Pumpkins, pumpkins, pumpkins ... or just jackolaterns

The day before Halloween is our day to carve pumpkins,

last year we carved jackolaterns the day before the day of Halloween

and carved Sorens pumpkin on the day before Halloween.

This year I couldn't afford Soren's pumpkin. In his size.

Last year's memories.

This year's memories.

Ready. Set. Go. Last year Chiara was still coloring her pumpkin with Sharpies. This year she was working hard on cleaning out her pumpkin and drew her design on, but carved it almost by herself. A little help is acceptable, but she did a fantastic job.

Isabell still thinks it's a all yuck inside but is also carving her masterpiece without any help at all. Aren't our girls growing up?

Are you missing Soren? He was a BIG fussy head, crying and screaming most of the time and not really happy even with being outside and ended up in bed when he reach the limit of all of our patiences.

Her are the GIRLS' masterpieces.

Do you see all of our pumkin farm pumpkins minus the one that had to leave to go to school on Monday?

The girls were almost done Leland is asking where our pumpkins were!!!

Can't you say anything before? Mention this a day or two or three earlier!!!

So, while the two get ready for bed, I head to the supermarket, to look for two more pumpkins, orange, medium to big in size, round if possible with a stem, ...

NO LUCK, all that was left 'Fairytale pumkins', small baking pumpkins.

So, off I went to Walmart, crazy idea, I tell you, that place was a nut house. BUT I found TWO, BIG, ORANGE, ROUND pumpkins and for $2 each. I love a bargain.

So when I am already there I also find Halloween shirts for the two youngest in the family and those have a sticker on

MOVE ME

I LIGHT UP

Just as a warning: I am trying to get a toddler to sleep who is fuzzy but wearing a Halloween shirt that blinks red when he is moving. Not a smart idea. A rather stupid idea. I might have to strip him off his shirt. - I DID.

So a while later back at home, in Soren's company we worked on our pumpkins.

Did you ever use a drill for carving pumpkins? Leland does. Also a part of my mixer without intended to eat any pumpkin.

Here they are. Leland's and Mine.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN HAPPY HALLOWEEN

from the Bissell Gang

Roadtrip to Marble Falls

Can you see all the excitement? The happiness? Getting buckled in for a roadtrip!

And all that for going to a pumpkin farm. Lucky me!

Chiara needed to bring a small pumpkin to school on Monday, so on Saturday with a nice weather prognosys and as always the last weekend before Halloween we got all packed up to drive to Marble Falls to the Sweet Berry Farm for an afternoon with PUMPKINs and more PUMPKINs.

So 30 minutes after finally getting the DVD player to open and to work, 1 hour off driving with a stop at the Germany bakery and spending $5.10 on a loaf of Tic-Tac-Toe Bread (true German bread even I never heard of the name before) and another stop at Wal-mart for fresh Salami from the deli in Lampasas we arrived at the pumpkin farm.

Soren was first more interested with all the straw as with any of the pumpkins, but CHiara and Isabell wanted to pick their pumpkin out right away. Even with the stroller along I postponed that til the end because I doubt it would have been them carrying the pumpkins around until we were getting ready to leave again.

So after a few snapshots with fussy, grumpy, stubborn Soren who had a real rough day, we found a spot in the shade (Do you want to know that we had 87 degrees again?) and picknicked. After feeding all the little goats (a moment of true happiness for Soren) we got tickets for the hayride. The last hayride I remember was in South Hadley, Massachusetts, in the dark, cold, freezing, not here it was mainly DUSTY with a few scrarecrows and pumkin heads sitting inthe trees on the way. The girls enjoyed being in a high field of flowers and picking and cutting a big cup full of fresh flowers. We skipped the BIG maze, but had to find our way through the kid's maze without loosing anybody before the kids started picking out pumpkins

ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE, SIX

in all sizes and colors.

Just like last year after the pumkin farm came my enjoyable part of the trip and it was not putting the kids to bed, but having dinner with actually - hard to believe three pretty good behaving kids at Chilis in Marble Falls sitting outside on the balcony in the sun with a beautiful view over the river. We were a little too early for the sunset, but it really nice no matter what.

