It's All About the Pumpkins

Before I get into the quest for pumpkins, here are some pictures from Thursday night. Alexander wanted to sleep in the "Wii room" (aka, the Florida room) like he was camping. So, I set up his bed out there. 

Later, I went in to check on him and he was still sleeping, but in a different position. :)

Glenn saw a tiny spider in his room (not sure how he'd see that with the light off, he he), and didn't want to sleep in his room. So, I set up a bed for him in the Florida room, too. Later, I checked on him, too. His Taggie blanket is over his face. He sleeps like that all the time.

Now onto today! Glenn's school gave him two free children's tickets to a fall farm festival at Timberline Farm just south of Ocala. So, we figured that would make for some fun fall family time. Unfortunately, despite the tickets for them and the $16 we paid for Bob and I, the costs only started there. That was only to get you in the door, so to speak. We were able to go in the corn maze and the boys could play on some bales of hay. But everything else cost anywhere from $3 to $5 per activity (bounce house, cow train, hay ride, monster truck ride, and other activities). I really felt bad for the boys because there was no way we could afford that. But they still managed to have fun. First, we looked at the monster fire truck. They thought it was pretty cool!

Then we went in the corn maze. Now, if you've ever been in the corn maze, you know that there should be clear paths. Well, the corn was kind of falling down (didn't look like a very strong crop) and so the corn stalks were in our way the whole time. It did add to a spooky effect, though. And we still have wind from Hurricane Sandy, so every once in a while the corn would really sway. That made us feel like we were on a ride. The boys loved it!

Here are my goofy boys!

They played on the hay for about a half hour. I liked that there was a big tree with Spanish moss in it behind the hay; it made for a nice picture.

 

And, no, Alexander is not doing the heavy metal horns in the picture below. He is all about Spiderman. So, whenever he's being goofy, he pretends he's doing the Spiderman hands to spin a web.

 

 

Since the title of this post is about pumpkins, you're probably wondering where the pumpkin discussion is. Well, we thought there'd be a lot of pumpkins to choose from at the farm. There weren't. So next, we went to the Market at Marion, which is the largest, most organized flea and farm market I've ever seen. They didn't have any pumpkins, either. So, we stopped at a deli near our home that also sells local produce. We got our pumpkin!!! Here are the boys scooping it out. 

 

After they were done, Alexander decided he should paint it. So, I set him up outside. It took many positions to get it all painted. I don't know if you can see, but his tongue is sticking out in two of the pictures.

 

 

He painted it mostly blue and hopes that Nana and Papa will like it because blue is their favorite color. 

The boys wanted me to roast the pumpkin seeds (Alexander actually tried them raw- not so tasty). As I was cleaning them, I found these seeds below where they were already starting to sprout. I have never seen that inside a pumpkin before. So, we planted them. :)

 

Since almost everyone that reads this blog is in the Northeast, please be careful of Sandy coming your way. I'll pray that you all stay safe!

Cuboree 2012

We went on our first camping trip as a family this weekend. It was for Glenn's Cub Scouts- the Marion County Cuboree! We ate dinner when Bob came home from work on Friday and then took off for the camp. It was in the middle of the Ocala National Forest (a little over a half hour from home). We were in the middle of a field (not the best place to tent camp, especially when it's hot out). We have two tents, so we put the openings close together so the boys could have their own tent, but still be right next to us. They were so excited that they had a hard time falling asleep. I think it wasn't until after 10 when they finally fell asleep. It didn't help that there were screaming kids running around everywhere. 

In this first picture, Glenn and Alexander were finally allowed to get out of the tent (after waking up at 4:30)!!! 

Happy, Silly Brothers

Getting ready for the morning's activities

After the flag raising ceremony, the packs were broken up into groups to rotate to different activities where the boys could earn "belt loops," metal things that go on their belt. Our first rotation was to sports. They learned the rules for badminton and kick ball. Then they had a chance to play each. However, Glenn really did not want to play either. But Alexander was ready for anything. Here he is during the practice for badminton:

Alexander learning how to hit a birdie

He had a lot of really cute poses. The other kids and parents enjoyed watching him, too. 

They had tether ball for the kids to play, as well. Glenn and another boy in his pack did this for pretty much the whole hour. Alexander played a little, too.

Alexander played kick ball, too. He kicked the ball, but didn't understand where to run to, so he ended up getting out. But he didn't care. Then he made friends with a boy in another pack and hung out with him when their team was on the field.

Next, our group rotated to geocaching. However, the geo-compasses didn't work because we were in the middle of no where and couldn't get a signal. So, they played capture the flag, tug-o-war, knot tying. I didn't see this because I took Alexander for a walk since I thought geocaching would be over his head. But I guess Glenn enjoyed those, except for knot tying.

I tried to get a serious face on Alexander or a smile, but he insisted sticking his tongue out.

 

Glenn then learned how to make a map and use a compass. He really understood direction and did a good job with his map. Then we had a break for lunch. I fell asleep in our hot tent after lunch; I was exhausted after only getting five hours of sleep. 

Then we thought we were going to get to go for a canoe ride, but it turned out they were only meant for the forth and fifth graders. So, the boys got to swim instead. Alexander jumped in with his friend from kick ball. His friend was impressed with Alexander's swimming ability. Glenn started building a dribble castle. Then a bunch of other kids joined him so that the beach was lined with dribble castles. 

