Check out our Pumpkins!

Even though we planted our pumpkins late, they seem to be doing quite well with all the rain we've been having. Evan and Eliana helped plant pumpkins, corn, watermelons, and sunflowers this year, but I got a bit of a late start planting in July. Pumpkins are supposed to be rather frost hardy (down to 28 degrees,) so we're hoping to get a few good pumpkins, if not by Halloween, then definitely before Thanksgiving. The heart shaped leaves on the fence are Moon Flowers, although I haven't seen any flowers yet, and it's mid October. I think I'm going to start seeds under lights in the basement in early spring next season. I plan on making the garden much larger next year. I'm going to nerd out and do lots of research on what to plant, where, and when. This year was more of an experiment.

Kitty Bath

Mimi is very curious about water. She's already fallen in the toilet, and jumped into a bucket full of dirty mop water. The other night I was filling the bath, and she jumped up around the edge, and started walking around the bath, staring intently at the water, occasionally reaching a paw in to touch the water. Then, as expected, I hear a splash. She just stood in the water for a minute, looking around, then frantically tried to climb out. I thought cats aren't supposed to like water.

Fun With Daddy

Had some fun filming Evan and Eliana with the GoPro Hero 3 camera on Sunday at the local park. I'm trying to work with Evan and Eliana on learning how to ride their bikes. Their getting pretty good at training wheels so far, and I'm hoping to have them riding without in a few months. We had some fun with the camera, and I'm hoping to get a handle bar mount to film them when they first learn to ride without training wheels.

Saturday Ballet

Look who we ran into at ballet on Saturday. Evan and Eliana's friend Jolie! She missed her Wednesday class, so she joined the Saturday morning class. Eliana was thrilled to have someone she knows in her class. Evan tried to act all nonchalant, like he wasn't happy to see his 'girlfriend,' but we know better!

Eliana will be in "The Nutcracker" in just a few weeks!

Evan's "All ABout Me" Week at school.

Each student at Evan's Kindergarten class gets an "All About Me"week, where they make a poster about themselves and their family, and have "special guests" come in for story time. Well yesterday, that special guest was me!

Here's me after reading "Pete's First Day at School" by Jörgen Clevin for Evan's class. One of my favorite book as a kid, now a book that I read to Evan and Eliana often. The kids really seemed to enjoy the book.

Evan and his "All About Me" poster, featuring Evan's name written in Legos.

Baseball Sundays

So at the beginning and end of each game/practice, we get all the kids to put their hands in the middle, Coach Nikki gives a little pep talk, and on the count of three, they all yell "Ironpigs!"

I was very impressed to see most of the infield paying attention. By the second inning, some of the kids are sitting on the ground playing in the dirt as balls whiz by them. (Evan in the center.)

That little face is Katie! At just 3 years old she is our youngest player! Her dad helps coach the team. She is very enthusiastic and loves baseball. 

"Great job today guys, on 3 Ironpigs, 1...2...3 IRONPIGS!"

Blessing of the Animals

Friday the 4th was the "Blessing of the Animals" at church, so of course we brought Elvis and Lucy.

Father Murphy blesses Elvis and Lucy (just out of frame.) Even Poppop was there!

Then we went to the park since it was such a nice, sunny, and warm October day...

 Hey! That's not how you sit on the swings!

He's higher up than it looks...

Evan and Eliana getting ready to go down the slide together.