The Pumpkin Festival

After a busy morning of soccer and lots of fun playing, we had a little nap (well only one of us - Beau - actually got a nap because Lincoln only takes a "rest" these days) then visited the neighborhood Pumpkin Festival.  We arrived at our regular Elementary School playground spot, and Lincoln and Beau were so surprised to find a Pumpkin Festival going on!  I've been sitting on this one for weeks, and they were too excited.  The boys wanted to play on the slides and swings for a few minutes then ran to the epicenter of the festival.  The Pearce Mustang dancers were performing!  Lincoln told me (in his best British impression) that it was like Dancing With The Stars!!!

There were so many fun things to check out: pumpkin displays, lots of games, new playground equipment, and even a police car to climb in.  The police car was actually pretty loud when they turned on the siren, so my kiddos kept their distance!  Linc found a inflatable-bounce-obstacle course that he had to try.  He LOVED it!

 Really, he LOVED it! 

 Our next stop was a super big bounce house that had a slide.  The kid taking tickets told us that Linc could play as long as he liked . . . um, that meant forever for Linc! 

Beau didn't get to take part in the obstacle course or the bounce house because there were too many big kids around.  He did have a great time dancing to the music from the deejay and cheering for Linc as he came down the slide over and over.  We stopped at the little playground on our way out so Beau could get involved.  He loves to climb and slide . . . and he only likes the big slide!  Of course that means that he has to slide down between Mommy's legs.  Oh, the sliding we did this afternoon!  The boys had sooooooo much fun at the Pumpkin Festival, and I'm so glad that our neighborhood has lots of fun things to do. 

Parade and a Playdate

Another Friday . . . another full day of fun!  Our morning was filled with haircuts, lots of playing and a bit of shopping.  After a little rest, we headed out to the Richardson High School Homecoming Parade!  Lincoln loves parades and was telling me all about what we would see.  He was all smiles while we waited on the festivities to begin.

Beau and Nana were happy to check out all of the action too!  Beau was a little clingy when it got loud, but he was really interested in all of the people passing by.  He loved to wave to everyone and said "Hi People!" over and over!

Some of the paraders had candy to give out, and Lincoln was super excited about that.  At first he was really into waving, but that didn't earn him any candy from the kids.  He sat down on the curb with his hand held out and kept up a constant stream (in the sweetest voice ever) of "Candy, please"!  He was rewarded a few times and that made for one happy boy!  Mommy discreetly hid the not-age-appropriate candy from him, but he was loving his Smarties as we drove away!

After the parade, we headed to the Brosnahans for a fun playdate.  The boys were in kid heaven and had so much fun!  They ran from the swings to the slide to the bounce house to the sandbox . . . it was great!  These sweet girls managed to catch a little green lizard and enjoyed torturing it for a bit.  Lucky guy managed to escape from Alexis, and they searched and searched for him in the grass!  So funny that these ruffle-skirted and hair-bowed girls were obsessed with a lizard, and my boys were not the least bit interested.  (Secretly, I am totally relieved!)

Linc bounced forever, and Beau often joined him.  Beau only wanted out when too many girls were taking over.  I definitely think that Santa may need to know about the backyard-sized bounce house!  It is practically a guaranteed energy burner!

Beau and his (almost the same age) buddy Lewis hung out for a bit.  Their communication is a bit caveman, but they enjoyed being near each other.  I guess they felt some sort of camaraderie being the only two little guys at the party.

We had so much fun today, and everyone was super tired by dinner.  Linc could barely keep his eyes open at Mi Cocina tonight.  He and Beau ate their chicken fajitas and fruit salad pretty quietly.  Of course, our Saturday schedule is already filled with activities.  I'm hoping for a good nap for all (Mommy included!) and lots of fun.  I'm so happy to not work on Fridays.  An extra weekend day of fun is good for all!

