Halloween 2015

Alekzander picked the theme for our Halloween again this year:

we were to go as a Sporty Family.

We excitedly played our parts as the golfer, 

the runner, and the hockey player.

He gave himself the role of Broncos football player.

Andrew's golf bag doubled as the candy overflow bag

and was filled pretty quickly as we have some

extremely generous neighbors!

The wagon was transformed into a Penalty Box for 

our Bruins hockey player.

One little girl asked what it was for, and I explained 

that it was like a time out spot for hockey players

when they were 'bad' during the game.

She immediately asked if Anderson was bad!

Poor guy definitely was not bad - just a little overwhelmed.

Both boys were surprisingly calm and passive trick-or-treaters.

Anderson actually preferred to stay in the wagon most of the time,

and Alekzander said he would rather stay with us

 than run ahead with his friends.

Both situations were quite agreeable to me

as I know future years will look much different! 

I cannot wait until next August when 

Alekzander assigns our next family Halloween theme.

{Please let him include us in his costume plans next year too!!}

Let Them Eat Dirt

Google "Let them eat dirt" or "Reasons why your kid should be in the dirt"...

my children should be the spokespeople!

They cannot resist the pull of the dirt...

Our flower beds are generally not 'flowery' -

they are beds of dirt that the boys cannot stay around from.

A simple planting and watering mission one afternoon turned into 

creating 'mud shoes' and resulted in a much needed bath.

The joyful benefits of playing in the mud

far outweigh the cost of scrubbing the 'ring around the tub'!

Anderson's Birthday Morning

Anderson slept in on his birthday,

so Alekzander blew up mini-balloons 

while we waited impatiently

to start the birthday celebrations.

Alekzander was so excited for Anderson to open his presents,

but once the birthday boy finally woke up,

the only thing he was interested in was the balloons.

He had no idea that today was his big day.

He caught on quickly and eventually tore into his presents 

like a seasoned birthday professional.

{Opening his present from Alekzander :: Vtech Go Go Smart Animals}

{Opening his monogrammed hooded dino towel 

and dinosaur Camelbak water bottle from mommy & daddy} 

 {Aunt Tessa Bug's dino themed present!}

TK Lemonade Stand

Alekzander's precious class and teachers hosted a lemonade stand 

to raise money to buy Popsicles for their end of the year field day.

Such enthusiasm and volume from this group as they pitched their goods
 to people pre and post workout at the YMCA.  
The waving ribbons and offer to "pay whatever you want" 
went perfectly with the sugar buzz shared by 15 five year olds 
who naturally had to sample their product before selling it.

Preschool Easter Egg Hunt

CW Egg Hunt

The first Egg Hunt of the 'season'

...where the eggs were plentiful

and the neighbors were friendly.

 Egg hunting is serious business

 ...and best done with a friend!

Party Prep

Posing in front of the movie posters that Daddy drew

for Alekzander's Planes: Fire & Rescue viewing party.

The party plan :: 

Invite 13 TK classmates for an after-dinner, drop-off, movie-viewing, 

pajama-wearing, lovey-toting birthday party on a Friday night.

Simple refreshments.  Zero decorations.  Toys/distractions hidden.

Easy and fun.

We followed through with the Planes theme with a few special, early birthday presents

{Planes: Fire & Rescue movie, Planes sleeping bag, Planes: Fire & Rescue pajamas}

and had to test out the goods and the projector before Alekzander's friends arrived.

Brother had to be in on the pre-party action too.

Bungee Run Fun

This kiddo is getting big and brave...

and is wide open.

He was possibly the littlest

on the bungee run,

but the fun was big!

 

Anderson wanted in on the action, too.

Balloon Fest

Sky Top Orchard 2014

 Through the rain and fog,

we found our way up to Sky Top Orchard

for a Sunday field trip.

We took a risk with the weather forecast,

but managed to have fun with some sweet friends

even though the rain came right as we finished picking.

We were sad to miss the great views,

and only got to wave to the "amimals" as we walked by,

and would have gotten forever lost in the foggy bamboo forest,

but the kids {and adults} had a great time.

 Favorite Friends

 These two were just a little excited to pick some apples!

We first searched for our favorite apple from the tasting table,

the Cameo, and only found one way up in a tree.  

The shrill screams of excitement for that one apple were incredible.  

We knew if we managed to somehow get it,

the kids would be happy and our day would be successful.

It was beyond Alekzander's reach, even lifted high above Daddy's head,

but after Andrew's superb climbing skills, 

we shared that one apple out on the hillside among at least 

8 children and possibly 6 adults.

Luckily we soon found some other varieties where the picking was plentiful.

Before the sky opened up, Alekzander managed to pick

10 pounds of Pink Lady and Jonathan apples.

 We also bought {accidentally} a whole peck of

Honey Crisp apples for a grand total of 30 pounds of apples

{which happens to  be 8 pounds shy of Alekzander's weight 

and about 8 pounds over Anderson's weight}!

Love making memories as a family...

and so thankful to have crazy, amazing friends

who do this crazy, amazing life with us.