Trick or Treat

This is the first year Cooper really got the concept of Halloween; when I asked him today what we were going to do for Halloween today, he said we were going to say "Trick or Treat," be a pirate, and put candy in a bag. Ava sort of understood, but was enjoying going from house to house more than the dress up part. I've joined a Stay At Home Mom's group here, and one of the Mom's invited us to her home at base housing to trick or treat from. She had a couple other people over with their kids, snacks and drinks. It was really nice of her to open her home like that, especially since we are in the same group but hadn't yet met in person. Base housing is huge, we probably took the kids to at least 30 houses, and we took it easy. It was lots of fun for a pirate and a ladybug, and for their parents, too!

Special treat

Tonight, we let the kids stay up a little late (they don't have to get up to go to "school" in the morning anymore) and watch the network broadcast of the Peanuts classic, "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown." As expected, Cooper was pretty captivated, Ava was in and out of the room (not much of a TV watcher.)

Park Playdate Photos

Day at the Park

Today Cooper, Ava, and I are venturing out to our first Mommy/Kid play group at a local park. It's the first day that it's actually gotten cold during the day (it will only be about 50ish during the time of the play group meeting at the playground) so we'll have to make sure to dress warm. I know the kids will do well, because they had plenty of friends at daycare in California. Mommy, on the other hand, is a little nervous, but probably I don't need to worry too much. Will post pictures later! :-)

Visit from an old friend

Sunday brought a really cool surprise; our first house guest from a friend we haven't seen in many years, Traci I. We haven't seen her since Bethesda. As coincidence would have it, Traci has been stationed down here, only a drive away and has been in the area herself only a few weeks. So it's nice to have a friend close by!

Free Taco at Taco Bell

Go to participating Taco Bells between 2PM and 5PM on Tuesday October 30th for a free Crunch Beef Taco.

Friday Nights Winner's Were...

Roast Chicken, Rice, Raisins, Red Peppers with Ranch, Rice Krispies treats, and Rootbeer. For the movie, The Reef.

Best Kids Show - EVER!

If you haven't seen it, at all, or all the way through, the new Nick Jr. show, Yo Gabba Gabba is GREAT! It teaches great lessons in a really fun and creative way, has great guests, and fun music.

Family Fun Friday: Letter "R"

It's Friday and Cooper picked the letter "R." Any ideas? So far we've come up with the following possibilities:

Roast Chicken with Rice OR
Ravioli with Romaine Salad and Russian Dressing OR
Rigatoni with Red Sauce OR
Red Beans and Rice

Raisins
Rice Krispies Treats
Root Beer (Diet)
Red Deliciious Apple
Red Bell Pepper dipped in Ranch

MOVIE:
The Reef (2007)
Robots (2005)
Rescuers Down Under (1990)
The Rescuers (1977)
Return of Jafar (1994)
Rugrats Movie (1998)

Good Cop, Baby Cop

Childproofing

At Mike's Farm (Pumpkin Patch)

Went to a local farm to get the kids pumpkins this weekend; they had hayrides, pumpkins, a country store, and an out of this world family style restaurant. Whoever comes to visit, we'll take a trip to Mike's Farm Restaurant!

$25 FREE at McCormick and Scmick's

Pumpkin Carving Stencils

Pumpkin carving stencils.

Three little cousins, all in a row

Daddy's boots fit great!

The Consumerist. Shoppers Bite Back.

The Consumerist loves to shop, and is reconciled to utilities, but hates paying for shoddy products, inhumane customer support, and half-assed service.

Each week The Consumerist will guide you through the delinquencies of retail and service organizations. The Consumerist will highlight the persistent, shameless boners of modern consumerism -- and the latest hot deals, discounts, and freebies around.

Join them. Tell them when you've been royally screwed by yet another company, and they'll channel your rage.

Cooper the Super Duper Pooper

That's all I gotta say.

Don't read if you don't like Poop!

We have Poo-Poo! With much delay, fear, and aggravation (the latter on our part), Cooper has decided to poop on the potty!! This morning (and for the 100th time) he said he had to poop on the potty. I assumed it was a false alarm, or stall tactic, or an excuse to get alone time, or ... any number of things; but when they ask to go potty, you take them.

To my SHOCK, it happened! So now, he's getting the $1.00 Papa promised him, AND Mommy and Daddy are going to take him to the store to get him the Go, Diego, Go! toy (yes, we used a little bribery, but we call it an incentive; and heck, it worked!). Now we're almost down to 1 in diapers. Yippeeee!

Free Popcorn

Getting Into Area Events

Today we went to the 21st Annual North Carolina Seafood Festival. We got to see the Crystal Coast, the kids got to see a baby sea turtle and some nature exhibits, and, of course, we ate some good seafood!

New Grocery Stores

Cooper, where are we going?

First Rawson Alphabet Fun Night

We had our first alphabet fun night; tonights letter was "P", inspired by Joey's childhood. For dinner the kids had:
Pizza
Pears
Pink milk

Following dinner, we moved into the living room, and watched "Pocahontas" and ate Popcorn (light), Potato Chips (reduced fat), and Pumpkin cookies (couldn't do anything about that one.)

By vote of Cooper, next Friday is going to be "B" night. Any suggestions? Burritos? Burgers on Buns, with Baked Beans? Brownies? B-B-Q Chips? The movie will be "Beauty and the Beast!" Let us know what you think!

Country Living

Yes we've just arrived, and no, we aren't country (yet), but we are considering subscribing to Country Living and Southern Living Magazine. When in Rome...

Congratulations

Congratulations to my uncle and aunt on the arrival of my NEW cousin! First cousin to hit the scene in our family in 30-ish years!!

Unpacking is lots of fun ... for the kids!