Cat hair prep...

Once again Hayden has come up with some crazy idea in his head, or this time I should say on his head...somewhere he's found this old fashioned folding portable comb...
A few nights ago he had this comb stuck on top of his head...usually I try to ignore some of what this kid does, because if I were to try to keep up with him and his idea's I would be exhausted...well, I asked him anyway...he responded by saying he was getting his hair ready for his cat costume...he was sure that if he left this comb in his hair for a while, his hair would stick up like a cats hair does...I don't know, have you ever seen a cat with a side ways mohawk?? Let me know if you have... crazy loon, who's kids are these anyway?????

Apple pie anyone???

I have been requested to make someone a homemade apple pie for probably the last 2 years...

It all started back when Jim's dad, I call him Big Daddy, was sick and we'd go back to Winfield to visit on the weekends and sometimes I would take meals back to him and Carol. Well, being an avid Food Network follower, one of my favorite shows, Barefoot Contesa was showing how to make a pie shell from scratch with an apple filling...so what I heck, I tried it...for the first time...and to my surprise it turned out beautiful and really yummy!!!

Well, that was actually the last time I attempted to make this pie...until yesterday evening...

We have several apple trees here on our farm, just kidding...we don't live on a farm, but we do have some acreage...anyway, we do have apple trees...we picked a bag full a few nights ago before the hard freeze so I could make this "someone" their pie they had been begging or should I say asking for for the last couple years.... It turned out okay...it was pretty tasty, but not as pretty as the first pie...it was a nice touch getting to use our own apples...
If you're wondering who the pie was for, here are a few clues...he's cute, he's quiet, he's sneaky, he's funny and I love him more than he could ever imagine...do you know who it is...my Jim...I actually enjoyed making the pie for you knowing how much you'd appreciate it...even though the crust is a pain in the #$@ to make.... :)

P.S. As you can see, we like to jazz it up a bit with some whip cream on top!!

Homemade ladder...

Today when I was making a pie, Hayden came downstairs to announce there was a big spider and little spider up in Case's room...so I went up there and this is what I found...an antique school desk with an old antique child's chair stacked on top of each other... and of course Hayden had a reason for this homemade ladder he had built...Case got up on the top bunk and couldn't get down, so Hayden thought he'd just stack these items up so Case could get down, I'm so glad I didn't see anyone climbing on this contraption, rickety contraption at that... oh yeah, there was a spider after all and it was the biggest one I've seen...I was screaming the whole time I was beating it to death with a tin box out of the toy box...I couldn't bring myself to even pick it up after I smashed or to take a picture of it for your enjoyment...sorry...the little spider was never found...it probably got scared when he saw me beating his daddy up...I don't know?!?!? :)

Trick or treating at the preschool...

Yesterday I helped with Hayden's preschool Halloween party...they got to trick or treat around to different rooms at the church and then play a few games...Case was whining the whole time because he wasn't getting any candy...imagine that!!! Hayden was smiling so big the entire time I was there!!! Hayden even shared his candy with Case after school...guess he's in the holiday spirit...hope that lasts a while!!!

Once again the camera was crappy taking the pictures...sorry, but you get the idea....

Redneck nightlight...

The boys are now sleeping in the same room (Case's room) for the winter and Hayden's room is the play room...we do this every winter...it gets really cold upstairs...so we have to do some rearranging...the boys are pretty good about adjusting to this and they like the change and think it's exciting...
So, Hayden usually sleeps with a night light, but Case never has...the only plug-in in Case's room is right beside his bed and I knew he'd be "doinking" (that's my favorite word for those of you who didn't know that) with the light when I left them to go to bed, so I unplugged it and took it with me...well, it was only a matter of minutes before they were both downstairs claiming to be scared of the dark...whatever...we demanded them to go back upstairs and just deal with it...after all Jim and I were right in the middle of watching our favorite show "House"!!!! Shortly after sentencing them back to bed, I heard someone in the kitchen...didn't think much about about....Well, I went to go tuck them in for the fiftieth time, and this is what I found...they had got a flashlight...set it up on its tripod stand and positioned the light just right and taa daa...it's a night light.....they were both asleep when I found their imaginative idea...and Jim and I could only imagine the conversation that had went on while coming up with this and setting it up just right....I had to laugh and be proud...pretty smart boys!!!! (P.S. Thanks to my wonderful husband, Jim...it was his idea to get a picture of this for the blog....I love that he thinks about me and my blog.... :)

Sweatpants, sticktights, and deer...

