Mickey & Pumpkins

Last Thurday, we took Hughes and Banks to see Disney on Ice 100 Years of Magic. Hughes didn't want to go at first and said he wasn't riding any roller coasters. I guess I scarred him when I made him ride Goofy's Barnstormer two years ago.

When we got there, of course, they were inundated with light-up swirly toys, swords, hats, shirts, more toys, etc. We let the boys pick out one souvenier and let them get one snack. $60 later we came away with two Buzz Lightyear swords that light up, one shark cup with snowcone inside of it and one bag of cotton candy that came with a Mickey crown. CHA-CHING!

But, I wouldn't trade that night. The boys' eyes lit up when the show started and we had great seats. At one point, the princesses and princes came out to do a dance number and Hughes looked at me and stuck his finger down his throat like to gag himself. I don't know where he learned this but it made me laugh out loud. Obviously, he doesn't like princesses. It was a 2 hour show and towards the end we were all tired but it was still fantastic.

Thanks Mickey for a special night!

On Friday, Hughes did not have school so I declared Banks not to have school, too. We went and had mexican for lunch which Hughes requested and then we went to Wally World to get our Halloween costumes. I have totally let go my need to make my boys' costumes and they are thrilled. So, without further adieu, here are our 2011 mass produced, cheaply made but lovingly adored costumes.

Hughes the Phantom, Banks the Power Ranger and that ghost is Sally the Lion from Hughes' class. Sally visited with us this weekend so we made her a costume, too.

**Side Story - that furry green thing in the background is a witch that hangs on the outside of the downstairs bathroom door. One morning Banks was jumping around grabbing himself and I told him to go to the bathroom to which he replied he couldn't. I asked him why and he said he was afraid of the witch. I had to show him that it was pretend and just for fun but he didn't believed me. This resulted in a little boy losing control of his bladder because he couldn't muster the courage to face the witch.

Now, on to decorating pumpkins. David has been busy studying so we decided this year to take the easy way out of decorating pumpkins. We used the push-in face parts (think Mr. Potato Head). It was awesome, no mess and very little clean-up.

The Boys

Hughes (6), Collins (1), and Banks (4)

Sally the Lion made the family picture, too.

Update on Collins: Collins is back to running a fever. He has never left the crummy feeling stage so we'll go back to the doctor tomorrow. He's barely drinking and not eating at all. You can't tell from the above picture but he was just whimpering.

Happy Halloween 2010

Tonight we trick-or-treated in Barberry Woods. The night started off rough with Hughes refusing to come out of the house and join the cul-de-sac pre-trick-or-treat party. Everyone in the neighborhood was invited to bring some healthy snacks for the little ones to have before they began their candy quest. Hughes refused to come out. He refused to wear his mummy costume. In fact, he refused to wear anything. So, he hung out in the house in his underwear while we were right outside in the front yard hanging out with great friends.

Right before we took the group picture, I went inside and asked him one more time to please join us. He said, "okay". I didn't make a big deal out of it and he was fine the rest of the night. He wore his pterodactyl costume from last year.

Banks, on the other hand, was ready to go from the word start. He loved the party, he loved his Batman costume, he loved everything!

After every house of receiving candy, the boys would yell out "mom, it worked" and then it was followed by Banks' yahoo. Collins and I made it half-way around the neighborhood before he needed to eat so David finished the route with Hughes and Banks.

It turned out to be a great night!

Group Shot - this is 1/3 of the children in our small neighborhood

Wyatt, Conley & Banks

Conley, Wyatt & Hughes

My Three Sons

Banks (Sweet Pea), Banks (Batman), Hughes (Pterodactyl)

Pumpkin Patch

We ran out to the pumpkin patch yesterday to get Round #2 of pumpkins. The gnats were awful and we just weren't feeling it. The boys got a snow cone and then we picked out our pumpkins. It was kind of uneventful except for the fact that I dropped Hughes' melted snowcone which sent him crying and then we were done! Oh, and the kids were dressed like ragamuffins which made for great pictures!

Hughes with a "joker" grin. He was saying "Happy Halloween".

Banks picked out a small one for Collins.

Collins slept through the experience. His head is about as big as his pumpkin!

Banks playing with his Halloween stickers. Thanks Dawa!

