Makin cookie for Mommy's work

Last year the boys made cookies for mommy's work and they won a trophy. That really motivated them to do it again this year in hopes of winning another award.
The work was carefully done
and the cookies lovingly prepared
all to help out the United Way.

Sunday afternoon at Grandma and Grandpa's house

After an afternoon at the pumpkin patch we went to Grandma and Grandpa's house. Grandpa had raked a HUGE pile of leaves together for the boys and they set upon it like all get out. I think these two photos are my favorites from the afternoon : )
Big C found himself getting launched into the leaves no less than about 30 times. Mimi's arms were tired Sunday evening from throwing the two boys."again mimi, again mimi" and so on
Throwing leaves
Oh please throw me, oh please throw me...whoo hoo!!

Mimi's great punkin adventure

Mimi has been having a fabulous time here in our home. She's polite, super friendly and always dancing. She's a true joy to have in our home and we really love all that she brings to our family.
One tradition that she mentioned she doesn't have in her home country is Hallowe'en. No pumpkin carving, not really any trick or treating and no roasted pumpkin seeds.
We're taking her under our wings for this holiday to get her knowledgeable about how we do things here in Ottawa (even under the 4 inches of snow that stayed on the ground after the snowstorm yesterday). She got her own pumpkin at the pumpkin patch on Sunday and today was the day for carving. She took at it like an artist. Here she is carefully drawing the face on:

Then working hard at the carving process:

She really has a skillful set of hands and a great smile while she was working at it:

Here she is finishing up the top and carefully trimming away any of the marker that was left behind:

And here's our Mimi proudly sporting her Jack O'Lantern.

Have a great time outdoor camping today and tomorrow and we'll see you for trick or treating Friday night!

Punkin Carvin

The boys and I decided to make today our pumpkin carving day since I have PTI's tomorrow (parent teacher interviews!). Both of them were quite excited, as was I since this was likely the first year that Monkey was going to 'get it'. He certainly did and was raring to go. We showed off the pumpkins:
Then got down to the artwork with a big blue marker (what other colour?)

Big C was overjoyed when it became his turn:
Then Monkey posed to show off his finished work - what a beautiful smile!


mmmm...a bird's eye view of the inside of a pumpkin
and a final shot of the 3 pumpkins with Mimi in the back - surprised to be in the photo. There's Big C's 'Masked Punkin' on the left, Monkey's personal creation (he did everything, even scooping out the 'guts', except the part with the knife) in the middle and daddy's 'silly punkin' on the right as requested by the boys.
The gang, Mimi included finished things off with the delicacy of eating roasted pumpkin seeds and then the boys went outside for a little late night play before bedtime (Monkey couldn't help getting a snuggle in with mommy)

Daddy, Grandma and Monkey get some pumpkins

Today was another scheduled trip to the pumpkin patch. Grandma C had arranged to go with him from the get-go, but daddy suddenly had the opportunity to go too. Grandma C had him on her lap when daddy arrived, so Monkey was totally unwilling to have daddy attend. He came around by the time that we hit the door and we were off. Grandma C helped lots of other little ones get their boots, hats and mitts on. We took the big green bus and were off. We sang lots of songs on the bus ride there, many of which Monkey has been singing over the last few weeks.
When we arrived at the patch we went for the wagon ride and then picked out our pumpkins. The notice of 'you have to pick one that you can carry' was well received by most. Monkey had to sets of big strong hands to help, but he picked a Monkey size pumpkin. We also grabbed a gourd and then we were off to the shed for an apple and a few stories. 'The Littlest Pumpkin' was by far the cutest and all the kids totally loved it.
After this we were off home, to where daddy had the camera, to clean the outside of our pumpkins for later in the week. The boys were all in for it, especially Monkey. We stored them in the closet to keep them warm for tomorrow night when we get to do some carving. We all took a moment to celebrate with some chocolate cupcakes!I wonder what the faces will look like??

2008 Trip to the Pumpkin Patch

Did you know that they don't have corn mazes or pumpkins in Finland?? The WBs all went to the pumpkin patch on the weekend for a traditional fall celebration. We had a blast.

Here's Monkey sitting and eating (what else) an apple.
Posing for pictures in the pumpkins. It was so cute, he kept saying "grenouille" which is French for frog rather than "citrouille". The French for pumpkin.
PUMPKIN!!!
PUMPKIN!!!
They loved looking in the gross pumpkin.
Checking out all of the good ones...
going through the corn maze...
swinging big c...
gorgeous!
Almost Halloween!

First annual WB family Halloween Bash

What??
The WBs decided to host a kids Halloween party. We had a total of 11 kids. 4 in Big C's age category and 7 in Monkey's. We had a BLAST!! Thanks to all who came and played. It was fantastic.

We decorated cupcakes:
Big C put the candies on then quickly realized that it would be faster to just put them in his mouth.
These two boys polished off an entire bowl of candy while the parents we looking elsewhere.
We played parachute games...
Dave did science magic tricks...

There was lots of parental supervision...
Much joy and laughter..a little boy who IS NOT A PILOT...(but rather a little boy who wants to fly planes, who is this pilot person you speak of Daddy??)
making spiders out of raisins, Ritz crackers and peanut butter (we checked with the parents in advance, no allergies in this group).
yummm...
The after party. I mean really, after having that much fun, who wants to cook supper?