Leaves are falling all around....

The joy of backing up to trees in the fall time is taking some time to rake them and play. Parker, decided on his own one day, that it was time to start raking. Bless his heart, he raked and raked and raked until he got a decent sized pile of leaves. It was just too much fun not to share and have fun with them. He was a little sad when everyone started throwing them because "I worked really hard, mom and now they're everywhere!" So the next day, I went out, raked (only 1/2 the yard, it's a workout!) and got smart and got out the leave blower and made some huge piles for him..... to earn some money by picking up! He and Tanner worked hard and was happy he found out that you can work hard and play and sometimes even get rewarded! I think they ended up with something like 15 of those huge black trash bags full! (Not to mention we could do it all again today).

Parker in his pile of leaves!
Parker and Evan

Parker and Mason (who didn't like this at all!)

L-R Nick, Parker, Josh, Evan, Tanner
The boys enjoying some of Parker's hard work!!

Fall Weather that is CRAZY!!!

We have started quite a few trends in the neighborhood. First, it was everyone came over for the tramp, then the basketball hoop or the Foosball table, but now we have most boys aged 5-12 playing hockey! We have one of those outdoor hockey nets where the guy stands in front of it. They love it!

Kids L-R Parker, Austin, Tyler, Tanner, Ryan, Nick, Evan, and Miles.

The boys on a "Beck Break". Snow cones for everyone...Yeah! It was so nice, I pulled the snow cone maker out we had snow cones.



K, I had to share this pic (and cut as much of me out as possible), but Mason looks like he has hair and it looks like it's curly. But, 1. He doesn't and 2. It's not curly, but I thought it was adorable that it looked like he has hair :)

My snow cone helper. Luckily everyone had one. He loved feeling the shaved ice and had a few brain freezes!

SLAM DUNK! He's getting ready for some basketball with the brothers!

Mason as the goalie for the boys....NOT! He kept walking in front of it and standing right here just like this every time. I hope he's not trying to tell me he wants to be a goalie!

The weather has gone from BEAUTIFUL in low-mid 70's to highs of mid 40's. It's definitely fall and is no longer shorts and t-shirt weather. Just wanted to share some fun outdoor shots!

Trick-or-Treat

How cute is he??!!!!

Getting ready to go out on the night!

My "big muscle Spiderman" and his sidekick....Frog :) Evan was flashing his web sign everywhere we went that night! Totally cute!!!!

Another Halloween year has come and gone and before we know it will be Christmas and that's just crazy! The weather was beautiful to were the first time in I think EVER, I was able to wear a short sleeved shirt and pants most the night (the hoodie did come on, but NO JACKET!) Mason was a frog (that's been past down a few years) and Evan was "Big muscle Spiderman". He really wantedto spidey as his best friend, Andrew was also Spiderman. He put the mask on for the picture, but trick or treated with it off. Mason stayed on the porch passing out candy with Mason because he was just happy to be outside! I took Evan around and he LOVED it this year (last year about 10 houses his "feet hurt and he was tired"), so mom was glad to be getting the exercise, fresh air and some good one on one time with Ev. (Isn't that sad when one-on-one time is trick-or-treating?!) Tanner wore some scary mask and was going to "scare all the little kids" but had a buddy talk him into going with him. So my boy who was "too old" to go trick-or-treating last year and past out candy, went this year! Okay, whatever! And Parker went with his skating posse as a Dallas Stars Hockey player. He and his friends all had skates on so they could "get more candy". Ohhhh....children after my own heart!

Parker's field day to the ZOO

So only 3 days after hitting the pumpkin patch with Evan, I then was able to go with Parker and his class to the St. Louis ZOO. I get to his class at 8:30 and just as walk in, again this oh great feeling comes over me. I figured we'd each have about 4 kids to watch and I had my 4 picked that she'd give me. Of course, the worst one in class, the next worst one, Parker and then another kid who's pretty good, but COMBINED with Parker and these boys would be not so good. So before she even started telling the groups I whispered to Parker who I thought and he didn't have a clue. The teacher reads the names. All the other parents have 4 kids so I knew I was right on....or was I? Well I was hypothetically speaking because I guessed the right 4, but she gave me 5 boys! Why do teachers do this?!!! You've already given me your 2 WORST kids and then I'm the only one with 5?!! And as a teacher would say to help you feel better, "you're a mom of all boys and I figured if anyone could handle this group it would be you." Are you KIDDING ME?!!! I haven't recovered from my group 2 days ago let alone ready to deal with 5 third grade boys at the zoo where they can run wild. Luckily I had a couple tricks up my sleeve and we did see a few other groups at times that no was lost (for more than 10 minutes) and everyone survived... i hope! I'm starting to see why they only have 2 field trips a year.

We saw lots of great animals: bears, pumas, gorillas, tigers, monkeys, snakes, zebras, penguins, all your great zoo stuff.

I'm just wondering if they teach the teachers to say that or if it's the best excuse to say SUCKER they have or why they do that? I don't think they'd give the best girl in the class only the other best girls (actually, yes they would). Oh well, I do love my boys and I guess I can "handle it".
This was my group and one other group. Of course you say, "Sit so I can take your picture" and they all sit on each other and immediately have to let me know to "rock on", so here they are. Parker is on the back row in the center.

For one quick second we were able to take a picture with one of the girls groups. Parker has (and has had) a thing for Faith who is second from the left in the red sweatshirt. She's almost as tall as him and is so cute. You can see the kid top on the top right not posing...he was "buddy" all day.....allllllll day :) Love ya, Casey! (and now you're "famous like Parker")

Evan's kindergarten class at the Pumpkin Patch

I got to go with Evan to the Pumpkin Patch and I'm not sure what it is that attracts me to the "bad boys" of the class. I went with Evan's class on Tuesday and since I've volunteered in his class before, I knew most all the kiddos. Well when I get there, I get this "just give me the bad kids" feeling. It happens on EVERY field trip. I used to think it was because Parker was a little hard to handle, but by now, I'm used to it. So yep, got the "handful child" right off the bat (and no it's for sure not Evan. He's one of the "good ones".) When Evan's teacher handed me the info for the field trip and the names, I smiled and said "thanks" with one of those cheesy I know who you've given me smiles. We laughed and she said, "I figured with 4 boys you can handle him." Of course needless to say, we had a great time and he only got lost once in the maze and only had to pee like 4 times and wasn't hungry for lunch and fed "the birds", so I guess it was a success?!?! We had a great time though.
Evan thinking he is SOOOOOO big....cute!
They had this tire horse swing thing that bounced and it was really hard to get
the kids to share and get off! Stay tuned for Parker's field day post!