Halloween 2012 {reverse trick or treat}

On Monday, we debuted our costumes at a Reverse Trick or Treat and the Champaign County Nursing Home.  Holly plans this every year and it’s the first year we’ve been able to go.  Basically, all the kiddos dress up and bring little treats/stickers to hand out to the nursing home residents. 

We got a few pictures before heading out: The minute we arrived, out came the serious faces and the refusal to talk.But look at this happy little guy.  I don’t think I ever see him without this sweet smile.It was pretty chaotic as everyone arrived.  But we organized ourselves into a few groups and set off to the different wings in the nursing home.This is how Owen stayed the whole time.  Clinging tightly onto his sister’s stroller.  My cuties!He ventured out with me a few times as I handed out his treats from his bag.  He refused to even hand anyone a sucker.  But the other kiddos did a great job handing out their treats and saying Happy Halloween.  The residents were so super sweet and complimentary of all the cuteness.  I had a sweet conversation with one lady named Nancy and she told me all about her kids and how they were all over the country.Here is Annabelle, the cutest little candy corn ever. I made this sweet little bow to go with the awesome costume her mom, Jill, sewed up for her!This was the start of some of our kiddos melting down.  Mine being one of them.  I hope we get to do this every year.  It made the residents day and ours.  It was so sweet to see the kids loving on everyone they came into contact with.  Hopefully Owen will come out his shell a bit next year.  Thanks Holly for putting this together!

Negangard's Pumpkin Patch

This week, I've been on the hunt for cheap pumpkins for the dinner I'm in charge of for Mom2Mom (more details come after Monday night)!  A friend directed me to this Chambana Moms article about Negangard Pumpkin Patch. I had NEVER heard of it, despite growing up here.  I decided to brave the cold on Friday and check it out.  It only took about 15 minutes to get to from Savoy.  As the article said, it's basically just pumpkins and a couple kittens.  No bells and whistles.  And sadly for us, no pumpkins.  There were a few, but they all had really bad spots on them.  I struck up a conversation with the sweet older farmer and his wife.  He said they only got about 20% of what they normally do because of the drought and what they did get was badly damaged by that freak hail storm we had awhile back.

But I will definitely be coming back next year.  They're big pumpkins are only $2 and they have a huge selection of edible acorn, butternut, and tons of other squash for $.25 a piece!  Can't beat that.  I did get some pretty gourds to help decorate my tables tonight.  And Owen had fun playing with the 2 kittens.  And Ellie was here too, but she was too bundled up to even see in any pictures.

all the pumpkins laid out in their front "yard"

picking out a white pumpkin

he wanted to pull the cart by himself

    

trying to pet the cat

they were pretty feisty little guys

closest I could get to him posing with a smile

  

our day!

I don't think we could have packed any more into this day. But it was such a great family day! Bright and early this morning, William and Owen had some fun time playing race cars:
Then I got some fun mommy/son time. This was really one of my first times away from Ellie! Owen loves loves loves music and singing and dancing, so we decided to sign him up for a Toddler's Music Class at the Champaign School of Music. He was his usual shy self during class, but was singing the songs all afternoon, so I think he has a good time. Here he is jamming out with the drums.  These may need to get on his Christmas list:

After lunch and naptime, we booked it over to the pet fair at Prairieland Feeds.  I didn't realize what a nice size event this is!

this tiger was HUGE

really, he was interested

then we petted some horses

under the tent, there was a camel

he was quite friendly

Owen loved the goats

  

 

Then, we decided to brave the mall for something I needed to get for the kiddos.  After my quick run into Old Navy, we decided to try the carousel again. 

trying to pick their horse

Well, it definitely was a bust.  The lady stopped the ride early because Owen was crying pretty good.  He loved it before he got on, but I think we'll just be looking at the carousel from now on! All in all, a fabulously packed day.  I hope we all get good Sunday afternoon naps tomorrow!

tornado!

