pumpkin-time

Joseph's school has a pumpkin patch contest every year as part of their Boo-Bake sale fundraiser event. Each class has a theme and Joseph's class theme was "A Hunter's Pumpkin Patch." The pumpkin was to be decorated as a woodland creature that could be hunted. (a bit morbid, no?) We made a very cute owl . . . . . way too cute to be hunted for anything other than a photo op!

Go Big Orange

it takes longer to get a good picture with 2 kids. sometimes it just doesn't happen

good one of Joseph . . . Jacob distracted by the fruit snacks.

still distracted by the fruit snacks.good one of Jacob . . . . . . so, maybe I need Photoshop to do some superimposing.

Baby J - showing off his pretty teeth

Baby J - in action

Caught in the act . . .

of destruction!

in their gowns

9 shots, 1 nasal mist and 1 oral vaccine later. . . .

we are home from the doctor. What an exhausting trip!

Both boys are doing great! The doctor was impressed with Joseph's reading and writing skills. Jacob showed off all his 6-month skills (sitting up, passing a toy from hand to hand) and his TWO pretty bottom teeth.

Then came the yucky party. Joseph was a trooper through his 5 shots and the nasal mist/flu vaccine. Fortunately for him, he doesn't have to get another round of shots for 3 more years.

Jacob received 1 oral vaccine and 4 shots.

Here are their stats:

Joseph:
weight: 40 lbs = 75th percentile
height: 41.4 inches = 75th percentile

Jacob:
weight: 20 lbs. 4 oz. = 80th percentile
height: 28.1 inches = 95th percentile
(for comparison - at 6 months Joseph weighed 19 lbs. 12 oz. and was 29" long)

God made everyone!

In Joseph's ABC Bible Verse book last night we learned the verse: "Fear not, for I am with you!" If you recall, our previous verse was "Be ye kind one to another" and the picture on the page was of two children sharing a cookie. We have been working on being kind in ways other than just sharing cookies. The picture on the "Fear not!" page was very important and timely as it is a picture of a child visiting the doctor. Both boys are headed to the doctor this morning for their 4-year and 6-month well checks (and shots).

us: "Joseph, who is with you so you don't have to be afraid?"
J: "mama and daddy and my brother!"
us: "who else?"
J: "God!"
us: "that's right. God is always with you so you don't have to be afraid."
J: "God made everything!"
us: "What all did God make?"
J: "God made people!!! . . . and brothers!"

writing

Joseph loves to write but he gets easily frustrated with the pencil (crayon, chalk, etc.) don't quite cooperate with him. This morning he is outside (brrrr) writing his name on the patio. He was struggling with getting his "J" just right. I said "Joseph, that J is perfect." His response. "No it isn't perfect!!! It's a J arrow!!!!!"

On the menu - October 5

ok - so I've done a very poor job of posting our menus recently. The truth is - we've been pretty busy with 4-year-old birthday parties and company. We've also been recycling some meals and haven't had anything new or terribly exciting lately.

This week isn't too different either. We've had enchiladas, hot dogs and chili. I did make some delicious apple dumplings for dessert on Friday.

Coming up:

Loaded Baked Potatoes
Peppercini Pot Roast
Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole
Salmon, Couscous & Spinach salad

Our new community group for church meets every Sunday evening and we all take turns providing snacks/dinner. This week is our turn. So far I am making:
Bacon-wrapped apricots
Cranberry meatballs
Gingersnap Pumpkin Cheesecake
I'll probably throw in a Crudite` platter of some sort.