Tiger Cub campout

One weekend, Bryce and Evan took off to go to their first Cub Scout campout.  Evan was super excited.  They left on Friday after school and were gone until Sunday afternoon!  

Here was their tent that they had to sleep in - I think after this trip, Bryce wanted a new tent considering this one is at least 14 years old!

At look at their Den campsite

By far Evan's favorite activity was the Beebee gun shooting range!

He even hit the target!

The two den leaders 

A couple of the other boys in the den... I think they are making Tiger noises??

And fishing!

Overall, I think they had a good time (and had great weather).  They actually encourage families to attend so maybe next year, we will see if all of us can go for a day or at least part of the day.  We were just too busy this time.

First Grade Field Trip

This year, the First Grade at Old Town went to Crowe's Nest Farm for their fall field trip. I have actually never been there before so was excited to get to join them.

Here was my group of kids to chaperone for the day. 

First we learned about farms and milking cows (getting to see a demonstration). Then we took a hayride to see some other animals on the farm like these buffalo.

Then our little group took our own tour - seeing lots of different types of animals like pigs, various birds, sheep, chickens, snakes, etc. We enjoyed learning about them (and running from area to area!)

 

Evan and I by the barn

Picture of Evan

And a picture of Evan's class

 

It was a beautiful day and a fun trip. I'm glad I got to join him and be a part of it!

Happy Halloween 2014

Finally Halloween!  We were all very excited. As you can see, Ryan and Chelsea had different costumes (thanks to Becca) for the day.  Too many questions about their last costumes (Eeyore for example) and Becca REALLY wanted them to be Pebbles and Bam Bam. So, she made them some costumes - how cute are they?

Pictures before we headed out

Pebbles and Bam Bam

Some of the neighbors with Evan and Caitlin

Ryan was ready to go!

As usual, the Isaacsons came over to go with us - always fun!  Elsa and Anna (Ellie)

The Super Heroes - Evan and Alex

Our attempt at all the kids (Allie came too)

And one action shot of them going door to door. Ryan actually LOVED going up and getting something to put in his pumpkin.  

Halloween Part 1

My kids were very excited for Halloween this year.  We had gotten their costumes back in August/September (which they couldn't wear until Halloween events) so they had a good 2 months to wait for their use.  Caitlin was Elsa (of course) and Evan was Wolverine.  Ryan had 2 costumes - one was Stitch (from Lilo and Stitch) which was Evan's at the same age.

First even was the Trunk N Treat at Caitlin's preschool.  Evan and Bryce were at the Cub Scout campout so it was just me and the other two.  The Matz clan joined us as well - Chelsea was Lilo!

Kids getting some candy

Caitlin and AJ

Baba with Lilo and Stitch (whom some people thought was Eeyore)

Caitlin and her friend Brinley who was also Elsa - it was a popular costume this year

My two and me

Caitlin enjoying the jumpy houses

And one pic from Caitlin's preschool Halloween party that I helped at

Annual Trip to the Pumpkin Patch

Every year, I try to take the kids to a local pumpkin patch (which is not the pumpkin patch of my youth let me tell you - here it's more like a farm where they put pumpkins in nice little piles to take pictures with.... you don't actually go out to a field where they've grown the pumpkins).  But I digress...

I normally go to Sweet Berry Farms which I like a lot. Unfortunately, it's about 1.5 hour away. This year has been so busy and chaotic, I just didn't think I would make it. But, my sister and I found another one closer - Barton Hills Farm.  Only about a 45 min drive and open Sunday at 10am. We figured we'd give it a shot..  

First we had to take the obligatory kids in pumpkin pictures.  Here are my best attempts...

Here, you have to buy a wrist band to do all the activities - which makes it MUCH pricier than Sweet Berry Farms where I let the kids pick just a handful of things to keep the cost reasonable. We definitely tried to get our money's worth!  

Caitlin loved the jumping pillow. Evan refused to go on it for reason's I still don't understand and threw a nice big temper tantrum about it.  Yeah, great start to our trip. Eventually he recovered and enjoyed the rest of the activities.

Tricycle racing

The cow train

A fort to climb in and slide down

Bouncing horses

The corn maze which we all really enjoyed!

And pumpkin painting!

It was a very tiring day but we made it! It was a good alternative since we couldn't get all the way to Sweet Berry Farms - but I still like that one better if anyone wants an opinion!

Happy Fall Y'all!

Field Day at Old Town Elementary

Because living in Texas is like the opposite of Indiana (summers are too hot so you do things indoors vs. winters are so cold you do things indoors), we have our Field Day in the Fall rather than at the end of the school year when it could be 90 degrees.  

I was able to go and volunteer this year so I snapped a few pictures. It's kind of a chaotic mess but the kids love it and they get to run around so really, it's like heaven for them.

Are you guys ready for Field Day??  

Ready, set, go!

Evan and his friend Ryder from class.

And the favorite event of all... the Tug of War!  Go Ms. V's class!

Evan Receives a Star Texan Award

In October, Evan was awarded with a Star Texan award at his school for being Respective and Responsible!  We went to the presentation.  We are so proud of you Evan for making great choices and being a good student and friend.  Keep up the good work!

Evan and his principal Ms. Mercer

Evan receiving his award

Evan's Award Video - click here

Daddy and Evan

Caitlin wanted to come too - thanks for being a good role model Evan!

Evan and his friend Avery who also got an award!