Happy Halloweeeeen!

Myles & Ollie had a great Halloween! First, we got a pumpkin! 

Then, we carved it. 

Then, Myles got to dress up for school. Weeks ago I asked Myles what he wanted to be and he replied, "A big green beetle." These are actually called fig beetles & they are all over Southern CA. They are iridescent green, large & clumsy & will fly right into your face. Myles had a love/hate relationship with them when we lived in CA. He wanted to look at them & learn about them, but when they would fly at his head, well, he was none too pleased. We nicknamed them "Nemesis." So, Myles chose to be his nemesis for Halloween. That kid loves bugs. We thought his choice was very cool. Then I remembered that I'd have to make it. There were also rules - it had to be comfy enough that he could wear it from 8am - 1pm at school as they sent home a flyer explaining that they would not be doing wardrobe changes. Tying my hands here, people. I did my best.

Distraction Antennae

The GA/FL football game was also on Halloween, so before Trick or Treating in ATL, we had to show some school spirit. As cute as Myles looked, it didn't work. The DAWGS lost.

GO DAWGS!

Then we were off to ATL to trick or treat with cousins Wyatt & Alice!

Ollie was a viking (costume also courtesy of Mama.) He did NOT want to wear that helmet. I even fur lined it to make it comfy, but it was a no-go.

Quick, take the picture, he's got the helmet on!

 Myles LOVED trick or treating. This was the first year he "got" what it was all about. He realized if he said "trick or treat" and held out his bag, people gave him candy. It didn't even register with him that he may get to eat candy afterward. Something Greg & I took full advantage of.

Cousin Alice as "Alice"

Cousin Wyatt as "Minion"

Just had to add one more pic of this kid's face. 

Myles & Ollie Go to the "Punkin Chunkin" (those aren't real words.)

The Punkin Chunkin is an annual Halloween/Autumn event. It has the usual arts & crafts booths, games for candy prizes, bouncy house area, snacks & treats & food, families picnicking, but it also has ginormous homemade catapults for pumpkin launching competitions! They are hard core & those pumpkins FLY! I was surprised by the extensive entertainment value they held, but it was indeed mesmerizing. 

This also marked Greg's & my 12th wedding anniversary. We'd never spent an anniversary at a Punkin Chunkin, but I gotta say, it was a great one!

Myles Starts Preschool!

Our little man started preschool! He is attending a mixed ages Montessori preschool 5 days a week. It is the ONLY preschool in the entire town, so it's a good thing I liked it, I guess. Ya know, THIS or no education at all. Nothing like no options to help make a decision. :-)

Greg took him on his first day & Myles handled it great! Not a single tear. 

When I picked him up in the afternoon, he was all smiles and excited to return. He even told us he made a new friend named Matty. (We later learned that there is no one in his class named Matty. So, yeah. Later we were able to piece together that he had a little boy named Jackson confused with our friends' son, Matty. These friends also have a son named Jackson. Follow? No? Don't worry about it.)

Big Boy!

Myles & Ollie Visit the Chattanooga Aquarium

The Chattanooga Aquarium is GREAT! And like most kids, Myles & Ollie love seeing all the different marine life swimming around. If you ever have the chance to visit, go! Greg will boldly & confidently state that it's better than Atlanta's (gasp!)

This guy swam right at us.

There was a butterfly garden, so of course, we spent much time in it. These butterflies, while not as varied and striking as the garden in Los Angeles, were much friendlier. Much like the people in these two locations. ;-)

Myles' dream comes true as this butterfly wants to be his friend.

And this one.

And this one too!

Myles knows the names of all these. Perhaps I'll ask him when he wakes & edit this post to include such detail (as I only know them as "butterfly.")

(There are no pics of Ollie as he was either attached to me or sleeping. Silly baby.)

Ollie Walks!

Let it be written in stone that on this day, the little round baby walked!