Halloween Happenings

Anyone that knows me knows that I have this bizarre fascination with the upcoming Haunted Holiday. I'm not really sure why I do, but I have always loved Halloween.

This year it took me a little longer to find my spooky spirit. I usually have the tombstones and other decorations up on October 1st. On the 12th Sis finally had enough of my malaise and put the cemetery up herself (pictures to hopefully be posted later).

It was time to get my tucas in gear & enjoy some fall festivities so the kids and I ventured out to some of our favorite celebrations.

First stop was the pumpkin patch and corn maze.

Sis has a tendency to choose pumpkins a little on the large side. Can you handle it Sis?

Bug found one a little more his size. Ricky is carrying mine so I can take pictures. I didn't get a picture of him with giant gourd, but it's pretty comparable to mine.

Then it was time to embark on our journey through the corn maze. Bug did a pretty good job of guiding us so we didn't get lost.

Bug thought he could push me off the path and into the field.

He was wrong. Bug ended up in the corn instead.

Sis was having fun picking ears of corn. Naughty Sissy.

Our next stop was Living History Farms where Bug went trick or treating at all the old stores, listened to a spooky story teller, and enjoyed popcorn and hot apple cider.

We also enjoyed a hayrack ride. Bug took this picture of me while we were being pulled on the bumpy path. Good job Bug! Maybe I should consider getting him a camera for Christmas?

I'd say the kids had a lot of fun!

The roasted marshmallows on our way out. What a perfect end to a beautiful afternoon.

On Sunday we decided to continue our adventures and check out Spirits in the Garden at Reiman Gardens

Bug got to touch all sorts of interesting things for a treat. Here he is petting a hissing cockroach. I am very glad they had hand sanitizer everywhere!

He also got to play a few games for candy. Once again we were served wonderfully warm popcorn and cider.

We told Sis that she had to dress up this time so she threw on her cowgirl hat.

Notice that Bug had on a different jersey on Sunday? He can't quite decide if he's a hawkeye or cyclone LOL.

We have sat and watched a lot of our favorite spooky movies and have our yard all decked out. It is finally starting to feel like Halloween around here.

A thought on Identity

photo courtesy of Andrew Hefter

~ The value of identity of course is that so often with it comes purpose. ~

Richard R Grant

I stand corrected...

Remember this little guy from my post yesterday?


This afternoon I received an email from the dear Professor Eckerman. He wrote:


"I thought you might be interested to know that the picture of the snake you took at ledges is actually a full grown, adult brown snake (Storeria dekayi). I see those quite commonly in Iowa. Most people don’t realize that there are several really small snakes in addition to the larger ones we are used to. However, I realize that this is little consolation. Having any snake thrown (or kicked) in your direction is usually unnerving to most people"

He would know, as his chosen profession requires a great knowledge of things most girls would call creepy and crawly.

Just out of curiosity I did a tiny bit of research tonight. It seems the brown snake is quite common and unexciting. I am, however, considering introducing one to the flowerbed that was so generously over-populated by slugs this summer. He ought to be a nice companion to the Gardener snake that is residing under the front porch.

"For other species commonly referred to as the brown snake, see brown snake.
The Brown Snake is a small species of colubrid snake native to most of the eastern half of the United States, through Mexico and into Central America. The epithet dekayi is in honor of Portuguese-American zoologist James Ellsworth Dekay who collected the first specimen in Long Island, New York."

~Wikipedia

So my gratitude to Mr. Eckerman for saving me from this faux pas. And for the record, I was more unnerved by Sis screaming. I was, in fact, quite oblivious to the fact an airborne snake had just passed me by.

This has made me wonder how many other small details we over-look everyday. Isn't it common human nature to lump the subjects of our daily existence together?

A busy life is a happy life

“Difficult times have helped me to understand better than before, how infinitely rich and beautiful life is in every way, and that so many things that one goes worrying about are of no importance whatsoever...”

~ Isak Dinesen

I haven't been a very good bloggy friend lately. I haven't been keeping up with my postings and I haven't been very diligent about reading the posts of others (except for the select few that I am compelled to keep up with even if it means burning the midnight oil to do so, and even then I've been bad about commenting).

As is always the case when I inadvertently turn my back on the world, I have been out lovingly enjoying my children. I am exhausted. Sadly, I am looking forward to a weekend continuing the war with keeping a clean house (and I will win this battle. Oh yes, I will).

Here are a few little updates from our wild last few weeks:

Bug was excited to enjoy a ride on Thomas the Tank engine with Lydia, Calvin, & "Grandma" Barb. He loved using Lydia as an excuse to ride, as "he's too old to really like Thomas," you know.

Bug roped his Dad into taking him to JAKES Day, where he got the opportunity to try his hand at archery for the 2nd time. He is proud to tell anyone that will listen that he can hit mostly in the red, which is "almost a bulls eye".

Bug is earning his way towards his own archery set selling popcorn for Cub Scouts (watch out SIS!). If you are interested in helping him, you can click here:


http://www.trails-end.com/estore/home_alt.jsp?_requestid=48063

I got the opportunity to spend one more enjoyable afternoon at Ledges with Sis and Ricky before the weather took a turn towards winter. Here Ricky is threatening to dump Sis in the creek for being sassy.



Ah... young love.

We were about a third of the way through the park when Sis thought she caught her ankle in a small branch. She looked down to see this, and immediately kicked it right toward my head. It missed me by inches and it took us a minute to figure out what she was shrieking about.

The baby bull snake landed unscathed but a little irate. Luckily there were no signs of his mama close by or I think we would have had to carry Sis the rest of the way.

I don't think she quite believed us that the snake wasn't out to harm her.

It was a beautiful day and we will all miss strolling through Ledges barefoot. I hope spring gets here soon.

Now that Sis is done with softball it's time for Bug to play soccer.

It is strange to see him so aggressive on the field, a big change from his usual demeanor. I'm thrilled he has found a sport he enjoys. Even if it means mom wearing two sweatshirts just to watch!

I took one day off work last week to help chaperon his Cub Scout Den on a trip to the zoo. It's amazing how much energy 8 boys can have when they're this excited about something.

Bug got to impress the boys with his tale about picking up a jellyfish at Virginia Beach this summer.

One of the few times we managed to gather all the boys in one spot.

Bug got himself in a little bit of trouble with me for tormenting this swan. He didn't learn his lesson until she nipped him. Boys will be boys.

They slowed down and gathered themselves together again to watch the seals perform their tricks.

Chance, Bug, & Blake. These boys seem to be pretty inseparable this year.

We even managed to squeeze a school dance into our busy schedule. Sis and Ricky attended with their good friends Mallary and Patrick. Everyone gathered at our house for pictures before the big event.

Sis's pretty wrist corsage. Unfortunately all the flowers wilted to the point we won't be pressing these.

Sis and Ricky looking so grown up.

Of course, I made her pose for a picture with me.

They can't be all grown up all the time, now can they?

It's been a busy few weeks, but very enjoyable with our vast difference in activities. I am insanely considering an offer to take over the position of Pack Chair for Cub Scouts. I don't know, do you think I could find the time?