Carving Pumpkins

Although this was Boopy 2nd Halloween, it was really her first chance to enjoy carving pumpkins. And since Boopy HAS to do everything Big Boy does, I knew she would be very into pumpkin carving. I took the extra easy route this year and bought the carving kit with stickers rather then paper tracings that are hard to get them to stay on the pumpkin. Anyway, we got set up and had two very enthralled kids!

Big Boy chose a basic pumpkin face for his pumpkin and Boopy chose a Halloween kitty cat. With some help from Papa and Mama carving the pumpkins were carved. Big Boy, like last year, wasn't that keen on the gutting of the pumpkin. Boopy on the overhand had no problem getting her hand slimy and enjoyed using the scooper.

We had a wonderful Halloween night with a fun time trick-or-treating, temper tantrums, candy, a Treasure Island carnival and pooped out kids! And because I wanted to catch up on the other pictures I wanted to blog before jumping into Halloween I've run out of time tonight to load Halloween pictures. So, I'll plan on posting them tomorrow night for you all to enjoy!

More Pumpkin Patch Pictures!

I had an issue with the Internet and the computer as well as being tired the other night so I didn't get to load some of the pictures I wanted from our trip to the pumpkin patch. So here they are!

Hay Maze - I see you Mama!

Family Picture

Bye, Bye Pumpkin Patch!

Family Day at the Pumpkin Patch

Grandma & Grandpa Vaughn came down to Saturday afternoon to stay the weekend and especially see Papa Vaughn since they hadn't seen him yet since he'd gotten home. We figured what a great chance to let Grandma & Grandpa enjoy some holiday festivities and go to the pumpkin patch to get Boopy a pumpkin.

So Sunday Boopy, Grandma and I took pictures for the Rice family (be sure to check them out at http://www.sunflowerphotographyanddesign.photoreflect.com/!) while the boys went exploring with the hopes to go to the train store in downtown Clovis. Unfortunately for them the store was closed, but they had a fun time hanging out together nonetheless.

I managed to have Kristen take a couple of me & Boopy. She didn't do too bad, don't you think! :)

And then of course I can't help myself but take a picture of this cute little face!

Anyhow, after pictures and a quick lunch at the kids favorite hangout, McDonald's, we were off to the pumpkin patch. To make sure we found one that wasn't picked over by school kids we opted for the nice little corner lot that gets set up yearly at Shaw & Blackstone. It always offers fun stuff like a hay maze and fun brightly colored pumpkins great for taking pictures! :) We left with a pumpkin that Big Boy helped to pick out for Boopy. We haven't carved the pumpkins yet, but be assured that when we do I will post pictures! :)

Pumpkin Patch!

What a truly fun and chaotic first field trip Big Boy had to the pumpkin patch! I took an early lunch so that I could tag along and of course I took a ton of pictures. I must say that the 6 or so other parents and his teachers all agreed that after the jaunt through the pumpkin patch with 22 three year olds, we all deserved a nap!

The trip started out with a lesson on what a pumpkin is and how it grows.

Then there was a ride on the tractor all around the orchards and corn field.

The tractor ride stopped back near the animals so a walk to look at cows, donkeys, chickens, rabbits and sheep was in order.

Then it was time to discuss how to pick a pumpkin - no picking green ones and try to find one that fits you - that is one that is small enough you can carry it!

After pumpkin picking it was a group picture and then waiting for the school vans to pick the kids up. The kids had all decorated pumpkin shirts late last week to wear today. It worked wonderfully to have all the kids in the same type of shirt in order to recognize who belonged to the Dermers group especially because there were a bunch of other school groups there. What I especially liked was that the daycare also had stickers with their phone numbers and the kids names on the back of each child in the event that a child strayed away or got lost. Great idea, plus it helped me in herding the kids so that I could call them by name.

It was so fun to watch Big Boy interact with his friends, especially calling some by name. One of his closer friends, Jackson F. has a love for Thomas that rivals Big Boy is called JJ F by Big Boy. Here is a picture of Big Boy waiting in line to go in to the Pumpkin Patch and one of Big Boy and JJ F washing their hands.

I was a bit worried that Big Boy would have a problem not leaving with me, but I was pleasantly surprised that he hopped into the van, let me buckle him and then waved, said, "Bye Mama, have a good day!" and that was that. What a Big Boy he has become!