October 2010

We have had a full and happy October in the Hankins house. I feel like we have been so busy, and I know it's all just the start to a busy holiday season. October means the Arkansas State Fair in Little Rock, and we loaded up the kids and went one night after work. We strolled around and checked out the cows, goats, pigs, rabbits, ducks, and some other livestock I'm sure I'm missing. The babies also had fun being mesmerized by the rides, lights, and music. I think it's safe to say they had never been anywhere quite like that before. You can't really do the fair without fair food, and we had a polish sausage, a hot dog stuffed inside of a tater twister, some pizza, and some fried Hershey kisses and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. They were divine!

Our friend's the McKinney's had a fantastic Harry Potter-themed Halloween party at their house, and Hulse and Olivia had fun running around with their friends. The food and decor were awesome, and we can't wait for a repeat party. The kids also had a fun party at daycare with all of their school friends and got some good candy and treats.

Our family enjoyed going to the pumpkin patch for the first time as well. We played, looked at the animals, took the hayride out to the patch, picked our pumpkin, and just enjoyed good weather and a special mid week trip.

We also got to do Boo at the Zoo this year for the first time. It was fun with lots of activities for the kiddos, but their favorite thing was the train ride. Hulse is really into all forms of transportation right now so he loved to ride the choo choo. We saw lots of cute costumes and of course got some candy!

The highlight of October was the Halloween night trick or treating. This was the babies' first trick or treat, and it was really fun. They were of course precious in their Pebbles and Bam Bam costumes and had a blast getting candy. We didn't ever really get the timing of saying "Trick or Treat" down, but that didn't stop them from digging into the sugar when the time came.

Hulse and Olivia are at a fun and challenging age right now. October was month 21 for them, and we're getting so close to 2 I can't believe it! They are talking in sentences now and can pretty much tell you whatever it is they need. The problem is if they don't get what they "need" right then, meltdown mode comes quickly. We even had our first public meltdown at the pumpkin patch! That's always fun for mom and dad! It's really amazing to me how self sufficient they've become, and now we can just let them entertain us and themselves for the most part. They are so funny, and we just love being their mommy and daddy.