AJ's Birthday and Halloween

There wasn't any school for the boys on Friday so I told AJ he could decide what he wanted to do for the day, it was his day to plan.  He was very excited about that!  We only do big birthday parties every other year, so this was the year to hang with family for birthdays.

 

So I decided it would be fun this year to put streamers and balloons covering his door.  It was all a great idea until I heard a slamming door at 2:25 am and went to investigate.  He had to use the restroom but didn't come out because he wasn't sure what was going on.  So he asked me to put them back up and because I am who I am at 2:40 am I was putting balloons back up in his door.  He did tell me he liked them, so that made me feel good!!

 

AJ decided the first thing he wanted to do was go bowling.  So I asked a friend of his to see if they wanted to join us.

 

Concentration trying to keep the ball in the center of the lane!

 

Luckily for me his friend also had a little brother that is Michael's age, so it worked out really well.  AJ was able to eat lunch at Subway, one of his favorite restaurants!

 

After that we headed to the dreaded Ramstein.  The only reason I say dreaded is because EVERYBODY goes there to go trick-or-treating, but a friend of mine asked if we would help her with the trunk or treat and I don't know how to say no.  They wanted me to dress up so I grabbed what I had, Cleopatra, AJ was the grim reaper and Michael was a ninja.

 

This was one of the houses that was decorated - I thought it was a really cool idea!!!

 

The crew getting ready to trunk-or-treat!

 

The crew in front of Sarah's trunk - she really outdid herself yet again!

 

Sarah and I - aren't we cute?

 

Sarah told Michael to go get the white ninja across the field, so what did he do?  He started running for the white ninja.  It was kind of funny to watch because the older white ninja had no idea what was going on.  :-)

 

AJ on the other hand helped Wes put up some more decorations.

 

Then it was time - I couldn't believe the amount of people there.  It started at 5 pm and there were people lined up by 4:30 waiting for it to open up.  It was CRAZY!!!!!  So we started heading down the row of trunks.

 

I thought this was cool - a motorcycle club came and did trunk-or-treat!  Here is Batman giving Ari and Michael some candy.

 

It was a gorgeous day with a beautiful sunset as we headed out to go to some of the houses on Ramstein.

 

This house was AWESOME!!!  They did it all up in Wizard of Oz.  They had a rainbow, all the characters, and had the movie playing on their garage.  It was truly a neat one!

 

AJ didn't go with us to the houses because he wanted to stay and help hand out candy.  I thought that was really cool of him!  He was really enjoying it.  I couldn't believe the amount of people, the line of children didn't stop for two solid hours.  They say more than 5,000 kids come to trunk-or-treat and that is only trunk-or-treat that doesn't include those that just go to the houses.  CRAZY!

 

After that wild time we headed back to a friend's house on Ramstein and had something to eat.  I also baked AJ a cake and we were able to sing him happy birthday and he blew out the candles. 

 

AJ and Daddy later at night just chilling together!!!  AJ said he had a wonderful birthday and that is what I wanted to hear!!!  I was very happy everything went well!!

 

We didn't have time to open presents on his birthday so we opened them the next day.  He is concentrating so hard so he doesn't rip the paper.

 

He was very excited to get the Lego set he wanted!!

 

 

AJ is such a good big brother, Michael was excited about it too so they just were checking out all the cool figures that they get.  Another successful birthday down!!!

Scouts Pack Meeting

On Sunday, October 26th, the boys had their first pack meeting that we were able to attend.  It is a monthly meeting that we get together to do events and/or give out awards.  The Tigers were on set up duty which means they are also on flag duty.  Since there were only two of them, the Bears offered to help, or I volunteered them.  :-)

 

AJ and David ready to carry in the American flag.

 

Michael carrying in the scout flag.  They both did a great job!!

 

AJ earned his whittling chip over the summer and here they are awarding him his badge and card.  Now he can use his pocket knife at scout functions because he has gone through the safety course.  I am not sure if I am ready for it though!

 

Both boys earned the summer time award because they attended a scout function once a month.  They received some new bling for their uniform!

 

 

Michael was the top bowler for Tigers in the bowl-a-thon held last month!!!

 

He was also the top fundraiser for the Tigers.  Thanks to all who helped him achieve this!

 

AJ was the top bowler for Bears!!!!  He is three for three so far!!!

 

Michael was also the top over all bowler of all the scouts in Pack 69!!!  He did AWESOME!!!  Just like  his brother who won this the last two years running, at least it is staying in the family!

 

Michael retiring the colors with the help of a Bear!

 

Michael and his three awards, he was so excited!!!  He couldn't believe that he beat even the 5th graders in bowling!!!  I have two incredible children that is for sure!!!!

Pumpkn Patch time!!!

We were running out of time to get our pumpkins and carve them up, so we took Sunday, October 19th, and headed out to our local pumpkin patch.

 

The boys were very excited to pick out their pumpkins and headed out on a run to find them!

 

Our pumpkin carrier - I liked this pumpkin but in the end the boys didn't.

 

It was such a beautiful day and a wonderful view!!!

 

The boys are trying to carry one of the pumpkins they chose.  They couldn't choose a smaller one, of course not.

 

They finally got it up, but they didn't get too far.

 

Daddy came to save the day!!!! Thank goodness or we would have never made it back to the car.

 

Michael decided to try and help carry the pumpkins after they were weighed, but it was still too heavy for him.

 

The boys and their pumpkins - they picked out some good ones this year.

 

Michael was a little too excited to carve pumpkins this year.  I was a little afraid to give him the knife.

AJ working to get his top off with David looking over his shoulder just in case.

 

David had to finish to get out the top for AJ.

 

AJ has never liked to dig out the guts of a pumpkin, but I made him do it anyway.

 

Michael doesn't care about getting his hands dirty, he digs right in.

AJ finally getting in there and getting out the innards.

 

AJ decided to do a more intricate one, he is hard at work.

 

Michael decided to just draw his own thing and carve it out, still much concentration going on.

 

Michael's finished pumpkin - it looks AWESOME!!!

 David was helping AJ with the more intricate parts of it.

 

Then AJ took back over to finish the job.

 

 

AJ's finished pumpkin - the wolf.  It looks AWESOME also!!!

 

The hills behind our house, they are so pretty with the leaves turning.

 

The boys decided after pumpkin carving, it was time for a little scootering down the road.

 

AJ was showing me his sitting technique with Michael chasing him.

 

The boys with their pumpkins - I am so glad we were able to find the time to do these!

 

The sun setting over our little village - gorgeous!!!  Such a wonderful weekend!!!