Pumpkin Goo!

Let's get this straight right from the start . . . pumpkin carving is a "Dad job". Sharp knives, stringy mess . . . it's right up there with weed eating and digging the silverware out of the garbage disposal. BUT, it's October 29 and the Wonka pumpkins were yet to be carved so Mom stepped up to the plate.

Don't let these pictures fool you - they cleaned approximately 4 seeds out of each pumpkin before wandering to less messy activities!

Lexi's quite pleased with the Tinkerbell pattern she chose!

Frankie's much easier traditional Jack-o-lantern. FYI - pumpkins are MUCH easier to carve if they've been dropped from the kitchen table a dozen times! Thanks Frankie!

Halloween Program

Lexi's Halloween program and party at preschool were this morning. The whole family went to watch her sing the songs she's been practicing for weeks! Here are the highlight videos!

Frankie really wanted to sing with them and threw a small fit. Luckily Mom found some stale Cheerios in her purse!

At the Halloween party, Frankie was encouraged to participate and even given snacks! What a wonderful morning was had by all 5 Wonkas! Happy Halloween!

Trunk or Treat!

One princess + two animals + a vegetable + a soldier = a Fantastic Trunk or Treat!

Rain kept us indoors this year but we think it was even more fun (and definitely warmer!) that way!

Henry was the hit of the evening, although Frank thought it awkward people kept complimenting his "pea"!

Meticulous Frankie

At Frankie's parent-teacher conference last week, he was described as "meticulous" and one who "likes to take his time with crafts and activities". He proved that when he created an intricate project with his Sweet Tarts instead of eating them!

Oink! Oink!

The Swine Flu has apparently come to Cooper Street! Frankie was too sick to celebrate his birthday as planned on Saturday but Grandma and I took Lexi and the Colorado Cousins to Wonderscope anyway. We'll take Frankie when he's feeling better!

Doctor Maddie heals Lexi

Jack with his Lego creation on display

Maddie with face paint

Later we all went to Pizza Street since we'd paid to reserve the party room. We kept Frankie away from the other non-Wonka kids and he was pretty subdued.

Super Surprise!

Lexi earned a sleepover at Grandma's several weeks ago but we postponed it when we learned cousins Maddie & Jack were coming for a visit this weekend. We kept it a surprise from her until she came downstairs and saw them standing in her living room. She was literally speechless!

They went to KU's Late Night Friday night

"Conversations" with Frankie

At 3 weeks shy of his 2nd birthday, I had my first "conversation" with Frankie last night. While he's still quite far behind his peers in terms of speech, we've seen real gains the last 6 weeks. Here's how the conversation went . . .

I was on the computer & the kids were watching one of their two coveted daily TV shows. Frankie started saying, "Uh-oh! Uh-oh! Uh-oh!" (like 20 times!). I ran upstairs and there was a notice on the screen that a recording was about to start on the DVR so the channel would be changed. Before I could find the remote, the channel changed to Sunday Night Football. Frankie got louder saying, "Uh-oh! Get the ball! Uh-oh! Get the ball!" He was frantically telling me to get it off football and back on Clifford! I changed it back and he sighed and said, "Ah, Dog." Only a mother could think that was a conversation and only I would be so happy!

Manic Monday!

We're so blessed to have a Daddy with such a great work schedule! We have 3 day weekends every week and get to spend every morning together as a family! Here's what we did today . . .

Soccer with Dad! Notice Dad's new shoes - breaking in to prepare for the big race next month!

We went to the pumpkin patch with the kids' school. It was outside of Lawrence and quite a haul but definitely worth it! We rode a hayride to the field and the kids got to choose their pumpkins right off the vine! Lexi loved it but Frankie wasn't so sure. I'll narrate for him . . .

"What is this dirty thing?" . . . "I want to put it down." . . . "I'm putting it down."

Lexi loves her pumpkin choice!

Feeding the bull

"Don't feed me to the bull!"

Wonderscope Preview

We checked out Wonderscope Friday morning in preparation for Frankie's birthday party there (with just his cousins & neighbor). It's a children's museum with different themed rooms. Both kids had a "WONDER"ful time (get it?!) and Lexi asked to go back the next day. Good thing we bought a family pass!

Frankie loved the wooden train - future Christmas present Grandma & Nana?

There's a room with all ball experiments. Frankie and balls . . . need I say more?

Happy Family

We didn't have any pictures of the entire family so, right before church, we made poor Matt stop mowing our yard and snap a quick one!