Trick or Treat!

We had a great time trick or treating tonight. It was the kid's first time ever going out and they caught the hang of it pretty fast. This afternoon they went over to Aunt Bubble's (Lynn's) house all dressed up to get some treats, then headed back home. Our across the street neighbors, Jen and Eric, threw an awesome party for a ton of kids from the neighborhood, so we went over there for a little bit, and then it was off to trick or treat.

You never quite can be sure how Austin will do when it comes to interacting with others. We have seen the outgoing, full of life little guy many times, and at other times he can be very shy and timid. Well, I guess if there are sweets involved the extrovert comes out. He was practically running to each door yelling trick or treat from the time he started up a driveway until he got to the door, he would ring the doorbell numerous times if he had to, and would pick the candy from the bowl before the person could put some in his bag. He probably could have gone all night. He got a ton of compliments on his NASA spacesuit, and plenty of women commented on how great his red hair was...why is that exactly? Ladies seem to love his hair...huh...

Caitlin made a beautiful little Cinderella. She was slowed at first by her glass slippers, but we made a quick change into some tennis shoes, and she was ready to go from there. She made sure to say hello to everyone we passed by, and had the whole routine down to a science before we even reached the first door. After about the fifth house, she was walking ahead of us when she looked back and exclaimed, "This is the best night ever!" It was pretty cute. She kind of pooped out after awhile even passing on some houses that Austin went to. Daddy carried her for awhile until she got a little energy back. All week she has been asking if I would dance with her in her princess dress, and one of the absolute highlights of my night was when we got home and I got to dance with her. Can't say there is much in life better than a moment like that...

We went through the whole procedure of learning that Mom and Dad look at all the candy when we get home to make sure it is ok. There were a few things we took out, but they got a pretty good haul for 3 year olds. I am sure now they know what to expect, they will be pretty pumped for next year. It was a really fun night for us.

Below are the pictures from their school party yesterday, them painting their pumpkins yesterday afternoon, a few from Lynn's today, and then them getting ready to trick or treat from this evening. I hope you all enjoy them!

Talking Time Halloween Party

Today was the BIG Halloween party at school. It was cute to see all the kids dressed up! Caitlin loved wearing her Cinderella costume all day and I was told that she kept telling EVERYBODY that DADDY bought her the light up shoes. She was very proud of them! Austin had a rough start today but by the time the party was in full swing, he was dressed in his orange space man costume. The director took some great pictures for me. Hopefully Ryan can help me post them later. Both kiddos couldn't wait to get home to check out their "goodie bags"! They went trick-or-treating around the school and obviously loved it b/c that's all they've been talking about..."We went trick or treating INSIDE. Tomorrow we trick or treat OUTSIDE." They have no idea that they will hit the mother load of candy acquisition tomorrow night. Good thing, b/c candy seems to be their favorite food group! ;)

While they were at school I did a little shopping. I haven't been to Bed, Bath, and Beyond in a loooong time....oh my gosh! I could have spent the whole day there!!! I loved looking at all the gadgets and kitchen items. I am looking to expand my entertaining serveware and saw so many cool things. I got a bad case of the "I wants"! Good thing they didn't translate into the "I boughts"! :) I did buy a few things...silver chargers, cloth napkins, a platter, a nice ladle...only b/c one thing had a rebate and I had a $10 off coupon and a 20% off coupon. I felt quite thrifty!

Last night, Ryan brought home some Pacers gear for Austin and Caitlin. Austin LOVES his new long sleeve t-shirt (even though it is slightly big which he usually HATES). Caitlin loves her new Pacers "dress" (cheerleading outfit). They also complimented my new hat..."Nice Pacers hat, Mom!" So we are ready to root on our favorite team! GOOOOOO PACERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Obviously we will take a ton of pictures tomorrow for Halloween and will post them in a timely manner (hopefully!). Have a fun and safe Halloween everyone!

Recent Goings On....

Sorry it's been awhile...nothing of extreme interest has been going on really!

The kids are getting excited for their first year of trick-or-treating. Austin is going as an "orange spaceman" and Caitlin will be dressed as Cinderella ("blue princess"). So on Friday we will bravely go out into the night to collect candy from our neighbors. Then, depending on the kids' moods we will stop by our neighbor's Halloween party for a little while. Thursday morning they have their school Halloween party and are excited to dress up for that. Mom and Dad are a little nervous about spillage on the costumes and possible disaster for the actual Halloween wearing!!! You never know with 3 year olds! I just hope no mom sends something with bright orange frosting...that usually equals a HUGE mess!!!

Saturday morning we are doing a service project with our church so we have to be up and at church by 8am! Austin and mommy are not morning people, so this may be an issue!!! We are excited about it though. We are going to be going through a local neighborhood collecting bags of food to take to the food pantry. I hope we get a good turn out as the pantry is running low b/c of the economy AND b/c of the economy, more people are seeking their help. Not a good cycle.

This afternoon we are having a movie day in the basement. Curious George is the movie of choice. We love movie day...

Pictures to Catch Up With Posts...

