Happy Halloween

Well, I let the kids pick out their costumes this year. The only rule was that they had to lock in their choices two weeks out. Still I procrastinated and didn't start sewing until the week of Halloween.

Casey might have gotten a little short changed. All I made him was the vest, everything else was part of is every day wardrobe. Yes, even the hat. He likes to wear it to school daily.

After paging through the Wish Craft catalog, Elizabeth narrowed her choices down to vampire or rock star. I am kind of glad she went with rock star. I enjoyed sewing it, and she completely rocked her costume. However, she keeps asking me when she can wear it to school. I don't think so, honey. Well, maybe just the jacket...it is reversible.

Ava's inspiration was the cupcake costume in the Pottery Barn catalog, but there is no way I am spending $60 on a costume. Materials only ran me a few bucks, but it did cost me three nights of limited sleep. This is my favorite costume this year, and I think Ava looks super sweet.

Pumpkin Patch or Fair Grounds

It is October, so you take your kids to the Pumpkin Patch. Right? However, I am not even sure they grow pumpkins in Texas. Funny thing is that the Pumpkin Patch was at a Christmas Tree farm about an hour outside of San Antonio. We saw no patch, just pre-picked pumpkins set out for sale, but they had lots of activities for the kids to do. Which is good because they charge $8 per person to visit. I am really glad that I had a coupon for half off and two free ice cream cones, otherwise it would have been a very expensive day out for a family of five.

Elizabeth started with "dress a scarecrow."

We moved onto a little fishing. Ava was the only one who caught anything.

The kids also did some bike races, took a tractor ride through the Christmas tree farm, ran throught the hay maze, and checked out the farm animals.

Some relief from the heat. So much for fall weather, I think it was about 90 degrees.

The kids had a blast and wanted to stay twice as long as we did, but it was super hot and we had to get Ryan home to work that night.

P.S. We did get a little family of mini-pumpkins.

Sports Season

Now that it is no longer over 90 degrees everyday, sports are in full swing. Ava opted to play T-ball again, Elizabeth wanted to try soccer, and with Casey in gymnastics, I am a crazy fool. We are on the go 4 days a week for the next couple of months. I will keep you posted on how their seasons go.

Annual Pilgrimage

Some folks go to Disney World, we go to Kiddie Park, a small, local, miniature amusement park filled with rides from the 1920's. We went here last year, and decided it was definitely worth another visit before leaving San Antonio.

The weather was gorgeous and our neighbors with their little girl came with us. It was a great morning, and Kiddie Park probably ranks higher than McDonald's Playland on the kids' list of favorite activities.

Ridden not less than a half dozen time, the school bus remains a favorite.

This ride makes my head spin, but the girls love it.

The funniest thing was hearing all three girls talking about who was going to get to ride in the one and only pink car, and then watching Casey shoot through the open gate, sprint around the track, and jump in the pink car-claiming it for himself.

Government Canyon State Park

I had to work on Columbus Day, but Ryan and the kids had the day off so they decided to explore Government Canyon State Park about a 30-45 minute drive from San Antonio. Ryan tried to take the girls a few weeks ago, only to find out the park is closed mid week. This time they met with success and hike a good six miles through the park. Little Casey even made it the whole way, but I did hear that he was begging to be carried the last mile. Not bad for a little guy. We are officially stroller/back pack free for a few more months.

The adventure begins.

Rest stop.

After some lunch.

Little pet frog. The long walk home. I wish I could have joined them. It looked like a fun day.

After hours

After putting Casey to bed for the evening, I went about putting the girls to bed and cleaning up the house. After about 30 minutes, I went to check on all the kids, and this is what I found. Casey had climbed out bed and onto his dresser. Then, he turned on the lights and opened up a tube of diaper cream which he then proceeded to apply liberally to his legs (and a bit on his face). When I asked him what he was doing, he told me he was fixing his "owies."

Where did he learn this behavior you ask? Bugs love Ava and often leave her with lots of itchy bites all over her legs, for which I will apply Cortisone cream to sooth the itch.

It all makes sense now.

Cortisone cream for bug bites.

Diaper cream for scrapes and bruises.

No one can steal MY Boots!

If I forgot to tell you...

Ryan and I are conducting a little scientific experiment on a person's sanity limits. Baby #4 will be joining our wild crew in February. Casey and the girls will have a new little brother to torture.

We thought it was a better idea than a puppy.