SNOW!

We had our first snowfall yesterday in Tosa. The boys were super excited! Sam declined a trip to Starbucks for a treat so he could go home and play outside. Just right now, he told me he didn't want to watch cartoons - he wants to play outside.

Here are the boys on the sled about to go down the tiny hill in our backyard. And as you can see, we got just enough snow to lightly cover the ground. The boys are desperate for it to snow more. Enjoy the photos and video: First Snowfall

Trainfest!

At the suggestion of a friend, we took the boys to Trainfest - "America's Largest Operating Model Railroad Show." Needless to say, Sam and Henry love it - and we had a hard time with them when it was time to leave. Held at the Expo building on the State Fair Grounds, the event was huge, filled with vendors and train enthusiasts clubs displaying their models. Sam, especially, was engrossed in all of the displays. He begged us to buy him "remote controlled train." Maybe Santa will buy it..... PHOTOS: Trainfest 2013

Halloween at Roosevelt Elementary

Sam celebrated Halloween with a party at his school. After making a monster craft, playing pin the wings on the bat, creating a treat bag and reading a Halloween story, the students marched in a costume parade with the help of some of the Wauwatosa East High School marching band. The original plan was to parade around the outside of the school, but rain forced the festivities inside. I was a parent volunteer in Sam's classroom for the afternoon and had a blast.

Mr. Sperl's afternoon junior kindergarten class:

Here is a link to a video of the parade: Costume Parade (Sam's teacher, Mr Sperl, is the one dressed as a yellow crayon.)

Trick or Treat

We've had an adventurous last two days, ending with a candy overload.

On Friday, we carved pumpkins. Sam and Henry insisted on scary pumpkins. They didn't really want to touch the insides of them, however. Maybe next year.

On Saturday, we drove to Sullivan to visit Anne and Neal. After lunch at a super yummy Mexican restaurant, we went for a bike ride on the Glacial Drumlin Trail, which goes by Anne and Neal's house. We rode about two miles.

Saturday was also trick-or-treat night in our neighborhood - it's organized by the neighborhood association. Jonah, who was dressed as a bumble bee, and I stayed at the house to hand out candy while Dave took Sam - a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle - and Henry - Brewster, a train from Chuggingtons - out to all the houses. (By the way, Sam said he didn't want to wear his turtle mask for fear he would scare people.) Most of our neighbors were outside, chatting and many of them had bonfires. It was a blast, and the boys came home with tons of candy. (Anyone want some?!)

Sam's class will be celebrating Halloween on the actual day with a party and costume parade, so there will be more pictures of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle coming later in the week.

Enjoy the photos: Halloween

Go Red Sox!

October

We've had an eventful few weeks, enjoying the cool, autumn weather. Sam visited a pumpkin patch with his class last week. Although many parents traveled with their students, I wasn't able to go with Jonah and Henry in tow. But Sam was paired with a classmate and his mom. Despite some rain, he had a great time, riding on a school bus and picking out a pumpkin.

As some of you probably saw on Facebook, I've been working with Sam on his letters, which you can see in the photos. I feel he really is getting it, and it seems like he really wants to learn. Photos: October

We've made a push to potty train Henry in the past week. It's going OK. He likes to sing while sitting on the potty. In the video from the October gallery linked above, he is singing: "Waiting for the poopy. Waiting for mommy."

Dave and I celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary on the 13th. Sam and Henry spent a few days in Platteville while Dave and I enjoyed the few days with just Jonah. Sarah Wang came that Saturday to stay with Jonah while Dave and I went to a restaurant. Photos: Fall Fun