What Will Your Pumpkin Be?

This past beautiful Sunday afternoon, we headed outside to carve us some pumpkins. 

VW was very excited and picked out the pumpkin he wanted to carve
or I should say dig the seeds out of and Daddy carve!

 DG watched Daddy carefully wondering what this process was
and when he could play with the knife.

 He even tried sweet, innocent faces to see if Daddy would give in!

Time to dig in!

 

DG giving his big brother the look...

"am I doing this right"

or

"this is my pumpkin, buddy!" 

DG thought it might just be more fun to eat the pumpkin!

The final result!

Trick or Can

What a great evening with friends! We got to dress up in our fun Halloween costumes a night early and then went around a cul-de-sac asking for canned food donations for the Open Door Mission! So, cool to teach the boys about giving to those less fortunate! 

The kids all had such a great evening! Taking turns ringing the door bell, pulling wagons, carrying food, playing with flashlights, running with all the joy and excitement only little ones can have, and saying lots of "Thank Yous!" A little wild, so one cul-de-sac was perfect!

We had lots of real superheros and explores tonight and we pray that our boys (and all these precious children) will always have the energy, joy, and excitement to give of themselves and be an example to others! God is Good!

 

Struggling

It's been one of those weeks! Mostly 'cuz we are just tired at our house! When we are tired (and hungry) we forget our manners, rules, and lose all control of those silly things called emotions.

We don't know if we are coming or going.

We do a lot of screaming! With my 'favorite' stressed comment out of Mommy's mouth, "We do not scream!" (as I yell across the house!)

And look at this face...yes, VW, I know! It is rough being four and having rules and having to sit in time-out when we don't follow those rules, or listen, or scream, or spit, or hit, or throw things, or push our brother, or whine, or cry, or say "I will listen!" one more time...

Thank goodness yesterday was better and today is a new day! Life is so precious and Mommy and Daddy know you are such an amazing, intelligent guy! We love you so much! We look forward to many more smiles and ice cream (with an occasional time-out)!

Spaghetti Spoon

Before kids, I always thought our home was our "castle" built on God's foundation, a place where you can be yourself, find refuge, comfort, strength, laugh, cry, live.

Now our home is still a castle, or maybe a Batman Cave, or even a pirate ship! You must bring your dreams and imagination! Friends must beware that our kids are at play and making memories, so you will have to occasionally step around something. We do not live in a museum!

AND, when you live with a little guy (that is, DG) that always carries something, you never know what you may find:

• measuring cups in the tub
• hairbrushes in the car
• kiddie rakes in your linen closet
• lotion bottles in the family room, living room, kitchen...
• golf club in the laundry room
• wooden spoons in the recliner
• a trail of curling irons, brushes, razors leading out of the master bath into mommy and daddy's room
• lids in the front closet
• cars in your bed
• eye make-up remover on the desk
• spaghetti spoon in the bathroom

Strike a Pose

A couple weeks ago after church, Mommy put the camera on timer and grabbed my boys for a quick picture! Love how we took only 2 pictures, but they capture our family perfectly...down to Daddy's head partial cut-off...because, hey, we never said we were perfect!

Fall

Mommy has been trying to learn more and more about her camera, but really doesn't take the time to "think" about things, 'cuz she never wants to miss "the moment." Yesterday it was so beautiful, so I looked thru my notes one more time and set out to just have "fun" with the boys in manual mode.

Of course, it is always crazy with these boys. To be honest, we just tucked them both in bed and the quiet breeze coming in thru the screen door is amazing!! PEACE! The leaves rustling...ahhh! Seriously, I don't know how I would survive without early bedtime...I digress.

Anyway, so we made a few piles of leaves and we just played. It was actually a little damp still, but screaming outside seemed better than inside (not sure if the neighbors agreed).

Between screaming, running, jumping, spinning, throwing, laughing, ignoring, crying, kicking, hitting, sitting in time-outs...uh, hum, uh...simply being a kid, I caught a few pictures.

DG with his rake,
got hit with this one a few times.

VW showing one of the many cool
leaves we found.

VW making it rain leaves in the sunbeams.

VW showering himself in leaves.

How I actually felt the majority of the time...
getting literally attacked from all directions!!

 

I finally just collapsed and enjoyed the view!

 

I Have a Little Helper

It has now been three Mondays home with the boys. VW already cheers and clarifies often when Mommy Monday is..."on Monday's you pick me up early and we get Mommy time!" Daddy and I have commented how quickly he realized this special time.

What has been particularly intriguing for me to watch is DG. He such an adorable guy with the most intriguing personality. It is so amazing to me what a different little guy he is on his own turf without following his big brother around.

He is able to get the undivided attention that he so often seeks, but has to share with his big brother. Yet, I often find him in his own world, building something, hammering, and always jabbering in his own liitle, precious voice.

We've been doing our weekly groceries together, talking about what we should buy, pointing to what he wants, and holding and marking the list. He even helps me unload the car, however, this one Monday, I found him unloading the grocery bags too by eating the grapes (guess what he wanted this day)!

