It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

I'm quite sure Mr. Williams wasn't signing about Halloween, but to my kids it is. Dressing up, caking on copious amounts of thick make up while visions of screaming little girls dance in your head and gorging out on insane amounts of hydrogenated oil and corn syrup all make Halloween such a special time of year. This year did not disappoint.

Hannah dressed up as a Zombie which evoked emotional responses from her younger sisters "MOM, MOM, MOM Hannah really wooks (looks) like she is dead" and "I don't want to look at Hannah, she is cary (scary)."

Not to be outdone by Hannah, Jake donned the signature white make up, blood stained fake teeth and ominous expression. His Vampire attire had the girls screaming through the front yard, trying to out run the unfamiliar creature that was chasing them. Ah yes, success was had by the older kids.

My two little sweethearts opted for the same costumes as last year, making it really easy on me. They held their own and loved the concept of knocking on doors, being adored for their cuteness and then given a handful of candy.

Our Halloween festivities started on Friday with a church Trunk or Treat, chili cook off and bon fire. The kids had a great time running around, playing games and getting candy.

On Saturday we were able to hitch a ride with our friends who pulled a trailer complete with hay bails and lights. We trick or treated North Carolina style and were greeted with similar tricked out rides.

The kids had a blast. I let the kids eat as much as they wanted Saturday night. On Sunday, after drinking an Orange Soda Jake got Trick or Treating, he threw up. Ah, cause and effect. Natural Consequences, Eyes bigger than your stomach ectetera ectetera. Lesson learned my dear son :)

I have since put some of the candy away for baking and the rest is being doled out in school lunches...it should last us a while.

The $89 Mosquito Bite aka you'd think we were first time parents

"Look Ma! No broken bones!"

The Story:

Little Ella, who is usually very brave, won't walk on her foot. Mom is worried. Ankle is bruised and swollen. When asked, brave little Ella says her foot "horts" and she fell in a hole at the park. Dad says not to worry. Mom reminds Dad that he said that about Addy and she ended up having a broken leg in two places. Dad wraps ankle in ace bandage and Mom and Dad agree to go to the Urgent Care in the morning. Mom was worried, but not worried enough to sit in the gross, infectious disease laden ER waiting room for 6 hours.

Next day Mom and Dad inspect the ankle, it is still swollen and a little discolored. Mom and Dad drive 30 minutes to the Urgent Care. Urgent Care Dr. looks at said ankle, which now looks perfectly normal, and declares that it was just a mosquito bite. Dr. then has oh so brave Ella walk on wounded ankle. Little Ella walks just like normal and in fact little Ella bounces up and down just like normal. Mom and Dad feel embarrassed.

Fast forward 3 weeks later. Mom gets the mail. Mom opens strange looking medical bill. Mom remembers the embarrassment. Mom laughs at how much money one little mosquito bite cost. Mom feels sheepish.

11.5

We experimented with makeup today. Wow. Thankfully this girl has not discovered boys, yet. Having a preteen is so much fun! She is the perfect balance of goofy, fun loving, confident and elegant.

Kindergarten.

This little gal has been enjoying Kindergarten. The transition went WAY better than expected and aside from a few crabby mornings (which resulted in the refusal to get on the bus) everything has been great.

She gets an escort to and from school. Jake is such a sweet brother. He has sacrificed sitting by his own friends so that his little sister isn't scared to sit alone. He even reads books to her.

She has made a few friends, Michelle who is "fashionable." And Conner who "makes my heart pump fast." Oh my.

I am not surprised that she LOVES school, just surprised that she had no problems adjusting to being gone all day long (especially since she never went to preschool). I look forward to my daily report from her. I love hearing about this new little world that she so enjoys.

6 and 1

It's been 6 years since I have had just 1 child at home.





Between 7:20am and 2:30pm she's mine and I'm all hers. I think we are both just a little excited.

Southern Sunday

Back to School

Hannah is now in 6th grade at the Middle School. It's so different from when I was in 6th grade. They switch classes for every subject and get lockers. Ahhh I wasn't ready for this :)
This semester she is taking Social Studies, Language Arts, Math, Science, Heath/PE and Band. Next semester she will replace Heath/PE for Art. She had a great first day and is excited for the upcoming year.

Jake is in 3rd grade and has been very excited to go back to school. They will switch classes for Math and Reading.
I was able to meet both Hannah and Jake's teachers and I am looking forward to all the fun things they are going to learn. It looks like we lucked out (once again) with great teachers!




p.s Addy doesn't start Kindergarten until Thursday. And that should be interesting...for everyone involved :)