Halloween Birthday

Having a child with a birthday next to Halloween is nice.  No need to think up a theme or even buy candy since it's on the way.  It's great having more cousins close by to come play with the boys, even though some actually ended up travelling a lot we really appreciate them coming. Paxton is finally learning names of his cousins and a few of his classmates in preschool. He did need some coaching on how to blow these candles out, but after he finally closed his lips a bit he got them. 

Since Bennett is big enough to protest loudly when he wants something, Paxton has become better at sharing his toys. They are so spoiled with toys we don't have patience for fighting over one.  

Thanks to Jared's co-worker, we ended up with this great Batman costume for Halloween.  He only saw a small bit of the movie but it was enough to remember and he was thrilled with the costume.

These kids really do look like monsters with the red-eye going on. This photo is from Paxton's pre-school performance. They had one of their teachers tell some stories and the kids sang a few songs. It was quite a spectacle of parents with cameras, phones and other smart whatever trying to record the moment.

We didn't plan the timing but it so happened that the in-ground trampoline was finished by Halloween. We're fortunate to be having such mild weather so the kids can enjoy it.  It was a LOT of work and there's still a large pile of dirt in the garden which Jared shoveled out.

Bennett is getting the timing of jumping on the trampoline.  Sometimes he still looks like a clown doing a comedy act because he sort of pushes the trampoline down rather than letting it do the work for him. The hardest part is just keeping Paxton under some sort of control so both boys don't get hurt. But let's face it, they will get hurt somehow sometime! And I'll have a front row seat for it. 

I had to put this one in for aunt Roz. She crocheted this little dog for Bennett and the other morning he was cuddling with it from the moment he woke up. He even hung on to it while he ate breakfast from start to finish. It really is astonishing how quickly these babies grow up. The day finally came for Bennett to go to nursery at church and I couldn't take it. I got him there but as I was leaving one of the workers asked how I was doing and I couldn't hold back the tears. I kept crying when I got to Sunday School. Bennett, well, he was fine! Played, had his snack, colored, had a great time.