A Pre-K Halloween Party!

 Fun day today in the Pre-K Land--it was Jackson's class party for Halloween! Another mom and I share the privilege of party planning this year so we brainstormed about a month ago, gathered supplies from other parents and Jackson's amazing teacher, and today we had a boo-tiful time with the four year olds and their siblings! Since I was working this event, I wasn't able to capture any of the crafts we had going on...but I'll include the ideas below so you can use, too!

Cookie station--Riley enjoyed this for 15 minutes. I should do this at home! We had the kids frost pre-made sugar cookies and decorate with Halloween sprinkles. 

Jackson was happy to have Riley in the classroom library with him!

Decorate a bag--the kids stamped and stickered their treat bags.

...which they then used for a Trick-or-Treat around kinder classrooms and the office. 

These friends helped Riley in the line for candy. 

"My bag?! Snack! Can-dee"

Ghost Bananas and Tangerine Jack-o-Lanterns: I drew faces on the tangerines the night before. I loved the idea I saw online, but didn't want to open 30 of these little guys on my own.

The kids LOVED these treats. They also had fun creating ghost faces on their banana halves--and the mini chocolate chips we used helped with their fine motor skills, too!

Creepy Popcorn Hands--Riley and Jackson enjoyed eating the popcorn.

Bat and Pumpkin station--I prepped these pieces so the kids only had to cut a mouth out or draw one for the bat after gluing the pieces on.

There's our office door -- handle on and painted! 

Tootsie Pop Spiders--these are always so cute! 

After the craft and food stations, the kids did their trick-or-treating while the parents set up the snacks. They ate their decorated cookies, banana ghosts, tangerine jack-o-lanterns, and cheese pizza. Oh, and celery and carrots for good measure. Then we had recess inside--Halloween Bingo, Halloween Bean Bag Toss, and Hot Pumpkin  (with Spookley the Square Pumpkin). That story is a MUST read, by the way!

Ms. Diane ended the party with a Halloween story and then some safety tips about trick-or-treating. She's such a great teacher. We are so happy to be in her class! The parents who volunteered today were all so helpful and we couldn't have done this without them as we had several stations and Halloween excitement was brewing. 

Happy Halloween to all of BOO! 

Pumpkin Post!

What seemed like yesterday, but in reality was three years ago, we took a trip to Lakeside to visit Oma's Pumpkin Patch. That day was awful because the working dairy farm was infested with flies. TONS. They landed all over us, covered the pumpkins, showed up in the photos, and followed us home in the form of eggs (inside? on?) the pumpkins...a few days later I came home from work to at least two dozen flies in our house! Yuck. 

Although we went back the following year (less flies), I get nervous when I hear "Oma's" and last year we went more local. Today I decided we should give Oma's a try again. I'm glad we did! It's not as big as Bates Nut Farm (which is very popular), has a pay one price admission ($8 includes all activities, a pumpkin, and a water), lots of FUN activities for ages 1+ (hay maze, hayride, sledding down cottonseed, truck paradise, playground area, petting zoo, milking area, and more), and of course...pumpkins! This year, not so many flies. PHEW! It felt like they were more organized with everything from the pumpkins to the hayrides, too. 

Trying to get both pumpkins to pose...nope. 

Sierra was working so I braved the patch alone with my little pumpkins and we raced around quickly because we we had to get Jackson to school at 12:30 p.m. -- 30 minutes away. The patch opened at 10 a.m. We arrived at 9:55 a.m., and by 11 a.m. it was filled with children! 

I'm glad we were there "early" so we could get some pictures without the crowds. I wish my subjects would look at the camera AT THE SAME TIME. SIGH. I get it, though...it was warm, sunny, bright, and fun things were all around:

Kid friendly wheelbarrows! 

My first pumpkin!

My second pumpkin. Ri said, "My pun-kin!"

We spent a lot of time sorting and arranging pumpkins in the shady area. 

Riley is obsessed with all animals. As soon as she saw the petting zoo, she ran away from us. 

The kids loved sliding down the cottonseed hill. I didn't love the cottonseeds on my black shorts. 

Riley was done. She didn't want another picture...

just a nap!

Jack pretending to be asleep! Ha!

Look How Big My Pumpkins Have Grown!

Bates Nut Farm, 2009

Oma's Pumpkin Patch, 2010


Oma's, 2011


Scripps Ranch Pumpkin Patch, 2012

Noah and Laura Get Married!

After eight years together, and only six months engaged, Noah and Laura became Mr. and Mrs. Izzard last weekend! Noah is the middle brother (Sierra is the oldest and most grey, ha!). 

The wedding weekend was wonderful (teacher moment). We drove up to Port Hueneme Friday morning to begin the festivities. Noah and Laura recently moved to Silverdale, Washington, after living in Ventura, so we were already missing them a lot...although we saw them a month ago for her bridal shower in Palm Springs. Here are some pictures from the three days of family fun! The wedding and reception were held at the Bard Mansion on the Port Hueneme Naval Base. Accommodations were there as well--and really nice!

The groom rehearsing...or sharing Fantasy Football moves with Sierra. 

Jackson practicing his smiles. 

The Bride and her parents!

Family picture moment!

Gram copying my faces as I try to get Riley so smile. 

The beautiful couple!

Laura, Aunt Cathy, and Laura's mom, Denise

Wedding Day! The kids were great! Jackson is a professional. 

The Izzard Brothers: Sierra, Noah, and Orion

The Izzard guys~Grandpa Terry and Jackson joined the fun.

Even the flower girl took her shoes off to dance!

Cake!

Newlyweds!

Aunt Cathy with cousin Ella. 

Flower Girl's bedtime. 

Ali and Dan shared in the festivities! 

Bubba doing his dance moves (similar to Dad's).

...and they lived happily ever after.

Noah and Laura--May your wedding day be the first of many beautiful memories you create together. And remember...Happy Wife=Happy Life!