Runnin' on fumes

Ya'll, it's only Friday and Kate's already worn her costume twice.  We've got two more parties to attend (yes, one is actually on Halloween night) and by the end of the week the costume should be able to walk by itself. 

Hamp wears his in small increments of time, as his hot-natured self tends to get sweaty quite easily, and it doesn't really go with his no-fuss wardrobe requirement.   But I think we chose the cutest little costume for him.  He really rocks it.


Kate's had her mind made up since August on what her costume would be, and she never wavered. 

Children's department costume party at church on Wednesday night

Kate's preschool party was on Thursday, so Hamp and I joined her for some festive fun.

performing their songs



This is actually turned out to be an unintentional picture of all three of us.  There we are, we're the lady-with-a-baby-on-her-hip shadow.  Look closely, my sweat droplets probably have a shadow of their own.



The party was lots of fun.  We even went on a hayride that put Mr. Mister right to sleep.



Kate's soccer season is almost over with only a couple of games remaining.  She had a game last night and as you probably guessed, she and cousin Lydia were side by side.

I don't know if they ever really play an entire game without digging in the dirt, playing chasing, or better yet, breaking out their baby dolls on the sideline.




After the game, we went to dinner at Papa T and Grammy Shirley's house.  Thankfully, they live just right across the lawn. 



Feeding the ducks with Papa T



me, kate, and the never ending tootsie roll

M to the Izz-A and I have gotten into the habit of drinking coffee in the evenings. 

I have become my parents. 

I also enjoy going to bed early, like by 9pm or so, but not on Tuesdays because I can't miss my show, Parenthood.  I simply love that show.

And we finally got around to carving our pumpkin this week. 

Originally, it started out with all of us outside involved in the carving process.  Then, Hamp got hot, or the wind was maybe bothering his ears, or the gnats were gettin' bad, or something like that.  I can't remember the excuse I actually ended up going with.  There's something incredibly wrong about having temperatures in the high 80's in late October.  We were melting.

 So Kate and Daddy finished up on their own.  They LOVE having full creative control. 


And look how cute they turned out.


Meet Sad Face and Happy Face.

So adorable, right?

Wait.  Are they making fun of my mood swings?


They probably are, but I'll take it.  Today.

Tomorrow may be a different story. 


Now with Halloween coming this weekend, M to the Izz-A and I decided to just skip the costumes this year.  Some of you will remember that last year the whole family dressed up as pirates. 

Up until last weekend we were still going with the no costume plan, until a few of our friends had a different idea in mind for us.


You guys are going to DIE when you see us dressed up this year.  Seriously, it is a hoot!  Let's just say, long johns have never been tampered with in such a way.  Let's hope I don't chicken out.



Anyway, I gotta run.  Matt just brought me a big ol' cup of hot coffee and a handful of pumpkin seeds that he and Kate just baked in the oven.  Let's hope it keeps me up 'til 9.

Soccer, A Milestone, and a Little Fun

Well, I dug down deep and found the old Moddy.  You know, the one that used to post tons and tons of pictures with each post?  You may want to start this post, take an intermission, and return for the second half. 

Kate has officially started her soccer season.  Her first practice was a fun experience.  She ran around the whole time, only stopping for water breaks and to put her hands on her hips.

Papa and Gaga came out for her debut...

A little coaching and pep talkin' from Daddy...

It's always fun to make up your own game, right?

 Cousin Lydia and Kate are two of a kind!



Her first real game was last week and she was so pumped about sportin' her brand new soccer 'unicorn'.

 

And this next pic reminds me so much of my sister, Sal Gal.  She used to run just like this. 

And still does.

Get it girl.

Kate and Lydia held hands a good portion of the game.

I chose #3 for Kate for a very deep, symbolic reason - she's three years old.  What?  That's deep, people.

 And I'm sorry, but one more with her hands on her hips... because it's so darn cute.

And looky-looky, Mama finally took someone's 4 month picture!



Why is he smiling such a sweet smile in that last pic?  Well it's more of a I'msmilingatyoubecauseIloveyoubutI'malsoalittebitembarrassedforyou smile.  It's because I'm singing the song "Dumb Dog", from the movie Annie.  He LOVES when I sing him that song.  And you know I can't just sing it.  I have to do my best theatrical facial expressions along with it, Broadway style.  And if you know me, you'd never imagine me doing anything less than that behind that camera.  I tend to overdo things, especially anything involving in-home performances, or well...basically the volume of my voice in general.  I was telling my friend, Jobeth, the other day, "you know you talk way too loud when your child blinks with every word you say."   I may need to take it down a few decibels.   

Hamp had his 4th month doctor's visit on Friday.  He got to spend the day with Mommy and Daddy running errands.  Unfortunately for him that means all day in the car seat and a couple of shots at the doctor.  But he was a little trooper and we enjoyed our day together. 

And may I add, I hope he doesn't start his own nudist colony one day.  This kid hates clothes.  He hates socks.  And he definitely doesn't want a lick of covers on him when he sleeps at night.  He has never slept swaddled in a blanket or even with a blanket near him at all since he's been born.  He hates to be constricted in any way.  If we put socks on him, he usually pulls them off sooner or later.  If we can get him to wear a onesie,  we're doin' good. 


So, when most kids wear their 'best' to the doctor (or at least that's what my mom always made us do), Hamp's looking cute as ever in a Wal-mart onesie.  I love his laid back personality all ready!   

He's weighing in at almost 15 lbs.  That's 15 lbs. of pure love right there.




After making all of our practices, games, and appointments for the week, we decided to relax and have a little fun on Saturday.  We took Kate to our town's annual festival, which is conveniently located only a few blocks from our house.  I usually run in the little 5K race they have every year, but this year I decided I'd rather be sipping on coffee and eating two brown sugar Pop-Tarts while all that was goin' on.

And on Saturday night we went to Bahama Breeze with some of our best buds.  And if you've been reading my blog for any amount of time, you've probably heard me talk about Ben and KKB's "Mini".  We take it every time we go somewhere.  It's our favorite way to travel. 

So, I thought we'd get a picture of us in it:

Long live "the mini".