Dawson derives great pleasure from chasing our cat around the house. Gertrude plays along much of the time and even seems to enjoy the attention. But whenever she's not in the mood to play, she'll run up the stairs and get onto the speaker - the only place in the house where Dawson can't get her. As you can see from the picture, he still tries to play with her even when she's on her highest perch.
Dawson and Dad in the pumpkin patch. 
Dawson and Mom.
Checking out all the pumpkins.
Trying to pick up a very heavy pumpkin.
Balancing one of the small pumpkins on his head.
Sitting by the scarecrow.Each year, the First United Methodist Church sets up a pumpkin patch on the church lawn. It's a popular photo stop and families are frequently seen posing for pictures. We took Dawson there his first year, missed the second year, and made it out again this year. I found his first pumpkin patch picture and it's amazing to see how much he's changed in 2 years.
Dawson's first visit to the pumpkin patch when he was about 9 months old. 
Dawson at the pumpkin patch again, 2 1/2 years old.
We picked up this witch hat at the 99 cent store and Dawson loves it! He wore it the entire time we were at the store, in the car on the way home, and he's worn it several times since. He's such a cute witch!
We attended the university's annual Halloween festival last night. It was awesome!! There were lots of games, crafts, prizes, a moonwalk, hayrides, costume parade, and many yummy treats. Dawson had a great time, didn't want to leave, and is still asking to go back today. :-)
Checking out the blowup pumpkin. 
Having his picture taken with the scarecrow.
Throwing bugs into the giant spider web.
Playing the Halloween version of twister.
Using a water gun to put the candles out.
Shooting some hoops. 
Enjoying the hayride and his sucker - the only type of candy he likes.
We went to a Halloween festival last night, but it was a bit chilly for Dawson's pirate costume, so we just put a cowboy hat on him and called it a cowboy costume. He was happy with it. And he looks so cute in his cowboy hat!
Dawson at the door ready to go to the festival. 
Here we are at the ranch where the festival was held. Dawson is so excited!!
We've been blessed with beautiful weather the last few days, with more to come. Dawson and I have been spending lots of time outdoors enjoying the weather.
Here are some pictures of Dawson playing golf - or rather, whacking wildly at the balls and hitting them every now and then. :-)
Getting the ball in place.
Taking aim at the ball.
Swinging the club around.
We've been trying to teach Dawson left and right and he seems to be learning direction really well as evidenced by his play today. He was in his room playing cars on his road mat and whenever his car came to an intersection, he would say to himself, "Hmm, which way should we go? Left or right?" Then he would say right and turn his car right or left and turn his car left.
This picture shows the neat park.
Dawson exploring the fort.
Asking me to follow him into all the small spaces.
So happy to be at the playground.
Going across the wobbly bridge.
Making music. He had so much fun with this!
Playing on the tire swing, as he called it.
Playing with a couple of friends he made at the park.
Going down the slide.
The other day when Dawson and I were walking back from the park we say a squirrel lying in the road that had apparently been hit by a car. My little empathetic boy talked about this poor squirrel for the remainder of our walk home. Here are some of the things he was saying:
Poor squirrel.
He got a boo-boo.
He's so sad.
He wants his Mommy.
His Mommy will kiss it and he'll be happy.
It's interesting to see how his little mind interprets things. And so sweet that he thinks a mommy can make everything better. He frequently says that when he thinks something or someone is sad: "He wants his Mommy."
Dawson's friend, Carson, recently came over for a play date. Dawson was looking forward to the day Carson came over and the two of them had a great time playing together. We were in and out of the house several times and they played with just about all of Dawson's toys. Here are just a few pictures of them playing.
Playing with one of the Little People farmhouses. They did a really good job of sharing all the animals. 
Having a noodle fight and loving it!
Carson playing the musical instruments and Dawson clapping for him.
Riding the motorcycles outside.
Attempting to play basketball.
Digging in the sand. 
I love this picture of Dawson. He looks so adorable in his safari hat and his eyes look especially blue. What a cute boy!
Dawson discovered these flippers at the children's museum and had so much fun walking around the room in them - and he did a surprisingly good job doing it too!! 
Each time we sign in at the children's museum they stamp our hands, something Dawson always looks forward to. The last time we went to the museum they had 6 different stamps sitting out. Dawson took it upon himself to stamp his hands and arms as well as both of my hands. Here, he's showing off his stamps.
Picking out some fruit at the kid-sized HEB in the children's museum.
Carrying his fruit to the table.
Arranging fruit on the trays for us to eat.
