Discovering the Philharmonic

Grayson has loved music since he was a baby in my belly and we recently heard about the OKC Philharmonic's Discovery Series that's designed to introduce kids to a concert orchestra. This weekend was the first concert in the series, and of course, it was Halloween-themed.

The musicians dressed up in costumes and they even played Michael Jackson's Thriller as the finale, complete with zombie dancers.

I was so excited to share this experience with Gray, Michael and my Mom. Ever since, Gray hasn't been able to talk about anything by the drums. There were tympani, a big base drum, marimbas and even symbols. He was in drummer boy heaven.

Pumpkin Painting 2012

My cousin Suzanne hosted her annual pumpkin painting party for the kiddos last weekend. This was Holten's first year to attend and he and Grayson played their little hearts out.

As you can see below, Holt is a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle for Halloween this year and Gray is a fireman. I tried convincing Gray to be a cowboy sheriff (like Woody from Toy Story) or something more creative, but he is obsessed with firemen lately (thank you Uncle Levi). Guess I'll just be thankful it was an easy costume this year.

Here are some shots from the party:

I just love Holten's built-in ninja muscles. Too cute!

We tried something different with the painting this year. The kids put on stickers and then the moms spray painted over them. We removed the stickers once everything was dry to reveal shapes underneath. Below are the pumpkins as they were drying. I didn't get one of the finished product. 

Next it was time to decorate sugar cookies! Jack couldn't wait for icing...he just started devouring his.

Holten and Luke (aka Spiderman)

The fireman enjoying his cookie!

Here's a group shot of most of the gang. It's so fun to see how much these kids grow each year. 

Farmer Grayson

Nana and Popper surprised Grayson with his very own John Deere tractor last weekend. He is beyond happy and now has a one-track mind for riding around the lawn. Our front yard is about to become a dirt track from all the loops he's driven around our big oak tree.

If only we could attach a rake and have it pick up or mulch leaves as he drives. Instead he cranks up the tunes (yes, it has a real radio), shifts into second gear (yes, it has gears and reverse) and races off to lean into another turn.

Crazy hair day

Gray is in desperate need of a haircut, but that actually came in handy for "Crazy hair day" at school today. They are celebrating Red Ribbon Week and every day is some kind of special dress up day. He was so excited to use daddy's hair gel!

Special Delivery

Since we had so many great pumpkins from our visit to the pumpkin patch, we decided to deliver a few to our family one afternoon. Gray was really excited to drop each one off.

Gray insisted on carrying the pumpkin himself to Aunt Ide's house and then helped her find a place to put it (which he decided should be in the middle of her dining room table). 

He was also interested in the little boy statue that sits on a bench under one of Ide's trees. He decided to name him Cowboy Sheriff Woody, to which Ide replied, "I hope I can remember all that." 

Here's my grandmother Mama Lou with her pumpkin. She keeps a bucket full of cars at her house and her great-grandson brings her surprises...they know the way to the other's heart. 

Somehow I managed to not get a single picture (once again) of Gray with my aunt, uncle, cousin or grandfather during this trip... 

Fall Break

Last week we took a much needed fall break and drove over to Mississippi to visit Pappa, Susu and the rest of our extended family. It's always a relaxing time when we go there. No schedules, barely any cell service and only one time of day when you need your watch: happy hour.

We did some fishing (actually, Michael did A LOT of fishing), baked pumpkin cookies and ate all kinds of amazing food, hung out with family, tromped around on my grandparent's land and even checked out a pumpkin patch.

It was so nice to get away for a few days. I was so relaxed I forgot to take my camera most places, but did manage to capture a few events.

Rolling out pumpkin cookie dough is hard work. It helps to stick out your tongue.  

This was right before Gray ended up with flour all down his shirt. That's the fun of baking, right?

Eating the warm cookie is the other best part of baking!

One afternoon Michael took Gray driving in the pasture on the gator. They did a little "wildlife viewing" with my grandfather's cattle. I believe they also came upon some deer. 

 One afternoon we went to a nearby pumpkin patch and practically had the whole place to ourselves. 

Here's Gray figuring out where milk comes from. That was an interesting conversation... 

He would have been content climbing on the huge tractor tires the whole time. 

Pappa took a picture of Susu, Gray and myself and managed to get all of us blinking at the same time. I should have known to check the picture :)

Gray wasn't as interested in actually picking a pumpkin, but did like the green ones (still his favorite color).

So dad, Susan and myself all picked out our own while Gray tromped around on the tractor trailer below. Such a city boy. Give him a tractor and he's entertained forever.

Pappa and Gray on the tire swing.

The pumpkins we picked from the patch. Quite a nice variety!

Later Susu helped Gray paint/color the pumpkins since he's not quite ready for carving.

I think this was his attempt at a Jack-o-lantern face. 

Pajama Days

We've been spending a lot of time hanging around the house lately. Gray had a bout of bronchitis followed up a week or so later by a virus with high fever.

His most recent fever broke on Sunday around midnight, so fingers crossed we've paid our sickness dues for a while.

I must say the extra cuddle time is nice. We knew he was feeling better on Sunday when he would not. stop. talking. Guess he had to make up for the days of quietly resting.