And furthermore . . .

In case you thought the pumpkin fun was over, here's a shot of the four additional pumpkins we've carved in the last week.  I actually had nothing to do with these pumpkins, beyond buying them.  The amazing Ford truck was of course done by the talented Will Fike, and I believe that the other three were done by my creative husband.  From left to right we've got a crow, Jack's spider, the cat, the Ford, Lightning McQueen, and Snow White (did you know Disney has free pumpkin templates on their website--apparently Trace does!). 

Will working on his truck which he drew freehand!

Pumpkin Fun

In their four and six years, my kids have never carved a pumpkin.  They've painted them, drawn on them, and decorated them in other ways, but we've never carved one before.  Come to find out, Trace has never carved one before either, so this was a first for our family.  We all had a blast!

     These first two pictures are the pumpkins the kids did themselves, with sharpies.  This one is Jack's, and this pumpkin came out of our garden!  Jack made it scary with silver sharpie.

This is Caroline's, and it's intended to be cute.  I think she succeeded! 

These are the bouquets the kids have been picking with fall flowers and leaves.  Aren't they sweet?  One has been added every day this week.  The little perfectly round pumpkin in the middle came from our garden too, and we're convinced that it's the cutest pumpkin ever--but we might have a little gardener's pride.

Here is Caroline scooping out the innards of her pumpkin.  She didn't love doing it like I thought she would--she said it felt like spider webs.  I told her it was more like spaghetti, so then she was willing to help.

Trace used the big knife and cut the pumpkins open.  I guess I have these two pictures in the wrong order.

Caroline took this picture of Jack and I working on his spider pumpkin.

Jack worked hard on this pumpkin.  We printed a spider template from online, traced it, and then carefully cut it.  He and I worked together, and our hands were tired by the end!

In this picture he's showing the scary drawings he did on this lid of his pumpkin.  There's a spider and a few jack-o-lanterns.

Trace carved Caroline's pumpkin, with her input.  She had chosen a large pumpkin, and then she wanted it carved into a kitty cat.  That was a little complicated for a four year old, but she was willing to watch Daddy work on it.

Trace working hard.  I think his hands got tired too!

Posing for me with their pumpkin.  Cute!

While Trace and Caroline were working on the cat, Jack turned his pumpkin around and drew his own face and then carved it entirely himself.  Here's his proud smile for a job well done.  Now he's got a reversible pumpkin: spider/jack-o-lantern.

Jack's pumpkin face.

Two lit pumpkins sitting on the front porch.

Putting in the candles was the best part--both kiddos had a giant grin when they saw these faces smiling at them!  It was great fun for all of us!

For Grandma Jo

My mom asked for videos of her grandkids, since her internet is half price in Papua New Guinea this month.  I wish my internet would go half price for a month!  This is a video I took of Caroline yesterday, explaining what she and Jack had been playing for the last hour or so.  While she's talking she's attempting to fit a phone, a pig pen and a small baby doll into a water bottle holder that's around her waist.  She's wearing her helmet because she was originally riding her bike--so she's very safe.  Here you go Mom: in the words of a four year old.

Joyful Kids

Yesterday we decided spur of the moment to head up to Lake Tahoe for an overnight trip.  We made it there in time for dinner, and then a long session of putting the kids to bed.  This morning they were both up early and eager to get to the hotel pool.  For over two hours we all played in the water--even Trace was able to get in for a bit--and relaxed as a family.  It felt like twenty-four hours to me,with no dishes to wash or laundry even a remote possibility.  My only job was to play with my kids.  That makes me relaxed.

I think the best part of our quick trip came after lunch, which we ate on the shore of Lake Tahoe.  It was a wonderful meal, followed by a walk outside on the beach.  The waves today were as big as I've ever seen on Tahoe, so I wasn't too worried about Jack and Caroline getting wet--it was really windy, with threatening clouds overhead. 

I was wrong.  They started simply playing with the waves, staying out of the water, especially Caroline, who was running away from them before they got within four feet of her.

 Jack's still dry in this picture, but getting close to the waves, with a feather "treasure" in his hand.

 Trace watched all the action from up by the firepit, with his foot elevated.  Caroline kept running up to tell him about the waves.  In the last eight weeks Trace has been at home since his surgery they've become fast friends.  It's a sweet thing.

 Then Jack kept getting closer, and his sister did too!

They played chicken with those freezing cold waves, laughing their heads off, for as long as their mother would let them. 

 Caroline is wet now!

 You can see how choppy the water is in this picture.

 The ballerina was slowly getting braver, and following her brother further in.

Jack is about to get whacked with a big wave.  I think this is the one that knocked him down. 

 Caroline running.

 This doesn't even look like Caroline because she's contorted her face in such a gleeful manner.

 Not a good picture of Jack, but don't you love that toothless grin?  Notice his entire face has been splashed at this point.

 Whoa, now you're getting deep enough to make me worried about needing to come in after you!

 Time's up.  Two soaked and happy kids!

That's my saggy bottom girl, climbing the incline to the car.  They were so happy, and Trace and I were so delighted watching their capers and giggles.  We couldn't have had a better Sunday morning!

Friends

I've known Betsy and Lindsey since we went to high school together--actually I've known Betsy since we were in the church nursery at the same time. I know that I am extremely privileged to have such true and longstanding friends.

We now each have two kids, a boy and a girl each, and Betsy has one more coming in six weeks. Yeah for new babies!

Yesterday Linds and I, who both live in Nevada City, drove to Foresthill to visit Bets. We took this passel of kids to the park. Here are a few pictures I took on my phone of this second generation of friends playing together. Who would have pictured this back when we were in high school? And how did we become older than eighteen anyway?!

Caroline, age 4

Elizabeth, age 4

Jackson, almost 6

Andrew, age 2

Graham, age 1 1/2

Marilyn, age 3

Lindsey and Betsy, age . . . well, not 18!

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.8

A Snowman in May

Last night, just before bedtime, Trace and the kids went outside to build a snowman.  After a few minutes, I followed them to take a few pictures of their creation.  It was harder than I thought, since by the time I got outdoors there was a snowball fight going on between Trace and Jack.  I got a lot of pictures like this:

 Caroline already had her pajamas on, so she added a hat, boots, and mittens to complete her ensemble.  We had to look for the mittens, since I had already put them away for the year.  Apparently I was premature in my switch to summertime accessories!

 Caroline was entranced with the snowman, maybe because they were the same size.

 Putting on the final touches--wait, weren't those sticks supposed to be arms?  Do your arms come out of the side of your head Jack?

 Coming back across the yard after visiting the "stick store" as Caroline named it.  Only since she doesn't say "s," you can only imagine how hard that was to understand!

 Run from the snowballs Jack!

 I tried to get a posed picture with Mr. Snowman, but everyone kept talking.

 This one was cute, but I was done taking pictures as soon as this snowball hit me.  I took off running!

Happy May!

Girl play

This morning Caroline was playing shoe store. Jack has never thought to spend his time trying on shoes. She had baby dolls all lined up, with shoes on each. It's awfully fun to have a little girl!

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.8