Candy Corn and Chocolate Obsession

Someone is LOVING the Halloween candy this year!  The second I walked in the door this afternoon, Beau ran up to me with so much excitement!  I was preparing for a full-on bearhug, but he stopped short and began yelling, "CANDY CORN! CANDY CORN!"  Hmmmm . . . perhaps my value has fallen a bit since he has been introduced to this seasonal favorite!  Don't worry, buddy - I love it too!  He knows that he can only have two pieces and his greedy little fingers were twitching with excitement as I fished out his treat.  The jar for Hershey bars is mysteriously empty.  Daddy, Lincoln and Beau are all mad about Hershey bars.  If one of them is eating a bar, everyone has to have one.  Seriously, they have chocolate radar and come running when they hear Daddy sneak away with a treat.  Who can turn down such sweet little faces?  

Latest Activities

Halloween crafts have been quite a hit lately, but I keep forgetting to take pictures.  We have done lots of stamping, painting, baking and decorating for Halloween . . . oh, and we have spent a lot of time in our costumes.  Here's a hint - these little guys are fighting some serious crime around here!  Tonight's activity was a glue ghost covered in marshmallows.  Lincoln struggled with not eating the marshmallows, but he loved his craft ghost!

All done and pleased with his work!

Beau was not interested in tonight's activity, so he helped me prepare Linc's lunchbox.  He was a cheerful little helper, as long as he got to sample the food!

What a cute little lunch Lincoln will have!  Cheese squares, turkey on a toothpick, Ritz crackers, apple slices and a bonus cereal bar to sweeten the deal!  He's totally excited to take a break from sandwiches, wraps and pitas . . . hey, we gotta keep it fresh!

Everyone has been in (mostly) good spirits for the last few days, the boys have been having a blast at school, and we've spent a lot of time having fun.  We are really enjoying the cooler weather and lots of fall activities!  Lincoln and Beau have also been extremely generous with kisses and hugs these last few days, and that makes my heart happy!  I love love love the sweetness, and I know that it is not forever.  They'll get into their share of spats . . . probably tomorrow!  Daddy and I have really been talking to Lincoln lately about love.  You can be upset with Mommy or Daddy or Beau when something happens that you don't like, but we always love each other.  I think it is sinking in slowly, and we'll keep repeating it.  I love these guys so much, and we all need to remember just how important we are to each other!  

Fun!!!!!!

It's a big weekend here in Dallas . . . it's the Red River Shoot Out!  I've been schooled recently that I'm supposed to call it the OU/Texas game, as opposed to the Texas/OU game.  As Kuhlmans, we are instilled to know a great disdain for anything Longhorn and a love for anything Sooner.  Well, on the Friday afternoon before the big game, the UT Band just happens to be practicing at Daddy's old High School just minutes from our house.  We aren't supporting the enemy . . . we're just enjoying a fine afternoon outside with a little fun music.  I dressed the boys in orange to blend in, but the joke is on Texas because they were Halloween shirts!!!  Beau loved everything but the loud music.  He would instantly climb up on Nana's lap or my lap when they began to play. 

Lincoln thought it was really important to shout instructions to the band members.  He warned the flag people ("don't drop your flags"!) and encouraged the drummers ("boom boom really loud, ok!").  After checking out the entire field, he was concerned that they didn't have a xylophone.  He considered letting them borrow ours but decided that they should go to the xylophone store and get their own.  He told me we couldn't have our own band if we gave them our xylophone.  So true!  

Bright and early on Saturday morning, Lincoln and I headed out for soccer practice and a few games.  Soccer has been a little shaky for him (that's an understatement if there ever was one!), so we have really been working on a game plan this week.  Practicing drills was super fun, and I was sure he had gotten over the yips.  He played in the first game pretty well.  He did get sad a few times when he ran after the ball and another kid got the just before him, but he played the whole game.  Go Linc! 

 Our team has 7 players, and only 5 can play in each game.  Lincoln and his best girl, Carolina, sat out for game 2.  She must have been exhausted from all her efforts in the first game because she needed a rest!

 Lincoln played half of game 3, and then we headed for the neighboring playground.  A kid needs a few slides after a morning of soccer! 

