Church fall festival, complete with a crazy man...

One of the greatest things about being a parent is getting to do all sorts of fun activities with your kid like going to carnivals, pumpkin patches, Santa visits, zoos, etc. I seriously enjoy doing these things with Will and Billy more than I enjoy a night on the town these days. It's like reliving childhood all over again, only it's better because you get to watch your kid have fun.

We took Will to our church's Fall Festival this past weekend which included things like bounce houses, cake walks, bean bag tosses, train rides and a petting zoo. Now that Will is almost three, he can really get in there and participate in all of these things, which makes it even more fun.

Despite the weather being a little cold (and my husband being out until 3:00am at a bachelor party the night before--what a trooper), we all had a blast:

Wheee! Going down the big slide...

Aww, look at the sweet bunny, Will...

Oh, um, I don't think the sweet bunny likes to be held by his intestines, bud...

Let's spare Mr. Bunny's entrails and let mommy help you hold him...

Um, am I really riding in this thing by myself?

The guy driving this train was either a little drunk or crazy, but probably both. He was whipping the kids around side to side and in very tight circles, all while laughing maniacally (okay, maybe chuckling a bit). He was "replaced" after this little joy ride. Fortunately, Will thought it was fun.

Why do I do this to myself (or, things that keep me up at night).

"It's getting to the point where I'm no fun anymore..."
Suite: Judy Blue Eyes; Crosby, Stills & Nash

I am a grump. No, not normally, but just lately. Why? Because I have been completely overwhelmed. I started my new job last month (which, starting a new job when you're five 1/2 months pregnant is sort of crazy unto itself), and it's been a lot of fun. And a lot of work. A lot. This is definitely a job that requires a full-time person...or three. I love the start-up environment and I really enjoy what I'm doing, but it's going to be hard to keep up with it in only 20 hours a week. In fact, I haven't. I've been working more than that, including on my days off (have to just to keep up). And thinking and worrying about it a lot. Like at 3:00 in the morning. If I were to work full-time, this would be as close to a dream job as it would get. But it remains to be seen how I do part-time...the jury is still out.

And for some reason, I thought it would be in my best interest to sign on as the Chair of Project Santa for the Austin Children's Shelter. Project Santa is their major holiday toy drive and I'm in charge of organizing it and coordinating volunteers to work the four days of donation collecting, sorting, wrapping and packing. All taking place at the end of December. Days before Christmas. While I'll be almost eight months pregnant. I have been volunteering with the Shelter for a couple of years now and I love it and hold it dear to my heart, but I'm thinking I may have had a major case of pregnancy brain when I agreed to this a few months ago.

Of course, there's also the baby coming to plan for and think about. We continue to work furiously to get the house in order, dismantle the former guest bedroom, turn it into Will's new bedroom, buy his new "big boy" furniture, turn Will's current room into the baby's room, etc. etc. Besides spending countless hours on house projects, we're also spending a small fortune. And I think about that a lot at 3:00 in the morning.

Will's birthday is next week, Billy's parents and granny are coming in for Thanksgiving and my family is coming into town for Christmas. And of course there are all the usual holiday things like cards, decorating, gift buying and whatnot to contend with. All wonderful and happy things for sure, but things to plan for nonetheless. Sometimes at 3:00 in the morning.

So, you see, I've turned into a grump. Folks, don't get me wrong. I know I have so much to be thankful for, and I am. I have a dear friend who's husband was recently diagnosed with testicular cancer, so believe me, I know things could be much worse and I know I am lucky. I'm just a little grumpy. And tired. Because 3:00 in the morning seems to be a very busy time for my brain.

Finally, Halloween.

Cut me some slack, folks. I realize it's three days after Halloween and every other mom on the interweb has already posted all the adorable pics of their kids from that night, but not me. I have a crazy busy (but good) new job that is part-time but also oh-so full time in so many ways. And a house that I'm trying to get in order for baby and whatnot. Okay, I'm done making excuses. It's time for the cuteness.

Halloween has always been a blast since Will entered our lives nearly three years ago, but this year was THE BEST. The first year, we just pulled him around in a wagon for a bit and gave out candy. Last year we did trick or treat, but he only lasted a few houses and couldn't keep up with the big kids for too long. This year, he lasted an hour and a half, running around with the big kids the entire time (namely, Parker Anne, our five-year-old next door neighbor who he LOVES and Sean, our six-year-old neighbor, who he idolizes. And we also had little Samantha, Sean's 18-month-old sister, join us this year for a bit). He really got the whole trick or treating thing and had a blast. And, I didn't have to walk him to each door like last year. The other neighbor moms and I would stand at the end of each driveway while our kids ran up to the door together. Such a big boy! And after each treat he got, he would yell "Thanks! Happy Halloween!" Really cute coming from a miniature Bat Man.

Unfortunately, he is also acutely aware of the candy stash he collected this year and is always wondering where his candy is and if he can have a piece. It's a good thing his mom eats about 10 pieces a day so he doesn't have to. That's just the way I roll.

Here are a few shots from Halloween 2010:

Will and Parker Anne

The neighbors

Will, Sean, Parker Anne and Samantha posing near a Ghostbusters gargoyle look alike. This thing actually moved and sort of creeped me out (I think Will felt the same way--note he's keeping a close eye on it and staying as far to the right as possible).