Annual trip to Tate Farms.

We almost didn't make it. Between Ben's trips out of town and the rain, Tate Farms just about missed out on us. We had a great time until the end. Tempers flared and our photo at the pumpkin house is minus one kid.

Aren't you sorry you didn't go with us?

Of course, a funny. We had finally arrived at the point where we needed to go and pick our pumpkins. We loaded in the wagon with a couple other "groups" and headed out to the fields. Once there, we all unloaded, wondered around looking for the most challenging pumpkins for Ben to carve and loaded back up. On our ride back, a worker from Tate Farms stopped us and asked if "Henry" was on our wagon. We all looked around and said no. This lady on the end of the wagon looked at Ben and asked if that little boy sitting next to him was his. Nope. It was Henry.

See, we really don't notice any additional kids thrown in the mix.

Totally inappropriate.

Ally spent the night at Anna's last night. Anna's Mom took them to the mall to buy friendship bracelets and to stop in a couple of stores. They did the bracelet thing and headed to the next store; Victoria's Secret. She ran in to exchange a bra. Didn't look around for nighties, didn't pick up a pair of thongs, just grabbed the correct size, did the exchange and left. Upon exiting the store, Ally vocalized her feelings:

"That was totally inappropriate."

Her Mother called me this morning to apologize for corrupting my daughter.

My name is Steve.

Setting: Chick Fil A playground

Characters: Caleb, Joshua, 2 year old little girl

Time: before lunch

As the scene opens, Mother of Caleb and Joshua is sitting in play area. Little girl's Mother has exited to order her food. All three children are in the climbing thing.

Little girl: Let's play a game. Hide and Seek. You count to 12.

Caleb and Joshua: (silence)

Little girl: Count so I can hide.

Caleb and Joshua: (silence)

All three children race down the slide and climb back up to the top.

Little girl: What is your name?

Caleb or Joshua: Ummmm

Little girl: What is your name?

Caleb or Joshua: Steve

Scene ends as Mother retrieves little girl and the boys continue to play. Mother of Caleb and Joshua feels proud that her sweet, innocent little boys didn't fall for the little girl's brazen ways.

WANTED: Toys for Christmas.

My poor children. Nothing to play with except dirty laundry.

A trip to the park.

Ben , the girls and I went to see Fantasy Playhouse's Alice in Wonderland Sunday afternoon. I've never liked the movie and the play was very strange. However, our little actress can do a pretty good Cheshire cat. One of Ally's friends from Helen was supposed to assistant direct, but due to a family emergency she had to fill in as Tweedledum. After the show, Ally very selectively got her program autographed. Ms. Samantha signed "-dum (heart) ". Unfortunately, her heart looked like an A to Ally and she wanted to know why she signed her program "dum A". I don't think Ally knows what that can mean, but it was so funny her asking.

While we were at the play, the boys stayed with Nina, Pop Pop Ed, Jackie, Mark and Griffin. The park will never be the same. Here's a slideshow of the action:

Did you ever think . . . when you married me?

Happy 14th Anniversary!

Halloween Decorations

Not too much excitement on day 2 of Fall Break. I spent the morning picking up, the boys ran around the house and occasionally bugged their sisters and the girls locked themselves in their bedrooms playing barbies.

We met Nina for lunch at the smallest sandwich shop in Huntsville, or at least it felt that way with my group. I did have a man allow me to grab two plastic fireman hats if I promised to wear them. Unfortunately, I wasn't much in the mood to fulfill fantasies today so he didn't get his "show". Nina escaped from us and we headed to Target. Three bags of candy, 3 different kinds of vitamins, 2 trips to the potty, 2 boxes of the beloved muffin tops, 1 trip through the Halloween costume aisle and 1 run-over foot later, we left.

We did notice a little Halloween decoration today. Last week we had a beautiful spider web in front of the house. I never saw the spider, but the web was really a look into the wonders of God's creatures. Today there was another web on the basketball goal. Amazing. Hayden spotted the spider and it was HUGE. I've heard it said that nice web, nice spider, ugly web, ugly spider. It was a nice web so I figured the spider would be nice and let me take it's picture. It must be related to my children. I got the shot all ready and it ran away. After tripping over myself and breaking apart it's web, I did get a picture. Just not a very good one.

We ended the night with a big bang: Spencer's 13th birthday. Happy Birthday and let me know when you want to go to Claire's . . . I'm paying!

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Dashing through the garden between raindrops.

Fall break day one. Everyone was playing nicely when I decided to stir it up. The rain had stopped and I thought it was in the family's best interest to get some fresh air. Pack it up, let's move, let's move. Off to the Botanical Gardens for the scarecrow trail. We had 1 hour and 45 minutes until swim practice. No lingering at the scarecrows and stay out of the wet grass. Everybody smile and no complaining. Now, have fun. I must say it was a fun trip. The kids enjoyed finding the scarecrows and I was successful at getting some pictures. I was able to motivate the kids to navigate the corn maze in record time. On the way in to the gardens, Hayden was commenting on the desserts the cafe was serving. While I was waiting (forever) for Ally to come out of the bathroom and Hayden had the boys at the train, I snuck into the cafe and bought a piece of chocolate caramel pecan cake and a coke. When we got to the maze I told the kids that when I said go, they should start the maze and I would start eating the cake. If they made it out quickly, they might get a bite, if not, well too bad for them. I only got one bite.