Raking In the Fun

I have never enjoyed raking as much as I did this Fall!  I'll give you one guess why.  That's right, it's because I've got the cutest little yard hand around.  John Thomas LOVED helping me rake the leaves and cart them to the garden.  

Kids must be born with the innate ability to know what to do with a huge pile of leaves, because this guy needed no coaching at all.  He was tossing them, pouncing in them and having a big time before I could finish raking the first pile.  

By the end of the job, we had the process down like clockwork.  I raked the leaves into a pile, John Thomas rolled in them and walked through them while I loaded them in the wheel barrel, then I loaded JT into the wheel barrel to escort the leaves to the garden.  En route, he tossed the loot overboard, "leaving" a trail so that we could find our way the next time. 

Chester even tried to get in on the action.  I guess all the Kirkpatricks love to play in the leaves. 

John Thomas is a regular Renaissance boy; yard hand, cutie pie, and sous chef extraordinaire.  He had to help me cook dinner one night this week.  He definitely knows his way around the kitchen, including tracking down a mixing bowl and whisk so he could help whip something up. 

I'm not sure this will be impressive to anyone else, but I have to be a proud Momma for a minute.  John Thomas is really starting to get good at stacking blocks and then karate chopping them down (thanks to his Daddy).  This week, I noticed he was stacking the skinny cylinders on top of one another. 

As you can tell, even he was impressed with himself after he managed to balance four tall cylindrical blocks on top of one another. 

I captured this shot about five seconds before he chopped it down.  Oh the joy of destruction that our little boy has.   John Thomas and I had a nice weekend.  My mom came in on Friday night, so he got to spend a little quality time with Gramma.  And, my college girl friends, Jen and Katie, came in to spend Saturday with us.  He was in hog heaven.  Our little boy knows how to work his cute around the ladies.   

He had so much fun, he even woke up with a smile on his face.  Notice his eyes aren't even open, but with a great night sleep and a furry yellow dog by his side, what else could a kid need?

What a Treat!

I hope you're prepared for a few Halloween pics, because I just couldn't resist how cute our little bear was all dressed up!  John Thomas actually ended up with two Halloween costumes this year.  I feared, after the first trial run as a silly monkey, that a two hour Boo at the Zoo costume party, might be a major meltdown.  So, I made a last minute run to Wally World for a fireman suit.  He was such a cute fireman, even without his hat.  It's obvious Chester doesn't get enough attention anymore, because he's even willing to put on a costume if it means he gets to be the center of attention --even for a second.  I think somebody needs to learn how to share the spotlight :).

 John Thomas LOVED Boo at the Zoo.  Tons of kids all dressed up, free candy, animals and at the very end, there was a huge disco tent.  I have never seen him so full of excitement and joy in my whole life.  He just danced and clapped and screamed (with a gigantic smile on his face) YAY!

 There was a whole posse of us at the Zoo. (L to R: Lola (the ladybug), Sarah, Kim, Kinsley (Raggedy Anne), Me, John Thomas (the cutest fireman ever), Caroline (Jasmine), Maggie, and Hannah (I think she was a rabbit, but ditched her costume early).

 I'm not telling which one he carved and which one I carved.  But I will say, the eyebrows are a nice touch to the pumpkin on the right :). Either way, the front porch was sufficiently festive for Monday night's trick-or-treaters.

 I was only a little apprehensive about putting John Thomas in his monkey suit, since the first attempt was only slightly disastrous.  But, he loved it!

 This was his very first time reaching for the doorbell to get his goodies.  I think I enjoyed it as much as he did!

 This silly monkey was all wound up by the end of the night.  He only ate part of one skittle and, I'm not kidding when I say, he was jumping all over the house before bedtime.

He was making his monkey noises (hoo  hoo  hee  hee) all night.  I wonder what he's going to want to be next year?   

 If Halloween wasn't treat enough, Mary and her awesome nieces (Anna Claire and Katherine) came to town for their first game at Neyland Stadium.  They are great young ladies and John Thomas and I loved having them around!  And yes, Anna Claire's overalls were the envy of our entire row! Thanks again Katherine for letting me borrow your jersey.  All these years as a UT fan (student and alum) and this was my first time sporting a jersey to the game. 

After not stepping foot in Neyland stadium for two years, Mary has somehow dragged me there twice this year.  I'm so lucky to have such an awesome friend.  Thanks girls for such a fun weekend.  Oh yeah, here are a few birthday wishes. Meredith, Jen and Cara I love you girls and hope you had/have a wonderful birthday!