Jack-o-Lantern Night

In what seems to be our family tradition, we got around to carving jack-o-lanterns last night. And by "we" I mean that I watched and took a few pictures while Duane did all the work!

Wesley came up with own design, which Duane helped him fine tune

Ryan told Duane what to draw and Duane made it happen. It was kind of like watching a police sketch artist at work

Ryan's fierce pumpkin

Wesley's vampire kitten

Pajama Day

Yesterday was pajama day at the boys' school. Do not get me started about how annoyed I am that they are doing "spirit week" type stuff the same week as Halloween. And you really don't want to hear  my opinion of trying to tie the Halloween party into the biomes unit. I have opinions. They aren't pretty.

Anyhow, pajama day was yesterday.  Ryan was very excited about it. He has watched his big brother have pajama day for the past two years and couldn't wait for it to be his turn.  Unfortunately, the pajamas he wanted to wear were a bit small. Like, "holy cow, where's the flood" small. I tried to talk Ryan out of wearing that particular pair of pajamas, but he insisted and I decided it just wasn't worth the fight. So this is how Ryan went to school yesterday.

Stylin', right? I made him wear an undershirt under the pajamas because otherwise the shirt wouldn't have covered his skinny little belly. Oh, and when he sat down, the legs rode all the way up to his knees. But he went to school happy.

Wesley broke out some brand new jammies and, of course, rocked them. The only issue I had with Wesley, was convincing him that pajama day wasn't just a kindergarten thing. It took an email from a classmate's mom before he'd agree to dress up (or is it down?)

Not Me Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama.

I did not take it as a compliment when the phlebotomist at the blood drive told me I was easy.

There is no way I love my new dress so much that I wore it after work instead of changing into jeans, even though it meant leaving pantyhose on.

I did not have such a bad nightmare that I woke up, banged on the bathroom door to get Duane (who was about to get in the shower) and then insist to him that there was something in our bed. What 40 year old has nightmares like that?

I did not drop an almost full bottle of coffee creamer on the kitchen counter, leaving the whole kitchen smelling like pumpkin spice.

I certainly did not "rescue" the Godiva caramels from my children's Halloween treat bags. I would never take candy from them.

I know my children did not answer the door when our neighbors came to dinner with the words, "Hi. We cleaned our whole house last night!"

Fight for Your Right to (Halloween) Party

This has been some kind of crazy party weekend. We went to three - count 'em, three! - Halloween parties this weekend.

Friday night was the Halloween event at the middle school near us. The boys got to wear their costumes, trick or treat to the classrooms, vote on the best classroom door decorations, play a few games and generally have a good time. I neglected to take any pictures though, so you'll have to take my word for it.

Last night we went to a party at a new friend's house. I have gotten to know this friend through PTA at the boys' school and I am so glad I have! She's funny, sassy, smart and just...real. Her kids are great and her hubby seems nice too. So yeah, I was happy to go hang out with them all. Once again, I kind of stunk at taking pictures AT the party, but I did get a few family pictures before we left our house.

Anemic vampire bites were part of my costume

As was this vial of "vampire blood" and the article of clothing

I went as my favorite telepathic bar-maid from page and screen - Sookie Stackhouse

"Can I get y'all a True Blood?"

My handsome hubby. The host's dog REALLY hated Duane's costume

Wesley and Ryan proving they are super readers before heading out the door.

Which brings us to today's party at Uncle Kirk and Aunt Susan's. It was so nice to just hang out with family and friends, with food and fun.

Ryan was fairly cranky when we first arrived, but a little time with Uncle Kirk (and his phone) perked our little Iron Patriot right up!

I wish I had taken more pictures, but here are a few

Wesley and one of his first loves, Ms. Maggie

The awesome Maleficent figurine that almost found it's way into my apron pocket (wink, wink)

No Pink

Every Friday the Kindergarten class at the boys' school has a color parade. The kids are supposed to dress in the color of the week, then they march through the halls playing instruments and singing the color song. A lot of the older kids get into the action too - for example, Wesley wears the proper color each week even though he isn't into the parade.

