Ballunar Festival 2010

Every year NASA holds the Ballunar Festival. Every year it is perfect weather. And every year we decide not to go. Well, this year was different. And we have decided that we are NEVER going to miss this event again. We were able to walk right up to the balloons. We watched as they passed over a rocket and tried to drop a hula hoop on it. You'd be surprised how hard that looks. Then we watched as they landed right in front of us. It was BEAUTIFUL! I've always been drawn to hot air balloons, so I could have spent hours just looking into the balloon filled sky. Grant and Grayson loved it too. After talking with some local ballooners, we watched the sky divers do a skills test. Twenty or so men and women jumped out of a perfectly good plane and all landed within feet of each other (right in front of us). Unfortunately, I forgot the memory card to my camera, so all I can provide are a couple mobile uploads...

Gary and Grayson enjoying the view. There were so many beautiful balloons! Afterwards, we walked around NASA. They open some of the buildings and allow free entrance during this event, so we got to see a side of NASA we hadn't seen before. When we were done touring, we had worked up an appetite. We found the perfect spot to put down a quilt and have a picnic. The boys played and Gary and I lounged. It was a perfect day!

Class Halloween Parties

I was so excited about going to see Grant's school Halloween party. Except for the first few days of school, I haven't seen Grant interacting in the class setting. His teachers tell me he is quiet and follows directions very well (opposite of what I thought they would tell me). So I am always curious to see this side of Grant. When Grayson and I got to school, Grant and his classmates were sitting down to enjoy all the yummy snacks each family had prepared.

Grant telling me about his snack. He didn't touch my mummies (pigs in a blanket wrapped to look like mummies). Oh well. I'm not surprised. All thirteen two year olds sitting quietly while enjoying their drinks and snacks. This was just amazing. And at the end of it all, each one picked up their plate, threw it away, washed their hands and pushed in their chair. Simply unbelievable. All the kiddos waiting for their goodies. I thought I would be 'special' be creating a goody bag for each kid in Grant's class. No. I think EVERY kid passed out some elaborate treat bag. I better step it up for Christmas (because this IS a competition, you know).

Grant showing off his goodies.

After Grant's party, we ran home and took quick naps. Then we headed up to Gary's school to see how a sixth-grade Halloween party compared. The moms did a great job putting it together and the boys loved seeing daddy.

Grant and I cheesing it up behind daddy's desk.

Afterwards, we headed to a pumpkin patch. This picture makes me laugh because the same thing happened when we took Grant to his first pumpkin patch... he wouldn't stop eating the hay!

My little spider. Such a cutie.

Gary and Grayson. Oh, Gary and his team were referees this year. Just in case you were wondering! More to come.

Halloween Preview

I have zero time to blog. So here's a little preview of what's to come...

... I'm in trouble! Just look at that smirk!

Halloween Party Prep

I've felt productive lately. Probably because I've been so extra busy that I don't have time to be anything but productive. In the midst of it all, I decided that I wanted to make goodie bags for Grant's class. They are having a Halloween party on Friday and fall goodies are so much fun. A secondary reason for doing this now is that I didn't think I would have time to do anything for his Christmas party. Grayson's first birthday is the day after that party and I'm pretty sure I'll be focused on other things.

The goodie bags are done! They include some nutritious treats, stickers and a prize for each kiddo (satin flower clips for the girls and Hot Wheels for the boys). Phew! On to the next project...

Air Show 2010

We packed up the kids and went to the Air Show this past weekend. Grant has always shown interest in trains and trucks, so we thought we would broaden his horizons a bit. He was so excited to SEE all the planes, but was not as excited to HEAR them...

He pretty much looked like this the entire time. Later that afternoon, he complained of his ears hurting. I thought he either had an ear infection or ruptured an ear drum. I was wrong on both accounts, but maybe there was good reason for him to be covering his ears. "Let me out! I want to fly!" One of the vendors passed out wooden toy airplanes...

Grant gave it a spin, but it always made a crash landing...

... so Gary tried to teach him how to keep it in the air.

Grayson was just as interested in the planes as Grant was.

We took a break to eat some lunch on the grass. Everyone wanted to share!

Gary, Grant and a helicopter.

Grant wanted nothing to do with being near the planes. His expression is priceless... Get me outta here!

2-for-1 Bathtime

Just recently, we consolidated two baths into one. Since we've finally been able to move Grayson's 5:30 bedtime back to 7:00, that makes our evenings a little more normal. And since Grayson now has full control of his motor skills, we decided it was time he graduated to the big bathtub with his brother.

"I'm lovin' the big tub, mom!" "I actually have someone to torment, I mean, play with now!" My two boys. Gotta love 'em.

He doesn't know what's coming. Ah, the joys of siblings.

Pumpkin Patch Snapshot

Yes, we are alive! I won't bore you with a list of excuses, but I will promise to try to be a better blogger. Grayson and I went to the annual MOMS Club Pumpkin Patch Party. Always a crowd pleaser. We take photos, play, pick out pumpkins, have a parade and make a craft. So much fun!!! I don't have my camera right now, so I had to just take a few snapshots with my phone. This one was my favorite...

This kid is just awesome!!! I think there are just a few moms that would take him home if I weren't watching! This little outing was a lot of fun this year. But I loved remembering all the things that we did last year, too. Grant has grown up so much since then! Here's a little flashback...