Happy Halloween!

We had so much fun this year! We went to the annual church "Trunk-or-Treat"and then Nat and Nathanael headed out for more candy in our neighborhood. Uncle David came over and helped Caitlin and me hand out candy. Although, I think he was enjoying eating it just as much as he was passing it out. Later, in the true spirit of what adults do after the kids are asleep, (see my "adult dessert" posting), we ordered pizza and watched "The Others" with David. Nathanael had so much candy that we had to help him by eating just a few pieces. After all that's what we're supposed to do, right?!


Me and my "little kitty."



"Meow!"



All cats like mice, right?!




Can you guess who this is?




Nat and me...I mean Darth Vader and me!

Anakin the younger and Anakin the older!

Does anyone else want some candy?

Uncle David gave Nathanael an electronic Clone Trooper helmet. Nathanael was in Star Wars heaven!!

Nathanael had a costume party to go to the next day. Can you guess what he chose to be?

Talent Show!

As part of "Red Ribbon/Anti-Drug" week, Nathanael's school had a talent show today to show the kids things they can do instead of drugs. It was also "cap day" to "put a cap on drugs."

Mr. Cool decided to wear his cap backwards!



Nathanael was the only piano performer to announce his piece and not use his music. He played "That One Scary Song" by Bach. (The video is a little out of focus because we were so far away...Sorry.)

Aunt Linda's Caramel Corn

This is just for you Amber... and any of our other family and friends who will enjoy this recipe. Nat's aunt is an awesome cook and always has delicious food that she makes when we visit. The caramel popcorn that she makes is one of our favorites. We always think of her when we make it. Now, you'll have to think of us and how much you miss us every time you make this caramel corn! Ha!! Enjoy!

Microwave Caramel Corn

1 large unused brown paper bag (from the grocery store)
3 bags of microwave popcorn popped with uncooked hulls removed

1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup white corn syrup

1 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp white vinegar

1/4 tsp baking soda

1. If you haven't already, pop your popcorn, and remove hulls.
2. Put popped corn in paper bag and set aside.
3. In a microwave safe mixing bowl, heat butter and white corn syrup in microwave on high for 1 minute.
4. Add brown sugar and stir until smooth.
5. Add vanilla and white vinegar, stir, then microwave for 3 minutes.
6. Add soda and stir at least 1 minute until foamy.
7. Pour caramel syrup mixture on top of popcorn in the paper bag and stir with a large serving spoon until popcorn is coated. (It is very hot. Be careful!)
8. Close bag and microwave on high for 1 minute.
9. Take bag out of microwave and give it a good shaking for a few seconds.(Be sure to hold the top of the bag closed so that hot caramel corn doesn't come flying out.)
10. Put bag back in microwave and microwave for 1 minute.
11. Take bag out and shake it again.
12. Put bag back in microwave and microwave for 1 more minute.
13. Take bag out and shake it one last time.
14. Pour onto wax paper or in a big bowl and let cool a bit before eating. (You'll have to break it up once it cools because it sticks together.)

It's The Great Pumpkin...Not!

Did you know that pumpkins float?! We took Nathanael and his cousin to a local Halloween event where they turned an indoor pool into a pumpkin patch for kids. Nathanael had a blast! To our surprise he didn't choose the biggest pumpkin floating around. He wanted one that was, in his own words, "just my size."


Nathanael and his cousin.

Nathanael found his perfect pumpkin.

After finding just the right one, Nathanael got to paint his pumpkin.

The kids weren't the only ones that had fun... Is that the Great Pumpkin floating by?!

Dinner Guests

Nathanael was so excited to see one of his favorite teachers.

Caitlin loved Sara and her pretty necklace!

Last Sunday a dear friend of mine came over with her husband for dinner. My brother also joined us. The more the merrier, right?! I met Sara last year when I worked as her assistant at a local Montessori school. She is an awesome teacher and Nathanael was hoping to be in her class. Sara is one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. We enjoyed our Sunday dinner with family and friends.

Adult Dessert!

No, it's not what you are thinking! When you have a picky eater you will resort to any means to get them to eat what you have prepared! (I'll get to that in a minute.) Last week at the dinner table we were having a conversation. Nathanael wanted to know why he had to go to bed early and why we got to stay up late. Nat proceeded to tell him that adults get to have a party when the kids go to bed. He said we play fun games, watch movies, eat lots of candy and yummy desserts. He followed it up with, "...then we make sure that we eat it all gone before you wake up." By this time Nathanael looked like he was about to cry. Seeing this as the perfect opportunity to get him to eat something other than chicken nuggets, pizza, or hot dogs, Nat told him that if he ate his dinner every night during the week he would get a special "adult dessert" fixed especially by him at the end of the week. Needless to say, Nathanael is eating better. He asks me every day, "What are we having for adult dessert tonight?"

Hook'em Horns!!

After Texas' big win this past weekend...I just couldn't resist! The "Red River Rivalry" is such a big event in our house. Well, at least for Nat. Ha! Last night he was so sweet. Through the miracle of TEVO he showed me all of the best plays from Saturday's game. I'm just glad they won, if you know what I mean. :)

The "Texas Fight" song is one of Nat's favorites. I have to admit it will grow on you after you have heard it enough. Listen to "The Yellow Rose of Texas", "Wabash Cannonball", and his all time favorite the "March Grandioso."

Click on "Texas Fight" or one of the other songs mentioned above after you click on the link below and enjoy...

http://www.music.utexas.edu/LonghornBand/SoundClips/Default.aspx#

In case you want to sing along...

Texas Fight, Texas Fight,

And it's goodbye to A&M.

Texas Fight, Texas Fight,

And we'll put over one more win.

Texas Fight, Texas Fight,

For it's Texas that we love best.

Hail, Hail, The gang's all here,

And it's good-bye to all the rest!

(YELL) Yea Orange! Yea White!

Yea Longhorns! Fight! Fight! Fight!

Texas Fight! Texas Fight,

Yea Texas Fight!

Texas Fight! Texas Fight,

Yea Texas Fight!

Splish, Splash...

Caitlin loves to splash! Sometimes she ends up splashing herself in the face and doesn't quite know what to think. The other day she seemed to do it just to hear Nathanael laugh. We hope this made you laugh just a little bit too.

Nathanael in Action

Nathanael loves playing soccer just about as much as Nat loves coaching his team! In the clip below you will see Nathanael #4 take a shot at the goal. He came very close to scoring a goal for his team.

Teeth!

Caitlin finally has two bottom teeth that she has been working on for a while now. They broke through about two weeks ago and they are finally out enough to see. She is just like a little puppy chewing on everything - including my fingers and hands when she gets close enough.

Nathanael has lost eight teeth since last school year. There is a "loose tooth tree" at his school that is on the wall near the cafeteria. Children that have loose teeth and have lost teeth since the summer have their names on a paper tooth that is displayed on the tree. There is a foil star sticker on it for each tooth lost. Needless to say Nathanael is proud of his stars!

Nathanael is doing great in school. He will be performing one of the pieces that he played for his piano recital at the talent show soon. He is so excited about it and loves to play his songs for his friends. The piece he will be playing is called "That One Scary Song." Most of us know it as Toccata and Fugue in D minor by Bach. Of course, I would love to say that Nathanael is a child prodigy and can play the entire piece, but he plays a scaled down version of the first couple of lines of the piece. He did very well at his piano recital and played two pieces - the one previously mentioned and a Star Wars theme song duet with his piano teacher.