Oh, so, so cute!

Henry's "Character Parade" was today at the YWCA. We could hardly stand the cuteness.Here they are standing on their footprints before setting out on the parade. It is adorable to watch them point out their footprints, name everyone's, then jump on their respective prints. Henry stepped off, though, since just ahead was standing his Daddy who, truthfully, looked like he wanted to hold Henry.
Henry's whole class, from left to right: Frog, Go Cocks!, Train Conductor, Boxer, Mickey, and Chicken
A frog and his conductor: There were snacks, and this little frog was his usual picky self but manged some nibbles off his Rice Crispy treat.We went to Country Boys this afternoon where were were able to utilize Henry's pickiness to select Jackie's (RIP) replacement.
Henry didn't trust the pumpkin snowman's suggestions. Can't blame him. This snowman doesn't even know what season with which he most identifies!

We did find one, though, although this one might not go under the knife. We have a busy day planned for tomorrow, and there might not be room for carving a new pumpkin. Tomorrow is going to be great if Henry gets a nap!

Conflicted

Jackie... what do we do with you? Sure, you're one of the grossest things I ever saw. But your ickiness rivals that of our neighbor's purchased decorations, making you slightly appropriate.
You probably are also carrying some sort of bacteria or virus against which Henry should be vaccinated. But, then, you don't really look like it's going to be easy to dispose of you. It might get messy.

I'm thinking, Jackie, that you might have to go on ahead to your Rubbermaid grave before Halloween. Daddy's going to have to do it, though. You're too nasty for me to touch. Wait. I mean that it's going to be too hard to part with you.

Skipping work aint baaaaaad.

Cory here, guest-blogging following a big day on the farm.
Henry took me on his field trip today. We were supposed to go to Niven Apple Farm, but they cancelled because it rained yesterday. So, we decided to go to Callaham's orchard in Belton.

Wesley and Ethan brought their dads and Max brought his mom. We fed some goats, raced some ducks, milked a cow, ate pumpkin ice cream at 10 a.m. (Daddy's favorite part), went on a tractor ride (Henry's favorite part), and ate some lunch.
Henry enjoyed spending the day outside with his friends, even though he had to wear orange, the worst color. Daddy enjoyed some rare weekday time with Henry, especially when Henry pointed at a goat and asked "Is it scary?" We finally agreed that the goat was pretty.I don't know how often I'll be able to play hookie from work to go ride tractors with my boy, but I'm glad I did today.

Chippie's Here!

Henry has a new cousin!  Ryleigh Grace Farry was born this afternoon, and although I have yet to see her picture, I believe she's adorable.  

The art of dressing Henry

Henry's in about the fourth percentile for weight and about the seventieth percentile for height, so it's tough to dress him. Grandjane, Henry, and I went shopping yesterday so that we could purchase some pieces to attempt to put together some outfits that actually fit our little guy. Thankfully, Evan sent us a bunch of clothes already, so we're just trying to add some articles to get the right mix. I think he wears an 18 month top and a 24 month bottom, but it's not always the case. Sometimes it's a 24 month top and bottom, or even a 2T pant or 18 months.

Today, he wore a really cute 2T outfit that Nana bought him a while back. It's a little big, but apparently 2T fits more slim that 24 months, so a few rolls of the pants legs made the outfit just right, and, of course, adorable. Henry bragged about having a pirate shirt. Mama doesn't have one, and Daddy doesn't have one, either.
He also realized today that we somehow misplaced both pairs of his sunglasses, so I gave him a pair of my really, really cheap sunglasses that I bought a long time ago. (Why can I find them and not his?)
He was satisfied with his ensemble today. Plus, he got to wear his coat a lot, and he loves this coat... loves it. It was a birthday gift from Cory's Aunt Laura, and he is getting lots of wear out of it this fall--indoors and out.

Ewwwwww

"Jackie" isn't looking so hot. We definitely carved him too early.
Here he was on Friday when I first noticed the mold.
Here he is today... note the addition of the slugs. Maybe he's just getting his Halloween gross on?
Henry hasn't noticed yet, but I can already imagine him saying, "Jackie!" Then, after a closer look that reveals the decomposition, mold, and slug... "EWWWWWWWW!!!"

Jackie might not be allowed to hang out on our porch all the way until Halloween.

Chip Chip Hooray!

