Pumpkin Picking Tradition

Today was great! It was a really pretty fall day, sunny and 75, it was Yom Kippur so Jake had off from school, Spike took the day off, and it was Aidan's actual birthday. So lots of reasons to get outside and pick pumpkins. Even though spike is fighting a bad cold and was up all night coughing, he loaded up on dayquil and we tried to take it as easy as possible. We went to the same place we've gone for the last 2 years. But, we tried something new, the hayride to the pumpkin patch. That was a bumpy good time. Jake really wanted a pumpkin he could carve and Aidan wanted one that he could decorate with stickers. Spike ended up carving Jake's pumpkin. I had started, but apparently my work was sub-par so Jake requested that Spike finish up. Aidan named his pumpkin Super-Mega-Mom-Happy-Birthday-Blue's-Clues-Pumpkin. We went with my friend Amy and her son, who is best friends with Aidan.

Fall Fun

After the big party yesterday and considering that Jake is still fighting a cold a bit, we took it easy today, but still needed to take advantage of the gorgeous fall day outside. We did a little roller skating (Aidan's new bday gift from Aunt Lainie), fishing pole contest, and tree climb-sitting (where daddy lifts the boys into a branch and they sit there!)

Spongebob Bday fun

Saturday we celebrated Aidan's bday a little early and had his 3rd bday party. For the first time we had the party at a place other than our home, Party Playhouse, and for the first time I didn't make his cake (gulp!). But it was a great party and Aidan had a blast. So did Jake. Aidan said his favorite things were eating the cake and playing air hockey.

The spongebob themed party had a 'build a buddy' activity that allowed all the kids to build an animal friend complete with adoption certificate and take home box. There was a great ice cream cake from Frosty Rock and pizza from Bada Bing. Dee-Licious pizza! There was lots of running around and playing. The best part was showing up and leaving without cleaning!!

Getting a kick out of Karate

Jake's been taking karate for a while now and I finally brought a camera. He's having a bit of a tough go at it now that it's after a full day at school. But he loves it.

Support Stamp, Scrap, CURE

October 25 is the third annual Stamp, Scrap, CURE!

It is an annual fundraiser that I organize to raise money for Ovarian Cancer Research. It was dreamed up in honor of my mother who lost her fight with ovarian cancer more than 5 years ago. In the past 2 years, we've raisesd nearly $10,000!

The day is a lot of fun, it is a scrapbook crop (for those of you not familiar with scrapbooking, a 'crop' is like a modern day quilting bee where ladies of all ages get together, bring their photos, albums, accessories (there are a ton of accessories!) and chat the day away while preserving their family's memories.

In addition to just scrapping or stamping, participants are able to buy raffle tickets for great prizes. There is a silent auction in the evening with even better goodies. Meals, chocolates, and door prizes are enjoyed throughout the day.

Please check out the event's website at http://www.stampscrapcure.org/ to learn more.

If you'd like to support the event, you can write a check made out to either me or the American Cancer Society (please keep in mind that if you make the check out to the American Cancer Society, it won't be cashed until shortly after the event) You can have a reciept if you would like one. I can also accept credit cards over the phone.

100% of the proceeds from the day go to the American Cancer Society, targeted for Ovarian Cancer research.

He Shoots, HE SCORES!

Saturday's soccer game was big for us--Jake scored his first goal! He was thrilled...for a few minutes. He was under the belief that every time he played he should get a goal. When that didn't happen, he got disappointed. We explained the whole 'no I in T-E-A-M' concept which pretty much went over his 5 year old head. This is a picture of the goal in question!

Elmo Arrives

A sneak peek for Halloween. After weeks of changing his mind, Aidan finally insisted on a costume idea. ELMO. The costume came today and it is really cute. It has a voice box that you can push that mimics Elmo's laugh. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing. But it's cute nonetheless! Jakey's costume should be coming soon...Star Wars is the big hint.