Happy Halloween!

For us Halloween was celebrated on Saturday and our day was filled with lots of fun and lots of sugar, of course! I started the day out by running through my childhood neighborhood in a 5K race - the course actually took me right past the house I grew up in! I ran with our neighbors and friends Christy and her husband Harry and yes, we actually were dressed in costume for this race; Harry was a football player and Christy and I were cheerleaders. Despite the cold air my asthmatic lungs were breathing in I ran well and got my best time yet 30:46 so I was pretty happy!

Right before lunch we took the boys to a local landscape company to participate in the "Candy Drop"; basically they put candy in mini loaders and then drop it on the ground so the kids can run and pick it up. Joshua knows the drill as he has done this the past few years, but this was Matthew's first time actually participating and he slowly got into it. Thankfully it wasn't raining this year and it wasn't freezing cold!

At night it was on to the annual trick or treating around our neighborhood. This year we decided to go around with our neighbors/friends. The kids rigged up a wagon to Hunter's 4-wheeler and rode to the houses in style, that is until they figured out that it was faster to run from house to house! Matthew really got the whole concept of trick or treating this year and loved the fact that everyone was giving him treats! After half the neighborhood the little guy was pretty content to stay in the wagon and eat his candy that is until he realized the big kids weren't done and he could gather more candy too so he still got out periodically! The neighborhood was busy this year and the adults had fun talking and watching all the kids go crazy. Even the adults got in on the trick or treating as neighbors had beer and wine available. What a fun night!

Joshua the knight!

Matthew the dragon!

The landscape company bought one of the top 10 Art Prize entries, one we never saw downtown so we were excited to finally see it!

The Candy Drop!

Going after the candy - Matthew was lucky enough to find a little stuffed bear to take home.

Riding in style for trick or treating!

The knight, the dragon, Mickey and Minnie trick or treating.

Matthew getting treats from our neighbor Amy.

Carving Pumpkins

Last night we tackled the annual pumpkin carving task. Joshua enjoyed the design and cutting portion of the project, but as usual wanted nothing to do with de-gooing the pumpkin. Matthew could have cared less about the whole project and was rather happy making a mess in the basement while the rest of us were working on pumpkins. Unfortunately, I think Matthew is just as averse to sensory activities as Joshua was at this same age. Thankfully doing kid-friendly designed pumpkins takes a lot less time to carve so we were done pretty quickly and the end results were pretty cute. This afternoon we'll mix a concoction to pour over the seeds and roast them.

Matthew liked exploring the pumpkin carving tools.

Matthew taking the top off of his pumpkin.

Joshua capturing our pumpkin carving with the camera.

Plotting out the design on the pumpkin (notice the design he'd already drawn on paper as a guide).

Joshua did quite a bit of the carving on his own this year!

The final result!

Matthew and Joshua's jack-o-lanterns.

The best part, lighting them up!

18 months and growing!

Last week Wednesday Matthew officially turned 18 months old, crazy I know! His well child appointment was today in which he was declared a healthy and growing little man.

Matthew's 18 months stats:

weight: 24.12 lbs (35%)

height: 33 1/2 in. (82%)

head circumference: 47.4 cm (38%)

Joshua's 18 month stats:

weight: 23.10 lbs (25%)

height: 31.5 (25%)

head circumference 47.6 cm

The predictable trend of outweighing and outgrowing his big brother is continuing, except in that same ol' area of head circumference. I'm afraid at some point Matthew is going to be bigger than Joshua and then we are going to have some real issues!

What describes Matthew at this point in his development . . .

~He's a ball of energy who leaves a wake of destruction wherever he goes these days, which means lots of clean-up for the rest of us. We are trying to teach him the skill of picking up, but it seems he's always a lot more interested in making the mess than picking it up.

~Climbing on everything and getting into mischief is the name of the game. If it's out of the little stinker's reach than he just finds a stool to help him climb to whatever he's after.

~A constant mover and shaker. Sitting and focusing isn't something he does. However, at bedtime it is the one time he will sit and listen to stories.

~The child understands just about everything we say these days. He follows directions, but only when he wants to. He also understands when he is naughty - he still gets a kick out of doing something he's not supposed to while he looks at you, smiles and/or laughs. In the past week he has started hitting, sometimes just to see what we will do, so the good ol' time out stool is being introduced.

~His language is developing a whole lot faster than Joshua's did at this age, but I'm still keeping a close eye on it. He can say fish (ish), book, boo, ball, uh-oh, mama, dada, snake (sss), cracker, kitty, dog, uh-uh (for no), duck (guck), bye bye, hi, poo (for Pooh Bear),weee ooo weee oo (for an ambulance, police car or fire truck), yum (ummmm), yea (for yes) and nigh nigh. I did get him to repeat a two word utterance the other day too!

