Splish, Splash

 Some pictures from our latest joint bath session.  These two really enjoy each other AND their baths. 

We're Going on a Thing Hunt

I was looking for a fun activity to reinforce some concepts Amelia has been learning at school and had the idea to do a scavenger hunt.  But, then I realized that if I gave her a list of 20 things to find and bring to me in the house, I would have a pile of 20 items that would have to all be put back.  Most likely by me.

So, instead, I gave Amelia our old(er) camera and told her each thing she needed to find.  When she would find the item, she would show it to me and hear her next object to locate.  I think I made it a little too easy for her, but it was a good experiment and an activity we will use again!

Here were the things on the list:

Something that begins with "D":

The scariest thing in the house:

 Something with four wheels:

Something with stripes (Henry's shirtsleeves):

Something in the shape of a sphere:  

Something square:

Something in the shape of a cube:

Something with exactly two colors:

 Something made of glass (this is a close up on a large jar in our house):

Something with a lid:

Something with polka dots:

Something with a pattern:

Something triangle shaped:

Something star shaped (do you see the tip of the hippo's hat?):

I cannot wait to try this again with a list that is a little more challenging.  Amelia LOVED taking all of the pictures, but I think she got bored pretty quickly with the items on the list.

Halloween Event #5

Here we are, the 5th and final Halloween activity of the year.  Trick-or-Treating!  I loved that Halloween was on a weekend this year.  We had nothing else going (except for Amelia's Sunday School party that didn't even get its own post), so it was a laid back kind of day and Amelia EVEN took a nap!

We decided to have some grandparents over for a big pot of chili and some pre-trick-or-treating drinks.

Amelia was ON IT once we headed out.  At the first few houses she was Ms. Chatty Cathy, but after a she warmed up, efficiency was the game.  I think total, she probably walked about 1.5 miles, which is a new record.  Henry lasted about half of that before deciding dinner was more important (did I mention we had to wake him up, throw him in his costume, and then head out?).

 Upon our return home, we dumped out ALL of the candy and did the sorting thing.  Henry immediately helped himself to a pixie stick!

And so (finally) ended Halloween 2010!

Halloween Event #4

Yes, it's a week away from Thanksgiving and I'm STILL talking about Halloween--the holiday that doesn't quit!

Event #4 has been a family favorite since our move back from Chicago three years ago.  This is the fourth year we have headed to Main St. for trick-or-treating and we lucked out with beautiful weather once again.

In usual form, Amelia had arbitrarily assigned roles to various members of our family as she does every year.  But, unlike most years, we were listening this time and agreed to fulfill our roles.  Amelia knew that Henry was going to be the Tin Man, of course, and that Jason and I were going to be the Scarecrow and Lion respectively.  But, what she didn't know was that other family members were going to fulfill their assigned roles as well.

It started off meeting her friends, Natalie and Emma, in our usual starting spot.

Before long GG showed up dressed as Glenda the Good Witch.  Amelia was SO EXCITED! And GG is a pretty good sport.  She whipped up that outfit the night before.  And yes she made the skirt!  You may recognize the crown and wand from Amelia's princess birthday party.

Henry pretty much had a "What the heck?" expression the whole time we were on Main St.  I still don't understand how or why he kept that hat on, but he did and it was so funny!

While we were in route scoring candy, Jason's mom appeared out of no where and said, "I'll get you my pretty!" to Amelia.  She almost died.  Grandma had her face painted green and certainly did not look herself.  After Amelia recovered she was thrilled!  Uncle Dave didn't disappoint as the Wizard.

This picture cracks me up. That face can only be attributed to the copious amounts of candy consumed in the hour prior to the taking of this picture.

See?  "What the heck?"

That's something you don't see everyday--The Wicked Witch, Dorothy, and Glenda the Good Witch all together and smiling.

We lasted a little over an hour before giving up to the crowds.  After all, this was our FOURTH Halloween celebration.  Only one more to go....

Halloween Event #3

Event #3 was Amelia's pre-school party.  Henry and I didn't get to stick around very long because he had slept in that morning and I didn't even have time to feed him breakfast before we had to drop Amelia off at school.  Since he was a ticking time bomb, we just joined the trick-or-treat train around the school, grabbed a few pictures, and then left.  Unfortunately, Amelia wasn't REAL happy with my decision to stick around for such a short time, but she eventually recovered.  I think it had something to do with the cookies, candy, and cupcakes.....

 Trick or treating around the school.

Halloween Event #2

 Just like last year, my dad got special tickets to a private Halloween party at Grant's Farm.  And, just like last year, we had a great time!

 We started off by taking a "spooky" tram ride through the park grounds.  As soon as we exited, Amelia and Henry were given glow sticks and immediately directed to the goat feeding area.  The kids had unlimited access to the bottles of milk for the baby goats, but one was enough for Amelia.  I think she was afraid the goat was going to chew up her dress.  She abandoned ship about halfway through the bottle.

Henry, on the other hand, thought it was the best thing ever!  He giggled the ENTIRE time and probably could have handled watching another bottle.

 Next up was the carousel.

After dinner and a little dancing, Amelia enjoyed some Dippin' Dots.  There has been some talk that this may be the last year given all of the turmoil with Anheuser-Busch InBev, so Amelia decided to given all the treats a try--Dippin' Dots, kettle corn, and hot chocolate.  This, of course, is in addition to the super pretzel with cheese and hot dog she had with dinner. Jason and I choose to partake in other "treats", like beer.

And hanging out with the Clydesdales!

This was a really great time!  Here's hoping that the tradition (and free beer) will continue for years to come!