Home Life + Ice Skating

Stories with Papa.

 Licking the beaters is the best part.

 Star Wars is awesome.

 Going through the bag of Halloween costumes. Some naked horseback riding may have happened.

 It was one of my goals this season to get them both in the dino costumes at the same time for a photo op. Check.

 At our friends' pumpkin carving party. We did a ghost in ours, but we still have 3 more to carve and I'm waiting to get a group gourd photo.

 Hannah at a table for 1 (it's our step stool).

Zane and I went ice skating at the Lloyd Center Mall after I picked him up from school today. Luchia's girls take lessons and they gave us a free pass…it was so much fun! I hadn't been ice skating since high school and am happy to report that I only fell once. Zane's progress was astounding from start to finish. He started on the wall and could barely keep his feet under him and by the end he was doing laps on the wall on his own and occasionally taking a shortcut through the middle!!!

 We started by making ourselves into a tripod. I kept my legs on either side of him for balance while he learned his footing. There was another Mama and her daughter who was just learning also and she came over to ask if we would do a photo swap with them. I'm always all about the photo swap ;)

 Taking a break.

 "Mama, I'm going to go by myself this time." He went all the way around the rink!

I'll have to look into a pass of some sort…or he says he wants to take a class.  We were there for 2 1/2 hours, with breaks for lunch and the zamboni. I could tell he was getting tired but he didn't want to quit. It was time to go when he said "Mama, it feels like my bones are going to crack."

Zane's First Field Trip

Today Zane took a field trip to the Pumpkin Patch with his school. Not just his class, but everyone who goes to SJCC. We all met at the school and then carpooled over to the patch for some free time before the hay ride. There was a lot of sticking of heads through cutouts...

 Zophia, Zane, and Liam.

 Then it was ride time! It wasn't really a hayride, since there was no hay. They use a covered wagon with school bus type seats for the field trips. I was glad to have the cover, but rain held off and we didn't need it. There were heavy rains ALL DAY yesterday…seriously, it didn't stop or let up once…and again this morning. It stopped right as we were leaving to drop sister at daycare and started after our sack lunch at the patch - perfect! Still, I was happy I'd remembered to bring an extra outfit for him to change into before getting back into the car.

 He picked one of the first ones he saw...

 …but then changed his mind and searched for another. They told us the tractor would drop us off and then we'd have to walk back. I could see the panic in the parents' eyes as they envisioned carrying large pumpkins down the sloppy, muddy road while attempting to keep their child away from monstrous mud puddles, and in the case of some, small toddlers who accompanied big sis/bro as well. There was an audible sigh of relief when we pulled up to a patch with small pumpkins that isn't visible to the main farm and is a short walk to the parking lot.

 Z and his buddy, Gus.

 I couldn't help but take a selfie with my boy.

 Gus, Dylan, and Zane.

Mason's last 5k

Mason's last 5k for this year was the Zombie Run in Pier Park on Sunday. We were pleasantly surprised to run into our friends, Brad, Annie, and their daughter, Maggie! Brad and I hung out with the  kids and took a whole bunch of photos while Mason and Annie ran.

 Here they come! (pic by Brad)

We were a little concerned that the kids would be scared of the Zombie costumes, but as it turned out, not too many people dressed up. Mason had a close call with a walker on the first lap, but managed to escape.

 The kid crew did the usual - balloons, face painting and snacks. We walked to the playground once Mason and Annie finished. Mason set a new record for himself of 29 minutes!! Great job, babe!!! (next 3 pics by Brad)

Spinny chairs…ugh.

All done.

 Brad got this great pic of all 3 kiddos on the slide. I'm so happy we ran into them…impromptu playdates are the best!

This one is from the other night when we had yet another impromptu get together. This time, with our neighbors, and the kids ended up watching the Incredibles after dinner. When I went in to deliver popcorn, Zoe had Hannah inside the snuggie. So cute!!

Selecting the Gourds

Hayrides were taken. The perfect pumpkins were sought after and found. Boots were muddied. Hay pyramids were conquered. Kettle corn was demolished. Thank you Pumpkin Patch for yet another great experience.

Star Wars Party

Zane chose the backyard for his birthday this year because he really wanted a piñata! You got it, buddy! We turned the yard into a galactic gathering of our closest Jedi, Padawan, and Ewok friends and had the battle to end all battles!

To feed the Rebel Forces there were Ani-cakes, Boba Fruit, Vader Veggies, Droid Dip, and Chewy Chips. Yum!

 The piñata went over very well, but the Force must have been used in its making because it didn't go down without a fight!

 Ahhhh….there it goes.

 Time for Ani-cakes!

 And try as we might to save the present opening until after the party, that never happens :)

 Blond little padawans! And Hannah with her crazy hair because she'd lost her pigtails in the battle.

 Post ani-cake, sugar rush battles. No one poked an eye out!

 And a nice episode of Rescue Bots with his new friends to end the day. Thank you everyone near and far for making this 5 year old a very happy Jedi.