First Halloween in Falls Church

With almost all our candy gone and Boyd in bed I thought I'd quick share a bit about our Halloween. Boyd was privileged to have worn two of his costumes today. He chose his Lobster for school and UPS man outfit for trick or treating. We were quite surprised he didn't pick his Buzz Lightyear costume which he's been talking about for weeks. Maybe he wanted his costumes to be original since a kid at school wore the Buzz costume. I loved all his costumes and so did others. With Boyd underneath you can't help but love them.

Boyd began his day by opening up his piggy bank on his own. I heard him repeating, "I'm the claw" followed by jingling and walked into this sight. He's been very into money and coins lately contemplating what it is and its value.

Here is Boyd with one of his teachers, Marisol, during their special snack before their parade(Boyd somehow pigged out on two in the time everyone else ate one- what a way to start the afternoon-SUGAR!!!). I had to include this because she made the comment that Boyd's real eyes were as big as the costumes. I agree.

Lobster on Parade.

Boyd took a detour and found this great leaf pile to jump in.

Leaving Halloween part 1 with dad.

Thanks for the stickers Emmie and Ozzie Papa. Mom will ignore the fact that they are dogs.

Our strongman snuck our stash of candy off the counter before the start of trick or treating.

Decorating his UPS package. I tried to correct his grasp on the marker and he said, "Can I at least do it this way at home?" He knows the correct way and has small group practice time at school.

Trick or Treat!

After two houses Boyd announced, "I'm done. I want to stay at home with Mommy and see the other trick or treaters". This was code for, "I want to eat my candy now." Adam took him out for more but he was a sneak with eating lots of "last one" candy. He would also run out and add more candy to other peoples buckets. He took his UPS job very seriously.

Chewing gum from Great Aunt Leslie

Walking on the ceiling.


Spinning until he falls down.

Reading with his beloved GiGi.

I am ashamed by my lack of pictures from this past week. Papa Burla and Great Grandma Burla (GiGi), came for a visit. It was wonderful having a full house. Boyd enjoyed the additional attention, and special trips with his guests. He and Mike went to the Naval Museum via the metRO. Boyd continues to add to his list of places he's visited. Boyd also loved reading with GiGi. I am pretty sure he now has two entire Dr. Seuss books memorized and GiGi was so patient as they read the same ones over and over. Boyd would catch GiGi any time she accidentally missed a page. No worries when Boyd talks about Kangaroo Collars and other Dr. Seuss inventions. He was sad to see them go but thanks for the memories.

October 22

Boyd unwrapped the paper towel and decided to create a ghost costume. Watch out Project Runway.

Trot trot to Boston with Papa.

"Mom, I'm a submarine."

Sometimes mom needs a Mom and Boyd day. Prior to this picture I told Boyd, "You're the cutest thing I've ever seen." He replied, "Take a picture of me?"

Maybe this sticker will stop his nose from running.

Dr. Seuss Time! Later today while reading another story I read the names Dusty and Rusty and Boyd announced, "They rhyme!"

Pretending to be Chocolate Grandma.

Cox Farm

Buzz trying on some new feet.

Look closely. Boyd was crawling through tunnels too small for me. I had to try and keep an eye on him through the cracks in the boards.


Barn slide on a potato sack with mom. It was a rush! Boyd loved the slide.

Rope swing!!

Petting the cow.

Waiting for the hayride.

Through the swamp.

Trying to gain access past the troll bridge. Boyd offered some hay.

Love it when we get a picture together.

Pop out of the train.

As my sweet little one cries from bed, "Stop computering and walk in here. Go to bed with me" I must fight the urge to lay with him. He has been a tough one come bed time since the move, so once again we turn to tough love at bedtime. God give us strength! This week Boyd discovered his love of washing dishes, enjoyed the crunch of a perfect Macintosh apple, the necessity of floss when a peel gets stuck between ones teeth, and playing pretend with window decorations. He refers to the scarecrow as scaretwitch, and the turkey (not pictured) as chicken. He told me they weren't scared of each other because Scaretwitch was the turkey's dad.

For those of you missing Boyd, here are a few shots of our expressive big guy. After a fever last night lasting a few hours, he awoke good as new. I kept him home from school today, sticking to the 24 hours fever free guidelines and to make sure he really was better. Perhaps he (or maybe I) needed an entire Boyd and Mommy day. We both enjoyed the unrushed day and even completed some errands (the DMV- he entertained a long line of people and we even had a lady come up to us and thank him for making her day). They had dog treats on the counter and Boyd told everyone he wanted a dog so he could feed the dog treats. He also played with the fall decorations of gourds and told the other boy there who wasn't being the perfect child to be careful with the gourd because it was fragile. Then we explored the park next to the DMV and met many new friends. Boyd also found a hula hoop and was quite the "dancer ". Think half lion tamer half rhythmic gymnastics. Boyd even helped with the dishes today and really enjoyed the task (woohooo!!!!). In the evening we picked a carrot from the garden to enjoy and we snapped some candids. Boyd loves cameras and he was in a responsible mood so I let him be the "picture man" for a while too. He instructed me to say cheese and to "smile with your teeth in your mouth." I included one of his shots. Other notable quotables for the day include, "That house is gorgeous. We never lived there. We should move there so we can have a dog. It's for sale."