Enjoying Fall

Gutting our pumpkins for the pumpkin carving party down the Lane.

On our way to the Pumpkin Carving Party with pumpkins in tow.

C hard at work.

Home Sweet Home - my new car is the mini white one hidden by the tree.

SCARY Skeleton (and a scary working mom rant).

Only five more days until Halloween -- Rhys' class has a countdown chart and everyone is ready for the sugar high and excitement. I have to admit that I LOVE Halloween again now that I have children.

This year, however, it's hard on working parents that the holiday is smack dab in the middle of the week. Dom is going to make the preschool parade in the early am - and will head home early for the Lane's Party, but it is tough to make it all happen. Wednesdays are my usual work days too, so I have to somehow get my 20 plus hours of work in next week on a condensed schedule from preschool by increasing my sitter help -- however, our sitter is in Chicago so I am feeling heart palpitations thinking of this week. Oh, and it is our 7th Wedding Anniversary on Monday...and I have a big meeting scheduled with a presentation (which is still in the works as of Saturday) and have to have Dom pick up the kids from school since said sitter is out of town. Not exactly the most romantic October 29th, but it may be memorable. 

And really, if I have to be honest, I would just like to read my new book for a few hours this afternoon curled up on the couch and maybe bring my stress to my yoga mat (a long lost friend these days).  But a pumpkin and Halloween Party items need to be purchased (did I mention that I agreed to co-chair the Lane's party this year?), a PowerPoint created and a presentation polished, and when I start to struggle, I remember that I am bringing this all on to myself. 

The ongoing juggle of my life. 

Pumpkinland

Our visit to the nearby Pumpkinland didn't include many pumpkins...but it was a fun fall fest with a corn cob shooter (really?!), mazes, zip lines, and slides on burlap sacks. Both C and R loved the mini-zip lines, eagerly taking their turns - and ran through a castle, hay tower upwards of 20 times.

What fall fest is complete, however, without the requisite pony ride, I ask? And how can you say no to a charming two-year-old?

Wagon rides

Always a fun pastime, especially with all the neighborhood kids playing taxi cab.

Some of the crew...

Mud Babies

The gem of St Louis in my books is Forest Park ... today's visit included lots of water, mud and stormy skies with bursts of blue. What Joy!

Party in the Patch

A last minute cancellation by our babysitter changed our Friday night plans. Instead of dinner out with friends, we were heading to the Party in the Patch at the local park with our neighbors.

It was actually a great night for it - not too hot, nor too cold - with candy and money hunts, hotdogs and popcorn, a hayride and bouncey house to enjoy. All for a small fee, of course.

Waiting patiently with neighbor friends for the candy hunt.

Success! C found one piece -- fortunately or unfortunately depending on your view, the kind firefighters handed out bags of candy to ALL the children.

A fun hayride through the park -- a little spooky as dusk neared.

The Three Racing Amigos

Note the matching bicycles and grins from the Pre-K set.

We've Been Boo-ed

...And it is now officially Halloween season on the Lane.

I love you BEST

Rhys LOVES his dad right now. Yesterday, for example, he made a pieces of artwork in the message center. On the way home he said, "These are all for Daddy. I don't make you artwork as much because I love Daddy the best."

I know..kids say these things and they might not really mean it (even though I am pretty sure he does) but I couldn't let it rest.

Later, I reminded him that mommy loves him ALL the time and that he is her first child that she adores...(and since I have one of each I can also say he is my favorite son).

It just made it worse...he then said he loved Lucas better than me and that I have Claudia now. And Rhys added that he might have loved me best when he was a baby but not now. 

I think there is some sibling jealousy behind these feelings. Claudia is pretty attached to Mom right now and so Rhys is very attached to Dad. But, it still sucks to hear it.

So, I backed off for another day. I have to admit, I probably would love Dad more too if it was often Mom taking away my TV time or Neighborhood play time because of some infraction or another...and, Dad is pretty cool.

But here I can say it. I love you Rhysie! To the moon and back and back again - and again, and again, again, and again, and again, and again.........................................

At a playdate -- see he DOES love his mother, doesn't he?