Chippie's coming... Stacy will be induced on Wednesday if she doesn't get here earlier.  Our prayers are with you, and we are beyond excited about her arrival!

A little off the top

Daddy took Henry to have his hair cut this afternoon, and I think it's the shortest cut yet. In fact, Daddy says that Amanda used the clippers this time. Henry wasn't a fan. He's looking good, though! Here's a few (milk) action shots.
You know that good feeling you get when you get your hair done? Henry's got it.

Henry-o's First Jack-O'-Lantern

It was Furman's homecoming weekend, and amidst the festivities and chilly, chilly weather that apparently required a coat even indoors, we managed to carve Henry's first jack-o'-latern.  

Henry got bored and started reading the paper, but he seemed to like the final result.  

Unique and Sensitive

Daddy won "Most Unique Chili" at this evening's chili cook off at Advent UMC, and we are so proud of our chef who was unable to bring home any leftovers for us. Henry and I didn't get to attend the tasting. Well, we did, but we stayed for about three minutes. Henry was in no mood to sample chili, and I was in no mood to wrangle Henry.

Now, should Henry ever be part of a tasting team, Daddy and other contenders better watch out! The boy has the most sensitive pallet known to man. He can even discern an organic grape from a non-organic. Tonight, I gave a pitiful (snotty and stuffy) Henry his requested nightly "bi." He sucked on the pacifier for a second, took it out of his mouth, and said, "Don 'ike. Diffren bi." I gave him an alternate one, and he questioningly held it while trying it for a moment before he let his hand fall to his side as a gesture of approval.

I don't know what the difference was. Henry does, though. Sen-si-tive.

A few a Henry's favorite things

Throwing Rocks
Big Sticks

Following Grandjoe
Books and Sitting with GrandjaneHaving Elizabeth around

Daddy got stung by another yellow jacket today

Henry and I sauntered around our neighbors' yards this afternoon checking out their pumpkins and jack-o'-lanterns when it occurred to me that, you know, we could go out and get one of our own. Duh.

Anyway, we asked Daddy to take us to the little "pumpkin patch" down the road. Henry loved it, and we all worked together to pick just the right pumpkin for our porch. Henry thought most of them were too heavy but, no worries. He asked Daddy and Mama to help pick up the one we eventually decided to bring into the family.
He also didn't think it should rest atop a porch step but should be given prime seating in a rocking chair. Whatever.Anyway, Daddy got stung twice by a yellow jacket today. He was also stung while tailgating on Saturday. Yet, at the end of the day, he still cut the grass and took us pumpkin shopping. Henry has the best, and apparently most-attractive-to-yellow-jackets, dad. It is what it is, you know?

Widespread v. Allman Brothers

We took Henry to Charlotte for the Widespread Panic and The Allman Brothers Band concert on Sunday evening. Henry actually wore his ear plugs through most of Widespread. But he got really into The Allman Brothers, dancing and even shouting, "Music!"I didn't get to take the camera into the concert, but here's a picture of Henry and Daddy waiting to get into the concert and a picture of Mama and Henry reluctantly leaving while The Allman Brothers were still rocking out.
I love it. I totally won. Mama's boy!

ETA: Daddy says he won, too. He thought The Allman Brothers Band was the most rocking band that night. Guess we are all on the same wavelength.

Prickly Goes to a Football Game

Grandjoe puts on a very nice tailgate for the CBSF group at Furman, and last Saturday, Cory provided some delicious barbecue. Cory likes the tailgate arrangement a lot. It gives him a chance to see how many pork butts he can smoke all at once. The rest of us love it since we get to eat a ton of mouthwatering barbecue along with delicious Cory-made sauce. Henry digs Daddy's barbecue.
Henry had a blast running around on the Furman mall, hanging out with David and Grandjoe, and dodging the yellow jackets that seemed particular attracted to his Daddy. (Cory got stung.)
The day was made even better, though, when we realized that Evan's caterpillar, Prickly, managed to stow away in David's luggage and attend the football game. The spiny larvae was quite the fanatic, settling on our shoulders to watch the game only after lots of flipping all around.
The game outcome stank--had to turn our heads from the field.
Henry, though, requested attending a football game several times this evening. He loved, loved Saturday at Paladin Stadium and is also looking forward to visiting with Prickly in a few weeks.

Fatten up, kid!

Henry's really skinny.  Come on, Henry!  Eat more doughnuts!