Pumpkin Carving 2012

Pumpkin carving with little ones makes me sort of nervous.  I mean, generally you are using very sharp tools to cut into a pumpkin.  Of course, we do keep those sharp instruments away from our children and only let them participate in the less risky portions of the project.  Evan really enjoyed helping clean out the pumpkin this year as did Brody.  Evan still refused to really get his hands dirty, but Brody didn't mind a bit!  This year, Eddie and I both decided we didn't want to do anything too complicated.  He and Evan chose a "scary" Grim Reaper face to carve and accomplished the task pretty quickly.  I thought my stylized R and our handprints would be a piece of cake.  Ha!  I really didn't think that one through too well.

The scooping begins. 

Mmmm...yum!

Want some? 

Pumpkin brains. 

Murderer!

Brody loved this stuff.  Yes, he tasted a little.  

Hey, Mommy, let me see that!

He loved digging in. 

Yes, I let my kids sit on the table.  Ha!  

Evan with his and Daddy's Grim Reaper pumpkin. 

And with our family pumpkin.  It only has Evan and Brody's handprints because it took longer than expected, and Daddy felt his handprint would be too big for the pumpkin. 

All lit up. 

Ooooo...scary!

Brody ~ 18 Months!

Wow, 18 months!  A year and a half?  That really seems like such a long time, but it seems like just yesterday this precious little one was born.  Time really flies when you're having fun and raising kids!

Some things we are loving about Brody right now are:

• His ability to give and show love to us.  He has been giving hugs and kisses for a while, but it just seems that he really knows what he's doing now and really reciprocates our love.  He is definitely in love with his brother and wants to be near him all the time.  He will often try to sit beside or on top of his brother just to be near him.  His brother, of course, doesn't mind a bit.  However, we discovered from Brody's teacher that he also likes to do similar things to his schoolmates.  He will want to stand close to them, try to sit in a chair with them, etc., and these other one and early two year olds do not understand his desire to be near them and play with them.  I think he is a little advanced in his desire to play with other kids as most kids this age still primarily play by themselves.  They may play near other kids but usually not with them.  Brody has probably been influenced by having an older brother to play with.   

This is how I often find them in our bed when I get home on a late night after school.  Brody is usually snuggled up as close as he can get to his brother. 

Love Brody's hand resting on Evan's shoulder. 

• Loving that although Brody still isn't talking a whole lot (at least not in a language we can understand), he is communicating his desires very effectively.  If he wants to play ball, he'll get his ball and bring it to us, open our hand, and put the ball in it.  If he wants a snack, he'll go and open the pantry and get something out and bring it to us (he has brought us crackers, cookies, packages of pasta, rice, taco shells, and ice cream cones).  He's not picky...he just wants to eat!  Ha!  

• Although Brody isn't talking a lot, he  is saying a few words and sounds now.  He says "car" which kind of sounds like "ca" in a Boston-like accent. Ha!  He makes his car sounds very well and will sometimes make a dog sound if asked.  He is also learning his body parts and will put his hands on his head if you ask him where his head is and will grab Daddy's nose if we tell him to get his nose.  Ha!  He points to everything now and will occasionally point to pictures and objects when we ask him about them.  He is definitely learning a lot these days.   

• Loving that he is still generally a very sweet baby although he does have quite a temper.  Terrible two's already?  Seriously, if he is tired, frustrated about not getting his way, or hungry, he'll turn into a little beast.  He does have a little problem with hitting when he is frustrated, and I cannot wait until he learns to use his words.  Ha!  

Sad face!

Mad face!

• Loving that he is still a blankie boy!  Yep, blankie will be going to college!  Ha!

My little Linus (from Peanuts)

So cute with his bed hair dragging his blankie all around the house. 

• Loving that this kid loves school.  He just walks in like he owns that place and is all smiles now.  We did have one incident recently of biting, but I really think it was a defensive move.  He has not bitten in a very long time.  