Seriously, going there for dinner sitting outside is worth to drive an hour and if you don't like Chili there's the River Grill right next to it.




Here is the link to lots of more pumpkin farm photos.

Hier ist der Link zu vielen weiteren Fotos von unserem Ausflug zur Pumpkin Farm.

Just an afternoon

If we don't loose track of time we usually are waiting outside for the girls and the schoolbus. Soren is always getting all excited when he sees the yellow bus and his sisters coming home and due to the nice bus driver he drops them off right at the drive way instead of at the bus stop. Our girls are the only ones who are getting off anyway, but he is truly supporting my lazyness. lol.

Up and on instead off heading inside we just sit on the front step, enjot the sun and talk. Today was one of those days and I got the old camera out to take some videos of our crazy kids. And for a change the girls even snapped pictures with me in front of the lense not behind. Doesn't happen very often.

Pumpkin Bread & Uropa Blomeyer

It's already gone. Believe me. It had absolutely no chance to survive or make past today. And even that barely.

Yesterday Soren and I made pumpkin bread. Our little pumpkin got an apron and a big chair and was helping pouring ingredients in the mixing bowl and mixing the batter for pumpkin bread. He did his job very seriously even he would have loved to stir thebatter with both hands rather as with a spoon. After pouring the batter in the form and putting it in the oven with a delicious smell in the whole house. Soren tried fresh batter for the first time licking out of a bowl.
The best part of baking of course.

And I am sure he enjoyed it. Don't you think so?

In the afternoon we met the girls at tumbling and the temperature drop like 20 degrees from the time leaving the house at 3 pm to 5 pm. It was cold, windy and of course on that day I choose to wear capris instead of jeans. Brrrrr. Luckily I had a hat for Soren in my bag and it might not be the most modern one but surely one my grandfather would like. So here is a picture in honor of Greatgrandfather Blomeyer. You see it stays in the family even thousands of miles away.

My Photography Buddy Award - Thanks

Presented To my kids, my love and my crazyness By Mama Belly Photo

"My Photography Buddy Award" Nominee:

Hank & Willie

Wordless Wednesday: 8 AM this morning

More participants for Wordless Wednesday you can find here and here.

Add on for the little baker

little while ago I made an apron as birthday present part of a little shopping basket filled for a little baker. Somehow there was still something missing. So Saturday morning just in time for the party I sewed a little baker's hat to complete the outfit. A few days I made a smaller one in pink and white, Soren's size, don't ask why pink beside that I already had the fabric, because I can't put it on for picture purposes. Somebody would get upset, and I am not talking about Soren. He loves PINK. Everything he sneaks out of his sisters' rooms is pink. Pink rings, pink bracelets, pink Polly Pocket car, ..... PINK.




- the blue/yellow apron set is for children age 5-8
- the pink/white apron set is for children age 2-5


The aprons are reversible, the pink is pink on one side and white on the other and the hat is adjustable with velcro.

And here something just for your tummy. Enjoy.

This weekend or almost 200 years ago

Saturday was one of those days. My mind for sure not with me. My head was drumming. Beautiful weather nevertheless.

We still had an engagement to go to and the kids were looking forward for a little friend's birthday party in the park. So with delay we finally got there and even Soren enjoyed the park and sliding and climbing and getting messy.

Pictures. Yes. I was supposed to take lots of pictures. Fantastic. Gives me something to do while the kids are playing and having fun. It would just be really helpful to take the battery out of the charger at home and pack it in, wouldn't it be.

But don't worry, even we have no party pictures there are LOTS of photos from yesterday if you like to go back to the year 1860.

The kids enjoyed the trip back in time. Covering their years when the gunfighters duelled and the canons shot on the battle field. Chiara of course loved especially the General's horse and all the other ones, too. If you got hungry you make your own pancake on a rake over open fire and of course for my little artist punching tin was just perfect. Chiara was all excited about learning a Indian dance - "Hop Like A Rabbit" and had no fear to be part of the Indian kids group. Isabell watched from the sideline.