The end product.

Two freshly carved pumpkins now flank our walkway - 0ne batman and one scary.

School Halloween Parties

On Friday both boys had Halloween parties at school. They had a blast and were excited to wear their costumes to school. Unfortunately for me, Hughes refused to wear his mummy costume and was adamant to wear the pterodactyl costume from last year. Ignore the fact that it is too small and he looked ridiculous! I now know how my own mother felt when I insisted on wearing something that she knew looked ridiculous on me. I made sure to tell all of his teachers that the pterodactyl costume was his idea and yes, I know it is too small!

Miss Frizzle (aka Miss Kate) and the Mean Pterodactyl

Batman and Pterodactyl sitting nicely waiting on their turn during Hughes' Halloween party.

Batman enjoying his party. Unfortunately the kid to the right of him threw-up shortly after this picture. So, now I'm curious if we're going to get the nasty stomach bug that's creeping around!

a close-up of our Batman!

It's Pumpkin Time!

Last night, since David's classes were cancelled, we took advantage of a rare family weeknight at home and carved our pumpkins. This is the first time that we've done this. In the past, we've used our Mr. Potato Head pieces to decorate our pumpkins but this year we decided to do the real thing. The boys were stoked and very curious about the insides of the pumpkins.

All the boys

Dad carving it up.

Collins was thrilled to be included.

The finished product - both boys wanted scary faces. Afterwards, I toasted some of the pumpkin seeds. Hughes has yet to taste them. I think they're delicious!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

Last night, we ventured to West Farm Corn Maize out near Moncks Corner. We met David's study group from law school and we had a great time. There was a little corn maze, big corn maze, apple slingshot, farm animals, hay ride, bouncy balls, and pumpkin patch. Hughes and Banks thoroughly enjoyed themselves and, for the first time, said "cheese" for pictures and actually tried to look in the direction of the camera!

On the hayride through the woods. Banks kept pointing out the moon and Hughes kept saying he saw ghosts!

The LCC with family

Devin doing the apple slingshot - he actually hit the pie pan and won $20! Go Devin!

The boys trying their hands at the slingshot - no winnings but lots of fun!

Daddy and Banks in the children's corn maze. The boys loved it!

Cowboy Banks sitting on his pumpkin - he kept saying "yeehaw"!

Hughes with The Great Pumpkin

The Holman Family

Post Trick or Treaters

After the trick or treaters, we (Murphys, Steeds, and Holmans) had an adult party at the house complete with ghoul-ade, keg, jello shots, and lots of yummy food.  It's always fun getting to see people's imaginations and creativity at work.  There were some fabulous costumes.  I didn't manage to take lots of pictures but here are a few.
witches' fingers
Juno couple (Suzie and James - check out those legs)
Fisherman and a School of Fish
Pirates (Nelson and Anna)
Britney and K-Fed (Kelly and Ed - I'll never think of them the same again)
Goth Couple (Will and Jennifer - and, no, the piercings aren't real but did hurt)

There were also a Raising Arizona couple, Joe the Plumber, Sweet Tea Vodka Firefly, more pirates, witches, Dr.90210 with wife, beer pong table and ping pong ball,  and more.  Our individual costume winner was Chris (British Chris).  He made an excellent pirate - looked just like the ones you see at the Provost Dungeon downtown.  Our couples costume winner was Will and Jennifer for their portrayal as a goth couple.  It was a great night.

Trick or Treat

We had a blast last night.  Above are our spooky pumpkins that greeted trick-0r-treaters at our door.  We met at the stop sign in our neighborhood for a group shot at 6.  All the kids (and some dogs) were dressed to the nines.  


Here are my tamed animals.  


Our favorite tree!
Samson the Hotdog - Does he look happy or what?
Here is a cowboy, princess ballerina, and Buzz Lightyear!


Thomas the Lion
Bumblebee dog
check out that tail!

After the group picture, I went to a few houses with the boys but soon left to return to our house to hand out treats.  David took the boys to a few more houses.  Hughes still wasn't sure about the whole deal but was warming up.  When they got back to the house, I took Hughes to our culdesac neighbors.  WOW - by that time, he got it!  He was running from house to house.  Always having great manners with please and thank you.  I think  he may have eaten half of his candy while trick or treating.