Carving pumpkins

We have four kids.  That means we “had” to buy four pumpkins.  Based on previous years’ experiences, I had a feeling there would be much excitement prior to carving pumpkins, but not as much when it came to actually cleaning out the pumpkin guts.  I was correct…times four.  *Sigh*

But like any committed mom, I took the silver serving spoon and scraped the pumpkin insides bare and dumped out the orange seedy contents onto the baking sheet on the table…times four.

Then I attempted to follow the drawn on lines of the pumpkin faces…times four.

After just over an hour, we had jack-o-lanterns for the Littles…times four.

And they couldn’t be happier…times four.

Carving pumpkins

 

P.S. you’ll see Little #4’s pumpkin has two bottom teeth just like her 🙂

Just the girls

It’s a cool, misty morning and we had an unsuccessful trip to Menards, but none of that matters.  These two brighten my day 🙂

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Fall trip to the orchard

We took a trip to Jake’s parents’ house today and were able to enjoy the beautiful weather!  The kids got to trick-or-treat at Grandma and Grandpa’s house and then we headed to the apple orchard where my mother-in-law works ever fall.  The older three Littles loved checking out the animals, climbing the hay bales, playing on the wooden train, going for a tractor ride and navigating the corn maze.  Little #4 wasn’t very enthralled with taking group photos with her siblings, but we tried.

Apple orchard

Trunk or Treat!

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One of the local high schools hosted a fun afternoon event for kids. The high schoolers decorated the trunks of their cars, had activities for the kids and handed out candy to the Littles.  I have been asked if we can go again next year…and we just finished 10 minutes ago 🙂

Bartering Fair

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Little #1 has been learning about ancient Egypt at school for the last few weeks. The culmination of their unit was today’s bartering fair. The kids all dressed up as Egyptians and sat behind their desks with two colored pieces of paper labeled “keep” and “trade.” Parents wandered through the hall and were able to barter with the kids. Little #3 really enjoyed the task of bartering stickers for us.

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Little #1 the gnome

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Birthday costume party for a classmate of Little #1.  He had a blast!  Games, candy, dance party, cake & ice cream. Great way to spend a rainy October day!

Life jacket day

Swimming lessons Saturday is here.  Jake sent me a few play by play pics.

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Apparently today was life jacket day.

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Little #2 was the only one who jumped off the edge.

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Little #1 taking his turn off the diving board.

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Little #2…full speed ahead!

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Little #3 watching from the pool deck…again.  Next session we’ll get her in the water.

Christmas present dreaming

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Paging through the Fleet Farm Christmas flyer on a rainy October, yes October, day. Guess Santa will need to keep his ears perked from here on out.

Swimming

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Little #3 was on the pool deck this morning watching Little #1 and Little #2 in the water.  After their lesson she apparently went up to one of the pool employees and said, “I’m by three! Which lessons can I take?”  Guess we will be signing her up for lessons next session, too.

Pony party

Bday collage

Such a fun day!  Little #3 thoroughly enjoyed turning 3.  I love that our friends and family came to help make her birthday extra special.