search.  At one point, he asked me to stop laughing at him but it was just so comical....

 The pumpkin has been selected.

Jackson was ready to get back to the farm to check out the animals.  That smile.  He had an undiagnosed sinus infection so we were incredibly happy with how well he handled himself despite being sick.

And, a look back at their 1st trip to the pumpkin patch from 3 years ago....

Apple Picking at Baughers

The weather in the month of October could be described as wacky at best.  It was sunny and close to 90 degrees and wet and very hard to find a good weather day to go pick apples and find the Great Pumpkins.

We headed out to Baughers after a slightly rough and non-motivated morning. The boys had slept in and we arrived after stopping for lunch at Chick Fil A.

On the walk in, the boys were talking about their experience last year. It amazes me how much that they remember.

After arriving, we decided to get on the tractor for the apple picking because of the timing. 

All aboard the tractor and ready to go pick some apples. Connor was telling me to hurry up and get on the tractor!

 

After listening to the instructions and grabbing a bag, the boys were off.

 

There weren't a lot of apples to pick from as it was the last weekend for apple picking.

But, it didn't take the boys long to fill up the bags full of apples.

Heavy bag to be picked through.

Family shot.

Flashback to 2012.