Happy Halloween!

We've had a great Halloween around here today and lots of fun trick-or-treating this evening. I'm pretty sure that I was a little more excited throughout the afternoon than Jackson was though. I felt like a 6 year old, constantly thinking, "Is it time? Is it time to put on costumes?" (Wonder if Ryley, a true 6 yo, actually said that today?) I'm not really sure that Jackson realized, or remembered, what trick-or-treating was really all about. And while it did look like fall outside today, it sure did not feel like it! Not quite the temperature I had been hoping for, considering my little Cookie Monster's costume. But he didn't seem to mind -- he had a great time! Now, gimme some cookies, er CANDY!!

Have you ever seen a giraffe with no neck?

Well, you have now and she's pretty darn cute, if I do say so myself!

After a quick photo session, we headed out for some trick-or-treating.

First stop: Glen and Betsy's next door. Knock Knock!

Peeeekkk!

Trick or Treat!

After Jackson saw what went down at Glen and Betsy's he was all set to head to the next stop!

However, the little giraffe was in no mood to ride. As usual, she wanted to be held and once she made that clear, it didn't take her long before she was...

Here's Jackson "counting" his loot. He seemed to be most interested in suckers at first. He had one while we were out and opened another when we got home...then had some M&M's...a few Smarties...a bite of Laffy Taffy (didn't like it)... and a box of Nerds!! Those may have actually been his favorite! His sour face was cracking me up! (I didn't catch a good picture of it though...)

And believe or not, Jackson had no problem putting the rest of his candy up for tomorrow (and the next day, and the next, until it magically disappears). It was actually Kate that didn't want the Halloween party to end...

As They Grow

Sometimes things happen around here, or things are said, that I find humorous and I'll think to myself, "I should write that down, so I can remember it." Well, I never do. Remember, I hate writing. (See the Welcome Y'all section over on the right.) Or other times I'll think, "I should blog about that." But then I never do b/c I don't have any pictures to include or it's just one line. Not something I feel makes a sufficient blog post. But this blog really is like a journal and I've used it to chronicle a lot of our adventures for the past year or so. I'm even planning to have it printed someday soon. Point is, I've decided that from now on I am going to blog about these simple things. If I want to remember it, or I find it funny, I'm blogging about it. And to keep all this randomness together, it'll all be in a series called As They Grow. Here's a sample of some of the most recent funnies (or not so funny)...

~ The other day someone asked Jackson what he wanted Santa Claus to bring him. He replied, "Money!"

~ Speaking of money, this has been one of Jackson's favorite toys for a while, but even more so lately. He's constantly asking for money (mostly just change, thank goodness!) and loves driving it around in his cars, putting it in bowls, "counting" it, putting it in his pockets and more. Sometimes I'm not even really sure what he does with it. Last week he raided the change jug at Nana and Pa-Jack's and had money all over the living room floor. This week when Mamma was here, he cleaned her out! He had his pockets full of change and this time wanted to put it in his piggy bank. Oh, and if he sees a picture of money or change, he says, "Money!" He's 2 and he already has a fascination w/ money! Maybe this means he'll start earning his own at an early age!! :-)

~ Jackson has really been talking a lot more lately and has just recently started using sentences. The other day I walked in the door from Target and he walked over and said, "Wha you ge me?"

~ Everyday, for some reason, Jackson insists on taking the dumpers off his dumptrucks, the buckets off his backhoes, the tracks off his bulldozers and the tires off his firetruck. Every single day. And now I have a confession. Just as he pulls them off as soon as he gets to them, I put them back on as soon as I get to them. I think we may both be a little obsessive about it. I can't help it. Do I have a problem? Maybe. But if we would just leave the toys intact, I wouldn't have this problem to begin with!

~ And little Kate... She has some bad baby acne. It doesn't bother her at all, but it just looks so bad. Her cute, soft little cheeks aren't so soft anymore. Our pediatrician said it should hopefully gone by her 2 month appointment, but it could take longer to run it's course. Until then, our little angel is going to look more like a pubescent teenager.

~ Poor Kate has her first "battle scar" from Jackson. He bit her little fingers yesterday...HARD! She still has teeth marks on one of them today! I'm not too worried about her though... She'll be fightin' back before he knows it!!

Pumpkin Carvin'

We got into the Halloween spirit today and carved our first pumpkin. That's right, our first pumpkin...for me and Jackson! Jackson didn't really know what to think at first. He was not at all interested in sticking his hand in there and pulling out the slimy seeds and guts!

He just watched me do it and said, "Ew!"

After a few minutes, he decided he would give it a try!

And had a lot of fun!

