Halloween at the Park, Pumpkin Carving and Painting and Halloween

We had a whirlwind Halloween celebration over the course of a few days. Our friend Dennis told Andrew about six weeks ago that he should be a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. Andrew came home and told me right away that was what he wanted to be. I asked, "do you even know who they are?" He did not, so after I showed him some he chose the blue one. Ryan didn't want to be one, he kept telling me he wanted to be a lollipop.  UNTIL that is, Andrew got his and tried it on. Then Ryan was pretty adamant about being the red one. For the last few weeks, Ryan has put his costume on multiple times EVERY day. And kicks. And screams "I'm da ed nina tuwtle (I am the red ninja turtle). 

First up was a Halloween Party at one of the local parks, Carl Schurz.  A lot of Andrew's classmates were there so they loved it. 

Next we had some pumpkin carving fun.  Neither boy really wanted to dig into the pumpkin this year so Chris and I ended up doing most the work. They did sticker decorate a few pumpkins.

These carvings are a three stack pumpkin and the pig from angry birds.

Ryan had to take some time out to read about his body after carving pumpkins.

Next up was to paint the belly. When I was pregnant with Ryan I dressed up as the cat who ate the bird so this time we wanted to do something the boys could help with-a great big pumpkin!

On Halloween night we ventured out to 78th street where everyone told us the getting was good. They had amazing decorations and I wish I would have taken some more. Andrew knew the drill and was on top of getting his basket full. Ryan was a bit scared of some of the decorations and just wanted people to place the candy in his basket.

                               Ryan also wanted to carry each piece after it was given to him.

After a dinner break we went around our building for a little bit.  A good thing about trick or treating in a building-you can do it rain or shine!  And no coats!

After we were finished the boys played in the hall with our neighbor as they gobbled up some candy. Hopefully the candy rush is over until next year!

Digging up worms and fun

Andrew and Ryan LOVE when they have friends at the playground. These are a few pictures from some of those days. Ryan doesn't have any clue that he is 3 years younger than these boys. 

 Gotta get Ryan one of these things. I kind of want to ride on it myself. I'll have to check the weight limit on that one.

                              Lots of worm digging going on with this tiny area of dirt.

NY Botanical Gardens Halloween Garden

We ventured out after church on Sunday to go to the Botanical Gardens Halloween Haunted Pumpkin Garden.  It turned out to be such a beautiful day and was such a cool experience to see these amazing pumpkin carvings. 

 These really cool sculptures were at the front of the gardens. This steel brown one was like a maze that the boys kept running in.

                            Great picture. Especially with the trashcan. Who thought of this display?

                                              Rubbing leaves for their science bags.

                 How nasty right?! Look at the detail. They use a 1800lb pumpkin and dissect it to make their creations.

                                     Lots of greeeeeen grass to play on. And Chris needs to work on his flexibility.

 Cool blue sunglasses like Uncle Mike and Pat have.

                                                  Big 'ole belly bump at 24.5 weeks!