Saturday, October 31, 2009

Happy Halloween!

We began our day by meeting the Kilcoyne and Weltz families at the Charlotte Nature Museum for their annual "Boo Breakfast". The museum serves a nice little breakfast, has all sorts of "creepy crawlies" out for the kids to touch and learn about, and also gives out candy to the little trick-or-treaters.


Ella and Aidan were really more interested in just running around outside than in anything found in the museum! So, we went for a little nature walk and played outside in the leaves!















On our way home we passed by a little carnival so we decided to stop and check it out. The kids had fun bouncing and then we headed over to Barnes and Noble to let them play in the "library".





After a nice afternoon nap, we got all dolled up in costumes. Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse were so excited to trick-or-treat! Aidan refused to wear his mouse ears, and insisted on wearing his fire hat, so Mike made a few adjustments to the hat and made him into "Firefighter Mickey"!


After a quick dinner, it began to rain! We were determined to let them trick-or-treat, so we braved the rain and just went to a few houses. They had a total blast, and had even more fun once we got home. Every time someone would knock on our door or ring the bell, they would both scream in delight and run to give them candy.





Ella and Aidan had a wonderful Halloween week, and I am sure that they are excited for next year's festivities!

(Many, many thanks to my dear friend Juliane - she made Ella's gorgeous tutu!)

Friday, October 30, 2009

Painting Pumpkins....and More!

Yesterday Ella and Aidan spent the afternon outside in the beautiful weather painting their pumpkins. I thought this not only seemed like an excellent usage of my former employer's shirts, but also a much safer activity for two, two-year olds than actually carving the pumpkins!

They had such fun choosing their colors, painting "faces", lines and shapes, and just getting messy!








It didn't take long at all before the pumkins themselves lost their appeal in favor of....

....shoes, which created wonderfully colorful footprints in the driveway....




....hands....



....shirts....


....your sister's shirt....


....and the trees!


In the end, we did end up with two beautifully painted pumpkin creations!


Thursday, October 29, 2009

Pumpkin Patches and Wagon Rides

This morning we met up with our friends Patrick & Finnegan (and their Mom, Juliane!) and Luke & Grace (and their Mom, Lori!) for a playdate at Hunter Farms.


Aidan wanted nothing to do with pumpkins and just wanted to sit on tractors.



Eventually, we all headed into one of the empty covered wagons (in an attempt to appease the little man!) and ended up having the whole thing to ourselves for a quite a while!




Who knew that simple bales of hay could be so much fun!



When an employee came over and started loading other people, we suddenly found ourselves on an unexpected ride down to the petting barn!



Aidan experienced his nirvana - riding in a wagon being pulled by a tractor, and looking at more tractors!


It was a beautiful fall morning spent with wonderful friends!