~Matthew loves to run around outside, kick and throw balls. It's gonna be a long winter being for him being cooped up in the house.

~Loves to be around "big" kids! Thank goodness there are so many around for him to play with and admire. He gets a kick out of trying to do whatever the "big" kids are doing.

~We are seeing more independence when it comes to play these days for Matthew. The combination of his development and being without Joshua the days he has school is helping Matthew learn the skills of independent play.

~Surprisingly gave up the pacifier without a fight. After returning from our last camping trip we took Matthew's pacifier away for good (he had only had it in his bed for nap and nighttime since he was 9 months old). Thankfully he still goes down for naps and bedtime very easily!

~We are amazed as we literally see the gears turning in his head as Matthew is constantly trying to figure things out. The smarty pants can see something happen just once and will try to mimic it. This summer after watching Cory put the jacks up and down on the trailer a time or two Matthew would get the correct tool out and try to do it just like daddy!

~The baby is fading daily and a little someone has become a toddler complete with having some impressive temper tantrums already (man can this little guy scream). Let's just say the 2's might be a bit more than terrible so we are trying to prepare ourselves.

~Full of personality probably describes Matthew best right now. His facial expressions, the things he does, the way he does things just crack us up! The kid sure keeps us laughing!

Matthew runs us ragged most days with his endless energy and mischievous ways but we love him beyond words and are thankful our family has been blessed with him!

Two little monkeys jumping around

As the weather turns colder we have to be a bit more creative in how we allow the kids to get their energy out. This week as the darkness takes over sooner in the evening and the temps kept creeping lower and lower so did the amount of time we played outside which meant lots of extra energy the kids didn't get out. So, Friday night my brother Phil and I took the kids to For the Kidz Gym to let them blow off some steam and hopefully wear them out (Cory was out of town for work so he missed out on the fun)! Joshua can pretty much run free for the two hour open gym without much supervision or worry. Matthew on the other hand needs more of a chaperon for anything he does as he is just learning what taking turns is all about and his personal safety isn't his top concern. Both boys had a blast running around, jumping, bouncing, sliding and climbing to their hearts content. And mission accomplished, they were both exhausted when we left! I'm sure there will be more visits in our near future as winter is sure to be here someday soon.

Joshua's favorite activity, jumping into the foam pit!
Matthew enjoyed sliding into the foam pit and playing in it.

Face first landing!

About to slide down the inflatable obstacle course.

This little guy has some amazing strength - he is holding on to the bars with no help and won't let go!

Uncle Phil is bouncing Matthew on the trampoline which made him laugh hysterically.

Jumping Joshua.

Getting his energy out= happy kid (and happy parents)

Fall Camping

Last weekend we hooked up the trailer and headed out for a weekend with most of Cory's family at Wabasis. The weather really could not have been any better! Cory's parents had arrived at the campground first and picked spots that backed right up to the playground which were perfect! The kids spent a lot of time playing together on the playground and we didn't always have to be by their sides because we could see and hear them from our campsites. Saturday the kids did a little fishing in the morning and Joshua actually caught a Sunfish, he was so proud! In the late afternoon we visited Erin's dad's farm where we feed the cows and the kids played on the tractors and combine. Unfortunately much of the farm equipment had broke that week so there were no rides, but the kids didn't seem to care. Then it was off for a quick trip to Paulson's Pumpkin Patch where the kids picked out their pumpkins for carving and we got some fun pumpkins and gourds to decorate the front porch with. Saturday night Joshua got a special treat, a sleep over in Uncle Paul and Aunt Toni's trailer with Nicholas, Gabrielle and Allison! Sunday before we left we took the kids down to the beach so they could dip their toes in the water and play on the playground on the beach. It was a wonderful weekend Playing on the playground together.

Joshua and Nicholas "battling" it out.

Fishing Saturday morning.

Joshua showing off the Sunfish he caught!

Happy little fisherman!

Matthew was curious, but didn't really want to touch the fish.

We "leashed" Matthew while the other kids fished, but Allison and Sam liked walking Matthew more than fishing.

A fall boat ride on Saturday afternoon

Joshua feeding the cows corn.

Matthew enthralled with the cows.

Sittin' in a huge tractor wheel.

The knights and superheros battle.

All the cousins and Maize at the farm.

The best picture I could get of the boys.

Joshua picked out a big pumpkin for carving.

Matthew helping pick out pumpkins and gourds.

Joshua and Matthew in the pumpkin patch.

Running to the beach Sunday morning.

The water is in sight!

Allison and Joshua race on the slides.

Matthew dipping his toes in the cold water.

Joshua, Gabrielle and Allison wading in the water.

Matthew exploring the beach.

All tired out from a fun weekend. Notice the candy cigarette hanging out of his mouth that was supposed to help keep him awake, but obviously didn't!