Happy Halloween

Our Halloween started on Thursday, when Haley got to to trick-or-treating at preschool.  When dropping her off, poor Seth was PETRIFIED of one of the teachers dressed up as a penguin.  All through the day, if any of us mentioned the penguin, Seth would start crying and saying "it's pretend" (pretty much trying to convince himself).  So, the next morning, when I said it was time to take Abby to school, Seth burst into tears.  I called the school, and teacher Kelly offered to wait to put her penguin costume on until we had dropped Abby off.  I was able to assure Seth that the penguin was all gone, but he still did this all the way to preschool:

Look how scared he looks...so sad.

Once we got to preschool and he looked all around and saw that there really was no penguin, he was thrilled.  All through the day he would randomly say "no penguin" with a smile.

On Saturday night, we went to one of the local Christian camps, Mission Springs, where some friends were having a potluck and some trick-or-treating.  We had such a fun time, the kids got their costumes super dirty, and Seth got his first taste of trick-or-treating.

On "real Halloween" we went trick-or-treating at a local church that does a great job with really fun decorations and NOTHING SCARY!  Our friends Laura and Lisa came, which was a really big help.  Oh, and we ran into one of Haley and Abby's friends from preschool and the girls had a blast trick-or-treating together.  Seth also loved trick-or-treating.  At one point I was holding his candy bag (it was getting a bit heavy) and he shouted "where's my candy"!  Then we came home and took the kids around the neighborhood a little.  Fun, fun, fun.  Now, of course, we are all enjoying the candy!

"Jelly" the cat, Grumpy Carebear, and Pinkalicious:)

Super dad!

A picnic and a cupcake!

Blowing out the candle!

The kiddos and their buddy!

So happy to be together:)

Oh boy!

So much candy!

We counted Abby's (after some had been eaten) and she had 145!

Pumpkin Patch

This year we went to a different pumpkin patch than our usual (because we heard they had really good deals, which they did).  When we pulled up, Abby announced very passionately that "this is NOT the best pumpkin patch in the world.  I NEVER want to come to this pumpkin patch again."  Picture the arms crossed in front of her, the scowliest face you can imagine, and the sassiest voice you have ever heard (if you have spent much time with Abby, you know what I'm talking about!).  We hadn't even gotten out of the car.  The funny thing is, when we were pulling out of the pumpkin patch, after picking out our pumpkins, she said very enthusiastically "this is the BEST pumpkin patch in the world.  I always want to come here."  Oh, that child is very vocal and very fickle!

Anyway, it was really fun and everyone was happy with their pumpkin choices!

Seth and his "big, big pumpkin"!

This box of gourds sure did display God's creativity.  They were all so different and so beautiful:)

Haley Riding on 2 wheels Woohoo!!!

 

Haley's riding a two-wheeler now too!  She had a little harder of a time, because she wanted to just know how to do it.  She didn't want to have to learn it by trying a few time!  She's got it now, though, and is so proud of herself:)  We're proud of her too! 

Bee Sting

Today, Seth was walking across our friends' lawn and randomly got stung by a bee on the lip.  Poor little guy!  At least now we know he's not allergic to bees!

Look how fat his bottom lip is!

A Milestone For Abby

 Abby rode a two-wheeler for the first time yesterday.  I almost cried.  I didn't expect it to be such an emotional thing, but it is a big milestone.

About a month ago, Carey took the training wheels AND pedals off of the girls' bikes.  Taking off the pedals is supposed to really help kids learn to balance, as they start off walking along, then run a bit, and then really start to coast.  The girls have been doing good with it, but I still didn't think either of them were ready to try putting the pedals back on.  I was wrong.

Yesterday evening while I was cleaning up after dinner, Carey and Abby and Seth were riding bikes (Haley was spending over at my parents' house).  Carey decided that Abby was ready and she was up for trying, so he put her pedals back on.  I walked out and asked if she wanted me to hold it and run with her.  I told her she could tell me when to let go when she was ready.  She pretty much immediately said let go (before I was ready), and did AWESOME. 

Way to go, Abs.  We're so proud of you.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Seth!

 Yesterday my little man turned two.  It's really weird.  I remember when he was a few days old bursting into tears just thinking about him getting bigger.  Now that he's bigger, it's so bittersweet.  I LOVE that he can talk and sing and understand things and look at books and play pretend, but that tiny baby is being left further and further behind. 

Anyway, his day started out with his first coffee shop date with daddy.  Carey takes one of the girls on a date to the Ugly Mug on Thursday mornings before he goes to work, and Seth has been dying for a turn.

While Seth and daddy were on their date, I had Haley and Abby help me decorate. 

Here they are on my bed, looking through the box of streamers and such.

That evening, all the grandparents plus Uncle Nate, Auntie Melissa, and Auntie Laura came over for dinner, cake and presents.  Seth seemed a little overwhelmed, but I think he had fun.

He had this very serious face on as he unwrapped each of his gifts!

Having fun with Auntie Melissa

The highlight of the birthday was the Mickey Mouse cake, which Seth had requested.  Seth first asked for it at 5:30 in the morning, when I said happy birthday to him, and all three of them continued to ask me all day long when we were having cake.  Anyway, the cake turned out adorable (if I do say so myself) and delicious!

Haley helped me make the cake.

Happy birthday, Nugget (that's his nickname, I don't know why).  You are fun and funny and smart and caring and wonderful.  I love you:)

Out Of His Crib

A few weeks ago, Seth started FREAKING out at bedtime.  He was just really scared in his room.  Finally, we figured out it was his crib that he was afraid of.  So, we took his crib out and put his crib mattress on the floor*.  That worked great for a few nights, then he started telling us that he was "nervous a bed".  Oh dear!  We still are working on it, but at least he's doing better on his little bed on the floor than he was in the crib!

*A note: We had toddler beds for Haley and Abby because their room wouldn't fit two twin beds, and they were too little for bunk beds.  We sold both the toddler beds when they moved on to a bunk bed, assuming that we would keep Seth in his crib as long as possible and then move him straight to a twin bed.  Apparently we forgot to think about the fact that kids have their own little personalities and he might not go along with our plan!