Trick or Treating - take three

Ben opted for the Optimus costume today. Rob got him a sword to make it complete. Thrilled doesn't begin to describe him.

Liam wouldn't be caught in anything other than his Power R@nger costume. It fits him perfectly and he will not let go of the mask.

Here they are collecting their loot.

In between houses, they ran.

And, that about wraps up Halloween for the year. Expect for all the candy we have to eat.

Trick or Treating - take two

This afternoon was our (now annual) Halloween party. It was a total blast but I have no photos.

This evening our neighbor friends brought pizza and we all ate in the fort amongst the trees.

After we ate, the kids went "trick or treating" to the four doors that face our backyard. They loved it. When their bags were full they perched on the wall for a treat.

Next it was time for making goofy shadows on the fence.


And, playing with flash lights.

This is shaping up to be the best Halloween ever.

Seat belts and heros

Ben decided that today was the perfect day to start helping get Liam out of the car! Hurray for helpers! Today was also a perfect day for Liam to wear his Power R@nger costume all day! Hurray for Power R@ngers!

Dirty feet

It's inevitable. If we play outside, we have to come in and wash feet. The boys sit up on the counter and I scrub their feet. Today Ben said, "Mommy, I want to wash your feet". And, so he did. My feet have never been so clean. He is such a thoughtful boy. My precious Ben.

Trick or Treating - take one

We went trick or treating tonight at the Hendrix dorms. As always, it was a blast. Liam was very serious about it. He knew exactly what to do and didn't miss a door. Ben had no trouble filling his bag and had fun with his buddies.

Front row, left to right - Addie, Zoe, Jake, Ben and Sam
Back row, left to right - Liam and Beckett
Beckett wins the prize with the monster truck costume. Very sweet.

Treasures

At the end of a typical day, I will pull three to five things out of my pockets when I am changing my clothes. Here's what I found tonight.

Liam found this key outside. Ben got the broken silly band at the dentist office. The beads are from Ben - he finds them for me. Sweet boy. Liam brought the S hook home from the store while he was working with me today. The two small plastic tubes are from the glow sticks that Rob got the boys. I don't know why I have a clip thing in my pocket. They are all treasures. I wonder what I will have in my pocket tomorrow.

Fish bag

The coveted fish bag came home from school with Ben on Friday and we have waited ALL WEEKEND to bring it back with an item for show and tell. It has been a very long weekend. The rule is that only one item can be in the bag. No weapons and no live animals. Those are good rules.

Ben decided early in the weekend that he would take a new "morphing" toy but by Sunday night we knew it wouldn't work because it kept coming apart which really made it more like six toys. We all agreed the toy needed to find a place on the book shelf and Ben would pick another item for the fish bag.

He went to bed unsure of what he would take the next morning. About 30 minutes after bedtime he came out of his room with the fish bag. He told us that he was so excited to go to school in the morning. He was taking Rudolph in the fish bag. This was an extra special trip for Rudolph. He usually only goes to school on Tuesdays and Thursdays when Ben stays for rest time.

Ben woke up bright and early Monday morning, ready to take the fish bag to school.

Racing

Today we made a race track and the boys raced monster trucks for most of the afternoon. The weather was yucky so it was a good day for indoor playing. There was no fighting. No arguing. Just fast trucks and good times.

My happy boy

Ben is a happy boy. I love it when he flashed me that beautiful Ben smile. Just like the first moment I saw his face - that smile always warms my heart.

Little hands

Liam found a penny and was determined to get it into his pocket.



He was so proud when he got it in there.

Mountains of sand

Finding "dirt clods" in the sand box is super cool. Ben found tons of them today and made this awesome mountain of sand! Pretty impressive.

Brotherhood

Beautiful afternoon playing in the backyard with the boys. The weather was perfect. There was climbing, jumping, running, eating, and lots of laughing. Ben got out his awesome spy vest that my sister made for him and they played spy heros. Ben and Liam are playing together so well. Tonight, Ben said to Liam, "Thanks for playing with me today, I really had a good time".

Way to go, Mom

Thanks for all the encouragement, Ben. You are such a sweet heart. I love that about you.

Angry B!rds

Ben spent his "break time" today building a house out of his legos for Angry B!rds. Creative, I think. I like that kind of imaginative play. I joined in the fun when "break" was over and we built a nest for the golden eggs and then sent those birds flying.

Sneak peek

The Family Farm - Fall

We loved it as much as we did in the spring. The boys got to do so many cool things. The weather was perfect. Many of our friends were there which added to the fun.
We started out the day on the wooden seat carousel.

Liam wasn't so sure about the carousel in the spring but he loved it this time.

Ben got to go flying through the trees on a zip line! He had a blast doing it three or four times. Love his face when he is coming down. Huge grin.


Zip lines are not quite Liam's speed but he loved being pushed in a circle on this big boy swing.

Liam rode in a train pulled by a tractor. He was trilled and not the least bit concerned about not knowing the girl in the car with him.

We got to see a puppet show featuring Flame.

Liam LOVED it. His laugh was so adorable.

Hay tunnels are so fun.


Liam and Daddy got to take a canoe out for a spin around the lake.

While they were doing that, Ben and I headed out in a paddle boat.

The smile on Ben's face says it all.

My two personal favorites of the day. The boys each got to pick a pumpkin from the patch.

Dark night

Ben and Liam had a blast tonight playing outside after dark. It's getting dark around 7pm. Usually we are starting to get ready for bed at this time. Tonight we had our neighbors over to play after dinner. The kids ran around the yard with flashlights in the dark night.

Just like yesterday

October 14, 2009 - My wild boys.

Last time for the year

The boys took advantage of a warmer afternoon and played in the water. The grass was grateful for the drink of water and the boys were giddy to be wet in the sun.

Lots to say

Hey, Mom. Watch this.

I write dirt.

See that, B?

Hey, B, does too, Mom.

Mom, see that, Mom?