HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Halloween was officially a success. We had a great time trick or treating with our friends and neighbors, Kirin (Princess Jasmine), Amber (the butterfly), and Audrey (the monkey). Daddy had to work tonight so Aunt Sissy came to hang out with us for the evening. Ben loved running up to every door and saying "trick or treat" and giving them a good "arrgh matey!" Unfortunately running is the operative word and after about an hour and a half he seriously hit a wall and had a minor meltdown at Mamaw and Papaw Chaplin's house. The kids were all "trick or treated out" by this time, as is evidenced by the below picture of Kirin, Amber, and Ben sitting on the bench outside of the Chaplin's with oh so happy faces! We decided to call it a night and quit while we were still slighty ahead. On our way home, however, we drove by Benny's teacher, Miss Amy's, house and Ben wanted to stop by and see her, which we did. He was very happy to show his costume to her and was all smiles again by the time we came home.

I am on dog duty now, keeping Jackson away from the door, while Aunt Sissy and Ben pass out candy to trick or treaters. They are also working on some kind of an art project, though I think it is about time to head to bed. My little pirate is so sleepy.

Trick or Treat Mateys.

Playing with pumpkins

We enjoyed some pumpkin fun this afternoon. Dean, Ben, and I carved our pumpkins and Ben even painted a few as well. Ben and I carved a super scary pumpkin and Dean carved Pacers and Colts pumpkins. Ben then wanted to roast pumpkin seeds, which we have never done before, because that is what they do on his Elmo Halloween movie. We gave it a whirl and they weren't all that bad; they kind of tasted like popcorn. Though Ben eagerly ate several pumpkin seeds, he later pronounced them "horrible." I'm guessing that we have tasted our last roasted pumpkin seeds!

ZOO BOO

Ben and I went to Zoo Boo yesterday with Nana and Aunt Mal-Mal. It was an absolutely beautiful day...about 81 degrees with no humidity and a great breeze and not a cloud in the sky. Ben was thrilled to wear his pirate costume and go trick or treating at the zoo. As usual, his favorite exhibit was water world and he loved visting the sharks and the penguins. We also got to get up close and personal with the lions...Ben and Mal were having a snack and the mommy lion came over to the bench they were sitting on to see what they were up to!

It was a great afternoon and I am so glad that we were able to spend it with my mom and sister! By the way Craig and Jarin, the picture of Ben with the meerkats is just for you guys!

Fun at the Pumpkin Patch

We visited a pumpkin patch today with our friends Jarin, Angela, Kirin, Amber, and Sandy (Kirin and Amber's Mamaw). We had so much fun. It was the best pumpkin patch we have ever been to and the weather was perfect for a hayride...nice and chilly, but too muddy to actually stop, so we rode around and checked out the farm. It was actually pretty cold, but you won't hear any complaints from me...I am loving the cooler temperatures! Ben snuggled up on Jarin's lap during the hayride and took in the sites...I think it is safe to say he has missed her the past couple of months. Darn her for getting a job and not playing with us every day like in the summer!

Here are a few pictures from our exciting day.

Update

Once again, I apologize for my lack of posts recently. Nothing major has kept me from writing...just life! Everything is great with our family. Ben is doing well at school. We are having some trouble with accidents, which is strange and frustrating since a month ago I would have sworn he was completely potty trained, but oh well. I keep hearing that this is normal and a phase that will pass. He really loves school and we are not having any of the separation anxiety issues that we had last year, which is great for both mommy and Ben! He is such a big boy and I am so proud of him.

He is playing soccer again, which I love! It seriously is a highlight of my week to watch him run around and play. He is too funny and really seems to enjoy himself. His daddy is so proud!

The baby seems to be doing well. I assume it is growing rapidly as my belly seems to be doing the same. We had an ultrasound a couple of weeks ago and everything looked great. We still don't know the sex. Ben goes back and forth now on whether or not he wants a baby brother or sister, but he is still pretty consistent with his belief that our baby is a girl. Dean and I are both thinking boy, so we shall see who is right! We are really struggling with names this time around and I assume this child will be named enroute to the hospital as Ben was.

Other than that, things are great. We are gearing up for Halloween. Ben is so fired up to be "Captain Jack Sparrow," although last night he told someone he was going to be a flying fireman and a pirate, now how am I supposed to pull that one off? Here are some random pictures from the past couple of weeks.

My little soccer player

Playing at the park

Ben and Daddy painting the baby's room

Arrrggh Matey! A Halloween preview