EbbyCub & babyJ

This morning, I hosted playgroup at my house. In honor of Halloween, I made sugar cookies for the kids to decorate. There were pumpkins and bones, orange, white, green, black and purple frosting colors and of course sprinkles! Here are some shots of kids: pre-decorating fun in their costumes, and with messy frosting faces!


Charlotte

Kaylen & Evan

Sunday, we braved the crowds (and there WERE crowds!) and headed to the zoo for some Howloween fun. Kids were supposed to come in costume, and Evan proudly donned his the entire time! They advertised a scavenger hunt with prizes, and the weather was spectacular, so we tried it out. The "scavenger hunt" was basically going to 7 different stations around the zoo to get a stamp. Once your sheet was filled with the 7 stamps, the kids got a goody bag. Was it worth it? Well.... let's just say that after a rocky start behavior-wise, we got a nice long waddle, I mean WALK around the zoo for a couple of hours. Lots of fresh air and exercise on a gorgeous day with the family - you can't beat that!

Beautiful fall day!

Spidey and Mom

It's been a LONG time (in my mind anyway) since I've taken photos of Ev in the bath. He always has such a happy, content time in there - and I love listening to him playing in his own world. No, I don't sit there with him. Call me a bad mother, but he is big enough now that I just don't worry about him drowning in 4 inches of water. Anyway, here is his new "invention": pouring water onto his head and catching the drips in the cup below....

You know you're busy when you have to schedule family-time. That's what we did, and today's plan was to visit The Pumpkin Patch at Sauvie Island. Yes, it was crowded. Yes, it was a little muddy. And YES - it was beautiful weather and we all had a great time!

We rode the tractor (and saw Amy P. Hi Amy!) to the field and found 4 little pumpkins. I was going to settle for 3, but Evan said, "But Mommy, we have to have one for Jaren too!" We decided to walk back, and ran into Kelli B. on the way to the haybale maze. This was perfect timing for an energy-burner for Evan, and a great rest for me. ;) Later, as Evan and Ryan were checking out the barn full of animals, I stood in line for hot dogs. We walked around a little bit, then loaded up the car and headed home. Short and sweet. Relaxed and fulfilling. The perfect fall family activity, and probably the only thing we'll do until Halloween Night!

Look how muddy my feet are!

This one's MINE!

Chowing down while resting on the only "seat" available.