Frogs, Snails, Puppy Dog Tails.....: Happy Fall, Y'all

Well, I've taken a little sabbatical from blogging. Mostly because our computer crashed, but also I've felt like I don't have much to share lately. My kids have sucked all the existing brain cells from my head and there's not much left. I don't know what it is about the fall season beginning that get kids so out of sorts. It seems like all of a sudden, they've forgotten all the house rules, including, but not limited to, how to fall asleep on their own, not to punch your brother in the mouth, my belly is NOT a beanbag, and watch your tone of voice when you're speaking to your mother.
I had to reteach them a few things...some of this came back to memory fairly quickly, others are taking a little longer. In midst of the chaos, we've still managed to enjoy the season. The leaves were beautiful a couple weeks ago. The boys have enjoyed making piles of leaves in the backyard and jumping in them. This provides entertainment for hours on end, the only downfall being that Sampson's "piles" hide very well under the leaves. I've loved the cooler weather and all the smells from my favorite candles and some yummy, home cooked food that goes along with the season.
A month ago, we celebrated the evening by carving our jack-o-lantern. Please excuse the quality of the pictures, I took them with my phone. Even more so, please ignore the horrendous wallpaper in the background. I swear, we ARE getting closer to renovating the kitchen. I know, we've only been saying this for the last 18 months.