Halloween

We didn't really do much for Halloween this year.

Dominic had requested to be a biker (like Daddy). After pricing the gear I decided we'd do something else. I'm not willing to shell out over $300 for an outfit he will be wearing once. Since we won't let him ride the motorcycle yet it's rather pointless.

Then I found a motorcross outfit at the store. He said that was fine.

 Caitlin was super easy. 

We just chose one of her many princess/fairy outfits and I let her accessorize it.

 My little cuties!

 Halloween fell on Monday this year and also the day of the field trip. I wasn't looking forward to the kids being exhausted the next day. One of our friends is the administrator for a nursing home and told us about their Halloween tradition. The residents line up in a huge room and give out candy to the kids.

So we headed over there at 4:30.

The residents loved the kids in their outfits and the kids loved talking to people and not having to get back into the car after every house.

 

 

 After we left (only 45 minutes later) we headed to a restuarant to eat.

We were home in time for baths and bed at a normal time.

We will definitely be doing this again next year. It was so stress free for all of us.

Field Trip

On Monday Dominic had a field trip to the zoo. Caitlin and I came along for the ride.

The kids had so much fun and it was nice to spend some extra time with Dominic. 

I miss him now that he's in school.

Caitlin was a bigger hit than I had anticipated. The zoo is huge so I brought her stroller. This little guy pushed her almost the entire time. His mom informed me that it was because of the wheels. Sure enough, he pushed the stroller even when she wasn't in it, making car noises the whole time. 

It was precious!

 Caitlin getting a kiss! I won't print Jon's response. =)

This bamboo was a hit and great for taking pictures.

Man, I love this kid!

 Dominic's beautiful teacher. 

She's wonderful and we thank God for her every day!

 Most of the kids. A couple refused to cooperate.

Dominic with the elephants.

 Caitlin wore her lunch.

These birds would land on you and Dominic was a bit jumpy.

 Flips!

My sweet little girl!

 Dominic and a classmate.

We had so much fun that we are planning a trip back as a family very soon.

Paintball

Jon has found a new sport.

Last week he was invited to a "birthday party". It was a bunch of men who went out into the woods and shot each other - with paintballs. 

Definitely a manly party. =)

 The birthday "boy" in the middle with Jon.

 All of the guys. 

Even though we teased him to death - turns out the dude in the yellow was just as camouflaged because of the yellow leaves.

The kids love this dog. She's so patience and gentle.

 As you might have guessed, the women were not invited. 

So we (and the kids) hung out together.

 Practicing before war.

Back for more amo and to tell us some war stories.

A casualty of war.

Jon had so much fun that he's already purchased guns markers of his own and is having his own "birthday party" next month. He purchased two in hopes that I'll join him sometime. Anyone want to babysit so Jon and I can shoot each other?

Autumn

The trees had just started to turn colors when Dominic begged to go on a picture taking walk.

So I got out the old camera for him and grabbed mine. We just walked down the street, but it was so cute to watch him, all serious, trying to get just the right angle or lighting.

So the pictures on this blog post are all from Dominic.

 The bird feeder is sitting there because a certain little boy thought it would be fun to try and swing from it. It, of course, broke right away and deposited him on the ground rather abruptly.

 

 Neighbor's cat who walked with us for a little bit.

 Self portrait. There were quite a few of these. There were also quite a few of my rear, but I won't be posting those. What is it with little boys and anything bum, potty, gross related?

 He was so cute taking pictures that I kept taking pictures of him.

So he returned the favor.

 

 Not sure what he was going for here.

 He took over 100 shots so there is no way I can post them all. Little man was on a role.

 

 The next Saturday the weather was beautiful so we got the Model A out and went for a ride. Dominic and I grabbed the cameras and got in the rumble seat. It was hard to take pictures with the wind blowing, but we had fun.

 

 

 

 Caitlin with bear bear and her thumb.

Not too shabby for a five year old and no experience.

If you want to see my pictures head over to It's My Life.

Update

Just an update on those crazy dogs.

Last night Jon went out to check on them and they'd escaped again.

The allure outside the gate was just too much and they'd dug a hole under the fence.

There is now a cement block in the hole and we are watching them VERY carefully.

We'll fill in the hole when they've stopped digging there, otherwise they'll just dig it right back out.

Silly dogs!

Lost

Today has been an eventful day in Josie and Sarah's life.

After dropping Dominic off at school this morning I returned to get the puppies ready to go to the vet. Jon and I forgot about their appointment so I had the wrong car. The Accord just isn't puppy friendly. But I managed. I placed blankets on the front seat and got them both in. They refused to sit on the floor and ended up sitting on top of each other. Between Sarah trying to eat the gear shift and Josie wanting to sit on my lap, I managed to get us to the vet without a traffic accident.

After their appointment we came home and I sent Caitlin out to play. She plays well in the back yard and I've never been concerned before about her being by herself.

She played very well until about an hour before we needed to leave to pick up Dominic.

She came in and told me Sarah was in the road. She had opened the gate and Sarah was indeed in the road. I called and she came running. No problem.

I had a chat with Caitlin about NEVER opening the gate without either parent there. She agreed and went back outside. A few seconds later I heard her calling the dogs and I couldn't find her in the back yard. I ran around the corner of the house to see her standing in the front yard and no sign of the dogs. I was about ready to leave to pick up Dominic and so I loaded Caitlin in the car and stopped every neighbor I saw asking about the dogs. I called Jon and told him about what had happened.

When I returned home from picking up Dominic I saw that Jon had come home from work to help us look. About 30 minutes later the dogs come tearing around the corner of our neighbors with silly grins on their faces. They came willingly with me. I thought that was the last of my dog stress for the day.

When Jon came home from work (for the 2nd time) he mentioned the beautiful weather and told the kids to go outside. We looked out to see the dogs in the neighbors yard. Apparently BOTH gates were open and I only closed the one that I'd let the dogs in. Sigh!

Although it was stressful thinking I would have to spend several hours looking, I am now convinced that my family loves those silly dogs. Caitlin cried when it dawned on her that the puppies were missing, Jon missed work to look for them and Dominic was ready to make a missing poster.

I'm so glad they are home and that they are loved.

No School

Dominic had Thursday and Friday off for Fall Break. Yesterday we did the usual coffee girls thing. But today he requested the Children's Museum. So after lunch we headed over and spent the entire afternoon. I forgot my camera so unfortunately didn't get pictures. 

We had so much fun. We built castles, made meals, solved puzzles and did some crafts. There were dishes in my sink, tons of books to review, food to cook and the list goes on. But we took today and enjoyed the break and each other. I'm so thankful for my sweet, goofy, awesome children. They make me laugh and warm my heart. The dishes can be done later, the books can wait. But my kids are growing up so fast and I'm glad that I chose to spend a few hours today playing.