Up and dressed for school!

• Loving that he's becoming a daddy's boy.  No one can get him laughing like daddy!  

• Just loving what a sweet, happy boy we have!  What a blessing!

A Day at the Farm

Yesterday was such a beautiful Fall day (just a little chilly and windy with leaves blowing around).  We tried out a different farm with a corn maze and lots of other fun activities.  The corn maze wasn't quite as thrilling as last year's because the corn wasn't as high, and we didn't get clues to help challenge us through the maze, but the kids still loved it.  We usually do a pumpkin patch sort of day with the cousins, but we just haven't been able to work that out yet.  Grandma and Papa James came up to see Evan's soccer game so they enjoyed spending the day with the boys.

First, we explored a little of this fantastic old timey farm.

After working up a thirst at the corn maze, hayride, and playground, we hit the general store for some refreshing beverages.  Mommy said there is nothing like an ice cold beverage in a glass bottle. 

There were also "stores" selling homemade popcorn and roasted corn.  

Brody said he wanted to finish his nap on this hammock.  

It has a neat old train car from the early 1900's that has been restored so we could sit inside and get a feel for traveling in the old days.

Traveling by train is fun!

To the corn maze!

He enjoyed walking through the maze like a big boy. 

And we're off!

When he got tired, he knew his Daddy would carry him!

Papa James and Grandma enjoyed a day with the boys. 

Brody thought the rustling of the corn made a funny sound. 

Brody wanted to lead the way and kept trying to steer us in the opposite direction of Daddy and Evan.

Evan points the way.  He kept stopping and doing this but wouldn't wait for me to take his picture without Grandma holding him. 

Our guide led us to the exit!

The Hayride!

Being pulled around a farm by a tractor while sitting on a hay bale on a flat bed truck is a must here in the south. 

Brody clapping for the tractor. 

His face says it all!

Mesmerized by the tractor.

And one of the boys together of course. 

Mommy and Brody on the hayride. 

Brody drives the tractor!

Tractor driving is so much fun! 

And for comparison sake, here's Evan and Brody driving tractors at about the same age. 

Brothers having a very engaging conversation.

Brody also enjoyed this tractor swing. 

So sweet looking up at Daddy. 

So cute how they make tractor swings out of old tires.

Both boys liked riding these. 

Chicken coop slide

This little slide for young kids was so cute as it looked like they climbed up inside a chicken coop. 

Brody climbed almost all the way up by himself. 

On the way up.

He just needed a little help at the top because it was steep and slippery.

Preparing to slide down...backwards as usual.

Here he comes!

Corrugated metal makes a surprisingly slippery slide. 

And he's at the bottom with dirty knees and pants. 

Evan enjoyed the bigger slide out of the truck.

They used burlap sacks to slide faster.

Walking across the big haybales. 

My big boy.

Me and my big baby. 

Showing off his jumping skills. 

And he made it!

Snack Time!

Brody loved Grandma's popcorn.

Munch munch munch!

Silly boy just loves to eat!

Target practice!

His first time shooting a gun.  Yes, he wore glasses so he wouldn't "shoot his eye out."  Ha!

Daddy is so excited to begin training Evan on the safe and proper use of a gun. 

Horseback Riding!

And his first pony ride! 

Farm Animals

Eddie tries to lasso a bull.

Got it by the horn.

Brody prefers bull riding. 

Caught throwing a temper tantrum.  He tripped and "ate it" and mean mommy took a picture before helping him.  

Petting the sheep. 

He loved the animals.  Unfortunately they ran out of food before we got there.  

So cute with the little goat. 

Little ponies.  Evan got to ride Star. 

Family pictures!

Brothers!

Our Fall family picture. 

I think these were best we got although Brody was snarling in this one and wasn't really smiling in the first one.

Trying for one with Papa and Grandma.  Brody was not happy that Mommy left him. 

A little better. 

Just sitting on the ground resting.