Happy Halloween!

Kara decided long ago that she wanted to be Wonder Woman, which I found interesting because she doesn't watch the Super Hero cartoons, so I figured she didn't really know the characters... but she knew enough to ask to also order the Lasso of Truth!

Ben decided that he wanted to be a rodeo cowboy.  Not just a regular cowboy, but a rodeo cowboy.  He was fixated on each piece of his costume... "Mommy, when are we going to get my cowboy belt" and right after it was purchased it was "Mommy, I need to get boots" and "How about the lasso?"  And when I finally thought we had it all, he asked for a vest.  Good thing Grandma was able to whip one up in a hurry.

Jason definitively told me that he wanted to be a turtle.  In fact, he demanded that he wear the same costume Ben wore a few years back.

He is the fastest little turtle I've ever seen...

Everyone had a great Halloween... Jason, very tired from all of his activity, went to bed early and since it's so quiet in the country, we don't get trick-or-treaters and he was able to sleep peacefully.  I took Kara and Ben trick-or-treating in the big city and they gathered enough candy to last them quite awhile and have already made a pile of candy for the Candy Fairy who trades candy for money to use at the dollar store!  It's a win-win Halloween!

Sneak Peek

Here is Kara's Halloween drawing... with the night sky, stars and a bat.  Any idea of what they're dressing up as for Halloween?  Stay tuned!

Pumpkin & Water Fun

We enjoyed Hillcrest Farms' Pumpkin Patch so much last year, we had to go back!  The kids loved riding the steam train, watching the mini trains and eating kettle corn.

Ben and Kara thought the corn was especially interesting and picked out the ones they felt were the most unique.

Jason liked walking the grounds, checking out the sights and people watching... Last year he was in the Baby Bjorn, but this year, there was no keeping him contained.

We tried to get pictures of all the kids together... but given Jason's lack of nap, it was just not happening.  But the big kids were happy to oblige.

After a nap and lunch, Jason was back!  We needed to spend a little time outside taking care of the yard, and the best way to keep Jason occupied is to turn on the hose...

Jason just stands there, getting all wet, but not seeming to mind at all.  And I guess he feels like if I'm on my own, well, I'll just get my own drink as well...

Soon all the kids decided water play was more fun that weeding and mowing the lawn.

And why didn't they mention that they left a cup out?  Much more practical, but much less fun.

Our Early Morning Sunday Practice

We had friends over for dinner on Saturday night, so it was a late bed time for everyone... but early Sunday morning, Kara comes into our room and says, "it's after 6:30, so can I go out and practice basketball?"  How could I say no?  You have to love the enthusiasm and dedication... even this early on a Sunday morning!

Soon after we got outside, everyone was up and wanted to join in.

Ben decided he'd rather not practice dribbling, shooting or passing.  Instead he opted for sweeping.  I love that he wants to keep things neat, but has he noticed that we are literally surrounded by dirt!  Job security.

Jason loves being outside and he always wants to be part of the gang... He's happy doing most anything outside, but he loves to be up high in Daddy's hands... I can almost grab rim!

Kara continues to exhibit her perfectionistic tendencies.  On Saturday, she was so frustrated that she could only bounce the ball three times in a row.  So she went out back with her Daddy and they worked on dribbling... Sho says, "you gotta come out and see this" and there was Kara, dribbling for like, 20 seconds.  Pretty impressive.  Of course I told her how proud I am that she worked so hard... and then I asked, "how about the left hand?" 

No matter how focused and determined, Kara can't resist putting the ball down to get a hug from her baby brother.

Interestingly enough, after morning practice we went to a church service and one of the members read the kids a great story, The Giant Hug.  So they learned about interdependence and interconnectedness... and that hugs are the best.  As are these three little ones.  Gotta love it.