FALL 2012

I have always loved everything about fall from the crisp air to the tree’s changing color and of course, football season.  Now I love fall even more with the kids and rediscovering trick or treating again.  Even though Hope is still too small to understand Halloween, Little Man is in ahww of its full glory.

First thing in fall is Fright Fest out at Great America, (feel free to call it Six Flags but it will always be Great America to me.)  As we drove to Great America we decided to take advantage of all the fine dining on the way so we stopped off at the Toll Road Oasis.  Little Man loves watching the cars and trucks pass underneath.  When we arrived at the park, the first thing we had to do was ride the double decker carousel, after that we hit the park at our normal spots, the kids land and of course I had to hit some of the roller coasters including X Flight which is one of my new favorites.  Little Man got to ride on The Little Dipper roller coaster that he loved.  I think it is his first roller coaster.  Little Dipper formerly operated at Kiddieland Amusement Park from 1950 until the park closed in September 2009 has found a new home at Great America.   The coaster features a three story tall lift hill and is designed as a figure eight track which runs 700 feet in length.  Little Man loved the roller coaster and rode it a couple of times.  We then headed over to the Whizzer, Jynx headed onto the ride and I took some time with Little Man.  We watched as guys dressed up as a nuclear apocalypse scared people; Little Man was a bit afraid until I explained that they were just having fun scaring people.  We then sat and laughed as they scared people. One of the characters walked over breathing heavy through his gas mask and I told Little Man to give him five which he did. The guy looked a bit confused since the three year old wasn’t terrified.  Soon after Jynx came over all excited that she thought Little Man was big enough to ride The Whizzer.  We headed over and sure enough he was big enough.  Little Man rode with Mom and laughed the entire way when we were done we asked how he like the roller coaster and he informed us it was not a roller coaster but a train!  When we asked how he liked the train he said fast.  I think we have a little roller coaster junkie on our hands.

Our adoption of Little Man became official in October 3 years ago and now Hope’s adoption was becoming official this October. For Little Man we gathered at Grandma Rosie’s house since she was a notary and the Judge and our attorney were in Florida while on the phone.  Hope’s was definitely going to be different.  We had to appear in court, all of us got up and ready for court.  The four of us went along with Mimi, Grandma Rosie, Grandpa Jim and Grandma Ruth.  When we arrived at the court that morning we had to pass through security where they took our cameras away and then informed us that we could not bring in water and formula but we could mix them together and bring them in.  Feel free to laugh now.   We arrived in a big waiting room to be called, once inside the courtroom we had to raise our right hand and swear to tell the truth it was the first time any of us had to do that.  I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the Judge and he appeared to be barely out of law school.  One of the first questions he asked was when we were married; luckily our lawyer was tapping her finger on the paperwork at the date.  I answered with Jynx looking on very impressed until I told her later how I did it.  The judge had a few more question for us and granted our adoption it was very emotional.  We wanted to take pictures but had to wait for our cameras to be brought up from security; we took a couple of photos and then headed out for a well deserved breakfast.  Hopefully soon Hope’s new birth certificate will arrive Welcome home Hope Rose Steele.

As if the adoption was not enough for the month of October we also had our bon fire party.  We not only had the bon fire but also a huge bounce house with a slide, the hot tub going and the haunted hunt.  Little Man was out shopping with Auntie Jea Jea when the bounce house arrived but when he got home he wasted very little time jumping right in for fun.  During the party all I saw was the bounce house moving from side to side I’m still not sure how many kids were in it at one time.  Little Man wore his costume for a bit but I think he got to hot from all the jumping.  The next day we convinced the guy who dropped off the bounce house to pick it up last and we spent most of the next day playing in the bounce house even Hope got her first bounce house experience.  When the guy finally arrived to take the house down I looked over and Little Man was in front of him his arms stretched out and yelling “Don’t take my bounce house!” it broke my heart but I ran over grabbed Little Man and took him in the house so we could talk and the guy could take down the house.  To be honest the image of Little Man still breaks my heart.

             Jynx and Little Man went to County Line Orchard with Aunt Wendy, Uncle Duanne and Bailey. This has become a tradition, unfortunately, I had to work. The day was beautiful and they were afraid the weather was going to turn for the worse so they decided to go and enjoy. Like always the kids enjoyed the petting zoo the straw maze, the cow train and the big tractor ride. Little Man and Bayle picked out a pumpkin and some pumpkin doughnuts.

When Halloween arrived I knew it was going to be a busy day and it did not disappoint.  My busy work schedule had me working and traveling all the way up to Halloween and this was not going to be a day of rest.  We awoke in the morning and began the normal routines of getting everyone ready including Grampy Rock who needed to hurry up and get out of bed since his new mattress was arriving that morning.  We were finally ready to leave around one in the afternoon and dressed up Little Man and Hope in their costumes, took a few pictures then loaded them up in the car.  Our first stop was at Baily’s grandpa’s house; he lives about five minutes away from us.  Little Man went right to the door and when he answered he said “Trick or Treat” just like we had practiced in the car After a quick visit we loaded up again and headed to South Holland to see Uncle Bob and Aunt Dorthy’s house.   After knocking on their door Little Man got a bit confused and started handing them candy that he had gotten at the last house.  From South Holland we headed to Olympia Fields to Grandma Ruth and Grandpa Rick’s house.  Little Man had some fun at the door as Grandma Ruth was acting silly at the door.  After a quick visit we were off to Grandma Rosie and Grandpa Jim’s house. Little Man ran to the door since he was getting this whole Trick or Treat thing down and of course he was easily distracted by Molly, their dog.  What can I say the kid just like his parents, loves dogs.  We then headed off to our church for Trunk or Treat.  After quickly making the rounds we loaded up again for Little Mans favorite part heading to Baily’s house.

Okay, so it’s not just Little Mans favorite but also mine.  I’m reminded of the Trick or Treat days from my youth, streets filled with Tick or Treaters.  Little Man took a quick nap in the car but quickly woke up when we arrived at Baily’s.  Shortly after arriving we were out the door Jame in his now tiger/dog costume and Baily in her cat costume.  Little Man had decided that morning that he didn’t want to be a tiger but a dog so Jynx suggested he simply tell people to “Call him dawg!” which he did on a few occasions.  I tried to get him to say trick or treat smell my feet give me something good to eat, if you don’t I don’t care I’ll pull down your underwear!  Jynx was not happy with that one but he only repeated it in the car and it brought a smile to my face.  The kids ran from door to door laughing and collecting candy, they ran their little legs off and as it started to get colder Little Man developed his own plan.  As soon as he was done getting candy he would turn give his bag to mom then ask dad to pick him up carry him to the next house where he would get down get his bag and head to the door.  Not a bad plan for him.  We headed back for tacos at Aunt Wendy and Uncle Duanne’s house and the kids continued to play it was a great ending to Halloween.