A Trip to the Pumpkin Patch

We didn’t get to go to the Pumpkin Patch last year since Cody spent much of last fall and winter sick with an ear infection.

This year, however, we made sure to visit the Cool Patch Pumpkins Pumpkin Patch.

The first thing we thought when we got there was “this isn’t a pumpkin patch. Where are the rides? The petting zoo? The CEMENT?”

Can you tell we are a bit citified and not used to a “real”, cut-you-own-pumpkin-of-the-vine pumpkin patch? We are used to the kind in San Diego. You know, the one at the mall! =)

We saw small pumpkins…

and HUGE pumpkins.

Cody even tried to pick his own pumpkin.

The boys had a fun time checking out all the cool things this pumpkin patch had.  From the teepees to the mini houses, the boys had a blast!

DJ really wanted to check out their corn maze, but the giant one had been torn apart by the previous week’s storm. Parts of the mini corn maze were still standing so the boys went through it. DJ loved it…

….Cody – not so much.

 

Can you see just how “thrilled” he was about the corn maze?????? =)

I probably should have taken these next pictures at the beginning of the visit. They may have been more cooperative.

By this point they were both wired and didn’t want to sit still. These are the best of the bunch. =)

Lately, Cody has been such a love bug and has been giving his brother LOTS of unexpected kisses. He is SO sweet. =)

 

It’s Hulk Smash Time!!!

Last year DJ received the game Hulk Smash. He happened to find it in his closet (yes, I was hiding it! shhhh!).

When I agreed to play with him he was ecstatic. Isn’t he cute? =)

The object of the game is to try to get  a “Smash” card and smash your opponents play-doh game piece. That was DJ’s favorite part of the game – the smashing – and for some reason, he always got the Smash card!

Here’s how you play….

You make a vehicle with play doh and place it on the game board.

Then you roll the dice and move your character that many spaces, BUT if one of the dice has a fist on it, you get to draw a card.

If your card looks like this then you get the honor of smashing up any of your opponents vehicles that land on the color position you choose.

So what is the reason behind this blog?

 

Well…I want you to see what pride my son takes in SMASHING my game piece!

(Evil laugh included…)

The end result is my clay ambulance being smooshed until it is unrecognizable.

Doesn’t he look proud of himself? =)

Crazy Hair and Clothes Day

Last month, Cody had Crazy Hair and Clothes day at his preschool.

I think it would be pretty safe to say that if we let Cody pick his clothes out this would probably be his ideal, bright outfit.

His hair was getting long so it was only appropriate to spike it up for the crazy hair affect. Sometimes, he actually looks like this when he wakes up and I think it’s cute. =)

 

Getting his hair this way was not easy. He didn’t want to be  interrupted while playing so he kept running away from his dad.

I like his “I will push you away if you don’t move” tactic.

He looks pretty darn cute with his Dragonball Z inspired hairdo.

Here he is in his “Crazy Hair and Clothes” glory.

While at school, they received a face painting as well as had a color treatment on their hair. I was pretty sure that Cody would not participate since he does not like face painting nor his hair messed with.

I was VERY surprised to see this when we picked him up…

He loved his Blue hair and star painted face. He looked like a Rock Star!

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month –Photography Special – Please pass it on!

October is Down Syndrome awareness month and to honor the light of our lives, Cody…

I would like to extend a special to families that have been blessed with children with Down Syndrome. 

When you have a child with Special Needs so much of your heart is given to them. You forget about yourself and want nothing more than to give your child an equal opportunity at everything and to make them feel “normal” in a society that is quick to judge, quick to feel sorry for them (when there is no need to!), and for them to build a confidence to ensure they can do ANYTHING they put their mind to. Statistics mean nothing when you are a parent of a special needs child. For me, at least, my child will not be a statistic because the only one that Cody has to be compared against is, well, Cody. =)

If you are a parent that has a child with Down Syndrome I would like to offer you a 

Complimentary 30 minute session with an 8x10 print

The session also includes:

• Location of your choice
• Online viewing and ordering of your images for 2 weeks

Please feel free to forward this special to friends and family that have a child with Down Syndrome.

This offer ends October 31st, 2009.

Also, 10% of all sessions and print orders this month will be donated to the National Down Syndrome Society.

1st Grade

It is hard to believe that DJ is already a 1st grader. The Kindergarten year flew by and as of August 3rd, DJ is officially a 1st grade and going to school all day!

We worried about how he would do going to school all day since Kinder was only 3 hours, but he seemed to adjust fine.

He was VERY excited about going to school and even woke up extra early that day.

Here is our big 1st grader making silly faces for the camera.

DJ is not big on eating breakfast so I was surprised when he asked for some to start his day. His breakfast of choice? Bagel Bites!!

Last year for his 1st day of school, I baked him a cake. This year, I didn’t have as much time so instead he got a Spongebob surprise….

Our Little Artist

Both our boys love to draw. Lately, though, Cody has been quite the artist. I have a pink laptop with black pens marks to prove it. =)

Every time he is in my craft room, he signs and yells “paper” and signs for crayons. The funny thing is that he is picky about the color, too. It has to be either purple, red, orange or black. He isn’t too keen on greens and blues for some reason.

Here is the little artist at work…

He’s probably thinking about what his next masterpiece should be. Although, that smile is usually reserved for mischief. =)

Do you see how his lips are sticking out in the next picture? He seems to have a “thinking” face and sound. He does it quite often and it is cute.

There is no real purpose for this next image other than the fact that I love his Barni Rubble feet.

 

He loves to try to trace his hand.

The proud artist…

and his masterpiece…

Marine World

Last week, the boys, Teri and I went on a field trip to Marine World! The boys were so excited since they hadn’t been there since last year.  We were worried the lines would be long on all the rides and shows, but it was oddly slow for a summer day. We didn’t mind, though!

The boys waiting to get in. It’s not a great picture, but I just like that DJ is wearing his sunglasses and hat!

DJ enjoyed petting a snake…

and pygmy goat…

 

Then he met up with some old friends.

DJ and Teri riding Orca.

I’m not sure why, but Cody LOVES spinning rides. As soon as we got on this one, he was all smiles!!! I even tried to stop the thing from spinning by holding on to the middle pole, but Cody pushed my hands off of it so that it would spin more! Silly boy!

DJ loved being in the cartoon area. They had Bugs’ house and he was on top of it dancing to the park’s music. He did stop dancing long enough to take a picture with Bugs’ mailbox on top of his house, though.

Cody’s favorite was Bugs’ bed…

…chair…

  

and TV….

He kept asking me to turn the TV on! haha

The boys did what they do best and climbed on everything.

They even tried to pick the “carrots” out of the ground! =)

Cody is finally getting old enough to enjoy the animals and not be afraid of them. He LOVED the sharks!!! He even tried to pet them through the glass.

 

These sharks were all piled up on top of each other and Cody kept yelling “go” to them. I guess he didn’t want them sleeping.

We had a chance to check out the new Odin’s Temple tiger show. The boys really enjoyed this show.

Did you know that tigers swim??? We didn’t!