Goober's First REAL Halloween

Our little Calvin is finally catching on to Halloween. Not only did he get to visit the pumpkin patch with Mimi and Papa, carve pumpkins with Mama and Dada, and do some fun Halloween activities at his preschool, but he also got to go trick-or-treating with his neighborhood gang (and all their parents, of course)!

Dr. Calvin, The Veterinarian

Meanwhile, Mimi and Papa held the fort down at home, taking care of Little Rowan, and handing out candy to all the ghosts and ghouls.

Not sure who enjoyed it most!
 

IT'S FINALLY FALL Y'ALL

Although, in typical Texas fashion, we more or less jumped straight from sweltering summer to freezing winter temps without much of a transition. But, there were a few brief moments...

It was nice while it lasted, but now it's 32 degrees out, and our little kiddos are going to be trick-or-treating Minnesota-style tonight, with big heavy jackets completely covering their cute little costumes!

THE PUMPKIN PATCH ADVENTURE

As soon as I mention the word "adventure", our Calvin immediately heads over to the costume pegs and starts pulling on his explorer outfit. And, whenever he does this, he leaves a trail of formerly grumpy old people, who are suddenly grinning their heads off, wherever he goes! Which is exactly what happened when we took him on a Pumpkin Patch Adventure this weekend.

He should have been pretty grumpy himself, seeing as we were told we'd have a 45 minute wait to get a table at Wimberley Cafe. But, when I took him exploring around the square, we discovered a brand new candy store -- one with blueberry lollipops, his favorite! He was still only halfway through it when he finally got his grilled cheese sandwich.

From there we headed to the big Methodist church on the edge of town, which hosts a tiny little pumpkin patch each year. No big bouncy houses or slides, but just right for a little explorer who's not too crazy about crowds and noise.

He found a big pumpkin for him and Dada to carve, and a little tiny pumpkin that ought to be just about right for his baby sister Rowan.

Plus there were some fun games, just right for someone his size.

All in all, I'd say it was the perfect pumpkin patch adventure!

A HINT OF WINTER

What happens in Texas, when the temperatures outside suddenly plunge down into the 60s? This!

We grab our fuzzy blankets, brew up a pot of hot tea, and totally ignore the fact that our thermostat inside the house is still reading a cozy 75 F.

MY FAKE FALL PUMPKIN PATCH

It finally came -- that longed for day when the sky clouded up, temps dropped into the 80s, we had a nice breeze out on the porch, and we even got a bit of rain. Why, it felt like fall! So, of course I had to start pulling out a few of my fallish decorations, right?

By the time I had finished I was feeling so festive, I couldn't resist whipping up a batch of my Peanut Butter Cocoa Krispie Treats -- the ones I used to make for my kiddos around this time each year. Only this time they were for a special grandson, so I had grabbed a bag of Brach's Halloween treats to scatter on top, for a bit of added color...

and they ended up looking just like a Pumpkin Patch!

But then I glanced out the window and realized the sun had come out, chasing all the clouds away, and the temperature had crept back up into the 90's. Ah well, such is life in Texas. I just cranked the AC up a bit more, and spent the next hour trying to scrape up and consume every last morsel of cocoa-caramelly goodness outta that mixing bowl!

PEANUT BUTTER KRISPIE TREATS

1 c. light corn syrup

1 c. sugar

1 c. smooth peanut butter

6 c. regular or cocoa rice krispies

Combine syrup and sugar in a large pot. Cook on medium heat, stirring frequently, until sugar dissolves and mixture begins to boil. Remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter. Add Rice Krispies and stir until well coated. Press mixture into Pam-coated 9 x 13" pan.

MEET ROWAN

 

WELCOME TO THE PARTY LITTLE ONE!

On Friday -- our daughter's actual "due date" -- we took a risk and purchased tickets to see an afternoon showing of the new Downton Abbey movie. Once we made it through that, I told her she was free to go into labor at any time. She took me at my word, for that very night we got a call around 2 AM saying "You might want to head back to Austin now to pick up little Goobs."

"So many Super Calvins, Mimi!"

We took him back home with us and snuggled into bed, but woke up early, anxious for some news. We waited, and waited, and finally got a text about five hours later saying "Well, we seem to have stalled out." We were making plans to take Calvin home the next morning when we got another message, saying "OK, things seem to be starting up again, but I wouldn't get too excited just yet." Finally, around 11 PM they decide to head for the birthing center and call the doula.

But, once little sister made up her mind that she was ready to break outta dat joint, her mama says it was like a freight train coming through. When the midwife said "Here she comes!", Lex thought she meant she was finally crowning, but the midwife said "No! I mean she's halfway OUT!"

And so, more than 24 hours after those first contractions, our chubby-cheeked granddaughter, Rowan Rebecca Sanders -- weighing in at just under 8 lbs. -- finally made her entrance. Sadly, I have no pics to share just yet.

Meanwhile, the worlds cutest race car driver spent three fun-filled days with us, but couldn't wait to get home to his Mama and Dada, to make sure this usurper wasn't trying to take his place at the center of the universe -- just like his own mama did when her little brother was born. Ahhh, sibling rivalry!

We'll just have to keep reminding ourselves that only ten or fifteen short years later, Austin and Alexis somehow managed to magically morph into being the best of friends!