Pumpkin Carving

This is the first Fall we have spent in the USA since having kids...ok since moving to the Middle East in  summer 2010.  Also, in the Middle East a single carving pumpkin cost about $50-$80 so needless to say we have never carved pumpkins with the kids.  I have fond memories of this as a kid so I was excited to introduce Jacob and Hailey to it.  Of course the best part is cleaning out all gooey insides. Jacob didn't know what to think at first but he got into it and became a good helper.  Hailey only started helping when we threatened Jacob taking her stuff. So much fun and so cute to watch a new tradition started!

 

Boo at the Zoo

For one of Micah's Friday offs I convinced him to take the kids to the zoo with me.   When we pulled into the parking lot we noticed it seemed rather busy and that lots of people were in costume.  We quickly figured out it was "Boo at the Zoo" weekend.  Although the entrance and some of the fall themed activities were a little busy, overall the zoo didn't seem crowded at all so it was a very enjoyable day.  It's fun to watch our kids have fun with their Daddy.

Jacob's First Day of School

In September Jacob started back at preschool at First Baptist Humble.  He goes two days a week and LOVES it!  I can't believe how big he is!

Jacob's 4th Birthday

I know every birthday post begins this way but I seriously can NOT believe our boy is 4 years old!  Where does time go?!  On the day of his birthday I let him open a couple presents, Nana came over to swim and we just had a fun day.  

 For his birthday party I had decided to make the cake myself after looking around at cake prices.  Yikes!! So my dear friend Lindsey gave me lots and lots of tips over the phone and I set out to make the cake.   I was all set to even decorate it myself.   However to my wonderful surprise Lindsey was able to come the night before his party and decorate the cake for me.  Hallelujah.  She still used the simple design I had decided on since there wasn't really time for one of her elaborate cakes but I was still grateful for her expertise.

 The theme for the party was beachballs and pool.  A little side note, I had originally planned Jacob's party for Saturday June 18 but not that many people could come and I wanted Jacob to have friends at his party.  It turned out that if we had the party Friday evening June 17 lots of people could make it.  I was so happy Jacob had lots of friends at his party.  And grateful to Chad and Traci for driving as fast as they could to make it. The party guests included the Perry's: Lindsey, Brooklyn and Miles, the Raileys: Brent, Laura, Savannah, Olivia, and Nathan, the Wallaces: Chad, Traci, Coleton and Bailey and of course Nana and Papa.

 The kids had tons of fun swimming and playing together.  We had hamburgers and hot dogs plus tons of snacks.   Cake was delicious and Jacob received lots of super fun presents.  It was truly a great birthday party!

Hailey, Miles, Brooklyn, Coleton, Olivia, Jacob, Savannah