Star Wars – Pumpkin Carving Party

Ok, Jill had a teacher workday on Friday so we pulled the kids out of school and headed to OMSI to play for the day. They have a Star Wars exhibit right now and, well, anyone who knows Cole knows we really could not miss this opportunity.
We had an exhausting day spending hours in the Star Wars exhibit alone. It was great to see the costumes, light sabers (handles) and ships for the movies. Some made us laugh with the pieces they used to construct them and others were just jaw dropping. I know for myself I was very tickled to see R2D2 and C3PO, made my heart jump and a smile came on my face.

We played with anything and everything we could, creating hovercrafts (using magnets) and riding on a hovercraft as well (that used an air cushion). We played a neat 3-D interactive game, building a colony only to find we had more war break out than we did live in peace. Jo even tried to make robot legs walk which was very difficult to do, they had robotics stations amid the Star Wars ones.
The Star Wars day was ended by a ride in the Millennium Falcon! It was not really a ride but it was a replica of the cockpit so there were only the four seats and a bunch of buttons and switches. It even had the microphone which Cole leaned over too and talked to the X-Wing Fighters that we were following. There was a movie screen surrounding the ship and we shook a little as we jumped to light speed. The kids both think we really went into space and saw all those planets and asteroids. Way fun! Oma and I missed most of the “movie” because we were watching the kids and their reactions. Oh, and Mom played with as many switches as I could the short five minute ride we had.

If you want to see all our Star Wars photos click here or click the link in the right hand column.

Jill took the kids to some friends Sunday Night and they all carved pumpkins. They had a wonderful time doing this together. The kid’s pumpkins are very small but they had a very good time and hope to do this activity in the future. That is pumpkin a carving party.

First Field Trip

The kids went on their first field trip with their school this week to the pumpkin patch. Mom filled out a chaperone form and got to meet up with the kids for my first chaperoning gig. Whooohooo…I’m a school Mom. I remember my own Mother showing up at school one year wearing a witch’s outfit and bringing snacks to my homeroom. Well I didn’t go that far for my first time but I sure can see doing something like that in the future. Though, I don’t think it’s politically correct to wear a witch’s costume to school any more. Sad really.

Any the way, the kids had a good time playing in the hay maze, at one point the whole class climbed on the walls, running and jumping from one wall to the next. It was only two bales high so I don’t think any of us were worried. Then onto the tractor-pulled hay ride to the field.
(by they way, this is Jo’s “Bestest Friend Ever” Yvonne) The ride was not a slow moving one at all, and heard it was ‘mellow’ because of the age of the kids’! Wow, don’t know if I could hold on if the little ones were not on board. He bumped us along going along the sides of hills, around trees that almost hit our heads and through the corn fields making a new path as he went. Cole thought it was neat that the driver would throw a rock every now and then at metal targets set up along the drive, it would make quite the noise when the farmer hit them. Then he would drive straight for the scarecrows only to turn out of the way at the last second. I truly believe that this farmer enjoys this time of year and looks forward to it all year long!

Cole and Jo wanted to get the “most biggest” pumpkin in the patch and of course Mom said to go for it. But that whichever squash they chose they had to carry it to the wagon and also to the bus. Cole ran right out and grabbed one that was very large. I was impressed that he actually was able to pick it up but when he could not take a step with it he decided that another would be better.

Jo had a good time in the dirt/mud and every now and then she would come across an already smashed pumpkin and would enjoy helping the composting process by smashing it just a little bit more.

Smiles all around, even me…I got to enjoy their first field trip. Ok, I am a little mushy but I don’t care!

Scarecrow Friday

It was dress up like a scarecrow day at school. Rachelle and Mom ran to a couple stores including the dollar store and this is what we came up with. The kids had fun getting dressed up and were excited to go to school.

We thought these might be good trick or treat costumes too but we don’t think they will go for it. Jo has her sights set on being the pink unicorn again this year and Cole changes his mind every time we ask him. Oh he has his standards as in Batman, Luke Skywalker & Darth Vader but then he has added Peanut butter/Jelly Sandwich, Booger and a Vampire. No matter what, this year should be a fun one and we’re excited!

Same Old Things & Our Birds

Well, we received more hand-me down cloths this past week, mostly for Jo but there were a few shirts that we could pass along to Cole too. Jo feels very special at times opening sacks of cloths all that she can wear. At times it’s like she gets to empty out her drawers and start with a whole new wardrobe. This dress & tights set were just received and she just loooooves them. She came right up to me and asked if I would take her picture with her pretty dress on. Who could say no?

We have been very fortunate with the kid’s clothes with family and friends passing along their used goods. The good fortune is shared by us passing along the twin’s cloths as well, and I have heard that the clothing chain continues after us. So a big THANKS to all those who have helped dress the twins through the years.

Cole spent the other day trying on pants at many stores. He was a very good sport about the whole thing and maybe because he knew he would be going home with some new duds for himself. Some times he doesn’t look like he is growing at all but then the weather started turning a little chilly and out came the pants…well…he was looking like he could wade through the flood waters. All but one pair of pants were a couple inches off his feet. Ha…Ha…guess the Little Man has grown some over the summer. He is happy today wearing a new pair of jeans with a cool looking chain that hangs from his belt loops. Oh, and a pair of camouflage pants just like his friend Mason wears was purchased as well. Happy Guy.
We have been enjoying the birds in our front yard. A couple feeders, birdbath, and a few bird houses line the front flowerbed. We had a large flock land on the bath to frolic in the water and darn near emptid it. It was neat to watch so many at once trying to bathe. We have some sort of bird activity all day long so it’s nice to some times just sit and watch. Though there are some days I feel we just provide a sporting event for one of our neighbor cats. I have tried three different cat repellents to keep her away and once I even managed to spray her fir, she just come back and laid right in the middle of all the stink and or blood stuff. I think she is under there sniffing it and getting high myself. The challenge has been set…can I win is the question?!