Happy Halloween!

I think I prefer Halloween to be on the weekends, because it was chaotic trying to get out the door on a Monday night!  Since the kids were already at Nana and Papa's, we decided to just get them ready there. 

We made our annual stop at the Lehman household to see the zombie bride, Jaden. 

With Lala and Jadie.

Next we met Reagan's BFF, Ani at her grandma's house to do some trick or treating.  Ani was the perfect companion for trick or treating because she was happy to lead the way to the doors.

At first, Reagan couldn't believe that people were just giving them candy.  I was so proud of her that night because at one point, someone gave her M&M's and she knew she couldn't have them, so she gave them back!!  At quite a few houses, she even turned around to ask me if she could have a certain candy.

Since we knew the kids wouldn't be able to keep the majority of their candy, we made plans for the Great Pumpkin to visit on Halloween night to deliver safe treats and some presents. When we got home from trick or treating, John and I helped the kids divide their candy into safe and unsafe piles.  Surprisingly, the kids were able to keep quite a bit more candy than I expected! 

I was so proud of how willingly Reagan gave up her yummy candy for the Great Pumpkin.  She is starting to really get that she needs to be careful because of her peanut allergy.

Pumpkin Carving

We were a little behind this year and didn't get our pumpkins carved until the day before Halloween.  Our kids both chose pumpkins that matched their costumes.  Reagan wanted Rapunzel (of course) and Dylan wanted a monster (we went with Mike Wyzowski (sp?) from Monsters, Inc.).

Waiting to begin the carving.

Reagan was much more actively involved than Dylan.  He really only wanted to hold the knife (and then lost interest when we told him he couldn't hold the knife). 

Reagan taking out the pumpkin "guts."

The finished product.  Had to light them up in our bathroom to see the effect since it was only 11am.

Happy with their finished pumpkins!

Halloween Events

We got good use out of our Halloween costumes this year. Every activity seemed to have an occasion to wear them.

Sunday School

Dance class with Ani and Sophia - We had to switch to Tinkerbell in order to dance.

Preschool

Potty Time!

Dylan used the potty for the first time tonight!

As the kids were getting into bed, Reagan remembered that she forgot to brush her teeth. Dylan then turned to me and said "I forgot to go potty!" He had sat on the potty the other night before bed, so I guess it's part of the routine now! He didn't go the other night but he did tonight!!

We were all very proud of him for going potty "all by myself!" Exciting but I know there is still a long road ahead of us!

Apple Orchards Part 2 - Apple Jack's Orchards

We just can't get enough of apple orchards in the fall. They have so many fun things to do and I love being outside in the sunny fall weather. Since our trip to Minnetonka Orchards was kind of cold, rainy and quick, we made another trip out to Apple Jack's with Nana and Papa to pick up some pumpkins and experience more apple picking.

We picked out a wagon full of pumpkins first.

Then it was on to the pony rides.  Reagan made sure she got on the little tiny one: Chip.

Dylan got to ride the ponies this time too!  He got Big Red, who I was surprised to learn was actually 26 years old!



The goats are always a hit.

This trip to the orchards was the opposite of our first trip.  Reagan did not want her picture taken at all.

Papa and Dylan.

Of course, the kids needed to ride the cow train.  Luckily, mom didn't have to take a bumpy ride this year!

The apples were pretty picked over, but our hayride driver gave us directions on where to still find apples.  We found the small patch of trees past the pumpkin patch, away from the main apple tree rows and filled up two small bags.

Most of the good apples were pretty high up so it was a good thing Daddy was able to lift the kiddos up.  Mommy would have had to climb the tree to get anything!

After the apple picking, Reagan went to jump on the giant pillow while Dylan enjoyed one last cow ride.

We couldn't leave without our souvenir pumpkin cup.

Happy fall!

Field Trip to Minnetonka Orchards

Reagan's preschool offered a field trip for the kids to the Minnetonka Orchards today.  The class has been talking apples all week and Reagan was so excited to pick an apple from the trees.  John and I took the morning off use the field trip as our opportunity to make our annual family trip while the orchard was relatively quiet.

My two little pumpkins!

Reagan milking the cow.

Reagan was on fire with the pictures today!  I couldn't pick my favorite so I just added them all!

Dylan LOVED his apple!  Ate it down to the core until he decided he wanted to run and play.

Fun on the tire swing!

We snuck into the trees and picked two apples. 



 Dylan liked the wooden train, but was diappointed that it wasn't going to move.

Choo-choo!

More cute Reagan pics!

Checking out the small pile of pumpkins they had by the exit.

Despite the cold and wet ground, the kids had a great time!!

Where are the golf balls?

This question was originally directed at John, but apparently I needed to direct it at someone else.  After hearing me ask about the golf balls to John, Dylan went over in the direction of the TV and said "Can you get them from back there?"  I went over expecting to see the golf balls behind the TV stand, but nothing.  Dylan then said "No, back there" pointing to the back of the subwoofer.  I lifted it up and didn't see anything, but John said, "I think I heard them."  Sure enough, Dylan knew exactly where the golf balls were, inside the subwoofer . . . and he was the only one whose hands can get them back out.  

  

Big Boy Bed

Sunday was a big day at the McCarthy house.  Not only did we take down the baby gate after 3 and a half years with a gate at the top of our stairs, but we removed the crib side and added the toddler rail to Dylan's bed.  Dylan loved to "snuggle" in Reagan's bed (by that I mean lie down, then get back up and make a lap around the room, then repeat).  We next tried to "snuggle" with him in his crib (and by this I mean John or I scrunch up to lie in his crib while he jumps in the bed next to us).  After learning that he was the only one still in a crib in his ECFE class, I thought we could give the toddler rail a try.  So far, so good.  No more climbing over the rails for John and I and Dylan's been pretty good about staying in bed. 

Apparently a big boy bed also comes with a pillow because he spent an hour of the first night trying to remove Reagan's pillow from under her head.  Once we pulled one out just for him, he was all set and fell right asleep.

Not sure how he got turned around but I got a better picture of his sweet sleeping face.