Daddy Day-Care

Due to a series of meetings Mommy had to attend, Daddy was the primary caregiver for our Swine Flu patients this week. Like the previous days, Day 3 of our illness experience started off with nebulizers for everyone.

However, it didn't take long for the disease course to take a much more creative turn, with Daddy and the Sickos discovering what fun Halloween make-up can be.

Obviously, our little Viral Vectors had a big time being transformed into a clown and Dracula, complete with dripping mouth-blood.

Although I'm scared to ask what Daddy put in the nebulizer, I think we all agree that Daddy is one awesome male nurse!!

Oinkers

Well, the Swine Flu caught up with the MessiPauls this week. Only Lucy was spared the pig invasion, although she was busy fighting an ear infection and a temp of 102. After a day of quarantine, we figured there was no harm in getting the crew of Porcine Preciousness together for a little while, since afterall , these 4 were cultivating the same skank.

So please enjoy our journey with H1N1, better known as...

The Face of Swine Flu

Little Maestro

Hunter has been asking to take violin lessons ever since his music teacher brought one to school, so he was absolutely thrilled when Nanny surprised him with my old violin this afternoon. Chad's estimation of this event: "Well, maybe it's good that your mother never throws anything away."

At any rate, Hunter had great fun getting used to his new instrument and treated us to some lovely and soothing dinner music, once he learned that you don't hold it like a pizza box.

At one point in the afternoon--much to our dismay--the chin rest came off. Ever the resourceful 5-yr-old, Hunter replied "Well, I guess it's a guitar now." Let's hear it for the Maestro!

Leigh-Bonz

Pumpkin Photography

It is quite possible that I got carried away yesterday trying to capture the ultimate Pumpkin picture with the kids. But they gave me some great material. First was the dramatic display of brawn from the boys as they picked up these increadibly heavy--even hernia-inducing--pumpkins.

It didn't seem to be quite the production for the girls.

Photo-shy Jackie used her pumpkin to hide from the camera...

...just kidding: here's our girl!!

We tried our best to get a group shot of the Fabulous Five with their chosen pumpkins, but it was not happening.

Cameron was too busy working on the next edition of Deep Thoughts, by Cameron Paul... ...while Leigh sacked out on the pumpkins, posing as Miss October for the next Anne Geddes calendar.

So I'm hoping for the perfect Group Pumpkin Shot next year.

Pumpkin Farm

We took the kids to the pumpkin farm in Youngsville, NC this afternoon. We started out the day with a spy mask, as Hunter calls it, and some good rolling-around-on-the-ground fun.

aMAZing

After a few failed attempts at a group picture, first up for the Funfest was the big, colorful maze.

Although big fun at first, Leigh wasn't sure she liked it so much once she got stuck. Not surprising, as she has certainly inherited some Directional Challenges from her Mama Bear.

But not to worry, sweet Jackie ran back in to bail her out... ...while Hunter was busy with more important things, like practicing his maze-jumping skills.

The Big Black Slide

In keeping with tradition, Our Gang especially loved the big black tube slide coming from the little red house.

Ducks in Motion
The Duck Races were serious business for this competitive crew.

And if this scene looks like generational deja vu, it should. For those of you who don't remember, this was the scene from the Daddy Duck-Off last year. Since Mr. Chad couldn't make it this year to defend the title (because he was scared, per Mr. Dave), Jackie reclaimed the Duck Racing Crown for the Pauls.