Then he had a random melt-down. Still not quite sure why, but it appeared to have something to do w/ me still cleaning out the pumpkin.

So, he went off, got his lawnmower, and played in the yard. He was no longer interested in pumpkin carving. As a matter of fact, he decided that the smaller pumpkin would be better used as a ball and threw it on the driveway. Fortunately, Kate's pumpkin did not bust. Once I got the eyes carved in to his pumpkin, he did stop by to take a look. He didn't stay for long though. I guess he figured I would let him use the knife, so what was the point in hanging around. "You do the work, Mom, and I'll check back in with you when you've got it all done."

And this little pumpkin just slept through the little pumpkin carvin' party.

Once I had our jack-o-lantern all carved out, Jackson was happy to pose for a cute picture!
I know, there's not much to this little jack-o-lantern, but hey, it was our first pumpkin! He turned out alright I guess. Even if Jackson could have cared less about it, I kind of enjoyed myself! I think next time I'll step it up a bit and try for something a little more crafty!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Life with Kate-Week 3

Kate is now three weeks old and is still doing great...that is, as long as she is in the comfort and warmth of another's arms. And for the most part, those arms would be mine. Now don't get me wrong, I don't mind this one bit. Jackson has grown up way too fast and he wouldn't even think of "snuggling" with me anymore, so I know I need to enjoy every bit of these moments. I do feel a little selfish though, b/c while I'm cuddling with Kate, Jackson wants to play. And no, he doesn't necessarily want my arms to be filled with his sister while we play. I'm working on finding a balance, but for now, Nick Jr. and Sprout are helping me out a little (okay, a lot). And while I'm spending most of the day w/ a little peanut in my arms, I'm spending a lot of time in front of the computer. I'm pretty sure I've seen about all I can see on Facebook, so I've had to find a new addiction...reading blogs. I've always enjoyed reading Ashely's blog and just recently my friend, Sarah started a blog, so I've had that one to read, too, but that only fills a few minutes of the day. So, I've ventured out into the blogging world and found a few more that seem interesting. My favorites so far are Spearmint Baby, Stretching a Buck, and Playgrounder. By the titles you can tell that these are either about kids or saving money, two things that I am intersted in right now (obviously!), but if you know of another fun blog I should check out, leave me a comment. Some blogs are like good books...you just can't stop reading and can't wait for the next post!

BTW, I started on this post last night while Kate was in Sean's arms, but was unable to finish before she "needed" me again. Today, I'm finishing this post while Kate is happily content (as long as I'm standing) in the Baby Bjorn. I may have just found a way to be hands free for at least part of the day! Now, if I could just figure out how to hold her in the shower...

Kate's 1st NC State Game

Well, "game" may be an overstatement, but nonetheless we took Kate out for her first trip to Carter-Finley yesterday. She and Jackson both did great! It was a full out family affair since Nana, Pa-Jack, Mamma, Papa, Aunt Amy and Uncle Stevie were all there! The rain held out, so the weather was great, but between the Wolfpack loss and the loss of my cell phone, the day turned out to be a bit of a bummer! But hey, another day spent with family and friends is always something to be thankful for!!

She slept during the entire tailgate!

Watching the band march by!


Jackson enjoying a ride!

Jackson loves him some Jen!!

Don & Kate

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As we were walking out at halftime, I noticed this guy and couldn't help but stop and take a picture! I'm not sure what I like best...the speedo or the boots! Wonder if the cops made him put some pants on???

Jackson's First Field Trip

Jackson had his first preschool field trip on Wednesday to the Vollmer Farm. He had a great time! Since Kate came along too, Mamma joined us so I wouldn't have my hands quite as full. It was pretty cloudy when we got out there, but it didn't take it long before the sun peeked out and it began to warm up. Before going on a hayride around the farm, we stopped by the chicken house and Jackson fed them a little corn. In the picture below, he is actually yelling to the chicken, "CHICKEN! CHICKEN!" It was funny!

After the hayride, we went "Back Forty" to check out some of the other activities. Jackson loved this train! I couldn't get him off of it!

This was a big pit filled with corn kernels! All the kids were loving it...as you can see!!

Driving the "Cool Bus"... Jackson loved this, too!

The day just kept getting better, because after Jackson's nap Brandy and Tate come over! He and Tate had such a good time playing together!!

On Site with Daddy

Sean took Jackson out to one of his jobs today to see some equipment in action. Jackson was mesmerized by all the bulldozers, scrapers, rollers and more! After watching some of the machines at work, we stopped by the staging area so Jackson could see some of them up close.

Only as tall as 1/2 of the wheel!!