Halloween - Ninja Style!

Before I start, I must confess.....this was not a Hallmark Halloween. There was a lot of whining and tears and not as much trick or treating as I had hoped but we made it. The boys seemed to have fun (for the most part) and were happy at the end of the night so I guess it was a success!

So the story.....I thought it would be fun for all of us to go to Trunk or Treat / Halloween carnival at our church. I didn't take into account how exhausted Eli would be. There was no school today so Eli spent the day at the Y. And a day at the Y is some serious playing! He came home tired and that did not bode well for getting out the door. Add to that that Cole lost his Ninja mask part of his costume and cried while we looked for it for an hour, I was not optimistic about the evening. Since we had planned to be at church, I donated candy there and didn't have any at home. Well, looking for Cole's mask, we were much later than planned getting out the door so trick or treaters started coming to our house. Uh-oh!! I tried to ignore the doorbell but Eli and Cole were at the door saying "Mommy, somebody's ringing the bell" and "Somebody's at the door." Argh! I had nothing to give them so I didn't answer the door. I felt terrible. Will not make that mistake again next year! 

We finally got out the door and to church. The boys were ok to start, lots of trunks to trick-or-treat from. Cole was totally into it. Eli lasted a few vehicles and was ready to go home. He was tired and ready to be done and back home. We made it a little longer and then headed back to our neighborhood. Once home, we went to our next door neighbor's house (a MUST do each year) and one other neighbor and were done. The boys didn't get that much candy but they were thrilled with what they did get and of course, like all kids, dumped it on the floor to compare when they got home. 

All in all, the boys had fun and loved being Ninjas for the night. I definitely learned a lesson not to over plan and stay close to home. Next year, trick-or-treating in the neighborhood! 

Eli the White Ninja

My little Ninja boys (notice Cole doesn't have his mask). I was happy with how their costumes turned out. 

Aaahh, getting the goods

Look what I got!

Trunk or Treat

At Ms. Amy's house

Checking out their candy loot - Eli then grouped his candy by type. Hilarious! Just like his Momma!!

Cole the Red Ninja!

Family Fun Weekend

We are learning to enjoy weekends so much more these days!! 

Saturday - family bike ride. We went to the greenway and did 13.5 miles together. Eli is turning into a super biker and is a big help pedaling with Daddy. Hopefully soon, I'll start pulling him because Cole is no help at all just riding in the trailer; he's a heavy load!! The boys love being outside and we have so much fun doing it. After the bike ride, the boys were tired so after lunch, we had a lazy afternoon. I snuggled up with both boys on the couch. Cole took a 20 minute cat nap on me but Eli never did. I have no idea how he kept going all afternoon and evening! This afternoon, are more leaf raking, they got their bikes out to ride in front of the house. Eli was just trying to move to stay awake. I think he was so tired that he would have fallen asleep standing still had he stopped long enough!

Sunday - we went to church, had lunch and then I took Eli to a birthday party. It was his first birthday party of his new friends at Leesville - this one a friend from before/after school care. I was excited (but nervous!) to meet some of the Moms from his school and see some of his friends. There is nothing cuter than a group of 5-6 year old boys playing and having fun together. They entertained themselves and had a blast. It could not have been more perfect. I think Cole took a nap with Daddy while we were gone. When we got back from the party, I left the boys with Daddy and enjoyed a solo trip to the grocery store. Ahhh, the simple things in life!! The boys were both tired from the day so after dinner, early baths and bed time. I was even able to stay awake long enough to cut fabric for a new project! 

Mommy's cute cargo - he ate literally the entire time! And he ate all the snacks I had with me!

Eli & Daddy - must be in the front

Daddy's biking boys

Cute brothers

A priceless picture - you can't really tell BUT Eli & Cole both decided they had to poop in the woods. Definitely will not have a problem with them camping! 

Playing in the tree after we finished

Way up high

Really way up high!

Biking in full ninja gear - mask AND swords

Absolutely hilarious!

Cole is getting really good at balancing on his Strider Bike. And really fast too!

A tired boy. I could not resist taking a picture - so peaceful. =)

When Daddy's away....

This weekend, Tim went to the mountains with friends to go biking so the boys and I held down the fort at home and had a great weekend! The good news for Tim was that they were great for me and we had a lot of fun so I wasn't cranky when he got back home! 

Friday night - the boys wanted breakfast for dinner so pancakes and eggs it was! We watched a movie and hung out, it was great. I was worried about putting them both to bed but they made it easy. I read books to them together then spent a few minutes with each of them in their rooms and that was it. They didn't get up at all. It felt weird to be in the house without Tim and it be all quiet. 

