Trick or Treat

In the State of Ohio they have a few different traditions...like Beggars Night. They choose to have trick or treating on a night other than the 31st, but we have never really figured out why. Regardless, tonight was our special night to dress up and hand out candy. EJ was really into it this year. He was been practicing saying "Trick or Trick" and "Thank You" for a week now. Paco took him around tonight and reported that EJ did a fantastic job. Here are a few pictures of our little monkey.

He was so excited to get going I could barely get a picture

Waving Hi to everyone

He came in the house and immediately dumped all his candy on the living room floor.
He got to sample a few things and was definitely liking that.

Playgroup Halloween Party

Our wonderful friends Jenny and Brady hosted our Playgroup Halloween Party today. Jenny had everything decorated so cute and our little group of animals had such a fun time. They got to play with toys, do a craft, and have some tasty pizza, fruit, and bone-shaped breadsticks for lunch. We finished up the day with some fun play time outside. Jenny has even more great pictures at her website http://www.zollarsfamily.blogspot.com/.

Animal friends:(l-r)Brady the cow, EJ the monkey, Katie the kangaroo, and Hannah the chick

Look out--it's a monkey policeman with kangaroo helper

Painting their pumpkins black to make scary bats--I will have to post the
finished product another time.

Thank you Grandma Ruth and Grandpa Bernie

Yesterday we received this adorable hooded sweatshirt from Grandma and Grandpa Coleman. EJ wore it to his playgroup Halloween party today and all the Mommies thought it was so cute. Thanks again Grandma Ruth and Grandpa Bernie.

Mr. Cheese in his new sweatshirt

Carving up some fun

Tonight we took the opportunity to carve EJ's pumpkins. He had been really looking forward to getting out the "seeds and gooey stuff" as he refers to it. However, he stuck his hand in once and wasn't going back for seconds :) Paco was able to finish up cleaning out the seeds and EJ watched as Daddy carved. He had also been looking forward to using a neat kit that Grandma and Grandpa Sanchez sent him. The kit had various eyes, ears, mouths, and noses that press into the pumpkin to make silly faces. EJ really liked this part because he could be a part of it.

EJ with his one and only attempt at the gooey stuff

The finished products

Sesame Street Live

Sesame Street Live came to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base last night courtesy of the USO and Base Services. This was a wonderful, and free, show for military families to enjoy. We took EJ and he had an absolute blast. In fact, he was pretty disappointed when the show ended. It was so much fun to see Elmo, Cookie Monster, Grover, Zoe, and Rosita live on stage. Thanks to the folks at the USO and Base for making it possible!

EJ meeting his buddy Cookie Monster

The stars of the show

He wasn't sure what to think at first, but then really got into it

Thank You Grandma and Grandpa

Today EJ got a Halloween gift from Grandma Patty and Grandpa Esteban. He loves his new shirt and the yummy treats he received. He is especially looking forward to making a pumpkin creation with the kit he was sent. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa!!!

Happy Birthday Paco!

Today is Paco's 29th Birthday. Happy Birthday Paco! EJ and I made him a cake and EJ "helped" put the icing on the cake. I think he might have more on him, though, than on the cake :)

Blowing out the candles

EJ "helping" ice the cake

Riding the mini trains

Paco, EJ and I visited Carillon Park today to ride the mini trains. There is a fantastic group of gentlemen that more or less volunteer their time multiple weekends out of the summer to drive the trains. EJ absolutely loved riding around and saying "choo choo" all day. This park also has a lot of neat historical Dayton buildings and the third Wright Flyer airplane ever built--donated by Orville Wright himself. Very neat to see how aeronautics have changed in the last 100 years.

Thank You,Emily and Addi

EJ's cousins, Emily and Addison, sent him a surprise package in the mail yesterday. It had two pairs of cute Halloween jammies and some wonderful pictures the girls made. He was very excited to get mail and had to wear the new jammies to bed last night. Thanks girls!

I vant Candy!

Uncle Mike and Aunt Amber

This weekend Paco's brother, Mike, and his wife, Amber, came to visit. On Saturday we went to the pumpkin patch and I, of course, forgot my camera. I did remember to take the camera on Sunday to the park and Boonshoft Children's Museum. EJ had SO much fun playing endless games of hide and go seek and trains with his aunt and uncle. Paco and I can't thank them enough for what was really like a weekend off parenting duties. We are so glad you both came to visit!

The Sanchez Family court is in session

Uncle Mike and EJ dress up as firefighters

I thought this one was way too cute not to include

Uncle Mike puts EJ and Aunt Amber in jail

Big Boy Bed

Yesterday when EJ woke up he informed me that "Last week I was a little boy and this week I am a big boy. Big boys sleep in big boy beds!" I have been dreading converting his crib into a toddler bed, but he is almost three years old and I'm sure past ready for this milestone. So Paco took off the front railing of the crib and we now have a big boy bed. He was really enjoying the freedom of getting in and out of bed on his own. Last night we kept having to walk him back into his room and put him back in bed and eventually had to put a childproof doorknob cover on to keep him in his room. After two hours or so of this fun back and forth game he fell asleep. Within two minutes he managed to fall out of the bed! He stayed asleep through it all and, knock on wood, he hasn't fallen out since. He is napping perfectly in his big boy bed now and we are hoping that continues.

Napping in the big boy bed

Pumpkin Patch

What a delightful kickoff to the fall...our trip to the pumpkin patch. This morning EJ and I went with all our playgroup friends to Fulton Farms to enjoy a hayride, pumpkin picking, and playtime. The children all had a wonderful time and were all smiles. Here are a few pictures of the day.

EJ in the pumpkin Patch searching for just the right one

Look at all these pumpkins!

The farm has a great wooden train for the kids to play on. I think EJ was more excited about playing on this than picking a pumpkin.

The playgroup crew (l-r):
Hannah, Katie, Brady and EJ

A little video of all the fun the kids were having on the hayride