Happy Halloween!!!!

It's finally here, Happy Halloween!!!!  Despite getting slowed a little at school on my way out, I quickly picked the kids up and rushed home so we could get ready for our Halloween night.

Of course they were ready to go at Cindy's and already had a few goodies that they were really interested in trying out...Daddy picked up a quick pizza and we met at home.

It was a beautiful night and since it was still light enough for pictures at first, I dressed the kids into their costumes and turned into "Psycho Mom" so I could get a few pictures before I had to use the flash.  Let's just say there were a few tears, a stuck firetruck in the snow and a wandering Dalmation, but it did all work out.

We scarfed down dinner and had a few little ones already out and about in the neighborhood, which made dinner that much more difficult.  Auntie Amy drove up to go out with us too and met us on our first couple houses.

Even though she was a firetruck doggie, Brooklyn refused to ride.  She wanted to walk by herself, the whole way and didn't even want to hold anyone's hands.  She also had a death grip on her candy bucket...

At the first couple houses, Tucky passed out candy to the folks at their doors, a slight reverse trick-or-treating method that led to giggles and more candy for him.  I was just happy that he wanted to share!  Brooklyn missed this que and while people were checking out the firetruck, she managed to just keep reaching into candy buckets, smarty!

The kids really enjoyed trick-or-treating on our street, especially since Auntie Amy and Derek joined us.  Tucky gave most people a fireman's thank you by turning on his siren and flashing his lights.  They were also cracking up because he wore a headlamp headlight the whole time because it was pitch dark. Somehow he managed to drive without running his sister over and even gave a little boy in an owl costume a ride.  I think this made our neighbor's night, watching Tucky and Brooke roll up in the firetruck, grab some candy and pick up a few kids to haul around in the process....super cute.

Sparky, the Dalmation got tired, and our fireman got cold so after about an hour of visiting neighbors, we drove the firetruck home.  Tucky weaved in between three cars, swerved around Auntie Amy's bumper and just missed the rising garage door as he flew, in 2nd gear, into the garage.  He ran inside, grabbed his blanket and wanted to sleep.  Brooklyn wanted to eat chocolate, as evidenced by her face in a few pictures. Auntie Amy helped put the kids to bed and that just topped off a great Halloween evening!

And I have to mention that Daddy's work on the firetruck made our Halloween night!  It was a huge hit and Tuck was beaming from ear to ear.  It sure is nice to have such a talented Daddy!

House projects and Rattlesnake hike!

A weekend at home with no plans was greatly needed.  We did have our last gymnastics class Saturday morning, which the kids loved, and then nada.  The weather was decent on Saturday and Tucky and Daddy got out a bit while Brooklyn and I played inside.  They went over to Danny's and helped him rake up pine needles, Tucky's idea.  He even drove out his gator....firetruck....


As we get closer to Halloween, the kids keep hearing more and more about costumes, etc.  Tucky mentioned to Cindy that he was sad because Mommy and Daddy work too much and

didn't have time to make him a costume yet...

That was heartbreaking for us, of course, so all week Daddy has been working with Tuck to turn his gator into a firetruck for Halloween.

We also finished moving furniture into the basement and spent a few hours playing down there.  The kids are loving their new space and it's really opened up some more space in our living room.  Plus, if they want to make a mess and not clean it up right away, it's okay, we're not going to trip all over it as we used to in the living room.

We did have a few rain sprinkles around naptime which made resting easier.  However, as soon as we saw a break in the weather, we all decided to get out for a bike ride.  We hadn't biked in a few weeks and I know Tucky was anxious to get out again.

Daddy pumped up tires and we were off.  Instead of biking down our street and back, we discussed biking down towards Danny's camp on Basin Rd.  This required us biking a short distance and crossing Rt. 35, which can be really busy.  We prepped Tucky and placed him between us.

There was some traffic but it wasn't too bad and our little guy was such a good listener.  He stayed right where he was supposed to and did very well for his first "big road" bike trip!

The lake was pretty and we had a good ride down the hill to Danny's.  We continued down a side road and ended up at Center Day Camp.  Tucky spotted a playground so we had to stop in and check it out.  There were large tires, swings and a large wooden tractor.  The equipment was really for older kids but these guys still had a ball.

Tucky and Daddy found a metal zip line swing thing.  Daddy tried first and then of course Tucky wanted too.  He held on super tight and Daddy pushed him across.  I was so impressed, he held on and was able to swing multiple times.  What a big boy!  Brooklyn and I hung back to take pictures and she just giggled because she apparently thought it was pretty funny!

Brooklyn liked the tractor and wagon.  She even hid in a corner and did her business.  Although at one point, she and big brother fought over the steering wheel and who would drive...just the beginning.

