Happy Halloween!

Halloween was a busy day! The kids both had parties at school. I was able to attend Chandler's first kindergarten party. I was in charge of the Bingo Center. It was so fun to be in his classroom and see all of his cute friends. After school we headed to my Mom's to carve our pumpkin.

Dave did the majority of the work, while we all observed. (I roasted the seeds and they were snacky!)

Here's my Mom (aka Little Red Riding Hood) with all of the Tennessee grandkids. It was a much bigger group last year!

You may have noticed that Callie is a different princess that she was for Trunk or Treat. She got a lot of dress up clothes for her birthday in August, so she had her choice of costume. She wanted to be Belle. You may also have noticed that she looks a little forlorn. She did NOT enjoy trick or treating. We walked outside to take pictures. She took one look at the darkness, the ghosts, floating in the trees, and the people in scary costumes walking around the neighborhood and burst into tears. We drug her to a few houses. Unfortunately the first one had some witch cackling, which set her off again. I asked her if she wanted to get candy or go home and go to bed. She sobbed, "I want my bed!"

Iron Man was feeling much better and was all about the trick or treating. He racked up. Fortunately, David and I were able to relieve him of all of his peanut contained candy. (Reeses are my favorite!)

Hope everyone had a safe and Happy Halloween!

Trunk or Treat!

Last night was our annual church carnival/trunk or treat. The kids always have a blast.

Callie was "Beauty" (aka Sleeping Beauty/Aurora/Brier Rose). She refused to wear her crown and heels. She wanted to wear her Keds. I guess she didn't want anything to slow down her quest for candy.

This is our sad Iron Man. Chandler sat on the chair and pouted through most of the carnival. We couldn't figure out why until Dave touched his forehead. He was burning up. I asked him if he wanted to get a few pieces of candy and then go home. He said, "No. I just want to go home." I then knew he was for real sick. He's home from school today and seems to be feeling better.

Vana the Witch

Morgie the Snow White, who apparently prefers cupcakes to apples

E the Darth Vader

Callie would play one game, earn her candy, and then sit in the middle of the gym floor and then eat it. After the piece was gone, she was ready to move on to the next game.

How do I love this picture? Let me count the ways:

1. The two sleeping beauties in the front, who have no desire to have their pictures taken. Callie is trying to escape to find more candy. Claire's trying to pretend that she's not actually having her picture taken.

2. Val and I are hot!

3. My poor sick boy in the back, trying to look happy for the camera.

Don't worry if you haven't had enough of the kids in their costumes. I'm anxious to see what adventures tomorrow night will bring. Happy Halloween!

Memphis Madness!

Friday marked the official start of Tiger Basketball season, so a bunch of us headed downtown to the FedEx Forum for Memphis Madness. Our group had a great time, some of us (the "real" fans) more than others. (Thanks for coming anyway, guys!)

I myself loved every minute and almost screamed myself horse. Highlights included the raising of last year's banner, a video montage of last year's national championship run, an appearance by Chris Douglas-Roberts, and a team scrimmage.

Tigers are #1!

The family in our Tiger gear. Sorry, Chad, I couldn't find my tiger ears.

The Forum was packed! We got there right at starting time and had to sit on the top level.

The event didn't start until 8 o'clock, but the kids did great. At least until the very end. On the way out, Callie saw someone with a slushie and immediately started shrieking for one. When she finally understood that she would not be getting a $6 slushie at almost 10 o'clock at night, she lost her mind.

She screamed the entire way to the car and most of the way home. But upon our arrival at home, the backseat looked like this:

GO TIGERS, GO!

Something's missing...

It's official. Chandler's lost his first tooth. David and I got a little misty as we remembered when he first got that tooth. Then I remembered how much he used to bite me with it and I felt better. :) Our little boy is growing up so fast! The tooth fairy came and left him a dollar. It burned a hole in his pocket until we got to the dollar store later this week. He traded it in for a police dress up kit. Awesome!

Callie's Fall Break

Callie had a whole week off of preschool for fall break. We were able to go to the Children's Museum and the Zoo. I don't have pictures of my own, these are all rip offs from other blogs. Thanks guys!

The girls watching the sea lion show.

The kids played in the fountain at the zoo all summer. (It's allowed, as long as you stay away from the water sprays.) Several times we drove down there and hardly saw any animals. It was all about the water. When I told Callie we were going to the zoo, she asked if she could wear her bathing suit. I assured her it was too cold to play in the water. Turns out it wasn't, so the girls went in their clothes.

We are the proud holders of a Children's Museum pass, so we've been spending a lot of time there lately, especially when it's raining outside.

Here's the fire truck. Callie loves to drive, like her Mom. Anytime our family goes anywhere, I drive. Otherwise I drive from the passenger seat, which doesn't go over so well with Dave.

The lovely ladies of Ladder 39

Callie and Claire being hauled off to the clink.

Fishing in the river. Getting wet is always fun!

The maze/cage. I wonder if I can get one of these at home?

Fair Fun

Those of you who live in Memphis know that the Mid-South Fair has been heading downhill for sometime now. Most people out east go to the Delta Fest, which is held in the beginning of September. We wanted to take the kids, but I ended up being out of town. So even though we were a little hesitant, when the Mid-South Fair rolled into town we decided to give it a try. We ended up having a blast. The crisp fall weather and nonexistent crowds made for a great evening.


We had decided that the kids could pick a couple of rides to go on. Callie was not interested until she saw Dumbo, or maybe a close relation of his.







After Dumbo, Callie decided that she was a big girl and could ride anything, including this caterpillar roller coaster.







She quickly changed her tune once it started. The look of terror on her face was priceless.



Chandler went a couple of the obstacle courses, with big slides. He would have done it 50 times if we'd let him.



Callie was happy to spot a old standby, her favorite, the merry-go-round.

We also saw an outdoor circus, some crafts, classic cars, and the animals. But we all know the best part of the fair is always the food! We were able to enjoy fudge, a funnel cake, and Pronto Pups. Dave loves the turkey legs, but Chandler ended up eating most of it.

The kids declared it the most fun they'd had since Disney World. Until next fall, I'll guess we'll have to get our riding kicks at Chuck-E-Cheese or something. I guess Six Flags isn't that far..... road trip, anyone?

Conversations

Callie's rest time has become less about sleep and more about destroying her room. She's been sick, so I thought she might sleep today. I opened her room to find every toy she owns on the floor, along with her wall decor, and the contents of her piggy bank.

Me: "Look at this mess! You're fired!"
Callie. "I am not fired. I am Callie."