Flower and Flour and Jack-O-Lanterns

I was on the computer and Jake said, "Mom, I am a flower!" I turned to find this. He has part of Alisa's costume on his head. Lovely Flower.

When our house was fumigated, we accidentally left some pinto beans and some flour uncovered in the house, so we had to throw them away. I am very slow at throwing anything away, unfortunately. I get this from my dad. If our washer or dryer broke, we'd get a new one and move the old one to the basement to "fix" it later or use it for parts. I remember the second time our washer and dryer broke. I think dad switched out the oldest ones in the basement for the more recently broken ones. Who knows what ever happened to them? Dad? 

I digress. So I had this bucket of white flour (which I try not to use, but you know, sometimes wheat is just not the same!). Alisa started burying her hands in it while I was making dinner. Prior to that, she was whining at the door and clinging on my leg, so I was happy for her to take a little dip in the flour. I came out a few minutes later to this mess. Whole contents emptied. Probably about as much as in one of those big bags (between 5 and 25. The medium one. LOTS.). Why did I think it was going to stay in the bucket?

Tonight for Family Home Evening, we carved Jack-O-Lanterns. Jake and Alisa were totally grossed out by the slimy insides, so we got to do the fun part. They both loved it when we lit them and turned off all the lights and sang "oooh, oooh, this is Halloween!" just like I always did with my fam growing up. 

Jake is looking rather Jack-O-Lantern-esque, if you ask me.

We could hardly keep her off the table-especially once they were glowing.

This was in the dark (flash does wonders).

Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, This Is Halloween!!! 

Just a little laugh... eeets for fun, Nacho!

Most of you have seen this, but if you have "latin roots" like I do (mission to Honduras--I heart latinos), then you'll enjoy a refresher.

Proposition 8 in Plain English

This is very straightforward. I like it because it teaches respect for differing opinions, but not condonation. There are good people whose opinions differ from mine, and I respect that. But I will also vigorously defend my parental right to teach my children about homosexuals on my time table (as in, not to my five year old kindergartener!). Please WATCH!

Warning: Not about Prop. 8

It may come as a shock, but I am posting a normal family post tonight. We went to the pumpkin patch today (ah, I love fall... although So Cal hasn't quite figured out how to cool it down! It was 95 today). The highlight was the petting zoo. I must say, my kids did not get their love of animals from me! It was a warm, fun day spent with friends.

Alisa tried and tried to wake this goat up. She threw hay on it, grabbed fur/hide, pulled ears, and poked eyes and all it did was readjust. Poor stinky animal!

How many toddlers does it take to feed a baby goat straw? Apparently, more than 4.

Tina, you fat lard! 

Parents

Jake and Jonas 

She's not shy

Dangerous contraption to send hay up to the goats on the roof. Hallie insisted on doing it even after pinching fingers multiple times! 

This is what the boys did when we told them to take a "Best Friends" picture.

The pumpkin patch

It was hot and I came home and ate this scrumptious salad for lunch. YUM! Makes me want another one right now!

Call me a bad mom, but after Jake dumped out a huge bottle of bubble bath about a year and a half ago, I refused to buy him more. I found some cute Curious George Bubble Bath at the 99 cent store and couldn't refuse... Alisa's first Bubble Bath! She immediately tried to eat them.

**Just imagine her a little older with lovely locks (as opposed to sparse growth seen now)--watch out boys!

Yes this is a rental house... No we did not choose the pink.

Sparse-haired bubble face

Seriously? Where is the justification?!

This is only the beginning. Read about what happened here. What if your kid was in this class?

Clash of gay rights and religious liberties

I read an interesting article from Benji's blog. Click here to read it. Again, I am floored at how the passing of Proposition 8 is essential in protecting religious freedom and parental rights. Check it out.

This quote from the article struck me. It is from a case where a photographer refused to photograph a lesbian couple's ceremony. Read the article. Vote YES on PROP.8!

"It's a very different situation when we're talking about promoting a message," Lorence says. "When it's 'We want to punish you for not helping us promote our message that same-sex marriage is OK,' that for me is a very different deal. It's compelled speech. You're using the arm of the government for punishing people for disagreeing with you."

Old Friend and Pumpkin Patch

This week I finally went to visit my old friend from dear ol' Coconino High, Robyn and her sweet babe, Apollo. It had been way too long. She is just as amazing as ever--I've always looked up to her. It was great to see her, her very easy-going babe, and her sweet hubby. What a great family! Can't wait to meet your new little girlie!

Baby Apollo down for a nap in his closet... :) Big boy for 10 months old!

Jake's preschool went to the Greenspot Pumpkin Patch on Tue. It was a good time. The kids are so cute and funny. Alisa was enthralled by all the animals, which she started calling Dada... ? Don't know what that's all about. She wanted to touch and pet them all. Her fingers were found in the following places: a horses mouth and mane (it bites, but didn't bite her), a pig's nose, a chick, llama's back, baby goat's mouth and body. Poor girl. She'll probably feel deprived all her life, no pets...

Jake was one of 3 who forgot to wear his t-shirt. I guess I mean that I was one of 3 moms who forgot... Oh, well. He was easy to spot in the crowd. Plus, when I'm in a hurry, I can always get him to dress himself if he can wear the Darth Vador shirt.
 

During General Conference, Jake rediscovered his hat. Alisa didn't want to be left behind, and insisted on wearing the shirt/cape, too.

The class with this farmer girl who showed us around and Mrs. Morales, Jake's teacher.

Jake picked the biggest pumpkin he could find. Everyone else was ok with little ones. 

Jake and Ryan on the tractor ride

Alisa and I on the tractor ride. It was bright.