And when you get a chance try Texas Tater from Opa's Sausage Wagon. There are really worth a try. But til you get to it enjoy our chocolate sprinkle coveres apples.

Photo Tour to 1860. Click here.

Did I mention that all this was at the Ogletree Gap Heritage Festival just around the corner?

Here are my too crazy cooks modelling the two baker's outfits I made. I just finished the blue hat in the morning just in time for wrapping the birthday gift up. The pink one is extra and more Soren's size, but I am not allowed to put this pink outfit onto him and to take a picture. Chiara didn't mind helping out. More to this you can find right HERE.

More Magnets & Clips - Waescheklammermagnete

Can you believe it, we actually went shopping for craft supplies by feet & stroller. No car required!

There was a yardsale further down the road and after our lunch plans got destroy (thanks a lot) and Soren and me were already dressed and ready to go, so we walked down the road to a yardsale.
Usually I am looking for kids' stuff there, but not one item. No toys, no books, no kids clothes, ....
but old suitcases, metal stands, some craft supplies and clothes hangers. Lots of clothes hangers.

And I couldn't resist an old old tool box which I plan on cleaning up and using for some craft supplies and also some wooden discs for more magnets, exactly the ones I wanted to get at the Hobbylobby whenever I get the chance to get into the next town sometime.

Soren was so fascinated by all those clotheshangers that he could not separated from them and took one in each hand home all excited. Crazy kid!

But last night I started some different magnet clips. Just buy using simple wooden clothespins.



I decorated one side with different paper, sealed it and added a magnet on the back side. Now I can use them to post all the notes on the refrigerator the girl are bringing home from school or keep some as small xmas gifts with a note attached.

Of course as soon as the girls see something new it is like always "Can I have it?"

Chiara was all happy with one and started decorating the second side. LOL. And gave me an idea. You might get to see it soon.

Award, award, award

I received an award from Bridget at Mama Belly Blog. Thank You Bridget, you are such a sweetheart.



Here it is...





Here are the rules for passing on this award:



1. The winner can put the logo on his/her blog.

2. Link the person you received your award from.

3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.

4. Put links of those blogs on yours.

5. Leave a message on the blogs of the persons you've nominated.



Here are some awesome blogs I am reading right now, check them out! Some I know since a while and some I just found. There is no special order.



I give them the award:


1. Natalie at FL Home Blog

2. S Club 3: Life as a Trio

3. Becky at Smile It's Becky

4. Elizabeth at Pigtails and Snails

5. Gentri at Frogs and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails

6. Pauline at My 3 Beautiful Roses

7. Anelys at Mom to 3 Little Flowers

Click, Click, Clickety-Click

If Soren is not in sight you just have to follow the noise to where he is and you will see what he got into.

Soren loves making noise and knocking and hitting all kinds of things lately. Yesterday morning he kept hitting the floor and it started driving me nuts, so I wanted to see what he is hitting with and check that he is not adding to our damage list for whenever we have to move out. I find him hitting my shoe with heels on the floor.

"Soren stop with my shoe."

I take the show and see a fat spider. He was trying to smash the spider with my show. Iiiiiiiiiiiiiii.


This morning none of us closed Bella's room and his loves his big sister's room. Hiding out underneath the loft bed, climbing in the loft bed, and messing in her mess. There is always something in his reach.

Yesterday she played CONNECT 4 with him and she was so excited that he already won three times. "He really wins if you do not try to win." LOL. What an amazing big sister.

I guess he really really likes it, because this is what I found after following the noise.

While sitting here and typing the hero of the story is making noise in my laundry/pantry/kitty food room. He loves that room and the broom there.

So of course, don't trust this little story hero, just had to go and see and what do I find. Soren standing in the middle of a flour mess trying to sweep with my mop!

Did I mention that he actually put my flour jar back on the cabinet!

Perhabs if i would have waited another moment to check the mess would all be cleaned up again, beside the flour on him. LOL.