 One of Linc's best buddies turned 4 this weekend, and Linc was so excited to go to Oliver's benastics (gymnastics, I don't know why he calls it benastics) party!  Oliver and his sister were having a joint party, so there were lots of kids at The Gymnastics Place.  After a lot of playing, everyone stopped for a group pic.  So many of Linc's school buddies were there:  Oliver, Christopher, Sam, Lindsey, Erin, and Noah.  They had a blast!

 Beau was a tag-a-long party crasher, and he had a blast!  He stayed close to me at first but really warmed up when the cupcakes came out.  Beau ended up with one of Elle's pink cupcakes that was decorated with a plastic ring.  What's a boy to do with a plastic ring but use it as a scoop for icing!!!!!  The little girl next to him said that was a great idea and scooped her icing too!

Lincoln really had a blast with gymnastics.  When this soccer season wraps up, we may need to go back to gymnastics.  He loves to run, jump, bounce, and swing.  Diving in the pit was a highlight today! 

This little guy had his first gymnastics experience and loved it!  I think it's definitely time for Beau to enroll in gymnastics.  None of Linc's friends minded tag-a-long little brother Beau . . . in fact, they were all happy to see him.  So cute! 

This has been an action-packed weekend so far!  Lots of fun and lots of friends . . . and lots of pink icing!

Is it a guy thing?

Seriously, do all guys need reading material while they visit the potty?  Two of the three guys I live with think this is the best way to go!  The third one is still in diapers but is sure to follow in their footsteps . . . really?!?!  (I'm sure the future teenage Lincoln will be terribly humiliated by my posting of this picture, but Daddy couldn't help taking his picture.  He was so proud!)

Visit to the Pumpkin Patch

While dropping Lincoln off at school this morning, I managed to volunteer to provide the "class pumpkin"!  So on the way home, we stopped by the neighborhood church pumpkin patch for the biggest pumpkin we could carry.  The boys took off running as soon as we arrived!

 Linc immediately began grabbing pumpkins.  He soon learned that the big ones are really heavy!!  He settled on this one for a bit, but it just wasn't big enough!

Beau was not ok with being pumpkin-less!  He really needed a pumpkin!

Beau found a pumpkin that was his size!  A little boy there wanted to take pictures of Lincoln and Beau, and they happily posed.  He was so cute and loved showing them their pictures on his camera.  His Mommy was one of the volunteer workers, and he really wanted to help us pick our pumpkin.

The guys had fun strolling around the pumpkin patch, and we finally found the perfect pumpkin for Linc's class.  Beau has repeated "punky patch" over and over and over all night!  What a fun surprise activity after school!  I hope Linc and his classmates enjoy learning our pumpkin for the next few weeks.

Update

Our week and weekend have been so crazy busy, but the boys managed to steal a few wrestle-hugs! 

 Hugging usually starts out innocently, and both boys are loving their brother time.

 Often hugging ends up in pushing or pinching, but on this day it was all love!

 Our bathroom remodel has finally been completed, and the results are super!  We have soooooo much more space, and our contractor did an amazing job.  I still need to "decorate" and will take a few detailed pictures then.  The boys were so excited to get in their new tub!

 Happy kids in a cool new bathroom . . . sweet!

Construction is done, the house is clean again, and we can get back to our normal routines . . . except that Linc and Beau love to hang out in the new bathroom just checking things out!  Bathtime was especially fun on this night. 

Happy Friday!

Friday was an action-packed day!  I love not working Fridays . . . this flex time thing is super!  We began our morning at the library.  Linc grabbed a couple of Franklin books and Berenstain Bear books right away.  I don't even show him where they are anymore because he remembers where his favorites are stacked!  Beau sat down with a book right away, while Lincoln perused the shelves for anything else that might interest him. 

 I'm glad we were early and the only ones at the library this morning.  Let's just say we weren't quiet, even though we discussed being quiet in the library all the way there.  These boys were tearing it up!  Lincoln finally settled down with a book while Beau continued his beasting. 

