Pumpkin patch

This is another catch up post from a few weeks ago.  We went with cousin to see the pumpkins this year.  Photography during the middle of the day with too much light and lots of shadows is difficult but it didn't really matter because these cute stinkers weren't interested in posing for the camera anyways.  Becoming a children's photographer is not in my forseeable future...

Playing in puddles

These photos are from a few weeks back but it was the first time Cole really got to use his rain boots for rain and not just a fashion statement to church and walmart and everywhere else! 

Of course we had to take some of our toys with us on our puddle seeking expedition.

Splish splashing!

Trying to make more puddles with the fire hydrant...maybe he will be a fireman in the future...

Happy Halloween!

We aren't big Halloween people in our house but still think it's fun for little ones to dress up (especially if they aren't gross/gory and girls are showing an age appropriate amount of skin).  Cole bounced between being a cowboy and a fireman but last night was just ready to go see our neighbors that treat him like a surrogate grandchild that he didn't want to wear either costume (only really had fireman costume as he already has boots and cowboy hat).  I told him he needed a jacket and hat because it was cold outside so that is the only reason he has this on....

 "Mama, quit taking my picture so we can leave!"

 He came and stood right in front of me to tell me he was ready to go "tricktreat" (all one word, without the or).

It's really hard getting good pictures at night, especially when the outfit has reflectors!  This is the best outside shot I got.  Hope everyone was safe and had fun!

Food

Here are some random shots of eating and cooking food...

We love some Mexican food!

FYI, pudding doesn't contain milk.  However "real" milk is needed to set the pudding as rice milk results in a tasty but soupy mess.  However, rice milk freezes to make super yummy banana pudding pops!

He ate that whole thing by himself!

We love to make cookies!

We get really excited with the spatula and end up with a really big mess....

I was proud of this dessert...homemade donuts:)

Entertainment, part 2

Hummingbirds!  They were in the tree when Cole and Baxter were looking at them and then I took these pictures when they came into the feeder.  Some days we only have one or two but one morning we had about 8 fighting over this one feeder!  Either the dominant one got rid of the others or they have already migrated farther south because there has only been one the last few days.  These little critters have no fear and will swoop down and around right in front of you when fighting for a spot at the feeder.  And yes, there is feed in there but it is clear because I make it from sugar and water (really cheap!)....evidently red dye isn't good for hummingbirds either and they are attracted by the red base that has flower shapes on it anyways.  Here are a few of my favorite pictures of the hummingbirds and one of the boy acting silly in his little trampoline:)

Entertainment

Can you guess what we're looking at?

Cooking

Here's some pictures of what the boy and I have been cooking (but none of the boy...just fyi in case you want to stop reading now...).  We are trying to make as many meals dairy free as possible so that I'm not having to make 2 meals each night.  Did you know dairy is everywhere in processed foods?  This means we've also been experimenting with making things ourselves, plus cooking with new foods.  Stressful and exciting at the same time!

Homemade red pepper hummus minus the tahini paste (haven't tried nuts yet but Cole isn't a big hummus fan) 

 Kale chips.  Ok.  If you like bitter then you'd like these.  Going to try cooking a different way next time.

 Roasted carrots.  Yumm-o.

 Roasted red peppers.  Tasty alone but better in hummus.

Mickey Mouse flax seed pancakes made with rice milk.  Sounds yummy right?  Actually they were good but Cole isn't a fan of bready products so Russell and I ate them with some new maple syrup we bought:)

Pancake batter strewn about the kitchen.  Example of why 2 year olds make poor sous chefs!