October 31st

Halloween.  Halloween is really busy and exciting at the Dahl house.   It's a week of non stop activity that leaves my head spinning.   First thing on the agenda is Grace's birthday (Oct 29th).  Second would be Halloween and all the candy and costumes and decorating and pumpkins and third is Owen's birthday (Nov 1st).    Two birthday cakes and bags full of candy all in one week.   What kids wouldn't love Halloween week at the Dahl house?  I have realized surviving this week takes endurance and love.....lots of love.

The night before Halloween we hauled 4 pumpkins and a card table out to the front yard.  The boys drew their designs and we started carving.    Gabriel took the lead and did most of the hard labor while the little kids helped.

And the big night finally arrived and everyone was so excited.   We set up our glowing pumpkin outside and set a big bowl or candy on the front porch because we had trick or treating to do and couldn't wait around any longer.

Before we left on our trick or treating journey I made all the kids line up on the porch swing.   Here they are:  A blue ninja, a skeleton, a dragon and spider man.   Ready for some trick or treating.

Two weeks before Halloween we dragged out the custom box to get everything ready.   Eli spotted one of Gabe's old Spiderman customs and immediatly pulled it out.   He put it in his hands and studied the fabric.  When I told him that I could help him put it on he screamed.  NO!   He has never actually worn a costume on Halloween.   He's never wanted to put something over his face.     Yet this year, I could tell he wanted to be like the other kids and wear this Spiderman costume.  So I left it on the counter for him.   Everyday he would go over and touch it and one day he put on the gloves.   The next day I tenatively asked him if he wanted the mask.   He said no.   I put on the mask.   He touched my head with it on.   He said he would try.   He put it on.   This was big for Eli.   Then he wanted to put the whole thing on.   I was so proud of him!   The first day he only wore it for a few minutes but as the days went on he asked for it and would wear it for longer periods of time.   And, when the big day came.   He was ready!   Spiderman for sure.   In fact, he wore his mask most of the night as we walked from house to house.

 And, isn't Grace the cutest little dragon ever?    

Halloween in Arizona is so beautiful.  It's nice and warm and our neighborhood is decorated.   Most of the neighbors are sitting out in the driveways ready to hand out candy an greet each other.   No coats over customes, no snow, and no wind.   I just LOVE it!

Did someone say 2?

In the darkness, Gabe shook me on the shoulder "mom, get up, come on, mom, get up".   "It's Grace's birthday and I need some buttons".   I open one eye and look at the clock.  5:30 am.    Grrrrr, it's to early to be awake so I groan a little and say "What, why do you need buttons"?   "For Grace's birthday present" he says.   

It's one of the moments when I want to tell him that we don't have time for buttons this morning.   I have to get breakfast and clean up the dishes and wrap the rest of the presents.   There is no time to start another project.  But, I listen to that small voice that tells me to help Gabe and to be patient with his idea and let him take the lead.

We drag out my sewing kit and cut up an old pink shirt.  I show Gabe how to sew a button.  He makes Grace a small blanket with several buttons sewed on it because Grace's favorite thing in the world is buttons and he wants to make her something special.   Then, he goes into the kitchen and makes her a card.  A pink card with green buttons.   It's the sweetest present that I have ever seen.   It is loving and kind and thoughtful and makes me so thankful.  

After the presents are wrapped, the balloons are blown up, and her princess crown is ready we wake her so we can all be together as a family to open her presents. 

Brothers and Daddy have to go to work and school and my big two year old gets to stay home with me and help bake a chocolate birthday cake.

And, after the cake was made and we found her party dress we were ready to have some friends over for dinner to celebrate!

We had such a good time with Bella and Eva.  We ate dinner and had some cake and even had time for a swim in the hot tub before it was all over.

And, Grace's favorite gift just happened to be a horse she could ride on.

Here is the sweet birthday girl playing with some of her favorite toys.

Happy Birthday to my sweet 2 year old!

The Farm

I love taking my kids to the farm.    We always stay a little bit to long because we are having so much fun digging in the corn and petting the animals.    By the time we pack our things up and are headed to the car, we are tired and dirty and at least two of the four children are having a complete melt down.   Oh, but it is so worth it.  To be outside with my kids all day and to watch them playing and exploring and just being kids.   It is so worth it!

This year the boys got to show Grace all the amazing sites on a farm.   They are so patient with her.  Showing her every thing and explaining things to her in a way that only kids can explain things.   How amazing is it that she has three older brothers to show her the ropes?

Gabe's favorite thing at the farm was the pregnant Pot Bellied Pig.   He stayed with her for a long time, stoking her back.   He kept telling me how hot and miserable she looked.  And of course he had to show Grace how to properly pet a pig.

  

There was  little pen of baby pigs.  Cutest thing ever.   Grace would point and squeal at them.   She really, really wanted to be able to touch them.

The boys loved the "farm tractors"   They were kind of like bumper cars when they were racing each other and trying to push each other off the track.   

Gracie and I stood and watched the boys go around and around the track and she kept telling me she wanted a turn.   I told her "oh honey, you are too little".  "You can't go on the tractors, you are to little".  Well, that little girl wouldn't take no for an answer.   She stuck out her big bottom lip and started screaming.   So, I yelled at Gabe to come over and take her on his tractor but, that is not what she wanted.   She wanted her own.   So, I decided to pick my battles.  This wasn't one of them.   I put her up on that tractor thinking it was to big and she wouldn't be able to move it.   Boy was I wrong.

She got up there and instead of using the petals because they were to far away from her feet she just pushed with her feet.   As I watched her go around the track several times, I was amazed.   She knew what she wanted and she knew she could be like her big brothers!

Here is Eli and I wanting to jump on big trampoline.

We also got to ride on a train.   Eli especially loved the train.   He loved being able to drive.

Here is Grace going in and out of the little farm houses.

Eli loved the pig shoot.   You go up the stairs and come flying out of the tunnel.    Over and over.   Up and down, up and down.   It was definitely  his favorite part of the farm.

Before we headed home we had to buy our pumpkins.  The kids loved picking one out just for their own.

What a fun day.   A day to leave everything behind and to explore.    A day of getting dirty and being together.