The park was next on our list on this wonderfully nice fall day.  Nana met us there, and we had so much fun playing.  We had the park all to ourselves for most of the morning.  Lincoln is a master climber and slider, and Beau is determined to keep up.  He surprised Nana with his counting skills . . . he was counting up to eight on the steps!!!!  We worked up an appetite after all of that playing, so we had a picnic.  Lincoln was very specific about what could be included in our picnic when we were preparing the bag this morning.  He said we needed to have ham sandwiches, a jelly sandwich (for him), Cheetos, apple slices and chocolate chip cookies.  I was able to meet all of his demands!  Until he told me on the way that in the Biscuit books they take a cake on their picnic, but I informed him we were not stopping for cake!!  Yummy picnic!  We'll have to do this again soon!

Once we finished our picnic, we headed back to the steps and slides.  All smiles!!!

Beau discovered a fun swing that looks like some kind of throne.  He loved it!  Actually he loved all of the different swings, and we all took turns pushing him.

This weather is absolutely perfect to be outside.  We suffered through a seriously hot summer that was made worse by the threat of West Nile Virus, so we are happy to be outside.  What a happy Friday!

Showers!!!

The boys got to experience something super cool tonight . . . the shower!  We had the master bath remodeled when we moved in, including new tile for the floor and shower and walling in a private dressing area.  The boys' bathroom floor was tiled back then, but more necessary improvements were called for in the present time.  The problem was that we didn't seem to have enough space for Mommy, Lincoln and Beau during bathtime each night.  It was tight before Beau came along, and now it's a disaster each evening!  I swear Kevin just got tired of hearing me yell out in pain (from bumping into the wall/door/closet) or yell out in frustration at our cramped arrangement, and he found a contractor to help us out!  The main issue was the door/wall separating the tub and potty from the rest of the bathroom.  The sink/vanity was also pretty massive and needed to go.  Tuesday night we had a family trip to Home Depot to pick out a new tub and sink (pedestal - I'm serious about getting some space).  Linc and Beau were so excited to shop!  The boys had one last cramped bathtime, and we said bye-bye to our old bathroom.  The contractor came early Wednesday morning to begin the demolition.  Lincoln was in awe of the empty and unfinished look of the bathroom after school.  We went to pick out the tile for the wall after dinner and headed back home for tonight's version of bathtime.  I wasn't sure how the boys would react to the shower, so I tried to make it sound cool . . . like "Hey, guys!  You get to shower in Mommy's bathroom tonight?  Isn't that sooooo cool?"  Linc squealed with delight so he got to go first.  Wednesday night is shampoo night, and I did that in the sink (with him lying on a towel on the counter).  With the shampoo out of the way, it was time for the exciting part.  Linc stepped in the shower and proclaimed that he loved it - as long as the water wasn't spraying on him.  He giggled like crazy and talked about what a big boy he was and even danced a bit - as long as the water wasn't spraying on him.  I finally reached in with the washcloth and soap to get him clean, and he was happy to get all soapy and rinsed off - as long as the water wasn't spraying on him.  You get the picture, right???

Sometimes during all of the fun, he had to stop and check that the water that was spraying out of the shower was still a safe distance away!  Silly guy!

Beau was not at all interested in checking out Lincoln in the shower, despite Linc's many cries for Beau to come see him.  I decided that Beau would probably not react well to the shower spray, and that I wasn't interested in climbing in with him to hold/calm/bathe.  So I pulled out a few little tubs and his old baby bathing sponge.  He had a blast!!!  I won't say that he was fond of the sink shampoo, but his little shower was awesome!  He splashed the water and played with the soap like it was the best thing ever!

Seriously, Beau was crazy with "cheese" tonight!  What a crazy little guy!

I don't know how either of them managed to go to sleep quietly because they were full of energy after their super cool showers.  A few bedtime stories did the trick, I guess.  We have two more nights of showers before our bathroom redo will be complete.  I can't wait to have more space, and new tub and sink, and cool new tiles.  Mostly I can't wait to have more space . . . I bruise like a peach and that annoying (and now gone) door frame is a too often offender!