Other October Happenings

With Halloween, Birthdays, and all the October festivities, I didn't want to forget about all the other little happenings.
Isaac and Ashlyn were watching "Baby Einstein" - Ashlyn's favorite. Eric and I were ignoring her requests to watch it, so Isaac put it on for her and they cuddled up on the couch. He takes good care of his sister (most of the time) and she adores her big brother.

Isaac lost his second tooth, and this time I got a picture of it! It was barely hanging on by a thread, but I couldn't get it with my fingers, so I got the pliers out. He had no problem with it and it was quick and painless, but Eric thought I was quite barbaric! That's how my parents used to pull my teeth, so I didn't think anything of it. Barbaric? I think - BRILLIANT!

Carter has been BEGGING me to make "gingerbread men" cookies (i.e. sugar cookies) for months. I've been putting him off because it makes a huge mess and takes forever and I don't really like the cookies. Totally not worth the effort. I finally gave in and I was mostly right. It was a huge mess, it took forever, and the cookies weren't that good - but it was definitely worth effort. Sometimes I get so caught up in me, that I forget that it's okay to do something just for them. We had a GREAT time!

While I was helping Isaac or Ashlyn with something, Carter "just needed a little bit more flour."

We finished off with some hot chocolate and popcorn (and I won't even mention the full mug of hot chocolate spilled or anything else that happened that day! :)) I love my kids!

One of Eric's mom's visions has always been to have a gate for her grandkids to swing on. They got one when they got the horse, but the kids hadn't really swang on it yet. While they were out there the other day, she ran in the house to grab my camera because she just couldn't miss the moment. Now we just need the baseball field and the swimming pond!

Ashlyn has been funny about her bed lately. Early in the month we had to switch her to her toddler bed because she refused to sleep in her crib anymore. Then a few nights later she insisted on sleeping in her cradle that she hasn't slept in since she was a newborn. She's back to her big girl bed now, but DON'T even THINK about leaving her room if you haven't tucked in and kissed her baby "good night" right beside her. Bedtime used to me my favorite time because we would read, sing, and she would peacefully go to sleep. It was a good wind-down for me at the end of the day. Ever since Eric has been back, she won't have a thing to do with me at

bedtime. If I try to take her to bed, she just screams, "DADDY!" She knows what she wants and she's not afraid to let us know.

This month I had a parent/teacher conference for Isaac. His teachers gave a glowing report. They said they just love him! He really is a good boy and tries hard to please. He's doing great on his reading and his comprehension is even better. He's doing well at his other subjects, also.

I was also able to go on a field trip with Isaac to the Public Library. That was the first time that many of the first graders had ever been there. Times like that help me to step back and count my blessings. We had a really great time and I'm looking forward to their spring field trip. Inner Space Caverns...here we come!

Pumpkin Carving and Caramel Apples

For the past several years, we have had the tradition of inviting a couple of families over for pumpkin carving and caramel apples. I think this is probably my favorite tradition. It's what makes Halloween for me!

It's nice that the boys are getting old enough to put them to work! They graciously peeled all of the wrappers off of the caramels for me and didn't even eat very many! Ashlyn was the real candy snatcher!

Yummy! Yummy!

They're loving it!

Here is the "before" of all our pumpkins. We really don't have that much carving room in our apartment, but we made it work!

This year we invited the Martino's, Hadley's, and Starla over.

Starla was a huge help with Carter's carving and she entertained Ashlyn a good bit, too! Thanks, Starla!

Jeremy decided not to mess around with his pumpkin this year. Power tools all the way!

I love this picture of Kassie's two pumpkins!

Isaac was cracking Gracie up. It was funny watching him play with her. He's good with the babies.

Which is scarier? The boys or the pumpkins!

Ta-Dah!

Another great year of pumpkin carving!

My big "28" and the Pumpkin Patch

October 25th I turned 28! Hooray! I love any day to celebrate me! :) My best birthday present was a surprise from Eric....Him! He was able to come home a week earlier than planned and surprise me for my birthday. His surprise got a little spoiled - but it was fabulous anyway - and the kids didn't have a clue. It has been better than Christmas having Dad and Husband around again. I was treated like a queen on my special day. I got to sleep in, only to be awakened by the smell of cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate. My family knows me well! I opened presents and then we headed off to Silo Farms Pumpkin Patch. They had a hayride, a hay maze, a hay stack to play in, and lots of pumpkins. My favorite part was just being with my family.

Eric and I aren't much better than the kids when it comes to taking pictures.

Take #1 -

And Take #2 -

Carter posing it up on the pumpkin!

Our best attempt at a family picture!

After the pumpkin patch, we met my in-laws for lunch at the park, and then they watched the kids so that Eric and I could go out and get reaquainted! We went to Killeen and played Putt-putt golf (I don't want to embarrass Eric, so I won't mention who won!) and then Eric took me to Target to spend my gift card from my parents. Thanks for the new dress and earrings! Then we headed back to town and hit a few more stores and had dinner. It was SOOO nice to not have to worry about the kids and just hang out together. When we got home we had some delicious lemon meringue birthday pie that my mother-in-law made. Thanks everyone for an AWESOME birthday and all the birthday wishes!

Fire Fighter Pancake Breakfast

A couple of Saturdays ago (Oct. 18), the firefighters had a free pancake breakfast and fair at Whistlestop Park. It was something we Chapman's just couldn't miss! Isaac went through a huge firefighter stage, and Carter is still in one. I'll let the pictures tell the story (with a little captioning, of course!)...

We were able to take a ride on a 1939 (I think) firetruck. It's amazing how well that thing is still running!

They had several different activities for the kids to do. Isaac was able to ring the bell TWICE! He was pretty excited. I won't say how many times he tried! :)

They had a fire safety house where they learned how to escape a two-story building. Guess I better get me one of those ladders or Isaac won't know what to do!

We waited in line for a LONG time to go down this slide once, but it was a favorite!

Ashlyn sported her firefighter hat most of the time. I think she makes a pretty cute firefighter!

I loved watching her walk around with her hat on reading her book. The lines were pretty long. It was a good time passer!

My handsome firefighters!

Carter had a lot of cute pictures up on the firetruck. It was hard for me to pick one, so luckily Eric stepped in!

They had real firefighter coats for the kids to wear while they acted out being a firefighter. Carter was pretty excited to work side-by-side a REAL fireman.

Isaac was almost too fast for me to get any pictures. If your house is burning, he's the one you want on the job. He was quick!

What's a firefighter fair without a dalmation?

They had six firetrucks that we were able to check out. One nice firefighter opened up his truck for us so the kids to explore a little more.

They were also having "Family Day" at the train museum at the park. Dr. Watson, a chemistry professor from UMHB came a did a demonstration. I've seen a few of his demos and they are really fun. Isaac was chosen to be a helper, which made his year. He looks good in goggles!

While Isaac was being a chemist, Carter was out riding a train with friends.

Papa joined us right before the chemistry demo. It was his birthday, but instead of doing whatever he wanted to do, he came down to spend the rest of the day with the boys since they were really missing Eric. He took us all to McDonald's for lunch and then took the boys bowling in Killeen. The boys had a FABULOUS time and I think Papa enjoyed it, too - even if he did look wore out! It's nice to have such thoughtful in-laws and a loving Papa!