Today was a big day in Savoy! Our neighbors, Ellie and Zoe were outside splashing in some puddles and we were about ready to go join them, when it started to get darker and the sirens went off.  I debated what to do, but then William called and said he could see a funnel from his office window and they were heading down into the basement.  We grabbed some diapers, snacks, and the IPad and headed down to our basement.  Although when we were down there, I realized having 3 windows in the basement doesn't make it feel much safer than being upstairs.  Owen had a blast playing with some of the toys that we had stashed down there.  45 minutes later, all was sunny and William was home.  But here's what we missed going right by our house.  Thank you God for keeping us and our neighborhood safe. 

I can't take credit for any of these pcitures, but thank you facebook

first trip to the dentist

On Thursday, we decided to pack our morning since we were running out of time with dad home with us! We got everyone looking spiffy and headed to William's office to show off our new cutie. We wanted to say thanks in person for the amazing flowers KAP sent us!

Love this outfit my mom got her.

He wanted to share his apple juice with her

We headed over to William's office and next door, they were building a new small building.  So Owen and dad had to check it out.  He loved watching the skid steer.  Yes, I'm getting pretty good with my tractor names. :) Then we went in and showed Ellie off to all his coworkers.  Laura C, if you're reading this. . .your brother was there all the way from Texas!  So nice to see him!  We passed her around and treasured the oohs and ahhs.

enjoying the sunshine

We decided to hit up Panera for lunch and ran into friends from small group, Norm and his kiddos, Julia and Vincent.  So we all shared a nice lunch before heading off to Owen's first trip to the dentist.  Ok, let's be honest.  I know it's a little early to be taking him.  Truth is, I've had a couple teeth that have been killing me, for awhile, but I knew I couldn't get x-rays while pregnant.  So as soon as Elle got here, I made the dreaded call to make an appointment and figured it wouldn't hurt to have her look at Owen's teeth too.  Hate hate hate the dentist.  Always have, always will.  The drill.  Zzz zzz.  *shudder*

Anyways, Owen hates us brushing his teeth.  We have to force him every night.  So I wasn't expecting her to be able to do much.  But shockingly, he did great.  Maybe it was the sucker she gave him when we arrived.  Yes, you read that right.  She gave him a sucker before they started.  I was as shocked as you. :)  But it must have worked, because he opened wide, said "ahhhh" and let her do a little cleaning and fluoride!  Way to go buddy!

He does have a little chip on his lower tooth that I have no idea when and how it got there.  And she also said stop using the paci.  I just nodded and smiled.  We'll get there, just not during the first week as a big brother!

After a well deserved nap for everyone, we headed out to the park!  I tried out my Moby wrap for the first time and loved it.  Someone gave it to me when Owen was a little too big for it, so this was my first go at it.  She snuggled right in and slept the whole time.  I definitely see this thing getting lots of use to free up my hands!

first time to church

Sunday morning , I was feeling really good despite not following the rule of sleeping when your babies sleep.  So we decided to head to church to show off our little cutie.  She did great through service as did Owen!

getting ready for church

I love this outfit!

terrible picture from the cry room, but only one I got of her headband

We all came home and took a great Sunday afternoon nap!

One Week Boutique was going on this weekend and they had a little petting zoo set up.  I thought it would be fun for Owen and I'm trying hard to give him lots of attention and do a few fun things.  We when we all got up from the nap, we headed out to see the animals!  There was a little horse, some sheep, goats, pig, chickens, and donkey.  He loved it and went through the trailer 3 times!  He got a stamp on his hand each time he was done. :)

a miniature horse, not a pony

the goats were cute!

I guess Ellie didn't really care about the animals

I think the donkey was his favorite as we heard he-haw all afternoon

When we got home, our sweet neighbor Martina brought over her girls, (big) Ellie and Zoe to take a peek at baby Ellie.  She made the most amazing chicken noodle soup and made Elle the cutest little sun bonnet.  I'm hoping all these girls will be friends as they grow up as neighbors!