Costumes

Train ride with the Smith family at church 'Harvest Party.'

l to r: S, S, S and J (Smith Family friends).

Princess S

Pumpkin Z

Pirate J (arrrrrgh... scary eh?)

First Lost Tooth

Fall Colors (and 3 cute kids)

Discovery Lake

We found this fun park today in San Marcos. We rode bikes around the large lake, then played in the water fountain overlooking the lake. There was a group at the park that had a costume parade with their little ones.

Pumpkin Boy

Brothers

Neighbor Playdate

l to r: G, J, S, Z and D.

Simple pleasures: Watching popcorn pop.

6-Tag

This was a fun and fast blog tag... open up your main photo folder or program and select the sixth folder, then the sixth photo and post it.

This is what I came up with... 2006 at Home Farm community pool in Westminster, CO. S with her dear friends C and L. We lived at this swimming pool. S has a "Zip" tattoo on her arm from the pedestrian shuttle at Flatirons Mall. We went to the mall all the time... just to ride the Zip (oh and get a free tattoo).

Tag you're it.

Oceanside Harbor

A relaxing back massage, courtesy of our kids.

Friends

We had a fun time with the Matsuyoshi Family this weekend!

Math Festival

Our school hosted a very fun "Math Festival" this week. The kids visited multiple stations where they participated in fun mathematical activities, including...

Music (shakers, rhythm)

the ever popular (and tasty) M&M Math,

marshmellows and toothpicks,

cup stacking,

and paper airplane building and tossing.

Jeff was able to participate, and we met many new friends.

Swimming in October

If Z isn't looking at the camera, J will take it upon himself to physically "make" him look at the camera. That's what big brothers are for, right?

I snapped these photos today. Yes, it's October and yes, it's still warm enough to go swimming. Crazy California. We love our YMCA.

October Costumes

A walk down memory lane...

2003: S Kitten

2004: S Ladybug

2005: S ladybug (again) and J cowboy outfit w/ cute horse feet (you'll see this again on Z in 2007)

2006: S Tigger and J pumpkin

2007: S (Rainbow Girl), J Tigger (again) and Z Cowboy onesie (again).

Apparently, I'm a huge believer in recycling costumes. You can plan on seeing Z in the pumpkin outfit this year.

For 2008, we plan to focus more on celebrating Fall and downplaying Halloween. We'll probably attend a local church's Autumn-fest in lieu of trick-or-treating.

On a personal note, I'm sick this week. Just a head cold but boy is it the pits. I think S is starting something too. Welcome to the cold season.

No Whining.

Haircuts

I've been giving the devoted Mr. Garland his haircuts for over 10 years now. We have never spent a cent on haircuts for the kids. I'm not a beautician but hair cutting isn't rocket science. (It's probably more like planar geometry if you think about it.) It's a huge money saver ($15 x 12 months x 4 people = $720/year) and it's totally fun family time!

The big question: How do I get the kids to hold still? We have used the tv in the past but recently, we put one kid in charge of the treat bowl (m&m and smarties) and they get to feed the haircut-ee a treat every few minutes during the haircut if they're sitting still. The kids love to be the one feeding the treats to their sibling. I occasionally need a little extra assistance (from Jeff) with Z but I've done his haircut alone a few times already. If you can set up shop on your back porch (near a plug for the clippers), and the weather is nice, that is optimal. A kitchen works great too.

Here are some supplies that I use:
blue haircutting apron (found at beauty supply shops for a few bucks)
good haircutting scissors
good clippers with variety of guards (pay more than $20 for this, it's worth it in the long run)
large clips for keeping girls hair divided
water spray bottle
comb
the key: bowl of m&ms and smarties, our treat of choice
broom to clean up afterwards

Any other hair cutters out there?

*** Post-note: These photos were taken in my parent's backyard, on a recent visit. (Thanks for snapping them, Mom!) I'd love to have a backyard like this too!!!

October Snapshots

Fall crafts with friends (l to r: S, J, D and C).

Brothers.

The devoted Mr. Garland has taken the kids to watch a local high school football game on Thursday nights recently. They love it.

Many Home Depots have kid projects available on the first Saturday of each month.
This one was a fun red fire engine.

We love assembling Mouse Trap.