Helper in the kitchen

Jace is usually ready for dinner before dinner is ready for him. He likes to be right in the middle of the food preparation and he likes to sample everything.

Saturday night Joel made French toast. Jace ate two pieces before anyone sat down at the table.

Things you don't want to hear at dinner

"Where nut go?"
While we were enjoying a yummy dinner of mango, pistachio rice Jace decided to poke a pistachio up his nose! Aghhhh!

3 days of Halloween - Sunday Boo at the Zoo

The warm weather continued to Sunday (Halloween day). We headed to the Zoo for their annual Trick or Treat event. We got there early and it was still very busy. Jace has definitely figured out the candy incentive for the costume. He didn't like dressing up but he got in the costume when he realized that was the way to get the candy.

"Shrick a Shreet"

I think the converse sneakers are a nice touch.

The scarecrow gives the lion a lollipop.

Only at the zoo do you see lions and tigers and bears waiting in line to ride the train. Jace absolutely would not let us leave the zoo without riding the train. He still tells everyone he meets "I ride train!" (Or "I ride combine.")

3 days of Halloween - Saturday pumpkin carving

Our Halloween fun continued with an afternoon at Sullivan's house carving pumpkins.

Jace helped sort the pumpkin seeds and tossed golf balls down the drive way while we hollowed out our pumpkins.

Jace didn't care much about carving pumpkins but he made friends with Uncle Pete. He also chased the dogs around and dictated what movies we were all allowed to watch.

Patrick and his friend carved a couple pumpkins before they headed out (in Patrick's new jeep!) to Pearl Street.

We didn't get as many pumpkins carved as we have in years past but we had a fantastic time, delicious food and lots of laughs.

3 days of Halloween - Friday night party

The Marsik's Halloween party was amazing, as always. Our Wizard of OZ costumes turned out great. Jace was the best cowardly lion. Halloween had him very nervous this year. At one point during the party Joel and I were trying to convince Jace to come out of the bathroom. He was comfortable standing in the hallway bathroom at Marsik's because he could see the costumed guests walk by but no one could come up behind him. Jace refused to participate in the rowdy kids games at the party but he also refused to leave when it was time to go home.

I'm sure next year he will enjoy Halloween more.

Frightening fireworks and fall break fever

We visited Wray at the end of October. I was on fall break and corn harvest was in full swing. Jace had been excited about visiting "Grandad's house" for weeks.

We rolled into town on Friday evening just an hour before the Yuma vs. Wray football game. It was a beautiful evening for a ball game so we all walked to the field carrying our lawn chairs and Jace. At first Jace was excited about running up and down the big hill at the edge of the field. We all settled it to watch for a while. Then Wray scored and the cannon went off. Jace freaked out. He came running from where he was playing and jumped into Joel's lap. Then Wray scored the extra point and the cannon went off again. It's a little blurry but you can see Joel pointing to the firework going up. He is trying to explain.

This is two seconds after the firework. A moment after I snapped this shot, Jace started crying and running back to my parent's house. He took off so fast it took me 50 yards to catch up with him. I could not talk him into staying at the game. He kept saying, "No, No! Go Home. Go this way." pointing back toward the house. Mom and I and Jace walked home (me carrying Jace). I would have been disappointed but it turned out the football game was a blow-out. Wray killed Yuma.

On Sunday morning Jace woke up feverish and didn't feel like doing anything - not even play with Grandad!. He was sick off and on for much of the rest of the week. It was kind of a bummer for our vacation but at least we were able to take it easy.

He was feeling better by the time Halloween weekend rolled around.