Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from Caeden the Horse! 

Waiting to start trick-or-treating

His candy stash...and this was only after an hour!

Tulsa Zoo

So, as of last year, we decided to plan an annual trip to the zoo each fall.  Yesterday was THAT day!  Caeden was so excited to see the "monkeys, elephants, and alligators."  The weather was beautiful and Caeden had an awesome time seeing the real, live animals.  I'm sure each year will just get better & better.

Intently watching the monkeys (hard to see in the picture)

Not sure what they're looking at, but it must be pretty serious!

Inspecting the rattlesnake

Photo Op!!!

Caeden, Daddy, and Uncle Rhett looking at the bear!

Watching the Razorback!!!!

Petting the goats!  He loved this part!

Eating his lunch while waching the lion

Fall Festivities

Reid and I tend to get into the holidays.  We've made traditions that have gone back 12 years, since we started dating.  And now it's fun that we get to carry on these traditions with Caeden.  Every Halloween, we pick a night to make caramel apples and carve pumpkins.  So, thus begins our evening last night:

Caeden got to help make his own caramel apple...



And liked to eat the caramel too...

Here was the finished product.  Although Caeden (and Reid)

weren't happy about us having to put them in the fridge for a little bit.

After dinner, it was pumpkin painting time!

Since Caeden obviously can't carve, we decided to paint this year. :)

So proud of his creation...

And when it was all done...

We say it was his tie-dye pumpkin!



And finally, it was time to EAT the caramel apples!

This was Caeden's first time eating a caramel apple.

Since our evening was all about pumpkins and fall,

we ended the night by taking an ORANGE bath!

And putting on his Halloween pajamas!

By the way, here is the pumpkin Reid and I

painted after Caeden went to bed!

That's all!  Happy fall y'all!!

Cows, and Sheep, and Goats, Oh My!

This morning we went to the Ozark Corn Maze for our play group.  Caeden and Ella had so much fun, and the weather ended up being in the mid-50's, which was PERFECT for a fall activity!!!

First, we walked through the kids corn maze.  Ella kept saying "Where do we go?  Where do we go?"  So cute!

Next, was the Cow Train!  Ella rode by herself, although her look says, "I'm not so sure about this..."  And Caeden rode with mommy (He freaked when I tried to put him in!)  They both ended up loving it and said it was "bumpy!"

After that, we went on a big wagon ride to the actual pumpkin patch! 

They each got to pick out a pumpkin and pull it off the vine!  Here, Ella is showing you the pumpkin she chose:

And Caeden did NOT want an orange pumpkin - He threw down each one that he picked up.  Instead he, wanted these two tiny green pumpkin, that were obviously still growing.  (Don't worry - Mommy picked him up an orange pumpkin too)!

And lastly, they got to go into the small petting zoo to pet and feed the sheep & goats!  This was by far their favorite part!  This was the first time Caeden has EVER been to an actual petting zoo and he loved it!!

Here, Caeden is trying to hug the goat, as it runs away!

Oh yeah - Caeden also got to sit on the big tractor!  He has been sooooo into tractors lately and was so excited to sit on this one!!

That was it!  We had a fun play group and will surely do it again next year!

His New Addiction

Last week, Caeden learned how to cut with scissors!  What a small, but exciting milestone!  Being a former teacher, I'm always excited when he learns to do small things like this!  I was pretty proud of him, for only being a young two-year-old!  Here he is: holding the paper with one hand, and cutting with the other!!!  This is his new favorite thing to do!  It was the first thing he asked to do after eating breakfast this morning... :)

Next, we are working on learning how to:
ride a tricycle
hop on one foot
put on his jacket.

To stay, or not to stay...

That is the question!....that Caeden wondered in his head last night.  Caeden had his first night OUT of a crib last night - He slept in a toddler bed for the first time.  He went to Nana & Papa's this weekend, so we took the opportunity to clean out his room, put up his dresser, pack away his diaper pail, wipes warmer, baby blankets, etc.  And convert his bed!  It was great to be able to do this without a 2 year old walking around behind us making a bigger mess than we already had!

When he got home Sunday night, he was so excited to see his "big boy bed!"  He crawled right in, laid down and said, "This how I sleep!"  HA!  After bath, PJ's, prayers, and books, Daddy told Caeden "When you wake up tomorrow, you say 'Mommy, Get up please!"  A few minutes later when Reid laid him down, he yelled, "Mommy, get up please!"  Ha!  At least, he knew what to say - just not at the right time!  He then proceeded to cry, which isn't normal for him.  So, I went back in to reassure him and left the room.  He stayed in there and went to sleep!  When he woke up this morning, he started whining, "Mommy, up please!!"  I was just glad he stayed in his bed!

Now, I'm perfectly aware that this is common the first several nights, since it's still new to the toddler.  So, we'll continue to see as time goes on, how he does.  But at least we've had a good start! 

PS - I have to admit, I was a little sick at my stomach when we were working in his room.  I kept re-playing the day we were in his room putting together his crib...when he was in my stomach...and now we were taking it down.  Ugh...kinda sad...but I know we can't keep him in a crib forever! ;)

Shopping Rhea Lana!!!

Okay, this is my last chance to call all shoppers!!!  Again, if you know me well enough, you'll know my top 3 favorite times of the year are:
1) CHRISTMAS!
2) My son's birthday!
3) Rhea Lana's!!!

Luckily, I get to experience Rhea Lana's twice a year, as opposed to once-a-year like the other two on my list. :)  I just went this past weekend to shop at the Springdale sale and I just wanted to share a few of what I got.  Now, I just want you to know that I never spend more than $5 on an item (my personal goal) and I usually buy name-brand clothes.  Most of these are Gymboree, Old Navy, or Children's Place. 

I also got Caeden a tricycle that looked brand-new!  Even my husband will tell you there wasn't a scratch on it and that the tires even looked barely used.  This is the exact same one we were going to buy him for Christmas!  It costs $50 at Walmart ($55 at Toys 'R Us) and I paid $15!!  Woohoo!  What a deal!

So, if you are needing ANYTHING related to your child, you need to get to Springdale and start shopping!  This is the one time, each season, that I shop for Caeden!  Reid is okay with the money I spend because he knows I don't shop any other time.  Since I just shopped at the Rogers sale a few months ago, I only bought 15 clothing items this time.  I paid $60 that!  If I went to Old Navy or Gymboree, I would have only gotten 3-4 outfits for that price!  This is why I'm such a huge fan!  I'm putting the location and hours below in case you choose to shop!  Good luck on good finds!!

Location: Ozark Center Point Place in Springdale (At the intersection of I-540 & Hwy 412).

Monday-Wednesday: 9am-7pm
Thursday: 9am-3pm
Friday: 9am-7pm (Items are Half-Price!!)
Saturday: 8am-2pm (Items are Half-Price!!)