Halloween Treats

Adam and Lottie have had a productive mail week. They have gotten See's lollipops from Grandma Tanaka, with specific instructions to sit down while eating. See, they are following directions (for once).

Ready to eat.

Aftermath.

They also got their Halloween boxes from Grandma and Grandpa, which included the annual Halloween cookies! Yum yum. Lottie is too busy eating the candy corn to show off her cookie.

They also got some pretty postcards of fall leaves from Gram and Bapa. Ours haven't really started to turn colors yet, but Adam is on the watch.

Halloween Party

Our great neighbors invited us to a Halloween party last week. Everyone had to dress in costume - no exceptions. The kids had some good old fashioned fun with a jack o lantern pinata.

Then Mr. Gary instructed the kids on proper apple bobbing technique. The bigger kids were NOT allowed to cheat and use the stem.

Adam did cheat, and still took a good long time to get his apple. Everyone had a great time and slept well afterward!

Other Halloween Costumes

Somehow, we ended up with a bunch of Halloween costumes that fit both Adam and Lottie. Really, they are big on her and small on him, but no matter. We have been playing with costumes almost every day. Lottie Chicken.

Adam Horse.

Playtime with Lottie

Adam and Lottie have started napping at different times, which means they both get individual play time with mom. Lottie spends most of her time being goofy.

Disney

Adam and Lottie are all set for our Disney World trip on December 6. Lottie can even say "Minnie Mouse." And also, "Watch Mouse!" which means turn on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, her favorite.

Second Non-Pumpkin Patch

On Monday, Tonyamas and I met in Marble Falls to take the kids to another non-pumpkin patch pumpkin patch. This one was Sweet Berry Farm, which sells pick your own strawberries in the spring. When we got there, we put the kids up to take a few pictures. They were so excited to see each other. I especially like Lottie's reactions. Crinkle nose!

Lottie driving a mini tractor. She vroom vroomed the whole time.

They enjoyed picking up all the pumpkins.

Then we went on the hayride (since we hadn't done the hayride on Saturday, Adam really wanted to try it). We took it just a little way, when they stopped and told us to get out. We thought this must be the world's shortest hayride, but then we were told to walk through the Echo Tunnel to another section of hay ride. They had set up a bunch of scarecrows in vignettes, which was funny, especially to the kids. Lottie liked going down into the dry riverbed best. Wee!

Then we hit the non-petting zoo petting zoo. You could only pet the animals through the fence. At least they had some very cute baby goats.

Yay for pumpkin patches!

Pumpkin Patch

On Saturday morning, we took the kids to a Christmas tree farm. They also do a "pumpkin patch." It's not really a pumpkin patch, since they don't grow their own pumpkins, but they did have a lot of activities and pumpkins for sale. It's the best we can get, since we live in the Texas heat. They do actually grow pine trees for Christmas though. Guess we'll be back in December.

Adam and Lottie doing a terrible job of posing with the pumpkins, as usual.

Once we left the pumpkins and got to the giant pile of hay, Lottie was much happier.

Hay is fun to throw.

Hay is also fun for jumping.

Then we went on the "train." It was pulled by a tractor.

They also had a petting zoo - a llama, some goats, and a few sheep. Adam was excited that the llama tickled his hand with his tongue.

Then it was off to ride horses. Adam is now an old pro, but Lottie decided that she also wanted to ride this time. She had just a tiny moment of hesitation at the beginning, but was fine after that. She was "weeing" it up all around the circle.

Day Out With Thomas

Last Saturday, we spent a day out with Thomas the train. Thomas is one of Adam's absolute favorites (pretty much any train will do though), so he was good and excited. Adam was especially happy to have Bryan and Claudia along for the fun. We posed with Murdoch and Emily.

Then we watched the train load up for the trip before ours. The kids were entranced. Except Lottie.

Thomas was pulling the train!

Lottie was ready to go.

Inside the train.

Before we left, Adam and Bryan waited in line to meet Sir Topham Hatt. And they weren't scared a bit. Probably because he's only as tall as Mom. The kids had a great time. Adam is ready to go back, yesterday.

Bryan, Claudia, and Tonyamas love Thomas.