Got Egg Nog?

Our little cow with her eggnog mustache! She's discovered she likes eggnog and I'm happy she's getting some extra calories!

Pumpkin Patch

Wednesday afternoon we took a trip to the pumpkin patch just down the road from us. It was a beautiful fall day and since we went right after school there was hardly anyone there. The kids had a ball trying out all the fun farm activities including milking a cow replica, riding play horses, trying to rope a wood calf, jumping in the corn box and Sam's favorite flying down a huge slide into the hay pit.

Sam having a hand at the cow milking

Millie was in heaven riding a horse..even if it was pretend

Pretty baby Jo was a trooper and just took it all in...next year she won't be far behind her brother and sisters!

Maggie posing in the outhouse

This is the corn box. It was a big rectangle made with bales of hay and then filled with dried corn. The kids loved it. They would jump of the hay bales and just sink into the corn. It was kind of like digging in the sand. Sam then of course said "what if a rat got in here?" Great visual and yes now you'll be taking a shower when we get home!

Even Josie got in this pic...she looks so funny hanging out back there!

The four monkeys

We were especially thankful for the amazing, warm weather and the bonus opportunity for Rock and I to get a little visiting time while the kids played. Seems like the uninterrupted times to visit are few and far between these days so we'll take it whenever or wherever we can get it!

I also have to share a funny little conversation that took place between Sam and a boy that was also in the corn box (If you read Kristen's blog this was one the stories she was referring to). While the kids were playing in the corn box a couple "bigger" boys joined in. Sam is very outgoing and makes new friends quite quickly. So it was no surprise that he was talking with them but there seemed to be a slight hesitation about him that I didn't quite understand until I overheard a conversation between him and one of the boys.

Sam: What school do you go to?

Older boy: Thunder Mountain (middle school)

Older boy: Do you go to Westwood?

Sam: yep(no eye contact with boy)

Older boy: What grade are you in?

Sam: 3rd

Older boy: Do you know Anna S......?

Sam: yep (still no eye contact)

Older boy: She's my little sister

Sam: yep(still no eye contact with boy but quickly catches my eye and gives me the "don't say a word mom" look

I'm not sure if I did the story justice but it really was priceless. I have the feeling Sam knew all along who the boy was and was just playing it cool.

P.S. If you haven't read any of my earlier blogs Anna is a girl in his class that he is quite fond of!

One more random Sam story took place a few nights ago when he, Josie and I were snuggling in his bed.

Sam: Mom, when I'm 18 will you let me take Josie on a date in the car?

Me: sure Sam

Sam: Okay good...I'm going to take her someplace really nice like Applebees.

Me: (trying hard to contain my giggling) that's so sweet Sam...she'll love it!

Little School Girl

Tuesday is Library day at our house and it's a day Millie looks forward to all week long. She loves to get dressed up in "school girl" clothes and wear her "library shoes" and carry her back pack. She does such a good job during story time. She listens so intently to the teacher and joins right in during song and dance time. It's so fun to watch her! After story time we head out into the library and she gets to pick out a few books and videos. She's so funny about the books...whatever one she grabs is the one she gets. There's no looking at pictures or perusing through the pages first-she takes whatever is easiest to reach. When we got home from library today we couldn't help but spend some time outside playing in leaves. She was having so much fun picking them up and throwing them in the air and then the wind picked up and she was having a ball trying to catch them falling out of the trees. Alison recently reminded me of the days when her and Ryan and I would stand in the front yard waiting for the leaves to blow over the top of the house and then take off racing to catch them. Such sweet memories and it's so fun to watch my own kiddos make those same memories. So have I mentioned I love fall?

Millie in the leaves!

Young Love: Part 2

Just a sad little update on Sam's new love. He brought home the note after school today and said "Mom I'm done bothering Anna, she threw my note in the garbage." He handed over the note and told me I could have it. How dare she hurt my sweet little boy? Ahhhgg, I'm not looking forward to the impending crushes and broken hearts that will happen around this house. Looks like Sam and Maggie are back on for Homecoming 2016!

Young Love

When Sam and Maggie were three and five we had their pictures taken and one of the poses we call the "prom picture" because they look like they're at a dance together(sorry I don't have it to post). Anyways, ever since then we've teased them about going to the prom together and that if they wanted to go they'd have to go with each other because they weren't going to be allowed to go with a date. Aren't we mean parents? Of course we will let them date...when they're 28! We also tell Sam that the only women in his life are his sisters and his mom and up until recently he's been just fine with that. Enter...Anna. Sam has been a new man this school year and I think this mother finally figured out why. He's in love:) He's talked of other girls before but just in passing and usually just about how they're good at wall ball or kickball but Anna is different. He likes to make Anna laugh, he says Anna gets shy when he talks to her and today he wanted to get to school early to leave a note on her desk. A note? What is this?!! He very eagerly showed me the note and it was so sweet. To: Anna From: Sam and it was a picture of a koala bear in a tree with bees flying around. If it wouldn't have totally humiliated him I would have asked to make a copy because it was so precious. Don't get me wrong. I'm in no way encouraging my son to seek a "girlfriend" but I do believe this is all part of growing up and it's my job to be open and understanding so he always wants to share his "love notes" with me.