Finger Painting

We got some finger paints from Nathan's parents a while ago. While our neat, responsible Avery has been thoroughly enjoying them since we got them, I hadn't dared even let Benjamin know they existed for fear of the inevitable mess! But the other night I covered them both up in "smocks" and let Benjamin join Avery in creating an art masterpiece. To my pleasant surprise, Benjamin was a neat freak! Maybe there is hope for another neat, responsible kid. He did his best to only get one finger on each hand painty, and he only painted on the paper! I started getting a little concerned though when he demanded that I wash his hands, with soap, three times during the 15-minute painting experience. Maybe I should get him messy more often! Or...maybe not. Keeps my house cleaner!

Unexpected Visit

On Sunday I was at church choir practice, when I got a phone call from Nathan: "My parents called. They're in Houston. They're coming over right now. Come home!!" They were on their way home from an overseas trip and had a layover in Houston that was longer than they had expected. So we got to have them over for an hour and a half or so! Just enough time for dinner and for Avery and Benjamin to wrestle with Grandpa and play dolls and ring-around-the-rosie with Grandma. What a treat!

Halloween Fun

The extent of our Halloween celebrations took place at the play group Halloween party. We may or not be able to convince Avery to go trick-or-treating; she does NOT like any of the even remotely scary Halloween decor. We've only played outside in the front yard twice this whole month because of decorations on our street! I'm glad she has a soft heart. :)

The Kitty and the Fairy

Of course Avery had to be a kitty for a while too.

We had a fun little Halloween party, complete with a craft, bean bag toss, fishing for prizes, a cake walk, cookie decorating, bowling, and fun music to dance to.

Avery hid around the corner when the "ghost" bowling pins were brought out. She came back in once they were put away.

Always the nice, helpful big sister, taking care of baby brother.

Bowling--Benjamin style.

He had about five turns. I think he was just excited to finally be allowed to throw a pumpkin!

Horsey...or is he a train?

It depends on the day! This is a favorite activity at our house in the evenings, as I'm sure it is at many of yours! Thank goodness for Daddy.

Old MacDonald's Farm

We went to Old MacDonald's farm for playgroup today. We went to the same farm last year, so we were even more excited this year, knowing how fun it was. Avery has been praying all week that we can go to the farm. She even prayed for the farmer a couple times.

Avery isn't the most adventuresome girl (I'm okay with that!), but when it comes to animals, she LOVES them! She was all smiles riding the horse. I put Benjamin on the saddle, just for the picture, but he immediately started panicking for me to hold him. He preferred the ones his own size.

This picture about sums up Benjamin's feelings for the little goats.

Cute chicken coop with quite the variety of funky-looking chickens.

Sick. Chicken flu, anyone?

Potbelly Pigs.

Doesn't this picture make it seem like it's Fall here? Well, maybe if I'd put long sleeves on them... Every kid got a free pumpkin. Awesome.

Avery and Trevor waiting in line to get on the very cool train. I'm not sure if 2 1/2 year olds can truly have a best friend, but these two come pretty close! They love each other.

Mitts

This just makes me laugh. These are Benjamin's "mitts", or at least that's what he calls them. I'm not sure if he's pretending they're oven mitts or baseball mitts. He will bring socks to me, yelling (his regular voice level is yelling), "mitt!" "mitt!" and wants me to put them on his hands. He then goes about playing, keeping them on for hours. He even will eat with them on.

Birthday Celebrations

Last week was Nathan's birthday, so we celebrated with key lime pie, presents, and a Friday night date to the Cheescake Factory with a little shopping after.

Here he is, all dressed up for his birthday! Okay, maybe he's dressed up because he just walked in the door after Seminary and I surprised him with a camera pointed at him.


I had to buy a whole bag of key limes at the store, so we had a bunch left over. Naturally, I made another pie on Saturday after we'd finished off the first! Thankfully we had some friends to share the second pie with!

A Bath with a Twist

Tonight I turned the bath water on for the kids, left two clothed children in the bathroom while I ran to answer the phone, and came back to this:
That's our Benjamin!

Yum

Banana-chocolate-chip pancakes were a big hit this morning.

Something to Blog About

Yesterday's high was a welcomed 79 degrees. We haven't seen a 7 as the first digit of a high temperature for a long time, and it was such a refreshing (though humid) day! With it has come a lot of rain, so we play in puddles pretty much everyday. I just love not sweating when I step outside! This shows a typical pattern at our house: Avery playing and Benjamin copying. He does whatever she does and says whatever she says (or tries at least). Though I have to say that puddles are a personal favorite of his too. Avery occasionally likes to follow him too, when he's doing daring climbing stunts or playing with dolls--which he taught her to like.

Also, here's something Nathan and I made (Nathan carved & sanded the wood, I decorated it) that took way too long to make and even longer to hang on the wall. Luckily we like the outcome, so it was worth the effort. We copied a similar one from Nathan's sister Marne. Hurray for another empty wall filled!