Last night when Jim got home from work, we all headed out to take some corn to Jim's deer stand...I wasn't for sure that the boys and I would be getting out of the pick-up......we all three had sweatpants on...you know, leisure outfits for our day at home...anyway, forgetting about everything that could cling to our pant legs while walking through the woods was quickly brought to my attention when we had reached our destination...Stick tight city, USA...the boys were a little annoyed with the "pokey things" on their pants...Hayden rode home with his pants pulled down to his knees...see picture below...of us walking to the house....

We did see some deer and a "monster" buck far back in a field...we had a good time and Case got in a cat nap on the way home.

This was Hayden Monday night after watching a video from the Winfield paper about our Castle park burning to the ground....he was so very upset and crying asking if they could rebuild it...who would burn this park down, I can't imagine how many children cried the same tears last night...
For of you who don't know what in the world I'm talking about...this is a wonderful huge park in Winfield we always visit. We were just there a few weeks ago when we went to Art in the Park. They suspect it is arson, but not positive yet.

Here's Hayden the crafter...he loves to make anything and everything out of paper and tape...HE LOVES TAPE!!! He's made butterfly wings that you strap on your back, an apple basket and something else that I can't remember this very moment out of paper...and yesterday he was going to attempt to make me a pair of shoes out of paper...thanks sweet baby!!! His little short stubby fingers are always stained with permanent marker and ink!!!! He's very crafty!!

This is Case...and his "suitcase"...that's what he calls his pillowcase...I can't remember if I've ever posted about this special "suitcase" he carries around as his security blanket....it's white with pink and blue flowers...he has two of them, they're identical...the above picture is how I find him often when he's tired, watching TV, sleeping, etc...
Sometimes when we're driving somewhere, I'll look in the rear view mirror and he's got it wrapped around his head perfectly, so perfectly he could probably carry fruit up there... crazy kid...and guess how you know if he loves you...he'll cover you up with his suitcase or at least share it with you...

Flour & Spice and everything nice...

Last night I made some peach cobbler...the boys were so excited that I was actually making a dessert...that rarely happens here at our house...anyway it was great...while it was baking the boys wanted a bite of the flour...I think they thought it was sugar, so Jim said give it to them if that's what they want...so I gave them each a pinch of flour...and they liked it...gross...notice the flour on the front of Case's shirt...and if I had a better camera you'd be able to notice the flour dust on their chins...

Beetto baby's...

The other day I asked the boys if they wanted me to wrap them up like I did when they were baby's...of course they did...they were extremely heavy to hoist upon the chair wrapped like this...I thought they might stay in one place for more than 5 minutes being in somewhat of a tight jacket, but no, within minutes they unwrapped themselves...they said they got too hot...
The reason why I call them my beetto baby's (burrito baby's) is when Case gets out of the bathtub, he wants me to hold him like a little baby and he calls that beeto...silly...that's us...

Our 3rd annual trip to the pumpkin patch...

Today was our annual MOPS trip to the pumpkin patch...the boys had a fantastic time...so did I...I had a wonderful time visiting with the other moms and have really made a lot of great friends!!!!! I just realized that not one picture are the boys holding a pumpkin or near a pumpkin....oh well...it was great...nice and cold today and very windy...

King of the mountain...hay mountain that is...
He had me specifically walk to a certain area for me to take this picture of him....
Goodness sakes they love this stinkin' corn...
Milkin' practice...

Looks like he has good form...maybe a future bull rider or bronc rider?????? (mommas don't let your baby's grow up to be cowboys)...oh but Grandpa Billy would be so proud...
Careful boys...this horse could throw ya any second...
Whoa there little filly...
This is my good friend Jenn...she's a cowgirl...she's also a horse whisperer...really she is...how do ya think the boys got on the horse...only after she "whispered" to it was it tame enough for us to take a ride....no really she is...Thanks Jenn...

Hee Hee Hee...I love corn...
Snuggle bug...cutie pie Kinsey...
Case...happy as a lark playing in the corn...
At the time, I thought this was going to be a good picture...guess next time I should make sure everyone is looking at the camera with their eyes open...Hayden, Riley, and Case...buddies...
Such a cute couple...