Trick or Treat

We went to Missy's house again this year to trick or treat in their neighborhood because the loop they live on is perfect for the kids - not too small, not too big, and it's easy for the kids to walk between the houses.  Last year Heather's family also came as well as the grandparents but this year it was just our family and theirs.  We kept it low-key and it was perfect.

The boys were so excited to dress up in their costumes.

Since Rylan didn't have school, I took him to a few library storytimes where the kids were encouraged to dress up so I put his costume on first thing in the morning.  It was cool and I didn't think he'd wear the top of costume all day so I put him in a long sleeve shirt.  That was a mistake because he was SO HOT in the libraries but he REFUSED to let me take the top of his costume off to even just take the shirt off.  He was in love with being dressed up.  But his poor face was beat red from being so hot!  Rylan even took a nap in his costume.  He also slept in it Wednesday night but I was able to coax him out of the top of the costume (though he still wore his pants and the long sleeve top he'd been in all day).

The second we got home from school, Carter put his costume on.  It wasn't quite as durable as Rylan's but he still managed to keep it in good shape.

Before we left our house, I got the boys to take a picture in their costumes in front of our pumpkins.  Rylan wore the shark costume that Carter wore last year and Carter had a monster costume we found on sale a few months ago at Brilliant Sky & Books.  (This is the first costume not from Old Navy that we've had - I found a pair of dragon costumes at Old Navy for next year for $5 each on clearance that I'm hoping they still want to wear next year!)

We got to Missy's house around 4:30 and let the kids play for awhile before pizza arrived.  Warren had to coach a soccer game and Brian had some later meetings so they both got there around 5:45.

Missy got a bounce house about a week ago which was a big hit.

Carter had a blast driving Will's jeep around the yard.  He's becoming a much better driver and didn't run anyone over this time (and only ran into one tree).

We eventually headed in for dinner (notice Will and Luke weren't in their costumes yet - they weren't addicted to their costumes and only wore them for the actual trick or treating).

Missy ordered pizza and I supplied the "Mummy Hotdogs" ...

And "Oreo Eyeballs" ...

After dinner it was time to trick or treat.  We got a few group shots and were off.

Will and Luke were both monkeys (both our boys were monkeys in 2010 and Rylan was a monkey again in 2011 - Luke is now the third wearer of the costume!).

Carter and Rylan were pros (though I'm not sure how much Rylan actually said "trick or treat" or "thank you").

Carter and Will were always in the lead heading to the next house.  Rylan made Brian hold him and Missy was holding Luke most of the time.

There were a couple of houses with a ton of decorations.  One even had all it's lights synchronized to music like some people do for Christmas!  This one was a little scary for the boys with it's large decorations and tons of smoke!

You had to walk under the cat to get to the door!

These boys all had a blast!

"Look at all my candy!"

Both boys got quite a bit of candy for not being out too long (30-40 minutes).

Luckily neither one likes much of it (though it's good stuff like Snickers and M&Ms).  They rarely have candy and I guess just don't have much of taste for chocolate yet :)  They will eat their DumDum lollipops but usually are done with them when they are only half gone.  And if I happen to say something like "I don't think you'll like that" they either put it back or if they do try it, automatically say they don't like it.  Also, I told Carter that he'd get a tummy ache if he ate too much so he also usually cuts himself off at 2 pieces of candy and tells me he doesn't want to get sick.

I'm not complaining though - I'd rather them not eat much candy!  Though I'm having to restrain myself now from eating it!

End of Season

This past Saturday was Carter's last soccer game of the fall season.  I honestly wasn't that thrilled about coaching when the season started, but I'm really glad I did it.  I'm going to miss our boys!  I'm not really sure if we taught them that much, but most of them had fun (and I don't think that any of the kids on my field ever scored an own-goal)!  We had 3 of the 12 quit before the season ended because they didn't want to play and Will (Missy's son) only participated in practice.  But the rest of the kids generally got more interested as the season progressed and played harder (and got distracted less).  Carter already had descent skills in my unbiased opinion :), but by the end of the season, he finally got aggressive and had the drive and desire to score.  Instead of just being sad and giving up because he wasn't scoring, he got in there more and created opportunities to score.  It's been great to see his confidence increase on the field.

We planned a end-of-season party after our game on Saturday but the temperature dropped a lot that night and it was windy and damp.  I made cupcakes and we were ordering pizza but we cancelled the pizza and did a quick good-bye giving all the kids a cupcake and their trophy.  I wish we had been able to do more and say good-bye to each kid but at least it was something.

I made the cupcakes and put soccer ball and rocket toppers on them that I made.

