Trunk-or-Treat

Our pediatrician's office teamed up with a few other healthcare provider's in the area for a trunk or treat.  Quite a few were orthodontists and dentists, so the kids got a lot of toothpaste and new toothbrushes (like, really nice toothbrushes!).  It was awesome!

 The temperature wasn't horrible that day (this past Monday), but right before the ToT started, it started raining.  Rainy + wind = COLD!!

The kids had a blast and I'm not sure why people even go door-to-door anymore.  It was so much easier this way!  We're still taking them out tonight, of course, but this was great.

Random

I had to take Ari back to the doctor, AGAIN, because the poor child's nose just won't stop running.  Doc was worried at Ari's 3 year well check about it turning into RSV again, so she gave her two medicines to try and told me to bring her back in if they didn't work.  They didn't.

Posing with her beloved leaf.

 I was under strict orders not to wipe her nose until the doctor came in and saw it (gross, but there are important factors with RSV to watch for in the boogers).

Silly girl.

Thankfully, it wasn't RSV and Ari got two more medicines to try (one really strong antibiotic and Claritin because Doc was thinking allergies were partly to blame).  It worked this time!  After about two days on the medications, she doesn't have a runny nose at all anymore!  WOO!!

This week at Kaden's school has been Red Ribbon week, so they've been doing fun stuff to go along with that.  Monday was crazy hat day, Tuesday was crazy hair day, and Wednesday was crazy sock day.  Kaden was excited about crazy hair day, but he doesn't have much to work with, so I busted out the hair spray paint.

Mouth full of cereal.

Kaden also got his school picture back this week!  I was nervous because I didn't coach him this year about how not to pose.  I kinda just wanted to see what he would naturally do.

LOVE!

I have no idea what the photographer did to get such a natural, big smile out of him, but holy cow they're amazing!!  I'm so happy with it!

Treehouse

Kaden's school did a field trip to the Treehouse Museum and specifically said do NOT bring any siblings.  Luckily Shane had the day off!

Listening to a storyteller.

 We went into the theatre area and they were telling the story of...

The three little pigs!

Now, you have to understand, last year Kaden's preschool went here and there was a little play for the kids to put on and he sat next to me pleading and begging to not go up on stage.  I didn't say anything this year, but he immediately said he wanted to go up on the stage.  He was passed over again and again for a part and was on the verge of tears.  I know I'm supposed to be like "everyone needs a turn, Kaden, there's no need to cry about it," but seriously this is a huge step for him!  I was praying he would get called on to have a part.  He was one of the last ones picked, but he was picked!!  Woo!  He got to be a bunny!  hahaha  It was great and he hopped the best (because no one else hopped at all except him).  :)

He's in the navy blue shirt.

 Then, of course, they were turned loose for some play time.

I was so, so proud of him and made sure to brag about it to Shane when we got home and show him the pictures.  He's finally coming out of his shell!!

Voyage Carnival

Kaden's school did a Halloween carnival right before Fall Break (Oct. 16th).  It was FREEZING that night and I was hoping they would move it into the gym, but no such luck.

I've been trying to convince Kaden to try a climbing wall for a couple of years now.  He suddenly asked me if he could try it!  Woo!  I didn't even care if he made it to the top or not, just having some interest in it is a big step for him.

All harnessed up.

He got a little help with the first step...

Stuck

I tried and tried to show him where to put his feet and hands and how to use his legs to lift himself up, but he was freaked out by the "height."  ;)  He didn't cry, though, and he said he had fun.  Baby steps, people, baby steps.

 While Kaden was clinging for dear life to the rock climbing wall, the girls went with Shane to get their faces painted.  It was two tickets ($1 for each girl) and I wasn't expecting much for such a cheap price.  Then I saw who was doing the face painting and got really, really excited.  His name is Kurt and his wife and I were friends in high school (she's a couple years older than me, but that's how I rolled), and now are friends on Facebook where she posts all about her husband's side job of face painting.  I'd seen pictures of his work and had high expectations for him.  He, of course, had no idea who I was, so I started messing with him by asking about his kids by name and grade and personal details I shouldn't know.  It was hilarious.

He's so good with kids.

A "crown" of flowers!

Ari held so, so still.  Kurt was impressed.

"I a budderfwy!!"

Kaden riding in the train.

It's hard to see the sparkly glitter, but there was a ton and they loved it.

Riding in the princess train car.

Ari caught some air!

Think she's close enough?  ;)

Pumpkin bowling!

1/4th of a second before her strike!

Candy makes the cold worth it!

The whole night Shane and I tag-teamed with the long lines.  It was cold and I wanted to get out of there as fast as we could!

Random kid helping Ari.  I guess he's not random - he was a volunteer.

Cotton candy!!

Ari chose popcorn and didn't regret her choice for a second. Especially since she and Lexi traded in the car.  That's the way to do it!

Despite the cold, the kids still had a blast.  The only thing we didn't get to do was get a balloon animal, but the line for that was an hour long and neither Shane or I were willing to stand in the cold for a balloon animal that would pop before we got home.  The kids were fine with it because they couldn't feel their fingers or toes anymore.  :)

Last soccer game

Kaden's last soccer game until the Spring was this past Saturday.  They had team pictures afterwards.  You know, when the boys are sweaty and covered in grass.  Perfect.

Kicking the ball out of the net after making a goal.

It was funny watching the boys try to balance while stretching out.

 Kaden scored two goals this game!  Another mom on the team said to me afterwards, "Kaden is so good!  You must practice with him all the time!"

Uhhh....nope.

I told her we don't really, but that he did play last year.  She was shocked, "He's just that naturally talented??"

Yup.  ;)

For pictures, the boys were told to line up tallest to shortest.  Immediately I told Kaden, "Go to the front."  haha  I was right.  The other moms and I noticed that the boys almost went numerically, except for #s 2 and 3, so they are 3, 2, 4, 5, 6.

From L to R: Coach Mike, Kaden, Gage, Ian, Larsen, and Sam.

Somehow Gage got in front of Kaden, so it looks a little off, but we'll all live.

Kaden doing his individual shot.

I'm excited for the Spring season!