We had a fun Halloween! It was the first Halloween that Jackson really understood and got into it. He was all over telling everyone that he was "BATMAN!" and saying "trick or treat!" We had dinner with friends and then all went downtown trick or treating at all the merchants and to a carnival at the library.
Jackson is taking "big kid" swim lessons with his friend Nathan. He goes every Tuesday and Thursday for a month. It started last week. The first lesson Jackson didn't know what to do or what was expected of him so he was pretty much all over the place. But on Thursday he did much better, and tonight was a complete turn around. He stayed with his class and followed instructions much better and only got out of the pool once. At least he is having fun : )
We were in Walmart yesterday morning and we turned down an isle where a Mennonite family was shopping. Jackson says out loud for all to hear, "Why are those kids wearing costumes?" I tried to ignore him until they passed, but he was rather insistent on an explanation. I don't know if it is because I told him he can't wear his halloween costume for a few more weeks, and thought they shouldn't either or what. So after they had passed, I told him those were their regular clothes. And he then wanted to know their names, so I quietly told him to say, "Hi my name is Jackson, what is your name?" Which he preceded to holler down the isle at them! And then he was smiling and waving at them everytime we passed them through the rest of the store. I am sure they were ready to get home after my son was stalking them all morning! HA!
We had a great time visiting with David's brother and sister-in-law this past week. They live in CO and due to various circumstances we haven't gotten to see them in a long time. So we were VERY happy to get to know the kids a little more and catch up with Brian & Jenny. All the kids loved holding and playing with Kinsey : ) And they especially liked playing outside! Jackson was very sad when they had to leave on Monday afternoon. He said, "I don't want all my friends to go!" Hopefully we'll get to see them again soon!
Kinsey Grace is 11 months old today! I was able to catch this picture of her this morning in the backyard. 
Our town holds an annual Little Egypt Festival and so we went to the parade this afternoon. We sat right near the beginning of the parade route with some of our friends. It was actually a pretty long parade (2 hours) and the kids got SO much candy!! You know you got too much candy when about 2/3 of the way through the parade the kids are tired of picking it up and it is just laying in front of you on the road! There were tons of firetrucks (which are one of Jackson's favorites) and several marching bands (which as you will see below were both of their favs). It was fun, but they both missed afternoon naps so that wasn't so fun later this evening! Oh well, they are both sleeping VERY peacefully now : )
We went to Marlow's Pumpkin Patch this morning. Jackson has been waiting ALL week to pick out a pumpkin to bring home! It was a really cute place with tons of pumpkins to choose from in every shape and size, lots of cute character cut outs (Sesame Street, Dora, Pooh), Corn Maze, playground, small petting zoo, haunted barn and Hayride. It was all a lot of fun!
I took this picture of Kinsey at the soccer game last night. I love to see her toothy smile!
We have been having several conversations lately about what Jackson would like to dress up like for Halloween. When I first asked him, he said Spiderman and then Batman. We finally settled on Batman (since we already had an outfit and only had to buy the mask--trying to save a little). But then at a garage sale today, they had a Spiderman costume for a quarter, so I couldn't pass it up. He then wanted to wear the Spiderman costume with the Batman mask : ) It is so funny watching him "pretend" play and act like he is really Spiderman! Here he is "shooting his web". He's cute that is all I can say!
On Saturday evening, we went to the TH Fall Festival before heading back home. Jackson couldn't wait for the parade. He was asking about going to "see firetrucks and get candy" since Thursday night. Jackson & Claire each got fire chief hats at the parade. And played a game at the park to win a free gold fish (we decided to send our fish home with another little girl who really wanted one). It was great to see some old friends and especially to meet Jacci's new baby girl, Maggie.
Here are all the girl cousins on my mom's side of the family at Traci's baby shower on Saturday morning (L-R, Courtney, Claire, me, Kinsey, Traci, Melody & Madi). She is expecting a baby girl in October. Kinsey liked helping with the presents and eating lots of muffins. 
Being a mom to a 2 1/2 year old is very much like riding a roller coaster . . . there are highs and lows, sharp curves when you least expect it, and mostly a lot of fun! After our MOPS meeting this morning, I am once again encouraged and thankful to be right where I am. I am more than blessed to care for, play with, teach and learn from two amazing little people. Though, we have our ups and downs, I am so thankful that God has put me right here!
