Halloween

The selection of the halloween costume is an important choice, and Alex considered many options this year before he chose a peashooter from Plants vs. Zombies (a character from an app, xbox game, and comic books that he loves).  I thought it sounded like a great idea until I realize that peashooter costumes do not exist, even on Amazon!  I had to flex my creative muscles and figure out how to make one for him.  Pinterest was helpful with paper mache, but my first attempt was very unsuccessful when the balloon I was using as a form popped and the entire thing collapsed.

 

My second try was much better and much sturdier after a week of adding layer upon layer.  Matt helped with the engineering of the shooter nose (is that what you'd call it?).

After some spray paint, felt, and leaves, it was really taking shape!

Of course, as a potted plant, we had to figure out a way to make a portable pot and it finally all came together!

Ready for the book character parade at school!

Ben was much easier - he chose Little Bear from the Indian in the Cupboard for both the book character parade and trick or treating, and we were able to borrow Grumpy's Indian costume so the work for his costume was minimal.  He sure made one handsome Indian!

I really enjoyed seeing my peashooter at the parade, although I'm not sure he could see much of us!

Little Bear looked great as well and I know he was happy to see that most of the 5th graders were dressed up as well.  Apparently it can be risky wearing a costume when you're 10 years old.

By the time the classroom parties rolled around, the kids had shed all of their costume pieces to make sure they didn't get slowed down on the inflatables.

Peashooter turned mummy with his sweet teacher, Mrs. Rafferty.

Casey didn't get left out of the costume action - she picked out her dinosaur costume with a caveman rider.  She regretted her decision almost immediately.

After a busy day at school, they could barely wait to get back into costume and go trick or treating!

Our neighborhood gang was a bit smaller this year, because some kids are getting too old and other have moved away, but it was much easier to keep track of everyone!

Trick or treat!

It is one of my favorite nights in the neighborhood to see all the kids out and visit so many of the neighbors.  Every year the kids love to stop in this yard for a picture.

October Birthdays

Happy 40th birthday to Matt!  It was wonderful to celebrate the big day and it's amazing how 40 doesn't sound as old as it used to.  Alex carefully counted the black candles out for the cake and we made a small bonfire to celebrate.

 

Thankfully, we had an absolutely gorgeous October with warm weather, so I was able to surprise Matt with a trip to NLand surf park in Austin just after it opened.  A couple of hours of mid-week surfing less than a two-hour drive from our house?  Yes, please!

No crowds?  No sand?  NO SHARKS?  Even better!!

Glad he got to hang 5 to celebrate his milestone birthday this year.

We also got to celebrate Grammy's birthday.  Last I heard she's still 39...

 

The other October birthday in our house isn't quite as big a celebration, but we can't forget our baby!

Casey was very fortunate that her 3rd birthday fell on fridge clean-out day and I noticed we had some old salmon, which happens to be her favorite food in the world.  Lucky girl got a little individual salmon cake!

She didn't share one bite!

Braces

The time has come...Ben is old enough for braces!  He was unimpressed with the first orthodontist we visited (as was I) but thrilled with the second one because of the awesome 3D images we got to see of his face and skull.  That's not why we chose the second orthodontist, but it helped to have been excited to see the guy and talk to him!

 

 The big day!  Before...

 ...and after!  Just tops for now. 

I had forgotten how painful the first few days were after getting braces but Ben survived on soup and milkshakes until he could chew again.  What a trooper!  Can't wait to see the beautiful smile when the braces come off and fingers crossed he won't need round 2 after the rest of his permanent teeth grow in.

Fall Ball

For the first time, Alex asked to play fall baseball instead of flag football so we decided to try a season of fall ball.  He was on a great team with a lot of nice and dedicated families and we all enjoyed the pace of having just one team's schedule to meet, so it made for a really great season.

 

It was a fun day when the Blue Jays played his buddy Ryan's Cubs team.  There was quite a bit of talking in the field as they passed one another.

Alex was a really consistent hitter all season and finally got some power in his swing by the end of the season.

This was really a team of hitters - they made it to the 6th inning (no 5-run rule) many games and this one was an absolute blowout.  31-19!

We love watching this guy run the bases and score points for his team!

But there are still the occasional times that he needs to be reminded that short stops don't play in the dirt :)

Alex played well most games but never had his great moment to earn a game ball until the final game of the regular season and he hit a ball all the way to the fence to earn his ball.  The waiting made him work hard and focus so we were secretly happy it took a while!

A really happy guy with his game ball!

 

 Even better, during their first playoff game, Alex had some big hits and caught a pop fly for a huge out when the other team was trying to rally for a win.  Game ball #2!  This one was even sweeter because he wasn't trying for a game ball, just doing his best for the team.

Go 7-8 year old Blue Jays!  They finished in second place for the regular season, the best of any team either of the boys.

Houston Texans

We took the kids to their first NFL game and it was a great matchup between Houston and Kansas City.  The kids have been to NRG Stadium several times for other events but were pretty excited to see their first football game there.

 

Alex was a little nervous about the height but settled in quickly when he learned that you can yell after all the plays! Ben was pretty happy because the nachos at NRG are huge.

Someone was worn out afterward...this is a rare sight!

Ben's First Aggie Game

I got a text a few weeks back that Ben's name was picked out of thousands of entries to be the 12th Man Kid of the Game at A&M's home opener against UCLA.  I was thrilled and Ben was excited, although he'd never been to an Aggie game so he had no idea just how much fun lay ahead.  Unfortunately, Matt had to be out of town for work and I wasn't able to get another ticket together for Alex so he didn't get to experience our awesome day, but he had a fun day with Grandma all to himself.

Ben and I headed to College Station nice and early and he picked out a new cap at the MSC.

 

 

The best part of this whole deal - pregame field passes!

We got to tailgate in Maroon Village before heading into Kyle Field.

12th Kid!  (but due to some shipping mixup, he got an adult XXL shirt...kid sized M to be mailed shortly)

Thanks so much, Mattress Firm!!

Ben was filmed waving and giving a big thumbs up.

Then we were free to hang out on the field until kickoff!  I had so much fun seeing giants like Myles Garrett (#15 behind Ben) in person.

First time to Kyle Field and he's standing on the grass...I had to keep telling him how lucky we both were to be down there!

And then, what?!  The yell leaders!!  

Ben's favorite sideline experience was seeing the Sprit of 02 cannon up close and personal.

He had some questions about it and we happened to meet the guy who knows everything about the cannon, and he taught Ben all about it and even let him see the shells and hold a load.  He'll remember this forever.

Matt didn't get completely left out of our experience - I was sending pictures all afternoon and we facetimed from the field so he got to feel the excitement.

Ben's video aired a little earlier than we expected so I didn't get it all on video, but I got our boy on the big screen!

Finally, we stood by the football players coming out of the tunnel before the game and then headed to our seats to yell on the Ags to victory over UCLA (31-24 victory in overtime!)

 I had so much fun teaching Ben all about the traditions of an Aggie game, and there are tons, but by far the best were sawing varsity's horns off on the field before the game and then watching the Aggie band at halftime.  You just can't beat Aggieland on game day!  What an amazing day!!