Pumpkin Carvin'

Once again, Madigan and Ted took charge of the pumpkin carving at our house. But first, Madigan had to pose with her pumpkin...
Then the carving could finally start! Just like last year, Madigan was VERY into it at first...But after awhile, the focus started to break down. So, she played around with the flashlight...
Ate a little snack...
Colored a picture...
And found fun ways to play with the parts of the pumpkin that Daddy wasn't using!
Here's a video that we think is hysterical. Pay close attention to the last few seconds of it - a little pumpkin goo gets loose and lands on Madigan's face. It was hilarious! Ted and I have gotten way too much enjoyment out of watching this over and over and over...


Last year, Ted made Madigan a Dora pumpkin. This year, she requested Boots. Ted, however, couldn't seem to stop himself with just one design. So, he carved Boots...
Dora (again)...The Grumpy Old Troll...and Swiper!Pretty impressive, huh? And what was I doing during all of this? I made my own pumpkin...using a pre-packaged decoration set that all you have to do is stick the plastic down in the pumpkin! Yes, that IS my level of creativity. I didn't even draw the face on - Ted did that too! Oh well, at least one Bowsman parent is artistic!
Happy Halloween!!!

Preparing for Paxton

We're all anxiously awaiting the arrival of Paxton. For the most part, Madigan has been all about becoming a big sister and welcoming her little brother into our lives.
But we've also noticed a few changes in her that we're crediting to her awareness that things are about to change. The changes are brief but pretty drastic. She goes from a sweet, loving, well-mannered child to the dramatic, screaming kid that you see at Walmart and think to yourself "My kid will NEVER act like that". You know the one. Yep, that's my kid these days. Fortunately these fits only last a few moments but still...they make me tired. At the pumpkin patch yesterday, we caught two of these moments on film so I thought I would post them for your viewing pleasure.

This was the start of a fit over the sun being too bright.

Yes that's right - the SUN was TOO BRIGHT! The nerve of that sun...

This time I asked her very politely to take a picture with me on top of the hay mountain. Her reaction? Lay down in the fetal position and start screaming. Like I said, the fits don't last very long. She's right back to herself in just a matter of seconds. Me, on the other hand? I'm left wondering - "where did this child come from?"I know we have lots more fun in store for us once Paxton does arrive. For now, I'm just trying to keep my sanity (and not start screaming back at her...at least not in public). Have a great week!

Pumpkin Patch 2009

One of the things I've been wanting to mark off of the "to do" list before Paxton arrives is a trip to the pumpkin patch. Thankfully, we were able to go this evening on what has to be the most perfect weather day of the season. We had a wonderful time!
There was a petting zoo where the kids could feed the ducks, chickens, guineas and goats. This is about as close as Madigan got to them, but that's actually an improvement over the last petting zoo we went to where she held her nose and said "Stinky!" the whole time.
We went with the Cales, so we took advantage of the opportunity to get pictures of Madigan and Jenna in their super cute Halloween dresses that Grandi made for them.
Now if only we could get them both to look at the camera at the same time...
So close...
Woo hoo! They're both looking at the camera (or at least in the same general direction).
And if getting two kids to look at the camera at the same time wasn't hard enough, let's add a third! Isn't Lindsey adorable?
We got to ride on a hayride. I was kind of hoping the bouncing and bumping would help Paxton decide to come sooner, but so far, it hasn't worked!
We got to see the SCARY spider...
and the Haunted graveyard on the hayride.
An added bonus - this pumpkin patch had pig races!!! Go ahead and laugh, but this was hilarious and a definite highlight of the trip.

Waiting for the pigs

Still waiting...


And here's a video of the excitement. Maybe you did have to be there... but trust me, it was really funny!

The kids also got to play in the hay and on the slides.

And we needed a few more pictures in the actual pumpkin patch.
Sweet girls!
Here's a picture of our family...and a picture of Madigan with her other family!But that's okay, their kid fits in our family pretty well too!
We had a great time and are planning on carving the pumpkin tomorrow night. So stay tuned for more pumpkin pictures!

Party Like It's 1999...

Okay, so I didn't really party much in 1999 either, but it was just too good a line to pass up...

About 3 weeks ago, we traveled to Fort Worth for my 10 Year High School Reunion. Since this would be our last road trip before the baby comes, we decided to make a whole weekend out of it. We went to my high school's football game and then spent the night with one of my very best friends and her family. Debra and I have been friends since 6th grade and she has two little girls - a 3 year old and a 1 year old. So, Madigan had a blast playing with them! Unfortunately, I did not pull my camera out while we were there. Debra took some, so I'll ask her to send some of the girls and post them soon. We did get one picture of the four adults at the reunion...of course, I had my eyes closed!
Oh well! It was great to spend time with them. Thanks Essens for letting us stay!

On Saturday, we met up with my cousin for a little while, ate at the BEST restaurant in the WORLD (Joe's Pasta and Pizza) and spent the rest of the day with some other wonderful friends, Jessy and Susan. Again, no pictures... :(. That evening, Jessy and Susan graciously kept Madigan and Ted and I went to my reunion. Here are some pictures some people have sent me. :)
Debra and me...
We've come a long way in 10 years, don't you think? :)I also got to reunite with some good friends that I'd unfortunately lost touch with over the years. Traci (on the left) is expecting a baby boy soon! Leslie (right) was the organizer of the whole reunion event. She did a GREAT job!The pregnant girls...
It was a great time! Still can't believe it's been 10 years. Does that make me old? Don't answer that.

AND...since we were already in the metroplex for the weekend, we managed to catch a Rangers' game. :)

This was the first game that Madigan really got to enjoy the "Kid's Zone" that's set up behind the outfield.
"How cool is this, Mom?"""Put me in Coach...I'm ready to play!"Since we didn't get to see the "real" Captain, we settled for a picture of him.This game was in the afternoon, right through naptime and on the heels of a VERY busy weekend that consisted of staying up late at night. So how did we keep her awake? Simple...sugar!But eventually the sugar crash came and we had a very sleepy girl on our hands. Since it was the 8th inning, the Rangers were getting crushed, and we had a 5 hour drive back home, we said goodbye to the metroplex.
What a great weekend!