I've tried to do minimal housework on these days, because time with the boys is irreplaceable. One day we did steam mop the floor together. He is a big helper here as well.

We've also headed to the pet store for Bailey food, but when you are not in hurry you have time to check out all the animals. He giggled so excitedly watching the puppies in doggy day care. He even loved these little guys and is so intrigued.

Some of the most precious moments are not captured on film but imprinted on my heart...the many kisses and hugs I receive; the conversations we have with the inquistive tilt of his held; his innocent play and make believe; his confident, purposeful tip-toe walk; his voice and actions while reading books; his circle dancing to music, even if it is only my silly song or the song played in his own mind; his coloring and hand/footprint art...

DG, you've captured my heart so strongly and are such an amazing helper and child of God. I look forward to many more moments of learning from each other and the opportunity to remember to slow down and tip toe around the house exploring and embracing a life of abundant blessings and grace! A grace that Mommy so gratefully receives, as my pitcher sometimes runs dry, but thankfully can be and is refilled with every precious moment we have together!

The Wheels on the Bus

When mom steams the kitchen floor, the "bus" trip begins.

First, you pick out your seat.
Mommy does not arrange the seats,
all organized by VW!

You check out the "bus driver"

You make funny faces.

And peak thru the seats.

And you are thankful for a fun, imagination!
The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round.

Rainy Day Blues

Sometimes from the outside listening in, I just giggle to myself at the conversations we have in the morning. This morning was no different. VW was up and at them at his usual time, chose to eat at buddies, and sat down to a documentary on building train tracks.

DG just talks and talks and follows me around. Sometimes I miss my shadow, but I can usually hear him. If I don't I hear, I have to peak to find what cute game he is up to and hopefully its a cute game and not sitting in the toilet (again).

Well, mom's lunch is packed, 3 bags in tow, shoes are on, door to enter the garage open and...

VW collapses with "I don't feel good. I have to stay home."

Oh, VW! It is a rainy morning and cuddling on the couch would be so comforting and fun, but seriously...

"Oh, honey, I am sorry. I bet when you get to your room and eat you will feel better."

"No. I don't feel good."

"Well, I am pretty sure after you eat and play soccer you will feel better."

"MOM! When you don't feel good you HAVE to stay home!"

"I'll let Miss Sarah know you don't feel good and she can call me if it doesn't get better."

"I think I am going to throw up."

"Okay. Go throw up!" As I head to the van buckle DG in, while VW heads to the bathroom.

All of sudden VW appears and starts buckling himself in his seat! Its a miracle, he feels better so quickly!

"Mom, I have Happy Feet today (soccer)."

"Yep."

"It is raining. We better wear our hood up. May I have gum? This is twisted up...."

*Sigh*Smile*

Back @ the Farm

One of the greatest parts of the pumpkin patch is finding the best, most perfect pumpkin.

 

I really enjoy the process VW uses when selecting his pumpkin...it doesn't have to be the biggest, the most unique, he just has to 'like' it and be able to pick it up. We moved from pumpkin to pumpkin from row to row testing out many...

DG did his best to follow his brothers moves and uses the same system. Although DG is pretty determined and strong and picked up a few VW wasn't willing to haul around.

They showed Grandma their winners. She had them fill the wagon to the brim, 'cuz why not its fun to haul around pumpkins.

DG later decided playing in the rocks was more fun, so he filled his brothers wagon with rocks instead (very dusty process, since it has been so dry).

Then it came time for both VW and DG to pull wagons and race like we always do. Not sure this one was very equal...10 pumpkins for VW, a handful of rocks for DG.

 

We also tried some of their home-grown popcorn, 

with Mom diligently watching every bite!

Beautiful - before "popped"

Friday Jammin' Continued

Here VW rocks out...well, DG turns in circles..

Friday Jam Session

I am tired! It may have to do with getting up every morning around 5:00, because DG is screaming and then giggling with joy to play when I enter his room. Hoping we can change that schedule soon! OR it may be that our house is full of energy!

Here we are dancing to an old camp song! VW always asks me where I learned 'that' song...I guess that is what life is like for my boys, when I have a song for everything.

"Let them praise His name with dancing, making melody to Him with tambourine and lyre!"
"You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness."
"Praise Him with tambourine and dance; praise Him with strings and pipe!"
"Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker."
"O clap your hands, all you people; shout to God with the voice of triumph."
"I will praise You as long as I live, and in Your name I will lift up my hands."

A Child's Innocent Voice

DG is growing up and learning so many fun and exciting things every day. I love how he concentrates so much to think about the answer, his loving "no", and his sweet voice.

Corn Maze

Another adventure we experienced at Punkin Patch was the Corn Maze.

Now we have one smart Grandma, 'cuz as we headed out to the field the owner told us it would take 30 minutes!

Not sure if they've ever been through a corn maze with a four and one year old!

So, Grandma would provide strategic guidance on which way to turn when we hit a fork along the path.

Even though DG and VW were confident they were getting us through the maze!

 Somehow we did a complete circle and ended up where we started!

No matter how short or long, or who lead the way, we had a wonderful time exploring the field!