Pumpkin Carve

Ok - I'm getting behind in blogging. My computer is failing me lately, and I'm in lap top limbo until my new mac book comes! Yes, it was time. I have completely filled up the start up disc on this computer, the mouse pad has stopped working, and the battery will no longer hold a charge. I'm pretty sure that these are all things that can be fixed, so I'm planning on getting them fixed after I get the new mac book. That way, I'll be happy with my sleek new silver lap top, and I can fix up this old ibook for young Jacks. He'll be computer savvy in no time at all!

Anyway, his birthday slide show will have to wait until the new computer comes, the iphoto library gets transferred, and I don't have pop up warnings every 5 minutes that my start up disc is almost full. I don't have the patience. So, in the meantime, enjoy these quick pics from the Annual Durkin Pumpkin Carve, that my cousin KJ held yesterday afternoon.

A good time was had by all. Unfortunately, we had to cut the afternoon short when Jacks had a melt down over a pepto bismal pink cowboy hat that his friend Patrick was wearing and enjoying, and Jacks was vocally coveting and adoring. Patrick was willing to share for a while, but when it came time to give it back, Jacks lost his shit for the last time. We had to carry him to the car kicking and screaming while trying to graciously thank everyone for a lovely time. We also left with a pair of Mr. Potato Head glasses that Jacks insisted on shoving onto his face. He happily wore them all the way home. Maybe the terrible twos will stay subdued for a little longer at the next Halloween party. We'll see........
These girls stayed sweet and well behaved the whole time!

Here is that hat.

And the glasses....

I think the melt down started when he had to give up the baseball bat at the pinata. He was just getting used to the feel of it when he had to give someone else a turn. He wasn't cool with that....

Jacks and Patrick were getting along so well before that hat came along.

Oh - and I told Lisa I would post one of her recipes on here. She brought a super yummy corn dip to the party that Heidi and I couldn't get enough of. So, here it is:

Lisa's Fiesta Corn Dip

2 cans of fiesta corn
1 cup of mayo
1 cup of sour cream
2 cups of grated cheddar cheese
1 bunch of green onions, chopped fine

combine ingredients and serve with tortilla chips!

The Big Birthday Bash

I'm sure you're wondering where my post about Jacks's big birthday is, and I promise, I'm working on it. I'm still rifling through the hundreds of pictures that were taken over the course of this eventful weekend. I will post a slide show soon. For now, just be assured that the party was a huge success, fun was had by all, and Jacks enjoyed himself thoroughly. Our friend Caroline Cannon summed it up when she declared to her mother, my friend Heather, "Mommy - THIS is a party!" And it was. Bubble machines in the grass, bubble wrap stomping and sidewalk chalk on the walkway, and cupcakes with WAY too much icing. Who could ask for anything more? Jacks even did a little James Brown style fancy footwork after hearing everyone sing Happy Birthday in his honor. Being the showman that he is, he only knows to perform a little dance when all eyes are on him. What can I say? The boy has been blessed with rhythm AND soul. Life is good. Keep checking in. I'll get it done soon.

Fun Birthday!

Jacks got to eat lunch out at Johnny Brusco's (his favorite!), open his present from Chet and Queenie, and eat some yummy ice cream cake!! He is still strumming the little guitar that came in his musical set from C&Q (he also got a harmonica, a maraca, a tambourine, and a bell shaker!). I think we have the next Bob Dylan on our hands!

Birthday Boy

Jacks Dyer is two years old today!!! His party isn't happening until next weekend, but we will still have lots of fun today. Come by for cake later this afternoon if you're so inclined. We can't believe our precious baby is getting so big - he's turning into a little boy, learning new things every single day. Happy Birthday, Little Buddy!

The Great Pumpkin Patch

We made our second annual visit to The Oaks pumpkin patch in Lafayette, AL. It is a short drive from Auburn, and it is absolutely worth it. You pay for as many pumpkins as you plan to take home, then they take you to the patch via hay ride. At the patch, all the viable pumpkins have already been clipped, but left in the vines to add to the authentic experience of picking your own pumpkin. Near the patch is a barn with sweet horses to pet, a very skittish goat, a swarm of chickens, and a couple of rabbits with new born babies to love on. Jacks had a ball. The families who operate the farm could not be more friendly, and their children were everywhere, all anxious to take you by the hand to make sure you got to pet a bunny or brush the goat. Overall, it is the ultimate, family-fun, fall themed experience. All you big city folk out there might think the whole thing seems a little strange, and maybe it is, but we had a great time! Enjoy the slide show.

And luckily, Chet and Queenie (my parents) were here to join us! They were on their way home from a wedding, and they weren't planning on staying - just stopping in for a quick visit. However, I think I can be very convincing, so they agreed to stay the night. Plus, they stopped by on their way up on Thursday, and they absolutely broke Jacks's heart when they left. He spent most of the weekend wandering aimlessly around the house calling, "Queenie, where are you?" Today he got them both all to himself for the whole day. He couldn't have been happier if he was full of sugar, which incidentally he was. See the mellowcream pumpkin blog post from a couple of days ago.....he has discovered my stash of them, and he routinely asks for "punkies."

Mardi Gras Come Early

You start to realize how filthy Mardi Gras beads probably are when your child is covered in a blanket of them.

Halloween Candy!!!

Mellowcream Pumpkins are here!!! These are my favorite holiday candy of all time. The smell of them just makes me feel better.