The Pumpkin Patch

We took the kids to the Sinkland Farms Pumpkin Festival Saturday and had a blast. The highlight, of course, was picking out our pumpkin which we'll hopefully carve in the next few days and turn the innards into pumpkin pie. Archie is such a Daddy's boy.

He loved his first pony ride. We found out her name was Trixie.

He was also pretty excited about the tractor a/k/a hayride we took to pick the pumpkin.

They also had a nice animal viewing/petting area. Grace would point and squeal with delight at each animal then scream in terror if it started moving toward her.

Yep! There were a lot of pumpkins.

Halloween Preview!

We've had a lot of fun trying on costumes at our house! Grace is going to be a lady bug. I've had my heart set on it for a long time for some reason. Good thing she doesn't have other thoughts on the matter yet. Aunt Kay probably wouldn't cuddle with too many bugs, but Grace probably is the cutest one that ever was.

Archie is going to be a pumpkin thanks to my friend who let him choose between an elephant and a pumpkin costume she wasn't using this year. (We guided him against the elephant because he doesn't like hats and it looks remarkably gray-blobbish without the hat which is the elephant's face.) He tried it on this morning and was pretty cute, but when he got tired of it (before I got a pic) Grace decided she wanted to wear something soft and fluffy! We went to a pumpkin festival so I thought it was pretty appropriate attire for the day. I am a little concerned Archie won't dress up for Halloween, but if he doesn't I guess I can still take him trick-or-treating. He doesn't seem to like dressing up, and it won't bother him in the least if he's the only kid not wearing a costume...

Something just happened that never ever happens...

And it's GREAT!

My kids fell asleep in the car on the way home from the eye doctor's in Salem and they are STILL sleeping in their beds. If Archie falls asleep for even an millisecond in the car he won't go back to sleep at home. But, he did, and it's GREAT!


Don't have a pic to go with the sleeping children so I attached one my friend made at Romp 'n' Roll yesterday. She invited me to her kid's gym and it was lots of fun!

A day with CARS!

I took my kids on my first solo car trip and survived it. We had fun at Memaw and Papa's the other week week. Mom met me halfway, and we took the kids to a mini-amusement park in Gatlinburg for the day. Archie loved all the stuff to ride. He rode the train, plane, teacups, pirate ship, ferris wheel, and probably other stuff, but his favorite was definitely the race cars.

Archie loved it, but didn't quite get it so this nice grandpa-type attendant helped him quite a bit.

Planes are another favorite. He has decided he wants to be an astronaut when he grows up. (No space shuttles available at this theme park...)


Grace liked some of the rides, too, but she mainly just liked being cute and the attention from Memaw!


The Ferris Wheel didn't go over as well as the swings, and they had to get her out before she even got started good. Maybe next time...

Daniel and the Train

Archie loves trains and he loves Bible stories and he loves puzzles. Why not combine them? Daniel and the Train!!! Who thought this up? I had no idea what he was talking about the first time he asked to play Daniel and the train. This puzzle is just too funny (but he loves it).

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival to You!

One thing I love about Blacksburg is how many Chinese there are. It's easy to make friends and practice language. Another great thing is we don't have to give up our favorite Chinese holiday celebrations. Last week we went to a GREAT Mid-Autumn Festival at Virginia Tech. The festival celebrates the full moon and people eat little cakes called moon cakes (which Archie was a big fan of). The evenings festivities included the finals of a karaoke competition and some great performances. Our friend won second place!

Some kids memorized an incredibly long chant that is made of groups of three characters! Pretty impressive!
All the participants in the performances: