[Sort of] Happy Halloween!

 This was a sad Halloween.  Normally we host a huge Halloween party where the kids can roam free and trick-or-treat and the parents can stay in and enjoy themselves.  Sometimes adults are outside passing out drinks to other adults for a more grown-up trick-or-treating.  Other neighbors also host parties and our neighborhood is bursting with kids.  Everyone hangs on to every minute and begrudgingly goes home too early as it's usually a school night.

Peter Knight, Katherine Turtle, Stuart Pirate, & Helen Magician.

This year was much different.  There was a sad feeling in the air when we chose not to have our usual gathering.  The kids and I were out trick-or-treating by 4:30 on this abnormally sunny and warm Halloween Saturday afternoon.  About half of the houses had bowls filled with candy and set outside.  One neighbor actually passed out candy from her door.  We only saw two other families out trick-or-treating and that was it.  No parties, no rowdy teenagers, no cars dropping off groups of non-neighborhood kids, and only one adult beverage.  We were sober and back in the house and eating dinner by six o'clock.

Our bowl of candy.

Running amuck.

It was a ghost town by 7:30.  Most of our neighbors had brought in their candy bowls and turned off their porch lights.  We did the same with our practically full dish.  Our house was in order and with the time change, everyone was in bed by 7:30.  While this may have been the saddest Halloween to date, it was definitely the simplest and most peaceful.

Happy 6th Birthday, Peter!

 Six years ago today, this guy came barreling into the world and hasn't stopped yet!

We started the morning with the excitement of presents.  Sometimes it can be tough for a bother or sister to understand that everyone gets a birthday, just not on the same day.

Because of Covid protocols, only store bought treats can be sent into school.  So off Peter went with his Halloween themed mini cupcakes.

He had "the best day ever" at school, then came home to (watch Brian) assemble his Roman Soldier and Viking figures.

He loved his homemade stormtrooper birthday cake.

Happy birthday, Peter!

You are loved more than you could ever know.

When Grandpa Randy Visits

 I love my dad.

My kids love their Grandpa.

There is so much excitement when Grandpa Randy visits!

Stuart and Katherine found this leaf imprint in our garage.  They sat there and studied it for a long time.  They came to the conclusion that Grandpa Randy sent it to them.  I'm not sure of their reasoning, but I'm guessing they found a similar imprint in my dad's barn the last time we visited him.  Or, maybe he really sent it?

Grandpa made it and instantly the kids were glued to him.  He loved every minute of it.

Peter also lost his very first tooth.

My dad spoiled the kids with a trip to the candy store and time at the trampoline park.  It was good to burn off all that sugar.

Here's some candy treats a coworker of my dad's made for everyone. 

He also watched the kids while Brian and I went out to dinner alone.

Without kids.

I'm not sure if it because I'm getting older or my kids are growing up so fast, but it's getting harder and harder to say good-bye when Grandpa Randy leaves.

Happy Feast Day, Peter Isaac!

 Feast days mean special treats!

Today we celebrate the Feast of Saint Isaac Jogues, Peter's namesake and patron saint.  After having a tough time waking up this morning, Peter was treated to a huge chocolate chip muffin for breakfast.

Saint Isaac Jogues, pray for us!

Ferguson's Apple Orchard

 For years, my kids would take a field trip to Ferguson's Apple Orchard and I was never able to go as a chaperone.  I was either super pregnant, just had a baby, or had a busy toddler.  My kids would talk about how much fun they had and I always felt like I was missing out on something.  Since Saturday was such a beautiful day, we packed up four out of five kids (Martin stayed home to work on homework) and headed over to the apple orchard.

We started out wading through so many pumpkins.  I don't know what it is about pumpkins, but they cause so much excitement in my little kids.

There are little bags of dirt available which the kids and put in pans and pan for fool's gold, rocks, and arrow heads.  This was definitely a highlight.

Of course everyone had to take a turn on the big slides near the Wild West Town.

Ferguson's also had a huge pumpkin trampoline the kids enjoyed.

There were a lot of animals to look at and to pet.  Stuart's favorite was the ducklings.

They also have a section with makeshift horses with real saddles the kids can 'ride' and lasso the bulls.  We spent a lot of time there.  You can tell by the kids' faces who enjoyed it the most.

Ironically, we never touched one single apple while we were there.  Well, except for this giant man made one.

The kids were right.  This place is a lot of fun!  So we took a neighborhood friend and went back two days later.