What's next on his list today? Mine is cleaning!

A Rare Picture

Look at it. Look again. Closely. What do you see?

• Leland at home.
• Soren with Daddy.
• Soren with Daddy snuggling.
• Soren with Daddy snuggling for more as a moment.
• Soren with Daddy snuggling for more as a moment in a picture.
  
  Everybody who knows Soren and Leland's dislike of pictures and short times at home are aware that this not happened very often before. So enjoy.

What is a MILITARY wife?

written by Sabine Johnson

They may look different and each is wonderfully unique.
But what do they have in common?

They have THIS IN COMMON!

Lots of moving ---
Moving.
Moving far from home.
Moving two cars, three kids and one dog----all riding with HER of course.
Moving sofas to basements because they won't go in THIS house.
Moving curtains that won't fit.
Moving jobs and certifications and professional development hours.
Moving away from friends, moving toward new friends.
Moving her most important luggage; her trunkful of memories.

Often waiting-
Waiting, waiting;
waiting for housing;
waiting for orders;
waiting for deployment;
waiting for reunion;
waiting for phones calls;
waiting for the new curtains to arrive;
waiting for him to come home For dinner----AGAIN!

They call her 'military dependant', but she knows better.
She can balance a checkbook,
Handle the yard work,
Fix a noisy toilet,
Bury the family pet...
She is intimately familiar with drywall, anchors, and toggle bolts.
She can file the taxes, sell a house, buy a car, or set up a move ---- all with ONE Power of Attorney.
She welcomes neighbors that don't welcome her.
Reinvents her career with every PCS;
locates a house in the desert, the arctic, or the deep south and learns to call them all 'home.'
She MAKES them all home.
She is fiercely IN-dependent and somewhat hasty;
Leaps into decorating, leadership, volunteering, career alternatives, churches and friendships. She doesn't have 15 years to get to know people.
Her roots are short but flexible.
She plant annuals for themselves and perennials for those who comeafter.
Military Wives quickly learn to value each other.
They connect over coffee, rely on the spouse-network and accept offers of friendship and favors and record addresses in pencil.
Military Wives have a common bond.

The Military Wife has a husband unlike other husbands, his commitmentis unique.
He doesn't have a job, he has a 'mission' -- he can't decide to quit -- he's on-call for his country 24/7, but for the military wife, he's the most unreliable guy in town!

His language is foreign:
TDY
PCS
TRE
OPR
ACC
DCA
BDU

And so, a Military Wife is a translator for her family and his.
She is the long-distance link to keep them informed the glue that holds them together.
Military Wife has her moments----

She wants to wring his neck, dye his uniform pink, and refuse to move to Siberia .
But she pulls herself together.
Give her a few days, a travel brochure, a long hot bath, a pledge to the flag, and a wedding picture.
And she goes.
She packs.
She moves.
She follows.

Why?
What for?
How come?

You may think it is because she has lost her mind.
But actually it is be cause she has lost her heart.
It was stolen from her by an amazing man Who must put duty first Who salutes the flag And whose boots in the doorway remind her that as long as he is her Military husband, She will remain his Military wife.
And proud of it.

The Secret is in the Sauce

Today is the BLOGATHON of SITS. Which is a fantastic addition for anybody who loves to read blogs and has a blog who loves comments. Come on who does NOT love comments.

I just found it today by pure accident and it's just neat.

See who I already found and I am sure I will explore more new blogs.

Skip To My Lou - I love the Halloween votives idea.

Positive Force - says it all, doesn't it?

Pennies In My Pocket - Just Check it out!

And I am just getting started.

Rub A Dub Duck

Are there really any words necessary?

Kitchen, Cabinets, Doors

This is what I found Saturday morning in the living room, a bunch of crazy kids.

Soren always has to close doors. Every door. So when he is in the bathroom he tries to open and close the cabinet doors there, too, while he is trying to squeeze himself inside. He usually does not get very far. He is also always closing the kitchen cabinet doors after emptying the cabinet. Yesterday he wanted to climb in the kitchen cabinet. Yes, just the bottom ones, but the do have a shelf, so no space for him. I thought so, but no he squeezed himself on the upper shelf totally inside until he got stuck. I was just laughing and of course took a picture and was just hillarious. Then I did need to rescue him, because he couldn't get out by himself again.

