My Hallowieners

Well, 'tis the season for costumes and candy, pumpkins and parties!  Corwin had his school Halloween party this Friday.  They get to bring their costumes to school and wear them at the party, and they eat and eat and eat.

 

 

Then, they have a Costume Parade.  Each class lines up and the kids parade by the parents and other kids and show off their costumage.  Ninjas, withes, super heroes, princesses, animals, scary characters, cartoon characters, etc.  You name it, we saw it.  I am proud of Corwin.  He wanted to be a ninja for Halloween, and made this decision quite some time ago and told me he'd buy it with his birthday money.  Since money is tight, that made Mommy very happy.  (And Daddy too.)

 

 

Owen wanted to be Thomas the Train.  Thankfully, I found a cheap and comfortable costume for this boy.  He absolutely loves it!

 



That evening began Intramural Basketball.  This is Corwin's second year to play, and he loves it.  They played one game Friday night and two Saturday.  They've lost all three, but he either doesn't know, or doesn't care.  He's having fun, and I love the fact that he isn't pouting over the losses.

 

Saturday evening was the school carnival.  So, we loaded up our ninja, train, and little birdie (she was supposed to be an owl, but looks more like a general bird).  We enjoyed--well, the KIDS enjoyed--an hour and a half of carnival games and came home with a small collection of candy and toys.  Again, they offered to pay with their birthday money.  And, let me tell you, $5 of tickets goes a L-O-N-G way.  I mean L    O    N    G!

 

It was a fun weekend, finished off with some pumpkin carving.  I didn't get pictures of that, but will try to get the boys out there with their creations.  Have I mentioned that I love fall!??!

Pecan Pickin'

It's FALL!!!  My favorite time of the year.  Ahhh... the air is cooler, the breeze is swift, the trees are turning and losing leaves, the ground "crunches" under your feet.  Great sounds, great smells, and great feelings are in the air.

 

In this part of the country, fall brings the harvest.  Owen is a BIG fan of tractors and heavy farming machinery.  And, Jason just happens to have some farming connections through work.  :)  Corwin, Owen, and Jason went to a large cotton farm where they were able to get up-close-and-personal with the machines.  Owen even got to take a ride on the huge cotton picker!  He was one happy boy.

 

 

 Ella is growing, changing, and developing at lightening speed these days.  She isn't walking, but she is getting brave and taking steps, cruising around the furniture, and crawling everywhere.  She is into everything, and constantly chewing on whatever she can get her hands on.

 

We have been outside lately picking pecans.  We have 4 large pecan trees bordering our yard, so I started picking the little jewels up the other day.  Today, the boys were put to work.  Nana told them she'd pay them for the pecans they pick up.  I hope she isn't really hungry for pecans.  These boys are pathetic harvesters.

Ella loves it outside.  Here are a few pictures of her exploring in the windy afternoon.

 

Owen is slow, but he's probably more attentive than his older brother.

 

Corwin has speed on his side, but with physical speed he also has mental...speed.  He doesn't focus for long, so he misses a lot of the little camouflaged buggers.

A cold front is headed in, so gone are the 80-degree days.  :(  I'll miss being outside without a jacket.  But, the colder weather brings on new pleasures.  Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get to crackin' some pecans.

Fabulous First Grader

Well, we're back at it!  Early mornings, quieter days, busy evenings, packing lunches....  SCHOOL!!!  Corwin was very excited to start first grade, to be reunited with all his friends, and to get back to work.  He came home not as enthusiastic, but was still hopeful.  I think he quickly realized that first grade is going to require more work from him.  And handwriting!  UGH!!!  Lots and lots of writing.  The boy hates writing.  But, I know he'll do well.  His teacher has told me that he is perfect--behaviorally.  That makes this mother very, very happy.

The two younger ones have adjusted, I think.  Owen usually asks for us to go get Corwin after we've had lunch.  Ella gets up and seems to look all around the house for Bubby and Daddy.  I'm still adjusting myself.  Having to get used to those early-morning workouts again, and trying to push myself to not go to bed at 8:30 p.m.

I pray Corwin and Jason have a great year.  God bless them both!

The Last Hurrah!

Well, summer is over.  :(  But, before we surrendered to that fact, we had one last water-themed hurrah!  We went to the Cave City Watermelon Festival, brought home cousin Jack for the weekend, and went to the Paragould Splash Pad.  The kids had fun with Jack here, and I think Jack had fun too.

 

Our intentions were to go the Paragould City Water Park, but we got there and found out that it was closed for the summer.  Boo!  So, they told us about this splash pad, which was a refreshingly nice, FREE alternative.

 

So, good-bye, summer.  HELLO, FALL!!!

 

Pensacola Paradise

I realize this is quite late, but I am just now getting to posting our Pensacola Beach vacation pictures.  I apologize.  Anyway, vacation started in Mobile, AL at the USS Alabama battleship.  The boys were amazed and loved every minute of it.  Unfortunately, time did not allow for them to go inside the ship to see the sleeping quarters, galley, etc.  But, they don't know that they missed anything.  :)

 

That afternoon we headed to Pensacola Beach, and ultimately to our townhouse on that beach.  Traffic was TERRIBLE because we chose to arrive the day of the annual "Red, White, and Blues" weekend.  This traffic was like being caught in Dallas rush hour for 3 hours!  But, we made it just in time to see the Blue Angels do their thing.  They are absolutely amazing!

Owen thought they were neat, but way too loud.  He later chose to take shelter indoors with Aunt Kaysie (who'd taken Ella inside because she, too, didn't like the noise).

The kids absolutely love the ocean.  Even Ella.  The sand and salt water didn't bother her one bit!  She was a lot of work, mind you, but a joy nonetheless.

 

Corwin played SO hard!  He boogie boarded, snorkeled, jumped, flipped, etc.  He spent nearly all day, everyday, in that water.  The boy LOVES the water!

Owen started out loving the sand and cautious with the water.  Thankfully, we were blessed with very calm surf for 2-3 days and he learned to brave the waves and eventually love them--as long as he had his ring on.

We also checked out Fort Pickens one day.  Corwin was amazed!

And the kids enjoyed lots, and lots, and LOTS of cousin time.  They all play so well together, thankfully.  It was a great week at one of my most favorite places on earth.  I hope to go back again soon.