On our way home, a very interesting incident took place.....  Brooklyn refused to get in the bike seat so we could pedal home, she kept saying "walk."  We let her walk and then pedaled ahead a bit, thinking she'd want us to come back and get her.  Well, that didn't quite happen.  Daddy and Tucky biked ahead while I waited behind a tree, about 50 yards in front of her.  She just kept walking, at her own pace, and looked up at the trees, looked around but definitely not ahead.  There was not even an ounce of concern across her face, she just kept walking.  Finally, she walked up to me and said "Hi Momma, walk."  I couldn't believe little miss independent....scary as it was!

We had wanted to get out for an adventure on Sunday, with the weather being nice and all.  We slept in a little and then packed a lunch for our hike up Rattlesnake Mountain in Raymond.  I have been wanting to get the kids up there for a long time.

The foliage was still great, the sun was shining brightly and the weather was mild...making for a great day to hike!  The trailhead is right off Rt. 85 and about a 45 minute hike to the top.  It's an easy walk in for the kids, although Brooklyn preferred to hang in the backpack and eat Cheerios.  Tucky and I started gathering leaves and by the time we reach the summit, we had quite a collection.  I love the fact that he loves to collect leaves with me, it's so much fun, especially since we just made a few projects with last years batch.

Tucky hiked all the way up himself.  He didn't complain and we took one short water break.  It was pretty quiet, only a few other folks out.


The top is gorgeous, views from Sebago to over towards New Gloucester, beautiful.  There's a nice rocky ledge to picnic on and we took full advantage. The sun was so warm and the kids were happy to be out!  Tucky even laid out on a jacket in the sun for a few minutes.

We stayed up top for close to an hour, then decided to head home so Brooklyn could nap.  Somehow she didn't fall asleep in the pack even though her eyes were heavy.  Tucky collected a few more leaves on the way down and then got a lift on Daddy's shoulders.  We were back at the car within 45 minutes, just enough for the kids!

The rest of the afternoon was resting, football and family cooking.  Great weekend!

New Gloucester Fairgrounds - relaxing at home

 We all had to sleep in a little on Saturday morning.  The work's week pace caught up to us all and we were in need of some rest.  Although, Saturday morning was filled with gymnastics.  Luckily the kids absolutely love it and can't wait to go tumble and see their buddies.

I brought the kids to class and we all had a ball.  We met up with Daddy in New Gloucester after the class at the fairgrounds for the annual community fair.  It's a free event, super fun for the whole family!

The best part for the kids though was that we parked right next to Jude and Bella.  Tucky was so happy, he loves playing with Jude.  The boys saw the tractor and had to have a ride first thing.  Brooklyn even got in on the action.  I wasn't sure if she'd like it but she drove just like the rest of them, even stayed in her seat the whole ride!

There were animals to pet and feed, ponies to ride and a huge bounce house.  Naturally, the little tumblers were drawn towards the bounce house...and it even had a slide too!

Tucky painted a pumpkin and added all kinds of "hair" to it.  There were so many activities for the kids, great times!

We even got to listen to live music while we ate lunch with the Branigan-Landry clans.  The band was great and I could feel Brooklyn bouncing (dancing) in the backpack.  I thought they'd get up and dance but they decided to just enjoy the music and play with the new cars some nice man gave them earlier.

 The kids were exhausted from a busy morning so we headed home for naps.  Both kids napped and I think I even fell asleep for a short time.  After naps we quickly packed up and headed over to Nahne and Uncle Trap's house in Freeport for her big party.  It was Nahne's 30th birthday bash and the whole family was there, plus lots of their friends.  I can't lie, my kids love parties!!!!

 The food was a hit, especially the cupcakes Tucky and Brooklie kept sneaking from the table.  Nahne had some backyard games set up and they got to play with Mimi and also make chalk drawings....once on Nahne's deck!  A couple other young kids showed up with one of Nahne's friends and Tucky was so happy.  He really loves other kids, even if they're a few years older.

 We had a big firepit going and Tucky wanted to start his own "burn fire" too.  He took all the kindling and made a massive pile about 20 feet away.  It was so funny, especially since Brooklyn jumped in on the deal and helped haul wood.

 Sunday was a day at home to sleep in, play outside and hopefully watch football!  We did all that and then some.  The kids helped Daddy with yard work and any projects they could.

At one point, we were in wildlife heaven because after spending 10 minutes checking out turkeys in our backyard, the kids got to watch a Chickadee up close and personal. It was hanging out on our window screen, not fazed

 by the kids a few inches away.

Tucky also made his first cutting project, a tree in foliage.  He used his new scissors to cut out the tree trunk and then pasted a bunch of dried leaves to make his tree.  He was very careful and insisted on a few leaves falling off the tree.  "Atta boy!"