Carving pumpkins

We carved our pumpkins this week. I can't say that this is my favorite family activity, but I am just one in a family of five. The kids really enjoy this, so we continue to do it. Jeremiah did a great job this year of cleaning out his own pumpkin. This is the first year that he actually was able to help a little more. DaniRae still needed help, but had a lot of fun. AnaGrace thought this was interesting for all of 5 minutes and then she wanted to be held the rest of the time (she isn't feeling real well right now).
Here are the amazing finished projects. What a fun creation God has made for us. Who would have thought to give us big vegetables for us to eat and carve, except our wonderful God? Happy Fall everyone.

The Strong Museum of Play

We went to the Strong Museum of Play in Rochester on Friday. It was an incredible place. There were so many neat hands on thing for all of the children. Everyone had a really great time. Dani wants to go back for her birthday she had so much fun. This is a really long post, so enjoy. Jeremiah had fun trying out this rock climbing wall. Dani, much like her Mother, could not even get on the wall. Poor thing.

One of those rooms where the children became as tall as Mommy. I am afraid that this picture will be reality in a few years.
Is this a dream or a nightmare???? My children have mutiplied!!!! This was called the Kid Kaleidoscope.
Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street?
One my favorite places was the child sized Wegman's that was there. The kids were allowed to go in and shop for five items. Then they became the cashiers and scanned everything and printed out a receipt. Then they became stock boys and put everything away. It was all fake food, but some of the best looking fake food I have ever seen. Jeremiah enjoyed weighing all the meat and DaniRae was intent on finding a pizza to pull out of the brick oven to buy.

And.....AnaGrace goes for her third box of fudge pops. I think she looks a little guilty.
This was Jeremiah's favorite activity. He got to run the camera, the light board and the sound while other children dresse up and put on the show. This happens to be DaniRae dancing, but Jeremiah sat there and did it for anyone who walked up.
This was DaniRae's favorite part. A room that showed what it would have been like if she lived one hundred years ago. She loved this room and could have played here for hours. I was really impressed with how hands out and play oriented this whole museum was.

Queen DaniRae awaits her ride to the royal ball.
There were lots of places to pretend play which was really up Dani's alley.
Watch out, Uncle Joel and Pah-Pah.....I think you have competition. Maybe in a few years.
My three happy, but very tired children at the end of the day. They all fell asleep on the way back to Uncle Joel and Aunt Anna's. AnaGrace barely lasted 1 minute in the van before she was sound asleep. It was great fun though.

Fun in Buffalo

We went to Buffalo this past weekend and had a great time. The weather was beautiful (in fact a little sunny as you can see). We had a great time at a local park. It was cold, but good to get some fresh air. That is the Niagara River behind us ( I think)....it is the same water that goes over the Falls....so the kids weren't allowed any where near the river.....just kidding, kind of.

The simplicity of childhood

The children have been encouraged to read as part of a Book It Club for School. They earn points and rewards and if they reach the goal their teacher set, the earn a personal pizza from Pizza Hut. Anyway, they are to be reading about 15 minutes a day. Well, it was a gorgeous day here today, so I sent Jeremiah outside to read. This is where he decided to read...he found a nice perch about 25 feet up in a tree. I must admit, I think that I am a little jealous. OH, to have the time and freedom (and physical ability) to climb 25 feet into a tree and spend an afternoon reading.

Pumpkin Festival '08

Last weekend we went to the Pumpkin Festival. It was a gorgeous Fall Day...perfect for a Festival. We took the hayride, picked out pumpkins, and, of course, ate apple dumplings with ice cream....yummy. Dan was along, but somehow he manages to avoid being in all the photos. AnaGrace love being on the hayride; in fact she even tried to sneak on one when we weren't looking. Hence the rule, never take your eyes off the toddler.

She was in awe of the pumpkins and tried to pick many up.
We finally settled on this one for her...of course, then she wanted to carry it the rest of the afternoon.
Dani picked one so big, she couldn't carry it...I think that we will install the rule, "You can only pick one that you can carry back to the van."

Much to Miah's disappointment, our goal in the pumpkin patch was not to find the biggest possible pumpkin. He was very happy to settle on this one which was nice and round.