Touch-a-Truck!

On a chilly Saturday morning, Nana, Papa, and I took the boys to the Touch-a-Truck event at Lincoln Park in Springfield.  Kieran LOVES vehicles, so he was thrillled!

HAPPINESS!

This looks dangerous!

Caden and Cole got a kick out of the huge PINK tow truck with Hulk on the side.

Kieran's favorite was the fire truck.

The nice fireman let Cole try on his helmet.

Caden and Cole were never really into vehicles as much as Kieran is, but they had a great time exploring the big trucks.

We've been to this event two times--once when it was super hot when Cole was around 2 and this time when it was very chilly.  Not sure which weather would be better.  Either way, the boys had a great time!

Fall Fun

We've had a fun and busy fall so far.  September and October seemed to speed by! 

We spent a beautiful Saturday morning at a local pumpkin patch.  We've been going to the same pumpkin patch for years, but we decided to try a different place this year.  We had a lot of fun at Bomke's Pumpkin Patch.  The boys enjoyed running through the straw maze, playing in the corn kernels, playing pumpkin checkers, and going down the tube slide.   

After playing around for a bit and enjoying some free apple cider and popcorn, we headed out to the HUGE pumpkin patch.  This "patch" had TONS of pumpkins and so many different varieties  We'll be back next year! 

Later that same day, we attended Island Bay's Fall Festival.  We took our neighbor along with us.  The kids had fun playing games, making crafts, bouncing in the bounce house, and eating treats. 

Caden and Sophia making fall crafts

Bliss...a balloon sword AND cotton candy!

The beautiful moon over IBYC

On Columbus Day, Nana, Papa, the boys, and I made the short trip to the corn maze in Auburn.  It was another beautiful fall day! 

My boys!

Figuring out which way to go next--We only missed two stop points, so I considered the trip a success.  

Deciding the answer to a question--This might have been the one that I thought was a trick question, but it turned out NOT to be that tricky. 

As I listen to the wind outside right now, I consider us blessed to have had such beautiful fall weather on the days when we had activities planned. 

Students of the Week

At the boys' elementary school, each student gets a turn being student of the week for their class.  Each teacher has a different method for choosing, but everyone gets a turn the first time around.  If the boys are reporting correctly, Caden's teacher selects students in reverse alphabetical order, and Cole's teacher randomly selects the order before the school year begins.  We thought it was an awesome coincidence that Caden and Cole were student-of-the-week during the same week! 

The boys with their student-of-the-week buddies (Skippyjon Jones with Cole and Zork with Caden) and Kieran too

I attended recess and ate lunch at school with both boys during their special week.  Always fun!  I also had the special treat of listening to Cole read during "rest and read time" after eating lunch with him. 

Caden and me

Cole and me

Each teacher has different ways of honoring the student-of-the-week. It is something that both boys looked forward to, and they felt very special.  Proud of my boys!

Finishing Up Summer

Our summer officially ended at Island Bay Yacht Club on Labor Day.  We enjoyed an afternoon of swimming, games, and good food. 

Kieran eating lunch poolside

Kieran, Nana, and Caden having fun in the baby pool

Caden jumping in for the watermelon race

Caden waiting for his turn to race

Caden, Kieran,and Cole getting ready for the balloon stomp game

Silly string fight!

Caden should have listened when I told him to keep his mouth closed during the silly string fight. Yuck!

Cole covered in silly string



Caden taking a turn in the dunk tank

We had a great first summer at Island Bay Yacht Club. Being in the water so much really helped the boys' swimming skills. We're looking forward to spending many days at IBYC next summer.