For the picture you need to imagine him in his diaper stick in the cabinet, but I just can't show you, because I forgot to put my card back in the camera after downloading other pics the night before. Sorry. If it should happen again, I will check for the card in the camera next time for sure.

Chiara is modeling for me. LOL. I wanted to take a picture of the little apron I made for Becca's birthday basket before packing it up. Now she wants to get her own one with ruffles, because
we just don't have enough aprons in the house yet. Here are more picture. Just click. She is just posing here and pretending to cook, but can't wait to make chocolate cupcakes later on.

Soren found Chiara's backbag on the floor in the livingroom and put it on. He didn't mind at all that there was Tinkerbell all over it. After she didn't clean her stuff up he also found her pink headband she made at the family fun night and had a blast with it. Who cares it is pink! It is just his color for now. Fitted out with bag and band he went on a stroll outside around the house. With his size he would fit just fine in a pre-k class and not even be the smallest one. Where did my toddler go? The baby loft a long time ago.

Baker in Training or Just Like Mom

On Saturday is Becca's birthday party and she just wants to be like her mom right now. Her mom is always making all kinds of yummy cakes and food. So a little bird told u that she will get her own little oven to bake just like mom. So we asked, what does a little baker and cook in training need. An apron of course and supplies.




So we fixed her a little shopping basket with dough scraper, rolling pin, whisk, cookie cutter, muffin forms, chocolate muffin mix and were just missing an apron. So I digged we the girls help in my stack of fabric and found a cute litte butterfly fabric taht I sewed in an apron with yellow ruffles on thebottom edge for a special little girl. Chiara is showing it off right here before we added it to the little basket.

Perhabs if I find the time we can add a fitting baker's hat to the mix, too.
Didn't it turn out cute?

Short

Background: Leland has his foot in an aircast after shockwave procedure. One foot. One cast. It hurts. He is limbing, hopping through the house. Slow. But again and again.

Leland: I need a cane!
Me: Why do you think they didn't give you a cane or crutches?
Leland: ?
Me: You are not supposed to walk!
Leland: *!?*.
Me grinning.

Thursday between 8 - 11 am

On Thursday morning Soren and I actually had to get ready by the time the girls had to leave the house. Almost ready, we got dressed and packed everything we needed for the day plus Soren's breakfast.

We brought the girls to school and walked with Chiara to the school library, returning her library book with a ripped page. It wasn't her fault, even she doesn't always watch out were she leaves her books, she treats them well. no coloring inside, no ripping, .... but not Soren. He threw himself on my lap and grabbed and ripped the page while reading the story to Chiara faster as anyone of us could reacted. So we personally brought the book back. Sorry.

Right after we our car had his appointment at the other side of Killeen. So we dropped it off and had time to waste. Soren already had his brakfast on the way and I got a free coffee. Now I just needed to get my book out of the bag and can enjoy the quiet waiting area. YEAH. But Soren was all over the place exploring, so forget the book and just use the camera with an eye on him all the time touching everything.










After already being almost THERE we just added two more exits on the highway and visited the new shopping area in Harker Heights. It's still lots of construction there, but Target is open AND Barnes and Nobles. Soren was just goofying around outside as you can see. And not such a happy shopper at Target. But if they offer as a free $20 giftcard. Sure we come and shop and got our little big boy some clothes in the next size for this fall/winter.

Luckily I took the stroller instead of a shopping cart and the grumpy little shopper fell asleep by the time we came to the register. So we just left the car where it was and walked all over the parking lot and cruised peacefully through Barnes & Nobles. I even got the get comfy in on eof their big chairs to browse through books. Lovely. An hour later at check out there he woke up again and we strolled back to the car. If it wouldn't be so far we could do that every morning, just switching out the coffe from the car dealer to the Starbucks one at B&N, definitely.