We went for our last activity, archery. I was a bit nervous about this, especially with Alexander. They had been looking forward to it all day. Alexander said he wanted to do the "Brave" thing. The movie, "Brave" that came out this summer, has a girl who loves to do archery. Glenn used a long bow since he is left handed.  He did pretty well! Alexander used a compound bow and he didn't have the strength to pull the arrow back. So, they had people to help him. He loved it!

There were no fire rings, so Bob borrowed a shovel and made his own. We roasted hot dogs for supper.

 

 

Of course we had s'mores for dessert!

After our little fire, we went to the Cuboree fire where packs put on skits and sang silly songs. The boys enjoyed that. Then we went to bed! It didn't take the boys long to fall asleep; me either! We could tell it was going to be a cold night. Alexander's sleeping bag is not very warm. So, when he woke up shivering, asking for help to get back into his sleeping bag, we decided to let him in with us. He kept us warm, too! The boys woke up around 5:30. When it was about 7, we finally decided to brave the cold and pack up. When we got into the car, it said it was 44 degrees. That means it was even colder earlier. It's crazy that it can go from 80's during the day and drop 40 degrees at night.

When we got home, Alexander decided to make a camp fire out of his Tomas the Train tracks. Then he took a pencil and put a wooden bead on it for a marshmallow. Later he found something to be a hot dog. Like his glasses? He wants to be like the rest of the family wearing glasses. I got them at the Dollar Tree a while back. 

 

 

It was a lot of fun. But I've had a neck ache all day and we've all been pretty exhausted. Hopefully sleeping tonight will get us back on schedule and be refreshed to start the new week.

All Sorts of Excitement

We've had quite the excitement this week. Glenn made a boat with his daddy last weekend and had the Rain Gutter Regatta for Cub Scouts on Monday. 

Glenn's boat came in second for his den (all 2nd graders, and only three came). So, he got a ribbon for his uniform. It is the red, white and blue ribbon with a white sail boat attached to it. Doesn't he look so proud?

 

We have been walking to pick up Glenn at school this week. I found out from one of our neighbors that there is a narrow road that goes to the back of the school property. It is 1.1 miles one way. Alexander has to go both ways, of course, and has been a bit stubborn at times. He'd rather explore. But he's doing better. We took Cubby for a walk with us once, and Cubby actually pulls Alexander along. Glenn loves our walks home. He holds my hand and just talks to me the whole way. 

Alexander and Glenn tried riding their bikes without training wheels today. Glenn had done it when we were in Orange Park. But his bike was on the rental truck for so long that he forgot how. So, finally it was cooler today and we could try. Glenn lacks a bit of confidence, and never has been very athletic, but he made a little progress today. And Alexander wanted to try (he has been asking me all week since we read about Franklin the turtle learning to ride his bike). We tried once before supper and he was really getting the hang of it. We went again after supper and he's got it. I could barely keep up. He needs help getting started, but he's learned to stop on his own. He's just so athletic, while Glenn's my thinker. Alexander was kicking the soccer ball around at a year old, and you may remember that he climbed out of his crib shortly after he turned one. He's also had really good balance. So, I wasn't surprised that he could ride his bike at just 4 year old. But I was surprised that he learned in one day. He's very proud of himself. He laughs constantly while he's riding or says, "I'm doing it!" over and over. He's so adorable! He'll be getting a bigger bike for Christmas because his current bike has 12 inch tires. 

And lastly, I wanted to let you all know I am doing the Walk 4 Life the first Saturday in November. It will benefit the Women's Pregnancy Center of Ocala. They counsel pregnant women and show they all their options and try to persuade them away from abortion. They also have other programs including ultrasounds, parenting classes and adoption support groups and aide. I know a woman who has been counseling at the center for years. I also know a little boy who's mother went there for counseling and gave him up for adoption to my friend who could not have any children. She can still go back for counseling whenever she feels she needs it. They do wonderful things at the Women's Pregnancy Center, far beyond pregnancy. If you would like to sponsor me, you may do so at the following link or just let me know and I can put you on a pledge form, and you will receive a bill for the pledge amount. Thank you for your consideration:

My Walk 4 Life Sponsor Page

My Little Cub Scout and a Great Meal

Glenn wore his Cub Scout uniform for the first time last night. He was very serious with his salute.

I found how to make baked tortilla bowls in the Food Network Magazine. The boys loved eating their chicken Mexican salad out of their bowls. They also liked adding all the toppings and I've never seen them eat so much salad. I think we have a keeper!

To make the tortilla bowls, preheat the oven to 425. Cover a ceramic mug (or can with label removed or small oven safe bowl) with foil. Spray foil with vegetable oil spray. Mix one table spoon of olive oil with water in a shallow bowl or plate (I used one of my dinner plates). Soak a tortilla in the water/oil mixture for 5 seconds. Then drape the tortilla over the foil and shape a bit making pleats.  Bake for five minutes! So easy!!!

Alexander the Photographer

Alexander took some more pictures, so I thought I'd share. He has a unique perspective.

He asked to use my camera to take a picture of Glenn. What was Glenn doing? He was getting ready to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. He loves to pose for pictures, so he put the bread over his shoulder. I think he may have already put the bread over his shoulder so that he could have a hand free to get the jelly.

Alexander and I went to the farmer's market at the town square. He took a picture of this horse that is on display. He loves to spot the horses all around town. I like his low to the ground perspective. :)