Jack-o-lanterns

Last night our pumpkins became jack-o-lanterns. The kids decorated one side with paint pens and we carved the other side. Only two words describe the process: messy chaos. By the end Avery was wiping down Caleb with "pumpkin guts". Good times!

A cowboy, a hunter & a princess

No, these are not this year's Halloween costumes, these are everyday outfits in the Maurer household. Seems the every day attire of shorts and t-shirts just doesn't cut it after 5 o'clock. Once we arrive home in the afternoon, the kids think it is neccesary to change clothes and lately it has been into this attire. Some days it drives mama and daddy CRAZY!! Clothes get thrown on the floor, certain things can't be found, tears are shed and it all could have been avoided had they just kept their other clothes on!! Cowboy Caleb has the biggest obsession. He has insisted on cowboy hat, jeans, belt, boots and button up shirt for the last 10 days straight. Hoping it is just a phase????

Coincidence, full moon or "twin thing"

The kids and I just got back from what was more of an eventful dinner than I had planned. Wes is at the deer lease for the night so we planned dinner with Toppe and Grandpa at the airport - 7pm sharp. We were there at 7pm, but Avery insisted on watching 4 planes take off and 2 land from the parking lot so about 15 mintues later, we were seated outside on the patio to see anymore planes that might come through. Once at the table, the forks and knives became drumsticks on the glass tables and menus were thrown around. This is not normal behavior for our kids. Even laid back grandpa had to say a few words to my fidgety kids to calm them down. Things got a little better once the food came, though we were interrupted 3 times for potty breaks. Once the bill was paid, and we walked back outside, the kids ran around in the front run way area. Then we called it a night and headed for the car which is when all hell broke lose.
First, Avery swallowed a peppermint. They have a huge bowl on the way out of the restaurant and she grabbed a few and the first one she stuck in her mouth was swallowed whole. You could tell it hurt her, she gagged and coughed and complained of it hurting. She was breathing and talking so all we could do was try and calm her down and encourage her to drink. Right about the same time Austin got irate, a very rare reaction from him. He and grandpa had gone to the car and when they got there they couldn't get in. Austin wanted to get his new library book out to show grandpa and couldn't get to it because the car was locked, or at least that seemed to be the issue. He started to cry, I unlocked the car, he got the book, but still he cried .... and cried... and cried. He threw what I consider an irate tantrum, one I have only seen him throw a handful of times. He was mad, unconsolable. I tried to hold him, but he resisted. I tried to put him in the car, he fought me. All this time Avery is crying from the pain of the lodged peppermint. At least Caleb chose to be calm. So finally I got Austin in the car, against his will, and we headed home. Avery complained the whole way home & Austin cried the whole way home. The one humerous moment was when Caleb said "Mama, I'm the only one not crying!"
When we got home, Austin's tears continued and Avery was in obvious pain. I didn't know what to do for her. Toppe had suggested bread to help push the peppermint down so that is what we tried. 15 seconds later, Avery coughed everything up - bread, peppermint and lots of slimy stuff. Immediately she said she felt better. Immediately Austin stopped crying and seemed like him old self.
So the whole incident got me to thinking about the stories you hear about one twins pain affecting the other. Could that be what was going on tonight? Is my kids' crazy behavior these last 3 nights the result of a full moon or is it merely coincidence???

Happy Birthday Mimi!!!

Happy Birthday to a very special lady in our lives. We thank you for everything you do for us and hope you have a fantastic day!

Maurer Hayride, round 2

Pleasant fall weather, pumpkins, hay bales, chicken soup, lots of snacks and desserts, friends & family.... yep, the perfect combination for a Sunday afternoon hayride. For the second year we loaded up a crew of friends and family and headed out on the country road for some old fashion fun. After our ride the kids played, adults chatted and we all filled up on soup and goodies. No fuss, no frills, just simple fun....

Body canvas

Painting is a special treat at our house. It doesn't happen often, primarily because this happens:

Dewberry Farms

Sunday we loaded up our crew and followed the Rau's out to Dewberry Farms in Brookshire. We had heard good things about the farm that included a pumpkin patch, 16 acre corn maze, pig races, and farm fun for the entire family. It was a lot of fun, but there were way too many families with the same idea that day. It didn't help that it was upper 80's, no shade, and dusty. I know this doesn't make this place sound very fun, but I could definitely imagine a much better experience with about 1,000 less people, 10 degrees cooler temperatures, and a little cloud cover. Overall we still enjoyed the day with the Rau's at a day on the farm.

All 3 of the kids loved the rope swing. I think we will see a new addtion to the playscape very soon.

Camping w/ Popo

Popo took his camper out to the lake this past week and the kids took advantage of getting out of school early on Friday and spending the afternoon with him and daddy. These pics were taken Friday night and Saturday morning and notice there is no little girl in them. She chose to come home with Mommy that evening.... something she probably got from her mama. The boys on the other hand had a great time "roughing" it.

Caleb's post

Every once in a while my mom falls behind on this blogging thing and me and my bother and sister have to step in and help her keep up. Not really sure what her deal is... We are all doing good. In addition to not blogging, mom hasn't had the camera out much. I'm not going to complain, sometimes I get tired of her saying "Caleb, look at the camera. Smile!" Blah... just let me be.
I am loving this cooler weather.... makes me want to put my cowboy jeans and boots on everyday when I come home from school, and I usually do. Mom and dad get frustrated with me changing clothes all the time, but a cowboy has to do what a cowboy has to do. I wish I could wear my cowboy boots to school, but mom says I can't. I need tennis shoes so that I can run on my new big playground I get to play on now that I am a Frisky Frog.
Last night we went to the homecoming parade. I didn't see too many floats, just fancy cars driving down the street. I'm not going to complain. We loaded up on some candy! We sat towards the beginning of the parade route and you know those high school girls can't resist my adorable face... they threw me lots of candy! It disappeared once we get home, but I know mom has it hiding somewhere. I also know she took out all the Tootsie Rolls, they are her favorites.
We've been watching lots of Longhorn football but dad isn't always happy when the games are on. He shakes his head and yells crazy things at the tv. Surely he won't have to do this for every game.
That's all I have to report right now. Hopefully mom will get her act in gear and post soon.