They are a mess.

Figuratively.

Literally.

This is what happened when I made fluffernutters one night.

Figuratively.

Watercolors before school.

Literally a mess. Always.

Okay, he's really a mess here too.

Matchy Matchy.

Fawn loves to match Small Fry. You'd think it would be the other way around with Fawn being the oldest, but it's not. He absolutely loves it when he and Small Fry are dressed alike. Because of the three year age gap, I don't have many matching options (plus, I'm not really all that into that). But, when given the opportunity he chooses it every time -- and has even been known to change clothes to match Small Fry. Very cute and sweet.

Cute brothers.

Best big brother in the world.

Super brothers.

Loves being Fawn's sidekick.

Thinks his little brother is so funny.

Boo at the Zoo.

I took Fawn to Boo at the Zoo for a special mommy/son date night last night. He had been eagerly awaiting the adventure; I, on the other hand, was not as excited. I had successfully avoided Boo at the Zoo until now, but Fawn is old enough to know about it and ask to go. And, you know what, we had a blast! I was worried about the crowd and how Fawn would do post-bedtime (especially after a weekend at the farm). But, the crowd really was manageable -- I'm glad we went on a Sunday night, and I'm glad we got their early to buy tickets and get a decent spot in line. And, Fawn did fabulous: there was nary a sign of a meltdown. He was such a happy, excited, grateful camper. It was four hours of precious, uninterrupted mommy/son time.

Raphael was all smiles heading to the zoo.

We headed to the train right off the bat -- I didn't know how crowded it would get and wanted to make sure we got that in.

After weaving our way through the hay maze for trick or treating, the Creepy Carnival and some fun games (basketball, feed the lion, and bowling), Fawn was ready for some face painting. Later he added the Alabama "A" to the other cheek.

Next we did the Sasquatch Safari -- a hayride to find a big foot. Found! And, fun!

Then it was time for Ghostly Rollers and some Gruesome Golf (mini golf).

The carousel (Scarousel!) was all lit up with glow in the dark and went backwards -- super fun.

Still having a ball!

He loved all the fun games set up for kids -- especially this football game. After making sure we played all the games, we headed inside to defrost (it was chilly!) and eat some real food (i.e., non candy). Then it was time for round two.

Back to the kiddie games and then the carousel.

There wasn't a line and empty seats, so mommy hopped on an animal and rode too -- too funny for Fawn. We went back to mini golf where Fawn got not one, but two hole in ones (out of five holes). The big kids were impressed!

On our way back to our night cap adventure on the train (which was pretty creepy the second time around in the pitch black dark), we spotted this awesome photo op and couldn't resist.

Excellent night! While I'm glad we waited until Fawn could really enjoy it, I'm so glad we made it work in our schedule. Great memories with a precious Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle!

Zoo Photo Ops.

The Birmingham Zoo is filled with fabulous photo ops these days. My boys cannot resist them, as these pictures show.

Ruffner Mountain Field Trip.

Fawn's 4K class took a field trip to Ruffner Mountain at the beginning of October. Each child took a parent with them, so it was a nice way to meet Fawn's new friends and their parents. We are in a class with a lot of new children this year. We were both really excited about this field trip -- we love hiking at Ruffner Mountain but haven't done it much post-Small Fry. We rode up there with our best buddy T and his mom. They are the best company!

Fawn and T spotted the maps as soon as we arrived -- of course! Those boys are obsessed with maps. In fact on the way they were both mesmerized by our iPhone maps. They started the map trend and soon every child was clamoring for one.

So proud and ready to hike.

As with most field trips, it was a bit of hurry up and wait. We got there right on time only to wait around for the field trip to actually start ... and on this morning, boredom made for pretty hyper children. Fawn was happily sporting his camo hat -- he's "camo cool" as I like to say.

T photo bombed our selfie.

Our class went inside the nature center first, and Fawn loved all the reptiles. I had to get a picture of him with this rattlesnake because he and daddy killed two rattlesnakes at the farm the weekend before.

Then it was hiking time. They put all the kids in the front of the line with the grown-ups trailing behind. It was a good thing for us because Fawn was in no mood to listen to me, but did great for the hike leader. As my friend told me, Fawn is a creature of structure and this kind of morning is not the most structured for him!

After our hike we ate sack lunches and hung out with Fawn's buddies and their moms. These are three of his new friends in his 4K class. They are sweet, sweet boys who have quickly befriended Fawn -- such a blessing!

Silly face time!

Fawn had what can only be described as a major meltdown leaving the field trip. He LOST HIS MIND. Looking back it was a combination of many factors -- we had to head back to church to pick up our babies from MDO and he thought others were staying longer, we didn't have a map to take home, the children were running around like crazy animals and leaving stopped that fun, plus the whole lack of structure element. He quickly got it together and truly seemed to have a change of heart and understand why his behavior was not okay. We stopped at Sonic for a drink because everyone needed a pick-me-up. Soon after, I heard from T in the backseat that he needed to go potty NOW. His mommy told me to just go ahead and pull over. Lucky for us, we were on my brother's street. So we stopped for a little potty break in his front yard.

These two are too much. My brother and his wife thought I was kidding at first, but then Ben said "Yep, that's my tree." Uncle B and Aunt A's yard to the rescue.

So the last field trip of preschool is in the books. While at first I was disappointed that it wasn't the picture-perfect morning I envisioned, looking back there was much more good than the few moments of disobedience and meltdown. It was a nice morning overall, and I'm learning each day how to take things in stride with children -- and not let overwhelming expectations get me down. Kids will be kids -- they don't regulate their behavior based on the sentimental value of the moment. They just are who they are -- at all times. As a grown-up, I could learn something from that. And, I'm learning to not expect too much of my children; they are still babies. And, in situations where normalcy and routine are thrown out the window, I need to learn to relax just a bit more. It seems that Fawn isn't the only one around here who is a creature of structure. Pot, meet kettle. 

iFarm.

We spent last weekend at the farm and the weather did not disappoint. IT. WAS. GORGEOUS.

I am happy to report that the inside deep cleaning is complete. While there are still projects that need to be tackled, I am very much looking forward to going down there and getting to be outside instead of inside scrubbing bathrooms! The inside is looking great and feels very much like home -- it is cozy and everyone is starting to settle in.

But speaking of outside, we went on golf cart rides -- saw deer and beautiful fall wildflowers. Fawn and Small Fry also saw hogs and a raccoon on their adventures. We caught crickets -- I had no clue Fawn could catch a cricket with his own hands (I really didn't know I could catch one either). With Doc's guidance, Fawn was a fire ant exterminator. We watched a bumblebee burrow through a perfectly round hole it made in a piece of wood. Fawn practiced with his handmade bow and arrow. And, we just played!