Halloween

Mario ... Luigi ... and our flower child!

Braden and Dylon have become facinated with the Wii and playing Mario Kart over the past few months.  So, it seemed only fitting that they dress up as the "Mario Brothers" this year.  They were so excited and couldn't wait for the big day!   Even the fake mustaches were met with excitment!



Lila was a flower.  They brothers really wanted her to be princess peach, but Mommy was worried that we would just have to cover her costume with a coat.  And, the flower was just way too cute to pass up!   She loved her "pretty" outfit and never tried to take it off.  Actually, we couldn't get her to take it off even when we got home! 

On Saturday 10/29, we headed off to Southlands Mall to trick or treat.  The outside mall shuts down main street and the stores hand out candy to the masses of children.  A little crazy, but nice to be outside when it is light and enjoy some fun with friends.  This year, we met Zayne and Bryn (pirates/Pastor Ryan & Gena's kids) and baby Jameson Bailey (dragon/friends Jon & Nicole).    Pastor Geoff and Brittany even came to hang out with us for awhile. 

Braden, Bryn, Lila, Dylon, Zayne

Lila finally "wilted" ... so we headed home!

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On Monday evening (10/31), we spent some time getting our jack-o-lanterns ready.  These were special pumpkins that Pa grew in his garden for the kids.  We started painting the pumpkins a few years ago since the boys weren't ready to carve ... and they love it.  It's fun to see the array of colors they create.  This year, they also talked Mommy into carving pumpkins after the paint dried. 

Braden -- BEFORE:

and AFTER:

Dylon -- BEFORE:

And AFTER ...



Lila -- BEFORE: 

and AFTER (w/ Daddy!)

Our porch looked so happy and fun for our trick and treat friends.

Here are the kiddos before we headed out for trick or treating around the neighborhood. 

We met up with our friend Connor while we were out trick or treating too!  

We made it around the cul-de-sac behind the house and 2 streets. By the time we got home, we had 2 FULL buckets. Both boys said their hands hurt because the buckets were too heavy!  It was a fun Halloween time for all of us.

Dylon's Pumpkin Patch Day at Preschool

Dylon's preschool class had a fall pumpkin party.  Mommy got to go to class to spend some special 1-on-1 time with her little man. 

It was fun to watch him gathered together with his class.  Ms. Kelly mixed up pancake batter that they later decorated into personal pumpkins.

The preschool brought in pumpkins for each child and turned part of the playground into the pumpkin patch.  After recess time, the kids picked their pumpkin.  Dylon picked the "biggest one ever"!

(friend Elijah & Dylon)

Dylon got to decorate his pumpkin with funny face stickers and made a spider hat.  It was such a fun few hours together and I am so thankful for the special time with my boy.

 

Braden's Pumpkin Patch Field Trip

Kindergarten for Braden has brought many "firsts" for our family.  Today, it was the FIRST school field trip!   Braden and Mommy headed off to the Berry Patch Farm for pumpkin picking fun. 

What was the most exciting part of the day?  Missing school?  Pumpkins?  No -- the ride on the big yellow school bus!  My kindergarten boy looked kinda small today sitting 3 to a seat with his buddies Andrew and Matteo.

They loaded all the kids on for a hay ride out to the pumpkin field.  The parents all got loaded onto a seperate trailer.  Not sure who thought that putting 45 children and no adults was a good idea?!  But, everyone made it safe and sound. 

Braden was very intent on watching where they were going.  He's the handsome guy on the left of this picture in the blue coat.  He finally relaxed and started waving to me. 

It was a gorgeous Colorado day for Braden's first hay maze. 

He was a little nervous until he realized it was just like mazes in his book at home.  Then off he went ...

And out he came ...

The pumpkin patch was a bit disappointing.  I'm used to our WI adventures where you walk through the field, over the vines, in search of the perfect pumpkin.  Here -- all the pumpkins were set out neatly in a dirt area.  And of course, the perfect size for Kidergarteners. 

The ride back was on a "big" wagon and the kids enjoyed bouncing along.  Some even looked over the edges and made the adults a bit nervous.  But, no injuries so I guess all was good. 

We watched a video about how pumpkins grow and learned about bees pollenating pumpkin flowers.  As Braden would say:  "The bees fly in the punkin flower and turn it into a punkin and then it grows."  

Before leaving, we shared a picnic lunch together.  Braden was so excited to SHARE everything!   He had informed me the night before that we only needed one sandwich and bag of chips, because we could share.  I loved this special day with my boy who is growing up way too fast!

And a few pictures of Braden and his classmates: 
Matteo, Andrew, Braden -- our buddies for the day

Braden, Hayden, Henners -- they chase each other on the playgroun almost every morning.

?, Jasmine, Braden - he thinks she is pretty cute and is excited to be sitting at the blue class table with her each day.

A fun and exciting day at Berry Patch Farm!

On the bus ride home with friend Lucas (they were on a t-ball team together this summer)

Braden even snuggled with Mommy on the way home!  I enjoyed the one-on-one time with my little guy (even though there were 40 other kids with us! :)

And lastly, the prize pumpkin!   He picked the "biggest, heaviest one" he could find!
(But then traded with his teacher b/c his stem broke off!)