The team was nice enough to give Missy and me each a Target giftcard as a thank you.

Caleb's family also gave us a separate card and charm.

Aidan's dad works for Reckitt Benckiser and gave us a bunch of their products (Lysol, Air Wick, etc).

(We really appreciate the gift, but Brian asked if he would have gotten cleaning products as a gift if he was the coach :) ).

We only got one coach's plaque and Missy was nice enough to let me have it.

I plan on coaching again in the spring.  I believe the Y tries to keep the teams the same for the spring season.  Missy though is not going to coach due to Will's lack of interest.  She may sign him up again in a couple of years.

Pumpkins

We have been surrounded by pumpkins lately (go figure, it's October).

A few weeks ago the boys and I picked up a couple of pumpkins at the grocery store and added their choice of Mr. Potato Head Character Push-Ins.  We have several and Carter quickly picked a pirate and Rylan picked the skeleton (though if he were quicker, I'm sure he would have chosen the pirate).

I used a screwdriver to make the holes and then the boys added the parts (it took us a couple of years to figure out that the screwdriver made this a million times easier).

Two proud boys with their pumpkins (the pumpkins in the background are the ones we got at Cheekwood from their pumpkin patch).

Our little comedian (classic youngest child!).

School has been filled with lots of pumpkin crafts.

Carter's:

Rylan's:

Carter and I also made this garland for his window.  I bought a bunch of Halloween and Fall stickers at the Dollar Spot at Target and Carter used them to decorate pumpkins that I cut out.

Starting tomorrow I guess we are on to turkeys and such!

Madeline's Birthday Party

This morning one of Carter's classmates had a birthday party at her house (which was referred to as "Maddie's Castle" on the invitation).  She invited the class and all but 2 were able to come.  The party was princess themed and the kids were supposed to dress up as their favorite character (written that way so the boys could dress up any way they liked).  Carter was going to wear his Halloween costume but changed his mind to wear the construction guy stuff he got at Chase's party (Rylan tagged along wore the same stuff).

Top: Sadie Mae, Sarah Kate, Lyla, Madeline (the birthday girl), and Quinn
Bottom: Carter and Hunt

The kids got to decorate bags when they got there to use for collecting candy from a pinata at the end of the party and then went to the playroom for games.  One game was "Pin the Nose of the Pumpkin".  I think the kids could see because they all got it almost perfect :)

After games we went downstairs for snacks and cake.  All the kids had crowns with their names on them.

The birthday girl with her cake ...

Before leaving the kids got to open a pinata.  Instead of breaking it open with a stick, the kids got to pull strings attached to the bottom to open it.

Carter got a huge bag of candy and lots of other cool stuff to take home.  He had a blast but before nap said he wasn't feeling good.  Hopefully it's just the sugar overload!

Rylan's Tongue

I called the nurse at our pediatrician's office this morning and she said Rylan should be fine (which is what we thought but wanted to be sure).

I tried to get a picture of his tongue this morning and this is the best I got ...

It doesn't look bad here but the "icky" thing is when he moves his tongue this gash opens up a lot and seems to be though at least half his tongue.  But he still says it doesn't hurt and it isn't too swollen.  He's talking and eating fine too.

Chase's Birthday Party

On Saturday afternoon we went to Chase's 2nd birthday party.

He had a construction theme like Carter had for his 2nd birthday.  There were a lot of similarities (including the invitation)!

The kids each got a construction hat and vest when entering the party.  Rylan and Luke immediately found the table with a bucket of little trucks.

Hannah and Carter at the train table that Chase got for his birthday from his parents.

As soon as Jen mentioned cake, the first two to find a seat (right by the cake) were Will and Carter!

The birthday boy!

When we got home the boys had a little while before bedtime so they played with the goodies they got to take home from the party.

This cone sippy cup is a huge hit!

And poor Charlotte has been hiding upstairs since Saturday night because the kids each got a dump truck balloon!

Nashville Zoo

When my mom was visiting, we took Rylan to the zoo while Carter was in school and met Missy and her kids there.

We started the day at the Jungle Gym.  Rylan finally got brave enough to jump off the seats in the mat area!

Lately the goats have been hiding when we go by the petting zoo but one was out that day.

Rylan got upset when he discovered hair in his brushes and had to get new ones :)

Lots of "back of the head" pictures!

We broke for lunch in the picnic area by the zebras and got a few pictures of the kids climbing in the trees.

On the way out we saw this sign by the anteater exhibit.  Apparently the zoo is getting kangaroos!  And  from the drawing, it looks like you can walk into their exhibit?!?!?