Sorry it has taken a little bit to get the Pumpkin Patch pictures and the Fire Station pictures up. Hope you enjoy them!

From the Pumpkin Patch -



From the Fire Station -

Fire Station

In honor of fire prevention week, I took the kids to an open house at a local fire station. They loved it! We were the only ones there and the fireman showed them his boots & pants that they hop into and all the equipment they have. He showed them the air mask they wear and explained that they shouldn't be afraid if they see a fireman wearing that in our house. A good point to remember to talk about with them...it didn't even register that they would probably be scared by that! The highlight was that they got to climb in the cab of the firetruck for pictures and then the fireman let them sit on the front bumper for some more pictures. Austin was upset because he couldn't play ball with the firemen...he sees them playing hoops sometimes and I guess assumes that's all they do! :) Well, that and ride around in a cool truck! At the end of our visit, they each got a plastic fireman's hat and a fire safety coloring book. I was soooooooo proud of their behavior. They stayed close to me, didn't grab anything they weren't supposed to, and followed directions. In my opinion, they are pretty well behaved 3 year olds anyway, but it amazes me when I take them somewhere by myself and they act great...I go in hoping for the best but expecting the worst. That way, I'll always be pleasantly surprised! :)

They have also discovered a love of hanging out at the island in our kitchen. This morning they ate breakfast up there while I unloaded the dishwasher. Then they colored in their firestation books while I straightened up in the kitchen. It is so cute. Let's me see a little into the future when they'll be doing homework up there after school. WOW. They really are growing up quickly!

I picked up their school pix today and they turned out soooo cute! Hoping to get them sent out soon.

Will post the pictures soon...can't find them on the computer right now! Sorry.

Surprise Gifts...

Today, there were a couple packages that arrived from Grandma and Grandpa Carr. Caitlin is a budding artist who loves to draw, write her letters she is learning, and overall, just be creative with pens and crayons. She got a book that is made so she can draw and trace all kinds of animals and letters and then wipe off and do all over again, along with a book of velvet pages to draw of Dora. Austin got a dream come true for him...a toy weed eater. This completes his set of having a lawn mower, a weed eater, and a blower, so he can do everything Daddy does when he mows the yard. They were both very excited, but Austin could hardly be contained. We had to change the batteries within about a 1/2 hour to remedy some tears because some lights weren't lighting up already.

Thought I would attach a couple of pictures we took...

Apple Orchard

On Monday I drove the kids up to my mom's for a trip to the apple orchard. We got rained out Monday afternoon so we went on Tuesday morning. They absolutely LOVED it! Austin was fascinated with the huge tractors that pulled the wagons to the "picking area". He was so excited to get on for a "tractor ride" (even though he wasn't actually ON the tractor...shh...our little secret!). He is funny though...his initial excitement over something usually turns to uncertainty and a little bit of fear once the exciting thing is actually happening. He talked and talked and talked about the tractor ride, but once it started he got very quiet with big eyes and cuddled closer to my mom trying to put on a brave face. They were both so funny once we got to the actual orchard...they loved picking the apples and putting them in our little bag. They also tasted quite a few (the one bite wonders!) and then tossed them to the ground (again...shhh!). The good thing is, they now love apples! YAY! Caitlin also loved waving to every single kid she could. She is a little social butterfly. Austin did his world famous robot imitation in the middle of the apple trees...it was entertaining. Caitlin was a dedicated picker...she didn't have time to play around. Once we had enough of the apple picking, we got back on the tractor and headed back to the main area.

We went into "the barn" to tell great gramma, aunt Courtney, and baby Ethan all about it. And the kids needed a snack...goldfish for Austin, noodles for Caitlin and, of course, milk. Once re-fueled we headed out to the animals area. It was like a mini-zoo! The kids saw chicks hatching, regular goats, pygmy goats, llamas, ponies, and bunnies. They ran around a little hay maze and then got to go to the play area complete with mini John Deere tractors and fiberglass animals for them to ride on. I could see the light stream down from heaven and hear the angelic music playing as each kiddo spotted this. Caitlin hopped on the cow and Austin grabbed a tractor. Caitlin went from the cow to the horse to the pig to the tractor. Austin went from the green tractor to the red tractor to the green tractor. :) He explained to me that he was "driving to work" (the pony "stall") where he "parked his car" and "got some gas". The boy is like a mini Ryan...except Ry doesn't drive a tractor to work (he just traded it in for his VW).

So, we went back to "the barn" and I bought a couple books for them while they each picked a pumpkin with gramma. They were so cute carrying them in from the little pumpkin area! After that, baby Ethan was hungry so we went back to my mom's house for some lunch before we headed back home. Austin was asleep before we hit the highway and Caitlin was not far behind (a miracle because she hates sleeping in the car!). Caitlin set a world record for number of times one little girl asked "wha choo doin' mom?" and getting distraught if I didn't have 2 hands on the wheel at all times!!! She definitely made the ride entertaining!

Here are some pictures from the trip...



STAY TUNED...Sunday is a trip to the Pumpkin Patch!!!!