Pumpkin Carving

I was so proud of Sam for undertaking this task this year! I had to go to a leadership team meeting after work--when I came home, there was a nice jack-o-lantern and pumpkin seeds fresh from the oven. We used the pumpkin the next night for our annual "haunted bath", a tradition that started with Zion at age 2 and has continued until this day. You fill the tub with water and some orange food coloring, light up all the halloween candles and the jack-o-lantern, garnish with some halloween bath toys, decorations, spooky music, orange shaving cream if desired...turn off the lights, and splash away! Zion still loves his haunted bath at age 11. Maybe he'll do it with his own kids someday.

Pony Ride!

If you were reading the blog a year ago, you probably remember how Zen was so terrified of the ponies at the fall festival that he crawled up my arm, shoulder and neck trying to get away from them (this happened AFTER we had already paid $5....no refunds!). He did much better this year. Made his mommy proud!

P.S. our pony's name was Lightning!

Zion's Costume

I was so proud of myself for picking this up at the Salvation Army for less than $10. Of course, Zion has already customized it with all kinds of plastic guns, a gas mask, a helmet, etc, etc.

Didier Farms

Faye and Kyle asked us if we would like to go to Didier Farms with them on Zion's day off of school. They've been going there since Kyle was a baby. It was a beautiful, warm, sunny day and not (like our other Fall activities) insanely crowded. The boys all got wristbands so they could do each activity as many times as they wanted. Zen just loves Kyle, and Kyle is happy to engage Zen with his playful nature. He patiently rode all the baby rides with Zen and accompanied him through the corn maze. We all enjoyed the hay ride and the tiny petting zoo. By the end of the trip, we were exhausted but happy.

Zen Shows his Musical Side

Zen was somehow enticed to get on the table to sing and dance AND let himself be filmed. (Yes, we let our children sit and stand on our dining room table. Often. I figure it can't hurt--this is the table that I grew up eating on, so it's over 40 years old, crafted by the Amish in northeast Missouri. Naked dancing, painting projects, homework...this table does it all!). Enjoy Zen's dance!

Halloween Cupcakes

Decorated by Zen, Zion and Elijah. Amazing how much Zen loves to help out in the kitchen--he will happily sit on the counter and watch us cook, participating in any way he can. He has really enjoyed our recent cupcake events, especially the sprinkles and food coloring. I think these cupcakes lasted about 2 days at our house.

Tail Gate

We were introduced to the joys of Northwestern tailgating through an invitation from Elijah's mom, a Northwestern graduate. The stadium is walkable from our house; it was a beautiful day, and I learned that there are always free activities for the kids 2 hours before kick-off. We painted up in Wildcat purple and went on down. It was a blast! Fun people watching, great food, and we even got some pictures with one of the dance squads (which Zen didn't look too happy about, but Elijah and Zion were DEFINITELY into it!). Zion played football with Elijah's bigger brothers. It is amazing to see how tough our littlest boy is. Everyone always remarks on his coordination and his enthusiasm for all things sports-related. Do we have a little jock on our hands? I wouldn't mind going to some NWU games in the future--as a parent! :-)