Halloween 2015

I know I'm very, very behind on my blogging.

Don't you want to see what James looks like these days?

It will be hard to see because he's under a mask :)

 

He is SUPER. A superhero, Captain America!

 

At around 6pm he went to go see if his friend Caden would be trick or treating soon. He ran back and wanted to leave ASAP because kids were out! He hurried into his costume and we were off. He joined up with his neighbor friends- Caden, Sawyer, Gunnar, Logan.

 

 

 

This year James requested Minecraft pumpkins.

 

 

We didn't stay outside for very long. Less than an hour? Some quick circles around the neighborhood.

James and his haul. Smaller than usual but that's okay because he's kinda picky.

 

And some hot chocolate and a good book. Captain America loves to read, you know!

 

James declared Halloween his second favorite holiday, after Christmas of course!

 

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Scooting around

 

 

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Around the Lakes

The yard work was done in early May. The back yard was dug up, filled in, packed, and finished off with sod. I'm sure there was more to it than that but that's my summary.

These pictures are from a long weekend around the 'hood.

 

 

 

 

 

We always brake for lemonade stands!

 

 

The neighbor kids were excited to come over and check out our snapping turtle! From a distance, of course.

 

 

Almost ready for the sod.

 

 

In the middle of May I heard that the Blaine teens were having Nerf wars at the nearby park. I was annoyed that some of the uppity neighbors were complaining about the kids having some harmless (loud) fun. The kids were warned by the local police and resumed their wars. I knew James would be interested so I took him to watch from a distance.

 

I was angry and disappointed that they took out the Confederate flag. I got out of the car and made my presence known. It was taken down pretty quickly, but I don't think because of me. I had to get James out of there and sadly tell him that they made a bad choice. Support withdrawn. Stupid move, kids.

 

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Friends

It's better than a "No Girls Allowed" sign!

 

Translation: "Warning only James and stuffed friends"

 

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Clean up

Near the end of the school year and James' desk was a hot mess. Lots of papers, piles of books, little collectable objects. One day I organized it all.

 

 

His beloved collection of books. He's really into a few series now.

 

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The Pond

Jim and our neighbor have been keeping a close eye on our yards.

 

 

The pond looks pretty on a wet day.

 

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Man Cave

The Legos have been abandoned for a while now...

(sad)

 

 

It's all about video games. And he likes to play shirtless. I guess he gets sweaty?!

 

James has kinda taken over the Man Cave. Jim has to schedule time on his own TV! Slight exaggeration :)

 

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Man Cave

 

The

 

 

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Santa Parade 2014

The Blaine fire department drives by with fully decorated fire trucks and Santa (!!!) every year. Often Jim misses it because he's at pool. This year he missed it because he was out of town. Sad face.

We joined up with some neighbor friends and decided to watch together. We waited a long, long time. The kids played together outside. The adults took turns huddling inside to keep warm. Santa ended up being about an hour late.

By that time the kids were crabby and there was a wrestling incident that made several kids crabby.

James never snapped out of it, even when Santa finally rolled around.

 

 

The firemen took our nonperishables for the local food shelf.

 

 

 

When we made it home I quickly snuck upstairs and arranged Sneaky like this for James to find on his way to bed.

 

 

James did see it and he hung his head down in sadness. I didn't mean to make him sad but he did end up missing out on the Santa joy because he couldn't let go of a friend conflict.

Well, we saw Santa!

 

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It's really Christmas time!

Soon after Thanksgiving Jim gets our Christmas tree.

This year we found a nice little surprise in the tree.

 

James had a friend over, Sawyer, and he also took a look.

 

Neighbor friends ventured on to the pond. It was late November- I thought way too soon! I watched closely in case someone needed to call 911!

The stockings were hung...

 

 

James and his Dad put on the traditional star.

 

He's getting too big to be lifted, yet he's too small to do it alone.

 

 

"Mom, I think you have enough Eiffel Tower ornaments..."

 

 

And done!

 

 

 

 

Later on our little Chef helped with pizzas.

He ate very enthusiastically this night- he made special requests for tomatoes and lettuce on his pizza. Whatever works!

 

Looking forward to a great holiday!

 

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