pumpkin carving, 2014

Here are a few pictures of pumpkin carving last Sunday. The boys had a blast, as usual, and Penny participated more than I thought she would. She was busy licking pumpkins and eating stray seeds. In addition to our carved pumpkins, I spray painted one teal in honor of food allergy awareness. They are starting a new campaign to get people to display teal pumpkin if they have non food treats to hand out, which we always do!

 The holidays are going to be so much fun for Elliott this year. He doesn't remember much, if anything, from these activities last year, so everything seems new to him, probably for the last year.

she's definitely in charge

video interview with a five year old - Oliver

Here is Oliver's annual video interview. He was in a bit of a silly mood on the morning of his birthday! You can view last year's video here and his 3-year old video here.
 
Here are the questions:
What is your name

What is your last name

What color are your eyes

Tell me the best thing about you

What did you dream about last night

Who is your best friend

What is your favorite toy

What does Daddy always say

What does Mommy always say

What do you love to eat

What is in the sky

Can you tell me a secret

Can you sing a song

Where do you live

Can you dance

How old is Mommy

How old is Daddy

Where does Daddy work

Where does Mommy work

What is something that makes you happy

Can you show me a sad face

What kind of car do you want to drive when you are older

Who is your favorite superhero

What do you want to be when you grow up

Oliver's trip around the sun

At Oliver's preschool each child gets to have a special day once a year, which usually falls near their birthday. For their special day they get to walk around a sun, while holding an earth, passing the twelve months until they land on their birthday month each round. Each round represents a year that the child turns, starting at 0, going until their current age. At each age, the teacher holds up a photo of the child and reads a brief description. Oliver was so excited for his special day this week, and this year Oliver picked out the photos himself. I found it interesting to see his choices.

At the end of class, they child gets to select a book to be read to the class and also gets to bring something special for show and tell. Oliver chose a scrapbook that he and my mom recently put together of all of his sewing projects. It was adorable to watch him flip through the pages, pausing in front of each group of kids sitting in the circle. He is so proud of his book!

walking around the sun

sharing his sewing book

Here's a short clip of his walk around the sun! (I wish I had recorded the whole thing)

Finally, in order, here are the pictures Oliver picked out to share with his class:

pumpkin patch, 2014

We took our annual trip to Bob's Corn Farm and Pumpkin Patch last Sunday to finish off Oliver's birthday weekend. This was our fourth year! The weather was warm and the boys had a blast. Elliott was so excited that he was running for any pumpkin in sight. They rode the cow train by themselves for the first time and Oliver surprised us by being able to push the full size wheelbarrow by himself. They are now waiting anxiously for next weekend to come so they can carve the pumpkins we picked out.

Oliver's maple tree 2014

Here is the annual maple tree photo! The collage in in order counter clockwise, starting with Oliver at about 10 days old. The center picture was taken today. What a good looking tree and young man!

climbing party

For Oliver's birthday party (with friends) this year he decided that he wanted to go rock climbing with his best friend and neighbor, Charley, and Elliott. I couldn't say no to this low key party idea :) He selected the snacks and the kids fueled up before heading down to the ropes. They climbed for a bit together, hit the bouldering wall and then finished up with brownies and presents. It was the perfect party for Oliver and you can see how happy he is in the pictures (and how much he adores Charley). This was the last of three days of celebrating his 5th birthday. He was one partied out boy by the end of the weekend.

my favorite picture from the party!