Saturday - lazy morning at home then we went shoe shopping. That is always a quick process. We go to a local shoe store and I am extremely practical about their shoes. What fits, is in stock and doesn't light up. Pretty easy. This time, they actually ended up with the same shoes and they were thrilled! Next it was to the library - return and get new books. I was so proud of Eli. He asked the librarian on his own where the Magic Treehouse books were and she showed us so we could get the next one. My boys are getting so big!! Then, of course, we HAD to play on the playground. The boys had a lot of fun and I enjoyed talking to a few of the mothers there. It's always fun for me to watch the kids interact with each other and immediately make new friends. After the playground, we did the Chick-fil-a drive in for lunch and headed home. Miraculously, I got the boys to BOTH take naps.....at the SAME TIME!! They were worn out from our busy morning. After nap time (about an hour), it was time to head outside and rake leaves. I thought we would be all nice and rake the front yard and driveway for Daddy before he came home. Well, by the time he saw it, you couldn't really tell we had done it! But it's the thought that counts right? The boys loved running through my leaf piles and being silly. Once the lawn was raked, we headed in the back yard for more playing. Dinner, another easy bed time and I was one tired Mommy! Early bed time for me too!!

Sunday - the boys slept until 7am, seriously! I cooked cinnamon rolls and I swear, between the two of them, they destroyed an entire 8 pack of rolls! Cole preferred to eat the iced tops off each and Eli ate almost all of four by himself. My goodness....I keep seeing the grocery bill increase as they get older. We got ready for church and the boys were awesome headed to church, in church and after. It's amazing how their behavior is different when there's just one of us. We had lunch and then, the moment Eli had been waiting all weekend for - his friend Evan came to play! Evan had been really good and saving up all his "good stickers" to get his own Lego X-wing fighter and he was so excited to show Eli. The boys, all three of them, had a great time and played for hours. It was so fun to watch them. By the time Tim got home, dinner was just about done in the crock and the boys were sufficiently worn out. =) 

A great weekend for all. It was Tim's first weekend away from home without the boys and he totally deserved it! It went so well with me and the boys, I gave him advanced permission to do another boys trip in the Spring. 

Eli & Cole have been cracking us up with this "Rattly Bones" song from Sharky and Bones - Jake and the Neverland Pirates. 

They do the same dances the skeletons are doing - every single time it comes on. It's hilarious to watch. 

They found two of my headbands and insisted on wearing them as their Ninja headbands. 

Sweet boys, new shoes. 

Cole took the hard way to the slide - trying to climb like his monkey brother.

Told you he's a monkey!

Around....and around...

...and around....and around....

This was funny - Cole pushing Eli in what I call the flower seat. It WILL get you dizzy. 

Look at that face!!

Helping Mommy rake the driveway for Daddy.

Laying down on the job.

It was hard to keep them working

when there were leaves to jump and play in.

Eli's tree limb bazooka

Special package - two ninjas!

Handsome, ready for church.

Eli and Evan - such great friends. Now both X-wing owners. =)

Parent Teacher Conference

This afternoon we had our first Parent/Teacher conference with Eli's teacher. It was great to talk to her and hear how Eli is doing at school. He really loves Kindergarten and Mrs. K so it was good to hear from her that he is doing well. She had a handout for us with a summary of what he's doing and his strengths / areas for improvement. He is at or above grade level on everything and she really focuses on keeping him challenged and growing his skills. It's amazing to us how she does what she does every day and that she challenges every child, not keeping them all at the same level or doing the same things. We could not be happier with how his year is going. Not only does Eli love his teacher but he is doing great making new friends, in his class and also at before/after school care. Cole loves going to Eli's "big school" to drop him off first in the mornings. Little fella wants to be in Kindergarten sooooo bad. Very soon, Coleman.....Very soon!

Cole's Costume Parade

Today was Cole's costume parade and party at school. My little red ninja was so cute and had a great time! It is always fun to see the kids march through the parking lot and see their costumes. They all love it and especially love that it's a party day!

Cole's class - Wyatt the tiger, Cole the Red Ninja and Will as Buzz Lightyear

Best shot I got of Cole & Luke. Guess who wanted Mommy?

Cole's class

Song time

Ready for cookies! 

and cheese puffs - anything orange will do!

Lego Wish Book

The boys have been very busy studying the pages of the Lego Wish Book. Oh how I remember the Sears Wish Book. We would wear the pages out!! So much fun to watch Eli & Cole do the same thing. 

Fall craft with Cole's class

This morning I was able to do a Fall Craft with Cole's class. I chose to do fall placements using contact paper and having them bring leaves from home. It was a lot loud and a little crazy but the kids loved it. I was surprised at how long it was able to keep their attention. Everyone was proud of their placement and hopefully they are having fun using it at home!

With the whole class

and my sweet one! Much more fun than being at work!!

Pumpkin Painting

The boys were driving us CRAZY to carve their pumpkins. We gave them the choice of waiting to carve or painting them today. Of course, they chose painting! It started out all nice and neat but then Eli swirled up the paint and had a lot of fun. 

The colors of their choosing

All happy and neat to start

then lots of swirling going on. 

Cole lost interest in painting so Eli got to do them both. Proud of his pumpkin creations!