Fun Times on Halloween!

The boys have been so excited about Halloween -- they love getting to wear their costumes!

Sam made Zak a sign that morning before school.

Zak had a Harvest Party at school that morning. He couldn't wear his lion costume because he had to be able to use the bathroom, make a craft and eat a snack without having additional help. So, we pulled out last years' costume, which he was quite excited to wear again!

Pirate Zak.

His mean pirate face!

He was slightly disheveled by the time I picked him up!

Getting ready to head out!

Trick-or-Treating with friends from the neighborhood.

They were a wild bunch when they came to our door!

Happy Halloween!

Zak's First Visit to the Dentist

Zak had his first visit to the dentist -- and he was excited to go!

We weren't expecting much -- maybe just a quick glance around in his mouth -- a cleaning if we were lucky.

Well, Zak surprised us all by getting a thorough cleaning plus a full set of x-rays! His dentist was impressed!

Sam had been telling him about the prize box and all the great things there were to choose from.

And, this is what he picked...

He looks hilarious!

We are so proud of him -- and so glad that he thinks going to the dentist is fun!

Pumpkin Carving Time!

This year the boys designed their own pumpkins.

Sam drew exactly what he wanted on his pumpkin and Zak told us exactly what he wanted. Sam was going for "happy", Zak was going for "scary".

Sam working on the details.

Matthew is the chief carver!

Zak was supervising the work on his pumpkin.

Sam's final product!

In keeping with tradition, we ate our pizza that night by the light of the pumpkins!

A Slippery Sleeper

Zak had been playing in his room and when I went to check on him, I found this...


I thought Matthew would think it was funny, so a few minutes later when he came in the house, I told him to go look in Zak's room.

This is what he saw...


Zak never woke up -- just crumpled onto the ground and kept on snoozing!

Take Your Dad To School Day

October is Fire Safety Month -- so Matthew was invited to come and speak to Sam's class about what he does as a Firefighter.

Matthew has worked in Sam's class before -- but they didn't know he was a firefighter. The kids were very excited when he walked in with a big bag, his helmet, an air tank and an ax!

The school actually had a small fire the day before -- that Sam's teacher saw and helped put out -- so the kids had a lot to say about that!

Matthew taking questions from the kids.
Do you see how Zak plopped himself right in
the middle of the group -- he thinks he's a first grader!

They thought his gear was pretty cool!

Passing around his helmet.

All the kids received badge stickers,
coloring books and fire hats.

They all enjoyed passing around his helmet and coat -- and they couldn't believe how heavy it was.

It was a fun morning!

100 Class Points = Costume Party!

Sam's class earns "class points" for various things...following directions, a compliment from another teacher -- a compliment from the principal is worth 10 points!

The class got to pick what they wanted to do for their party -- and they picked a costume party.

Sam was excited to wear his
race car driver costume to school!

Zak wanted to know why he
couldn't wear his costume too!

Sam and "Dorothy".

His table consisted of Dorothy, a pirate and
an astronaut and a race car driver.

Sam and The Cheetah.

I was working in his class that day -- so it was fun to see all the kids dressed up -- they loved getting to see each others' costumes!

Pumpkin Patch Adventures

It was that time again -- time for the annual trip to the pumpkin patch!

We started our day with sprinkle doughnuts!

Zak would prefer to start everyday
with sprinkle doughnuts!

Playing in the hay fort.

The boys found some big pumpkins!

Here are their picks!

Now we just need to carve them!

Chester's Visit

During the month of September the classroom mascot, Chester, made the rounds to all the kids' houses.

Sam was so excited when he was Student of the Day -- because that meant he got to bring Chester home! He also brought home the Class Journal so we could write about what we did with Chester and add pictures too. Apparently, the Class Journal is the book of choice during reading time!

Chester taking a ride on the fire engine.

Having a little snack after school.

Working on homework.

Tacos for dinner -- but Sam thought that
Chester would rather have Chex cereal!

Watching a little Busytown before bed.

Asleep for the night!

Chester was a very nice guest and it was fun to have him over!

1st Graders Invade the Zoo

Sam's first class field trip was to the zoo!

Matthew went along to help out -- so he snapped a few pictures during the day. The kids were broken up into small groups (Matthew has the biggest one -- three kids!) so he never got a picture with all the kids.

Allyson, Josiah and Sam spreading their wings in the eagle's nest!

Sam and Allyson -- cute little friends!

They were excited to see the bats!

Hanging out at the African Sahara exhibit.

It was a busy day -- but lots of fun!

Lunch Date With Sam

Today I headed to Sam's school to surprise him for lunch!

That was an experience! The decibel level was amazing -- the lunch lady laughed at me when I mentioned that to her -- she said it was worse when the second graders were there! I can see why kids don't always finish their lunch -- there is plenty of time to eat, but it's really distracting.

Sam and Allyson sit together a lot -- she is missing
six teeth and I don't know how she eats anything!

Sam's job that week was table washer
and sweeper -- so I got to see him in action.
He did a great job -- very thorough!

It was fun to meet some of his friends and hear about his day. I'm sure there will be a day when he won't be so excited to have his Mom sit with him at lunch!

It's Matthew's turn next -- I'm going to tell him to bring his earplugs along!

Preschool Is Hard Work!

Going to preschool two days a week for less than three hours a day doesn't sound like much -- but it wore Zak out!

I'd find him passed out before we could get him settled for his nap.


Now he has scraped up some additional energy and is starting to skip naps!

Fun At Les Schwab

While Zak and I were driving to school one afternoon to pick up Sam, a man driving next to me started pointing at my car -- like there was something wrong! I couldn't see any flames coming out the back, so I kept on driving until we were in the school parking lot.

That's where we found out we had a very low tire. Of course this was a day when Matthew was at work!

Since the tire didn't seem to get any worse while we were waiting at school, we decided to drive to a nearby Les Schwab and have them take a look at it.

The boys had so much fun! Les Schwab has popcorn, coloring books and big windows where we could watch them put the cars on the lift and take off the tires.

Watching all the action!

Taking a coloring break.

The boys were disappointed when it was time to go -- and wondered when we could come back again!

Preschool Here We Come!

Zak started preschool today -- and he was so excited to go!

Sam has been prepping Zak about his class and his teachers (Sam had them and we loved them). A few weeks before school started, Zak wasn't too interested in going to preschool, but when the day finally arrived he couldn't wait to put on his backpack and go!

Sam was a little bummed that he couldn't go too, but his school starts earlier than Zak's, so he had to miss out.

Ready to go!

Goofy boys!

The Big Kid!

Waiting to go in -- we were a little early!

He hugged us goodby and walked
right in and started painting!

He had a great first day and couldn't wait to go back!