We had a blast at Washington Farms for the second year in a row. The highlight (again) was the corn box. The kids actually didn't do everything this year...the main focus was the corn box, animals, cow train, hayride and the pumpkin patch. We really lucked out, as Laurel picked 3 small pumpkins that came to a whopping total of $1.50...woo hoo! (Luke didn't want any, he just wanted to climb around) The piggy races were a bit of a bust with both kids crying about different things. (I think the pigs initially scared Luke when they ran by. And Laurel wasn't chosen to hold one of the piggy scarves, so of course she was crushed) So after that they were ready to go. Perfect timing I think, we spent enough time to have fun but not so much that we were exhausted.
The next day Laurel and I started (and finished) her mermaid costume. She had full artistic control of the design and fabrics chosen. I really am trying to make an effort not to waste, so we used fabric we already had. She's pleased with the result, and that's all that matters.
On Sunday I had a hankering to make a homemade pumpkin pie...so I split one of the smaller pumkins we had and let the kids go to town scooping out the seeds and goo. I've never made a pumkin pie with fresh pumpkin before, I was shocked at how easy it was to do. And the kids were proud because they helped make it...so that was great.

I think the terrible twos have arrived. We never really had them with Laurel, and Luke has always been so well behaved, I think we thought we were in the clear. It looks like we were wrong. He screams, he hits, he throws himself on the ground. This happened overnight...literally. We brought both of the kids to Ikea on Sunday thinking we'd get a chance to look at some things for the new house and the kids would get to play. (and of course have some swedish meatballs) The trouble started at lunch and only got worse. Luke screamed, Luke cried, he even hit some girl!!! He takes discipline well (ie timeout, we aren't talking chain gangs or anything), and seems remorseful, but it doesn't seem to stop the behavior. I just hope we have the strength to live through it (and that this is short lived).
Here are some pictures from David and Karen's party over the weekend...the kids were sad to find that they no longer had cows, but thankfully they did have chickens. So here are some pictures of the kids looking at the chickens.
I also took this picture of Luke because I thought it was funny that the monster on his shirt had chocolate all around his mouth...and so did Luke. But, I didn't realize how much you could see the allergic reaction he had on Thursday (look under his eyes). We think it was to the Magnolia Tree pods he was wiping on his face (don't know why). His eyes puffed up soon after and then became red underneath for a couple of days.

To answer Grandma's question...YES...there will be things to demolish, to build to plant for years to come. Whatever, whenever, you guys are welcome. (All are welcome...we turn away no free labor!!) Jon met with our architect today (that sounds so FANCY!) and really had a good feeling about him. He took our 1-story and 2-story plan ideas and we'll see what he can figure out. This is so exciting.
Not why I wrote however...I have no pictures, but I wanted everyone to have a visual of this. Last night we decided to have a mini-family movie night. So when we got home I sent everyone to put on PJs. I got ready, Dad got ready, Luke got ready...we're on the couch waiting for Laurel who keeps saying that she's coming. Finally we here click clack click clack. We all look up, and there is the fashion diva herself in a flannel hooded PJ shirt (with the hood on), striped tights and high heel dress up shoes. She looked like she was fresh off the Paris runway, she pranced in with her hips swaying, looked at us and said "I'm ready" and then plopped down on her chair to watch the movie. What could we do? We looked at eacother and laughed. It's the little moments that make life great.

My mean husband...(no not really)...went out to the new place to meet some people who were coming to look at various things (tree man, draftsperson, etc) and he had an opportunity to just sit out there with nothing to do. He called me and the first words out of his mouth were...we made the right choice. (Followed by "I wish you were here." Yeah...me too...instead I was in my dreary windowless office...hence the mean husband comment) He said the weather was great, the squirrels were playing, the birds were chirping and it was just peaceful and beautiful and perfect.

Sunday we'll go out together and do the first demo, though it's mostly ceremonial. We decided that for the very first tear down we both needed to be there, sort of like an official groundbreaking. After that it doesn't matter so much. I'm excited to tear out the existing eye-sore of a kitchen island, which is what we'll be doing.

Saturday I took the kids to the park. We played, walked, fed ducks, saw turtles, swung on tree branches and took a bunch of pictures. They both had a blast,and we ran into a family we knew with kids the same age so we played and walked together. For me it was a new experience because I don't really have the kind of scheduling flexibility that allows for play dates. So I'm glad it sort of worked out that way, even though it was a chance encounter.

Sunday we all went out to the new place to check out some things, do a little demo and just play and enjoy. The kids had a blast, picking flowers, running through the empty house, trying to climb trees and collecting magnolia seeds. Laurel really took to it all...and we just had to sit back and let her go and have her own fun. Before leaving we all piled into the dark (no power) kitchen to demo the ugly kitchen island. This was our groundbreaking ceremony. We all took turns kicking the counter down into the middle of the kitchen. (Not realizing what a mess it would make...next time we'll have to clean it up)


Laurel and I also got the craft-bug this weekend and made a Halloween quilt and some Halloween pillows. She helped design, cut and sew them. She's been so excited about them that she sleeps with her Halloween pillow and blanket every night and she even had to bring it over to Grandma's yesterday to show her. I really have to attribute this increase in fun activities to the removal of the TV. Since we got rid of the dish we've found ourselves with a little more time then we're used to. More active time too...instead of just sitting there with the TV on all evening finding something to entertain us...we entertain ourselves. It's really kind of nice, we've all noticed and enjoyed the change. We even had our first official Family Movie Night, which seemed more special since TV has become less of a daily habit and more of an occasional treat. The kids hopped up on our laps on Friday night and we all watched Race To Witch Mountain. They had a blast, even Luker...it just goes to show what a little less technology can do for family time!