Harry Potter

A few months ago I said to Timmy, "This summer how about I read you a book about a boy whose a wizard named Harry?."

Timmy: "Does it have dragons?"
Me: "Only a little bit, but it has hippogriffs."
Timmy: "Yay!!"

He loves it. We're on to the fourth book now. I read it to him at bedtime after he practices reading to me. He really loved the silly parts of the first two books. Anything about Neville Longbottom's toad or messes and mischief, and he's laughing out loud. He likes Harry's firebolt broomstick, the parts about dragons and riding hippogriffs. He gets really nervous and stands up in bed when he's worried about them doing something that will get them in trouble. The prospect of being caught by teachers is way scarier to him than Lord Voldemort or dementors. He'll sometimes ask me not to read a part where Harry and friends are sneaking around when they shouldn't be.

A few days ago Lexa and Timmy were playing out in the backyard together. I looked out the window, and they were holding sticks and pointing them at things doing spells.

Timmy chose to be Harry Potter for Halloween. He was surprised that everyone was calling him Harry and knew who Harry Potter was. We told him that a lot of people have read the books. He got best costume in his class on book character parade day. 

I'm really enjoying sharing the books with him, especially the first couple, where Harry is younger.

Halloween

Halloween with Harry Potter, Princess Lexa, and Baby Bat

It was really nice getting to trick or treat around our new neighborhood this year. Lots of houses were decorated with people outside in their driveways or garages handing out candy, and there were kids and families everywhere all along the sidewalks. Sara came along with us, and it was fun! It was such a contrast to last year in our old neighborhood, our first time trick or treating. The streets were dark, as were most of the houses, and we only saw one other group of trick or treaters out that night last year.  This year the kids also got to hand out candy from or own front door for the first time. The candy pile at the end didn't cause the problems that it did last year either. They ate a little that night, we put it away in the garage, and the kids seemingly forgot about it. Last year they were asking for it every day, and it became very annoying. So it was a much better Halloween for our family in every way this year.  

Wand power!

at Lexa's preschool

Ms. Pat leading the children singing "The Five Little Pumpkins"

Halloween pretzel snack in the yard

Halloween Door

We put up some Halloween decorations on our new front door. The kids helped, and having them up made them really happy.

The Cutest Baby Bat You Ever Saw

Baby Bear

At first I was going to dress Will up for Halloween in the baby bear costume I've wanted to put each of our three babies in, but have always had someone give them something else instead. You can't tell here, but it was actually very small and tight. Luckily, my mom sent us an adorable baby bat costume. Alas, the tradition of taking a picture of our babies in the bear costume, and then having them wear a different costume for Halloween continues!

Pumpkin Carving

Finished pumpkin carving! Designed by Timmy and Lexa, carved by daddy. Lexa wanted a smiley faced pumpkin...Timmy wanted a dragon faced pumpkin based on one he drew. The spines were a bit hard to carve. I think they turned out nice.

Pumpkin Patch

This is one of my favorite photos of the whole year. As usual, I didn't plan it, but was just trying to take a picture of Will next to the big pumpkin. Timmy came barreling into the picture, and here's the picture we ended up with.

Lexa called this our hayride without hay. Timmy is mad because I didn't want to buy tickets so that he could play a spin the wheel game they had.

The pumpkin patch was at one of the local Christmas tree farms. They had a mini pumpkin hunt through the pine trees for the kids.

Fall Festival at Lexa's Preschool

Lexa was really excited about getting to show Timmy her school when we visited for their fall festival.

digging through the hay for toys

cookie decorating

bean bag toss

face painting- Timmy wanted a Harry Potter lightning bolt. Lexa asked for a purple L on her hand.

Baby Pumpkin

Masked Lexa

Auntie Sara came over to our house for dinner one Sunday. We had grilled cheese sandwiches, tomato soup, and macaroni and cheese and also apples dipped in caramel. We made apple crumble for dessert. Sara also brought over a mask making craft, and she made her deer mask for her Halloween costume. Lexa made a deer mask too.

Dancing wit Grandmom!