Pumpkinland

Yesterday we bundled up and headed to Theis Farm for their annual pumpkinland.  My school as well as Max's school sold tickets so he was all excited that he might see some of his friends from school.  While it was a bit chilly, it was a beautiful day.  We started out on the hay ride.  Both boys loved heading out into the fields to see how all the different vegetables grow.  Max thought it was very cool that the big tractor wheels could make it through all the mud.  After the hay ride Max was ready to try out the really, really, really big slide.  I wasn't sure how he would like it, but he loved it!  He kept running back to stairs to go again. 

Will wasn't too sure about the hay.  He thought it was a bit pinchy.  I think the sun was also a bit bright for his liking.  I think I need to find him a pair of baby sunglasses.  He did think the crazy big pumpkins were pretty neat.

Max also discovered the hay tunnels.  There were two different pyramids built of out hay that had mazes running throughout them.  Max was one brave little boy --- as long as he had daddy's phone to use as a flashlight.  He loved it so much that he even ventured into the tower of terror. 

We left with what Max has named the 'family' pumpkin.  He picked it out himself, and it shows.  It is a tad bit lopsided.  He came home from school today and was all excited about how we should carve it and that we need to buy a candle so it can be a jack-o-lantern.  I think they read a book about carving pumpkins today.

Nonna Day

Last Friday Max was off school because we had teacher meetings.  Max was thrilled because he knew what that meant - a Nonna Day.  Nonna always has some adventure up her sleeve and this one was a biggie.  The Arch.  Max and Nonna took Metrolink downtown and rode the special little tram up to the very top of the arch.  Max loved it!  He was so excited he couldn't be bothered to look at the camera.

 When he got home he couldn't stop telling me about all the barges and tugboats he saw on river.  Max is already talking about what they will do on their next Nonna Day.  He desperately wants to take Metrolink to Fairveiw Heights - only because he saw that it was the last stop on the map.

The Big Campout

Tonight is the night.  The night that Brian and Max have been talking about for the past two weeks.  The Big Campout.  We pitched a tent in the back yard - thanks Uncle Mike - and as I type Max and Brian are reading Bernstein Bear stories by flashlight in the back yard.  It is adorable. 

Since we couldn't find the air mattress Max and daddy worked to layer about 15 different blankets on the tent floor to help make it a little bit softer.  Will wanted to help too.  My three boys rolled around in the tent together for quite a while until Max started to get upset and said Will was messing everything up.

I hope by two brave boys sleep well out there tonight.  Although it is supposed to get pretty chilly.  I have a strong suspicion that they will be inside by 10pm.

Apple Picking

As I look back at this blog I notice that this weekend every year we go to pick apples. This year is no different. It was a gorgeous day! Not too hot, beautiful blue skies, not too cool. The perfect kind of day that doesn't happen too often around here.

The kids had a great time. It wasn't until Will dug into his apple that I realized I haven't given him any apples yet. Today was his very first taste, and he couldn't get enough. In fact, if I wasn't watching close enough he would try to pick up the gross apples off the ground and eat them.

Max loved it too. As he ate his breakfast this morning he told me he had 'a idea'. The whole family should go pick apples. I didn't burst his bubble and tell him that was the plan the whole time. He was so proud that he was the one to come up with the idea. I love this picture of Max. He is just looking so grown up. I can't believe he is nearly four and a half. Max was super into the tractors, although he wouldn't pose for a picture with it.

As we boarded the tractor for the ride back from the orchard I couldn't help but smile as I looked at my boys, all three of them. I can't imagine life without them. They make me smile more than I ever thought possible. I know I say this often, but I am one lucky lady.

Bubble Picnic

Brian is working all weekend on some crazy disaster recovery project. It pretty much stinks. I'm on my own with the boys and I was looking for something fun today. Well our parents as teachers program hosted their annual bubble picnic today. Perfect.

I put jackets on the boys because it is super chilly and we headed out. I swear Will is looking more and more grown up every day. He loved this little ball activity where he could slide the balls down the gutter and into the pool.

Max's favorite activity was the fishing poles. He concentrated so hard and was able to catch all kinds of fish.

Max got a bit peeved when Will decided it was easier to catch the fish if he just climbed into the pond with them. Good thing there wasn't any water in there.

It was a great way to spend some time outside on a beautiful day. I wish I had the real camera, because these pictures are awful, but it is tough enough to maneuver two kids on my own. I didn't think I could do it wielding a fancy camera.

T-Ball

Max is enjoying his t-ball sessions at The Point. It is all instructional. The kids practice throwing, catching, batting, and running. It is pretty funny to watch. Max is a decent thrower - he has the idea of stepping with his opposite foot down pat. Catching, not so much. He is too busy making faces and giggling to keep his eye on the ball. By far his favorite part is batting. I brought the camera tonight to take some pictures, unfortunately I didn't remember to put the battery back in before we left. So, this picture from my phone is the best I have. One more week of t-ball to go. Mid September we start tadpole swimming - round two. All these activities feel like a whole new stage of motherhood is just beginning.

Blowing Bubbles

Silly Hurricane Isaac foiled our plans to go apple picking this weekend. It has done nothing but rain! This afternoon the clouds began to part just a bit so we went outside to blow some bubbles. This was one of Max's great ideas. At least once a day Brian or I hear Max say, "Hey, I have a idea!" It is too cute.






Will agreed that his big brother did have a great idea. Will had so much fun chasing the bubbles while big brother Max had a great time blowing them. I love Will's happy little smile. I can always tell when he is super excited because he give me one of these open mouth little smiles. Beautiful!





Max is so funny whenever we try to take his picture. His goal is to make the craziest faces possible. I think this one may be the best one yet. One of these days he will give us real, genuine smiles for the camera again - or at least I hope he will!







Every day that passes Will gets quicker and quicker on his feet. This shot shows exactly what I see most of the time I'm with Will. He is running away from me to go do something - more often than not the something is something he shouldn't be doing. I swear this child has no fear and he keeps us on our toes!