Lots of Fall Festivities

It is finally feeling like Fall around here!  Finally dropped below 80 degrees!  It's hard to drink pumpkin spice and wear orange corduroys when it's so stinking hot.

It's been a busy Fall, but - then again - it always is.  Beyond the first big fall holiday (Halloween!) we did lots of other fun things around town and with friends and family.

First, JB ran his first race!  He and I participated in the 1 Mile Monster Dash rush one morning, which was a blast (especially in costume!)

Let me tell you: JB has no idea how to pace a run.  He darted across the starting line, full blown sprint, and kept running like that the entire time.  I had to run so fast to keep up with him.  When I mentioned "pacing", he said, "that's not even a real word!" Obviously not, in JB's vocabulary.  :)

We ran so quickly that I won my age division!  Now, there were only a few women in my age group running, but still.  I felt very proud.  And JB said he technically crossed before me so he actually won the medal.

We had a couple of cuties watching us run. They scattered during the costume contest, though!  (Maryn still has a really hard time with costumes.)

Our neighbor - who Wesley adores (even in costume)

It's worth noting that one day in this dry, hot October when it did rain (before the monsoon of Halloween night!). It warranted some fun outside in our rain boots. 

Maryn and Wesley had a fun fest at their school this month, where people could wear costumes (non-scary ones, so Maryn was okay) and play games.  Oh, and collect candy - because Lord knows we're running short around here!!  Maryn mixed it up from actual Halloween (but kept it all in the Frozen family) by dressing as Elsa instead of Anna.  

Our church also hosted a trunk or treat, and the big kids had a blast running around (in the full sun, 90 degrees, what the heck October...)

Our family from Florida came up for a visit!  Only a quick, 36 hour trip, but we made the most of it. The kids absolutely adore their Aunt Kim, Uncle Andy, and Cousin Katelyn.  They asked if they could come back next weekend :)

Before they hit the road, they got suckered into carving pumpkins with the kiddos. 

Can I just complain for a hot second? Those pumpkins lasted 3 days before they grew so much mold and then COLLAPSED on the porch.  Made me so mad....

However, even when moldy, it made for a cute backdrop for some pumpkin photos. We didn't make it to the patch as a family this year, but our front porch sure did look nice and orange!

James, JB and Maryn went up to Atlanta one weekend (leaving me and little Wesley alone for some 1:1 bonding!), and JB got to carve pumpkins with his BFF. This is our old neighborhood's annual carving, and I'm so glad they still got to participate.

The boys also went to JB's first ever NFL game.  Can I just say how excited JB was?  And had been ever since we told him on his birthday??   I don't know what was more exciting - a game with his daddy, or the MARTA ride there.

Although there is only so much afternoon football one can take before this happens.  (I feel ya, JB!)

I'm sure I'm missing some other Fall adventures from the month. Such a busy time!  But always a lot of fun, especially with these three.  :)

Dress Up Days!

I think JB's school dresses up at least once a week.  At first I kept it pretty tame (i.e. graphic t-shirt according to the theme), but then JB reported that some kids went to class in full blown costumes - so obviously we had to up the game. Just a few of my favorites below.

For Grandparent's Day, the kids took videos in 50s attire (to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their school).  They also dressed in 50s for the actual event, too.  Super funny.

(You know what's not funny? When your sister races to the car to capture the coveted back seat and your mom has forced you to take a picture....)

Oh, and during the Grandparent's day performance, JB pulled his own tooth!  In the middle of the performance, in front of everyone!!!  

For Community Helper Day, JB asked to go as a military soldier.  As of right now, this is what he wants to be when he grows up.  He tells people that his "grandfather and great grandfather in Heaven" were both veterans, and I know they'd be very proud.  :)

Homecoming week had a dress up day every. single. day.  I failed a couple of days, but I think we nailed the Western Day and the Galaxy Day.

The day after Halloween the school celebrated Farmer Brown Day, where the kiddos learn about farming and also participate in lots of games.  Of course we dressed up!  Like we even need an excuse to wear our cowboy boots...

Farmer Brown Day is quite the event for the K4 and Kindergarten classes. They've done it for years,  and there are no shortage of farmers and ag folks among the parents who help out (or bring the tractor and hay for a hay ride!)

The kids collected snacks and candy at every game station, which is exactly what they needed after a full night of trick or treating the day before.... :)

JB bowled a strike!

This has nothing to do with dress up, but I saw a few of JB's art projects at school. Totally warms my heart. 

This kiddo is doing well and loving all the learning!  I'm thankful for teachers that keep things fun and creative (and, obviously, dressed up in character!)

Halloween 2019!

The kiddos were all ready for Halloween this year, after tons of fall festivities leading up to the event. The actual night of Halloween, we roamed the treats with a fierce Ninja, adorable Anna, and the cutest little Monkey.

First, trick or treating nearly did not happen for our little town. I left work to get home and disappoint our sweet kiddos with "we can't go outside" after the forecast of 100% rain, storms, impending doom. The clouds at 430PM seemed to concur.

But then, after a quick downpour, it finally cleared off (and cooled off - dropping 40 degrees as we ran through the neighborhood!) We may have walked around in our costumes and galoshes, but at least we could be outside and load up on all the candy.  

Before trick or treating, the Vyas had us over for a little shindig with the kiddos.  Keerthi outdid herself with delicious and creative goodies, plus take lots of great pictures of the kids. (Photo crews go to her for all these shots below!)

The first houses we always visit are Ms Grace's, Ms Kim's, and Ms Lesa's houses. We have to stay a little while there so they can soak up all the cuteness. They are all so wonderful to our little ones in the neighborhood, and adore them like their own grandchildren.  

After we loaded up on candy (JB counted out 120 pieces, and Maryn over 60), we hung out on the porch and passed out candy to the other kids who were still out and about.  I honestly think the kids enjoy that more than going door to door themselves!  (Our beloved babysitter, Kari, joined us for the night.)

I'm so glad the weather didn't ruin our Halloween, and we even ended the night all chilly and cold (which is how it should be!)  A wonderful night in the books. :)