the end of fall break fun

Mom was out of town for the weekend and we said we would pick up breakfast on Sunday and bring it to eat with Grandaddy.  Kate loves to pick up breakfast anytime, so this was complete motivation to get up and moving on Sunday morning.  We all headed in, picked up wraps at Dunkin' Donuts, and went to visit Grandaddy (and take Norman home).  Jack wanted his bottle and he, lately, wants to sit on someone's lap to drink it.  He backs up to that person.  This time, he wanted Grandaddy to give it to him.  Grandaddy obliged.

 Kate wanted a picture of her with her daddy.

 Jack has found a new box of Kate's baubles, and he strings them on his shopping cart, neck, stroller, etc. and walks around the house.  These were all twisted together, so he brought them to me to untangle.

 Easter Bunny ears can be worn anytime, anyplace, and any way.

 Back to the sandbox.  We had just returned home from walking to the bus stop.

 Jack's teacher sent me these from school.  Once again, give the boy a bucket and a shovel and he is good!

 Helping...always helping.

 My sweet girl's school picture from Kindergarten!  I love her teeth.

Holiday World

A friend texted during fall break that she had tickets for a great price.  I nabbed a couple of them and made a date with my girl to head to Holiday World since we had only been to Splashin' Safari the last time.  Matt had to work the cross-country meet that day, so he kept Jack here.  This girl was pumped to get the day with her mama, and her mama was just as happy.  We had such a great time at Disney when we did it, just the two of us, that this was another chance to get to do it on Kate's schedule.  We arrived early enough to plan our day.  The weather was fantastic and the Halloween decorations were fabulous.

 Kate wanted to pose next to the sculpture fountain and also to show the flowers.  We went straight to the merry-go-round.  The first time, I rode with Kate; the second she wanted to go by herself.  Growing up right before my eyes.

 We went on the bumper cars and Kate drove.  I had to push the pedal, but the rest was up to Kate.

 We went on the high-flying swings.  My stomach is not made for rides anymore.  That was proven at the Minnesota State Fair years ago and again on this trip.  Vertigo or old age...doesn't matter.

 One of the shows was a pumpkin that spoke.  Kate wanted to pose with him, too.

 And this big pumpkin photo op.  On our way to get lunch.

 Outside of the lunch booth was this strange thing, and again Kate wanted pictures.

 We went to another section of the park where we rode the teacups.  Again...the spinning.  I was elated when she told me she wanted to go without me the second time.

 She is quite sweaty because there is a park there, too, and she played and played.  And I sat and sat, just watching her move through the equipment.  Such an independent spirit.  She didn't mind that she didn't have friends playing with her; she just ran around.

 We went for funnel cakes after that, and we sent this picture to mom to show her we were eating them.

 ooooooooh, soooooo goooooood!

 As we were hitting the last section of the park, Kate saw this ride that shot straight up and dropped down then back up, down, etc.  She wanted me to ride with her.  I did the first time, and it was not puke-worthy because of the straightness of the ride.  Girlfriend loved it.  And by loved it, I mean she rode it six times.  In a row.  She made a friend who rode it with her most of those times, too.  The giggles and screams were so funny.  Belly laughs.

 The last ride was a kiddie ride...up and down controlled by a joystick.  She made sure she got in the pink sleigh.  No surprises there!

Holiday World

Reid's Orchard play day

Kate attended a birthday party a couple of weeks ago at Reid's and I scouted it to see if it was a place we could take Jack and let him run, semi-free.  The weather was so wonderful over break, and it was so nice to have Matt around that after Jack's nap, we headed out to see what we could get in to.  Kate had eaten the whole bag of apples from the last time and she was begging for more.  Jack and Kate absolutely loved the corn crib and playing together.  Kate would have preferred playing on the slides most of the time, but Jack wanted her to help him with the dump trucks in the corn.  

 Jack and Kate played in the apple barrels and Jack could even get them moving by himself.

 The bouncy cows threw Jack each time he got on them, but the Dude was determined to get a ride!

falling for fall break

We usually don't travel for fall break because we like the weather here.  This year, I was a little sad we weren't going anywhere, but we have enjoyed being home together and playing...with no schedule.  It has been nice to have Matt home more and both kids have really liked having him watch everything they are doing...

Fall break began with Kate begging to spend the night with MOM.  I mean begging.  So, she won.  She sent me a Happy Halloween video.

 Jack's therapy is across town near a park we hardly ever visit.  I forget how easy it is and how many pieces are "Jack size."  So, we have been going there more, thanks to his appointments.

 I savor these moments.  Dude likes to hang in the mornings and just watch TV.  It doesn't have to be his show, but he prefers it to be.  He has become quite a cuddlier, and I can't get enough of these moments.

 This jack-o-lantern shirt was Kate's.  It is a little short, but I wanted to see him in it.  What a sweetie!

 We visited Smothers Park on Sunday after eating dinner at the new pizza place.  The restaurant put an ad for free garlic knots on FB...and I couldn't resist.  What a beautiful night for the park, too.  I love family time.

 Just a-swingin'

 Kate is a ham!  She wanted me to take action shots (on my iPhone) of her jumping off something at the park.  We did a bunch of them, giggling every time at her facial expressions.

 Back to the new, old park before therapy.  Gorgeous fall weather.

 My mom went out of town and we kept Norman.  He loves the fall weather, too.

 And we started harvesting some of the carrots.  Kate's carrots that she planted with Carrie when she came to visit.  I did not know carrots took so long to grow.  Nor did I know they were super dirty.

 Last night I had a great date night with my girl.  Last week at school, she had a day where she was not on the behavior chart where we liked (it had to do with her talking...imagine that).  I told her if she raised it two colors, she could have a treat over break.  When she got home that day, she was ecstatic because she raised it THREE colors, the highest she can go.  So, when I asked what she wanted, she wanted a pedicure.  We planned it for last night.  During the day, we went to Target where she scored a pair of Hello Kitty glitter ballet flats for $5.98.  She wanted to wear them last night, but I told her a pedicure would be ruined if she wore them.  So, instead, she changed to want a mani.  And while there, she wanted flowers.  What a funny girly girl!  Afterward, she wanted Mom to go with us to dinner at the Bistro.  She obliged and after, Kate hit the trifecta by getting Cold Stone Creamery for dessert.  A big night for a good girl!

We have enjoyed sleeping in, being lazy, having little adventures around town.  And we aren't finished.