Madd Max Goes Trick-Or-Treating

A Halloween tip - do not go shopping for trick-or-treat bags on Halloween. The shelves will be empty and your kids will end up with a Halloween themed gift bag and a Halloween bucket from a Happy Meal.

Maddie had shown some anxiety about trick-or-treating, so Jess thought she would do a test run with the neighbors.

She did well except for getting a little scared of the witch and running right into the neighbor's house.

Then some time was spent at the other neighbor's house, dancing in their lawn, waiting for night to fall. She loved the entire night, and after every house said, "So much fun!" Max got mad props for his banana costume.

Her booty.

After heading inside, Maddie was so excited she wanted to stay by the front door to greet trick-or-treaters. After they would get their candy and say thank you, Maddie would reply, "You're welcome, kids!" Once Max was in bed, we headed out to the front swing, where Maddie would hold the bucket of candy out, and say "Take 1!" This led to many, "Oh, she's so cute!" and one "Seeing kids like this makes me want to have a kid of my own!" from a 14-year-old boy, the scariest thing Jess heard all night.

The Scrapper Loves Babies

For those of you familiar with Yo Gabba, this song will ring a bell. For those of you not familiar, now you know it. The entire chorus. In just a few seconds. Max loves it, and sings and dances to it daily.

Madd Max Heads To The 10th Annual Pumpkin Carving Party

But first a Skype with Dad, Taisie and Toby to show off their Halloween costumes.

Then it was off to the Delphi Collective, complete with giant spider climbing over the roof.

And bloody eyeball jello shots (non-alcoholic) - the cucumber ones packed a punch, though.

The carving and stringing of pumpkins was in in full force by the Chadwicks.

K-Dub.Eric and Steve-o.Alex and Jess, our hostess of the carving party.Who had also provided a kiddie corner, used by the monkey.And the banana - the fact that the caps were still on did not take any joy from his coloring.

Drew manned the painting of the Kender-Page pumpkin by Lilly/Foofa and Maddie.

Some of the entries - the Dexter Pumpkin, complete with pumpkin blood slide.

The Mummy Pumpkin.

The winning entry - The Skull Pumpkin.

This is almost all of them. Yes - the white one on the right does have a plastic visor.

The evening ended with Alex's entry, which involved flares and green flame. Maddie, remembering the Delphi Collective from the 4th of July, said, "Fireworks are awesome!"

Madd Max Get Pumpkins

Something Maddie talked about all morning long before heading out.

Max found trying to lift them the coolest part of all.

Second to bouncing up and down on them.

They left with toddler sized pumpkins (and a big one for the house).

Madd Max Can Fill A Room

When they're with their posse, Lilly, ELF, and Elizabeth. Just wait until Findley-on-the-way arrives.

Slappy Has A Weekday BFF

Aurelia, seen here on the right. Both girls share a love for running across this bridge over and over.

Madd Max Enjoys The Zoo

Maddie is now a mature zoo visitor, this go round wanting to stop at every habitat. After about 15 seconds, she would say "Bye, bye - (insert animal name here)!" and we would head onto the next.

Max was most interested in all the "agua" around the zoo - the fountains, the waterfalls, the swimming holes.

But the best part of the trip was the french fry break. Max was thrilled to be sitting on a big boy bench next to his sister. Maddie enjoyed his company and showed it by regularly leaning over, hugging him and saying, "I love you, Max."

Madd Max Has Donuts

And Thai food, with a few hours in between, with the Findleys. Maddie spent the first 5 minutes running in circles around the house at the appearance of her BFF.

Madd Max Goes To Underwood Farms

With Kathleen for some almost-like-the-East-Coast good times.Maddie blew Jess' mind by going on and loving her first solo ride ever.There were climbing trains and a man serenading the kids.Max was enthralled, so the man sang an entire song to him.Next came an animal show.And some dancing to live music while we waited for our lunch order.Maddie then asked to ride the cow train all by herself. Jess assumed that it went in a circle around the pumpkin patch.It did not. It headed out into the sunflower fields waaaay behind the pumpkin patch.Kathleen and Max tried to distract Jess with some pumpkin drumming.

Max also saw this and eventhough he had no idea why it was fun, he WANTED to do it.

When the cow train finally returned, Maddie was just fine, waving. By the time it ended she was ready to get off, but not freaking out at all. Way better then Mom.

The Scrapper Gets His 15 Month Checkup

His stats:

Weight: 23lbs. 12oz. (35th percentile)

Height: 31in (45th percentile)

Head Circumference: 18 5/8cm (45th percentile)

He is also very much into hat wearing. Hat, his choice - he knows he looks fly.

Slappy Gets Her 2.5 Year Checkup

Her stats:

Weight: 32lbs 4oz (80th percentile)

Height: 36 7/8in (70th percentile)

Madd Max Is Still Not In Philly

But Jess was, and headed over to the newlyweds house for Hangover Hoagies.

And to enjoy their East Coast backyard (PS They keep bees).

Madd Max Does Not Go To Philly Either

The Dexter contingent, Liza Mae (by default), Arthur, Elizabeth and Jess headed to just outside Philly.

For the wedding of MelB and Adam.

Held outside at Sweetwater Farms surrounded by 50 acres, buildings dating back to the 1700s, and a lot of style.

There was some of the Medium contingent as well, Kathleen and Eric.

A wishing well, pennies provided.

The ladies and the bride.

The newlyweds.

The dancing with another Medium rep, Marcus.

Outside the wedding, there were s'mores, and the party continued with 8 or 9 ball.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Maddie demanded "Hoods For All!"