Pumpkin Painting Party

Yesterday was one of those really fun days you wish you could do over and over again. We had a pumpkin painting party at our house! It was so much fun! This party was my first time hosting a real party that wasn't for a birthday. I had so much fun collecting all things pumpkin related to decorate with and making some really yummy food. Here's Brendan with his finished pumpkin.

These pictures were taken at the end of the party once all our pumpkins had dried.
I think all of the moms, including me, were surprised at how into the painting the kids were. I can't wait to do this activity again next year and as the kids get older. It's so fun watching them be creative and I know that only gets better the older they get.
I think we ended up having 10 kids over and they painted their pumpkins out on the driveway. The weather could not have been any better too. It was the perfect day!

Here are some shots from Brendan in action painting his pumpkin. He cracks me up with all the concentration he puts into things. He is very serious.
I think Brendan put the most paint on his pumpkin. I thought his pumpkin looked great! He was one of the last kids to finish up because he wanted his pumpkin completely painted.

Then we had some lunch! Yumm-O!!! (that's Brendan's new phrase ;-)
I hadn't planned for us to read a pumpkin story, but Brendan carried his book Scaredy Cat Splat downstairs before the party started. It was laying on the table and one of the moms volunteered to read it to the kids. Yes, the party was all teachers so how fitting to have a little story time. Brendan was very riled up though, so he didn't listen so well. This pose only lasted for 30 seconds before he started rolling all over the floor!
Then we played "Hot Pumpkin". Just like hot potato only with a pumpkin!
The kids colored some pumpkin magnets. I found these at Hobby Lobby and I think they are adorable!!
I tried to get Brendan to pose with his pumpkin guy, but this is the best we could do. He did say blue was his favorite color so that's why he colored his pumpkin blue. Just this morning Brendan told me his favorite color was red. I am so proud that he is finally getting his colors figured out! Red and blue have been the hardest for him and I think he's got it down now.
Two of Brendan's friends and their moms stayed a lot longer after everyone else left. The boys put on their costumes and played and played and played. It was really funny watching Spiderman, Batman, and Buzz Lightyear run in the backyard and play in the driveway. Brendan was taking good care of one of our friends baby. He was talking to him and rocking him. He will be a great big brother someday.

October is Here!

Today was really fun...and hot! I am so excited that October is here. I LOVE everything fall from pumpkins to halloween to yummy food! And being a teacher, routines are finally beginning to fall into place and all that training starts to pay off. Welcome October! I've waited a long time for you!

Brendan and I headed out bright and early for the Gilcrease Orchard. This was the first weekend they were open and it was going to be really busy. This is the only orchard in town (I know, you're surprised we have any) and it's always been a pretty disappointing experience in the past. We've taken Brendan the first two years after he was born and it's always been dry, dusty, and pretty much pumpkin-less. Kind of like how an orchard in the desert would be, right? But this year was so much better!

The neat part about going to the orchard is having to actually pull the pumpkin off the vine. Although if we do this again, I think I may have to bring some gloves. Those vines were sticky and sharp!
Brendan looked around for a long time before making a decision. He has a hard time making decisions. Hmmm, sounds like someone I know ;-)


We met our friends there. Brendan and Hayes were checking out a worm from the corn stalks.
Running through the mini hay maze was fun!
Brendan finally let me take some pictures of him with his pumpkin, but he kept kissing it over and over again. Sometimes that boy has a lot of love in him ;-)
It was very hot today, that's why Brendan's cheeks are so red. It's still over 100 degrees here daily, but the end is in sight!
The orchard has lots of other things besides pumpkins. They had sweet potatoes, okra, corn, eggplant, watermelon, pears, and apples. So we went apple picking. Brendan said that was his favorite part. I thought it was pretty fun too.

When we got home we made applesauce. I had just done this with my first graders at school and it was so good! Brendan had fun stirring and helping me peel the apples. And it was yummy!
Brendan liked his applesauce so much he wouldn't even share with me! He said "Mommy you can get yours own". Thanks a lot kid ;-)