Fall Leaves

The kids have LOVED the leaves this year more than ever before. Is it the age? I don't know. All I know is that they can't get enough. They run through the leaves, piled up on the curbs for the leaf-sucking truck to suck them up, waist-deep at times.

And when Stayc or I rake the leaves out of the front yard and down to the curb, the kids are in heaven! They build leaf-pile houses and cover themselves in leaves.

Then they throw them in the air and at each other.

And beg me to bury them in leaves. Beg me.

A Fall Afternoon

Last week we took a nice walk up to the Henry Clay Estate, one of our Sunday afternoon standards. Fall was in full force, and it was a lovely day.

The kids were still enjoying the spoils of Halloween, and although we refused to let them bring their Halloween buckets with them, we did allow them to fill up a bag of candy to take along.

Running through the leaves has become a particularly favorite activity with the kids these days.

I took these pictures in the English garden at Ashland (Henry Clay Estate). I couldn't pick a favorite, so here's the series. (Lu had candy in her mouth the whole time.)

This is not the best of the bunch, but Phx's smile reminds me so much of the tight, half-smiles Scott used to give for pictures as a kid. At least he doesn't raise his eyebrow, a la six-million dollar man.

I hope you're enjoying Fall as much as we are!

The Aftermath

I lied. One more Halloween post. I'll have you know that this ALL went in the trash.

Pumpkin Carving 101

We waited until the actual day of Halloween to carve our pumpkins . . . three of them in all (two were free), which meant the kids each got their own pumpkin to carve, definitely a plan to repeat next year. We also forced them to requested that they help scoop the "guts" out of the pumpkins. Can you tell how much they enjoyed it?

This is his "Aaaaaaarrrrrgggggghhhhhh" face.

Lu was game for maybe one handful, and then she was done.

Then they drew their faces on their pumpkins.

And once they were happy with the results . . .

Stayc and I carved the faces to the best of our ability . . . trying mightily to replicate the drawings with precision.

Happy with the finished product.

Ahhhhhhhhgggggg, he's eating my hand!

Yes, that's the last of the Halloween posts.

Halloween Night

The kids had a fantabulous Halloween this year. We had friends over for the second year in a row for a pre-trick-or-treating dinner, then the kids went at it with a vengeance heretofore not seen. Lu is, once again, trying to be as vampire-ish as she can. Phoenix is, of course, fluttering his wings and being as batty as possible (look at that stoicism).

But they can smile too. Phx's cape was a last minute addition to his costume (I'm sure he wanted to be like Lu). But he took it off to trick-or-treat and donned his headpiece.

They literally ran from house to house, fully aware this year of the true meaning of Halloween . . . CANDY! They came home at one point, buckets full. I thought they were home to stay, but no, just a bathroom break. Then they were off for more.

Phoenix was so engrossed in his candy when they got home, I could hardly get a picture. Here's the little bat at work.

Lu had other ideas. I walked into the family room to see her working on this masterpiece. I cut the "E" out by accident. That would be "Eat Candy."

And they did. Lots and lots of it. Happy belated Halloween.