Thanksgiving Train

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  Ours was wonderful.  We spent time with both Jason's and my families, and we are still a bit tired!

Our Thanksgiving break definitely had a train theme.  We took the train to and from Charlotte to spend Thanksgiving with Jason's family.  This was a reward to Sims for now being potty-trained (Yay!), but really we all enjoyed it. 

On Saturday, we went to Isla's 2nd birthday party, where we all rode the train at the Museum of Life and Science.  So to end the weekend, we went and bought a Lionel train set at the greatest local train store.  The boys were so excited about it (okay, so was I).

We put up one of our Christmas trees early, just so we could put the train set around it.  We haven't gotten everything, like the tree skirt and ornaments, set up yet, but we have already been enjoying the train.  I think Sims could lie down and watch it for hours.

This morning, after he was ready to go to school, he laid down with his stuffed animals and a blanket and watched the train go 'round and 'round.

I wouldn't be surprised if he asks to sleep next to it.

Election Cake

Jason and I went early yesterday to vote, and we decided that Sims was at the perfect age to start going with us.  We talked about what we were about to do, how important it is and how lucky we are to live in a country where we can vote.  I'm not sure what he got out of the conversation, but he enjoyed "helping" me vote.  He also loved the sticker he got afterward.  "It's my favorite sticker," he said.

This is the first year that I had ever heard of the old tradition of Election Cake.  Many years ago, Election Day usually involved parties with family and friends who came into town to vote.  So, of course, there was always cake.  We decided it was time to bring that tradition back!  (Any excuse for cake is a good one, right?)  I planned on having a spice cake, which is the more traditional Election Cake, but Sims really wanted "red cake".  Red velvet cake is never a bad choice, I think!

Now I am so happy that Election Day is over and past us.  I couldn't take another campaign ad!

Pumpkin Picking

I know that it's after Halloween and all, but I have to post about our annual pumpkin patch visit.  This year we were joined by one of Sims' friends Aidan and his family, and we had a wonderful time walking through the corn maze, going on the hay ride, playing in the corn crib, feeding the goats, picking cotton, climbing the hay mountain and sliding down the corrugated tube, and, of course, picking pumpkins!  I didn't take as many pictures this year because we were all having so much fun hanging out together, but I did get some good ones of Sims.

We came home with 3 beautiful pumpkins and a worn out child.  The pumkpin patch is the always the best way to kick off the fall season.  I just love this tradition!

Ghost of the Forest

For Halloween this year, Sims actually requested what he wanted to be - a ghost!  He loves The Berenstain Bears and the Ghost of the Forest book, so I think that inspired him. 

He started off the celebration with a party at school.  It's always so much fun to see the kids dressed up.  Then we went to Mom and Smith's house for a short visit, and we were happy that we got to see Isla dressed in her ladybug costume. 

Sims' mask was an unexpected addition, as it was a party favor from school.  He loved it, and I think it kind of worked.

We headed home to get ready for trick or treating.

This year, he really enjoyed trick or treating, and we went to about 15 houses.  He would ring the doorbell and immediately say, "trick or treat".  When the person came to the door, he would whisper, "trick or treat" so softly that you could barely hear him.  We just had to take a picture of him waiting at the door of one of the houses.

When we got home, it was pretty much Sims' bedtime, but he got to have one treat of his choice.  He went for the Tootsie Pop, and he ate every single bit of it!

I think Sims had a fabulous Halloween!  I hope y'all did as well.