Pumpkins

 This year we thought we'd try a little something different.

 We painted K and E's pumpkins instead of carving them.

 It was so much fun!

 And later Mommy cleaned off the finger paint and made homemade pumpkin puree. Yum.

 Later that week we went to Grandma and Grandpa's to carve the two big pumpkins.

 Ethan squished the pumpkin guts in his hands one time and that was enough for him.

 After that he just wanted to point at it.

Katie had fun reaching all the way in and getting all of the stuff outta there. So cute.

Phineas and Ferb's Live Show

 On October 15th Mommy and Daddy took The Wumpkins to see their second Disney show. (Their first was Mickey Mouse's Live Magic show last year.)

The costumes were pretty good, with the exception of everyone's eyes. They were trying to get that big, googly, cartoon eye look, but it just turned out looking odd.

They were kind of shell shocked at first, but still really enjoyed the show. By the end nobody wanted to sit still.

It was a very fun, very expensive, hour and a half. (We had floor seats!)  Here's Katie representing in her platypus shirt...thanks, Allens!

Big Boy Bed!

 (Sorry for the time lapse since my last post...technical issues plus a spacey and stressed out mommy equal no blogging.) Anyway. On the 9th Ethan spent his first night in his first big boy bed. We should have converted the crib sooner, but it's just a little crazy around here. 

 He did great! No trouble falling asleep or waking up or falling out. I don't think he even realized he could get out....at first.

 It didn't take long for him to figure it out. This is about a week later at nap time.

 Cracks me up. How is it possible to fall asleep leaning, mostly off the bed, twisted, wearing your sister's flip flop, still cuddling Ni-Night Bear?

 Now, unless he's dog tired I have to go in and tell him to get back in bed at least once.

And pick him up from somewhere else in the room and deposit him back in bed.

Dance Class

On Thursday Katie tried her very first dance class. A tap/ ballet/ tumbling combo class at the Freestone Rec Center. Only 45 minutes long, but her first activity that was not Parent/ Tot. I was more excited than she was, I think.

Here she is trying on her leotard and ballet shoes a couple of weeks ago. (Thanks for the birthday gift, Great Aunt Linda!) What a ham.

 

 Class started off positive. She was excited to put on her tap shoes and go to a sticker. She was all smiles and did a pretty good job following directions. At least, it seemed like she did as I would steal a peek through the window every minute or so.

About 20  minutes in I noticed she had lost her smile. Then it was time to change shoes and she had a total meltdown. Apparently, she had been holding back tears for a few minutes, but that was when she lost it. The teacher had to bring her out to me in the hall because she was hysterical. My heart broke. She was so overwhelmed. She called for Bunny (thank goodness I stuffed it into the diaper bag before we left) between sobs, would only sit in my lap, and did not want to put her ballet shoes on. The teacher was very understanding and gave me a few choices about what to do next. I do not like being the parent in this type of situation. I have decided it is much easier and less emotional to be the teacher.

I decided to set her back inside the room and this is what she did for the last 30 minutes of class. Sucked her thumb, clung to Bunny, and did not move. At least she didn't cry more and wasn't disruptive, I guess. Had that happened I would have taken her out of class. I was honestly a little surprised that things started off so well and ended up so bad. I hope next week is better.

Katie's 3rd Birthday

This year Katie's birthday fell on a Saturday and we were able to have her party on her actual birthday! Yay!

We had a backyard party.

 

 The pool, the slip 'n slide, "fishing" at the water table... it was a fun time.

It was a Nemo party, so Mommy had some fun sculpting and decorating. Chocolate cake with vanilla/ Twix filling. Per Katie's request. Mmmm, it was delicious.

 When we sang Happy Birthday....

 ...Katie tried to sneak a piece. Mommy caught her just in time.

 She loved her Nemo cake so much!

 She was wiggling around, just bursting to dig into it.

 Happy Birthday, Big Girl!

 Finally! Time to taste it!

 It was a hit with kids and grownups alike.

 Oh, yeah!

 I love this picture. ( Sorry these are not edited, by the way...just not up for the task and I wanted to post these before her NEXT birthday snuck up on us...) Almost the entire group of party goers in our tiny kitchen all at once.

Then it was time to open presents.

The second thing she opened was a Phineas and Ferb figures play set...

She did not want to put that thing down, I tell ya. What a stinker. I seem to remember present opening being full of drama last year, too. I hope this is not a trend???

After awhile she came around, though.

And at the end of the party she enjoyed her P & F musical card. Thanks to everyone who helped us celebrate!

Katie's 3rd Birthday, Exact Birthday Time

 At 6:04 pm we celebrated (again) with the top tier of the cake and a tearful rendition of "Happy Birthday." (Well, Mommy was the only one crying, but still.)

 Katie was thrilled to see that Nemo figure again.

 Wahoo!

 Then, Katie opened her gift from Mommy, Daddy and Ethan.

 A fun shirt with pictures of all her favorite Phineas and Ferb characters on it (that's the red fabric there placed so delicately next to her on the couch), and some awesome blocks that are cars when assembled.

It was a great birthday! We can't believe she is 3!!!

Tub-time Hat

This little guy will turn anything into a hat. And thinks it's the greatest thing ever. BTW: that "hat" is the little plastic container that was used to give Katie her 1st bath in the hospital. Memories. We've used it every bath time since she was born. Which is 3 years ago tomorrow. Crazy.