This week the color was pink. I bought Wesley a new bright pink shirts with navy blue stripes to wear. Ryan had a pink t-shirt to wear over a grey long sleeved t-shirt. We were set!

However, this morning when it was time to get dressed, Ryan looked at the clothes I had gotten out and announced, "I'm NOT wearing pink."

"But it's pink day for the color parade," I reminded him.

"I'm not wearing pink," he insisted.

"But all the boys will be wearing it. Wesley has a pink shirt he's going to wear," I tried.

"No pink!" Ryan told me.

I kept trying though, "How about if you just wear it until after the color parade, then you can take it off and put it in your backpack?"

In response, Ryan grabbed the pink t-shirt, crumbled it into a ball, and shoved it in the very back corner of his dresser drawer. Fine. I got the message. I just hate that at five-years-old Ryan already turns away from pink and considers it a "girl" color. I tried telling him that his uncle loved pink, that one of his good friends loves pink, that even football players wear pink in October. Pink does not mean something is just for girls and I hate that our society has brainwashed us that way.

In the end Ryan took a "celebration stick" he made a church to school with him. It's a craft stick with pink and brown ribbons on it. He was going to ask his teacher if he could wave it during the color parade. But part of me still wishes he would've just worn the shirt.

Being Neighborly

We did something really strange tonight. Something haven't done in nine years of marriage. Something that had me nervous all day. We had our next door neighbors over for dinner.

The neighbors on either side of us are really nice, but on the one side they seem to be fairly close to our age, with a toddler daughter. Duane has had several casual conversations with the husband and they have really hit it off. We've talked for a long time about having them over for dinner, so last week Duane bit the bullet and extended the invite.

I carefully planned a dinner I knew would be tasty, but I still spent most of the day wondering how this evening would go. Would they like my cooking? Would the conversation be full of awkward pauses? Would my kids behave? Would the neighbors even remember to show up?

I am happy to report that I worried for nothing. Big surprise, right? The evening flew by. The food was good and everyone ate up. Wesley and Ryan were little gentlemen the whole time and were so good with J & S's daughter. They kept her entertained so the grownups could eat and talk and relax. And talk we did. I don't think there was a quiet moment all evening. Conversation just flowed and everyone seemed perfectly at ease.

I think what makes me the happiest about all this is the fact that I've never really had neighbors I could be friends with. When Duane and I lived downtown we said "Hi" to our neighbors, but that was about the extent of things. No deep conversations were had and we certainly never shared a meal. I even felt comfortable enough tonight to enjoy a glass of wine and pray freely before we ate.

I hope this is the start of a beautiful new friendship.

Despicable Who?

The middle school is our neighborhood is called Dominion.  There are at least four "feeder" elementary schools for the middle school. This year the middle school is hosting a harvest party for the elementary families on Friday night. There will be games and crafts and trick or treating, so it should be a lot of fun.

At dinner the other night we were discussing plans for the upcoming weekend and I mentioned the party at Dominion.

Ryan's ears perked right up. "What minions?" he asked.

"No, not minions. DO-minion. It's a school," I explained.

I think someone has seen Despicable Me a few too many times.

Weekend Wrap Up

Oh, where to start.  I worked all weekend, so you know that means life in general was going to be crazy. For some reason it just works out that way.

Saturday was Ryan's final soccer game for the fall.  It was raining and cold and generally yucky, but the team did great.  As an added bonus, we also got to pick up Ryan's soccer pictures.

When I got home from work, we scarfed down some dinner and headed to the first Trunk or Treat at the boys' school. The principal and parent consultant really wanted to try this kind of event because so many of our wheelchair bound students aren't able to participate in neighborhood trick or treat time. We (the PTA, teachers and other parents) offered around 30 cars to trick or treat at, pumpkins to take home, pumpkin decorating, hay rides, pumpkin chunkin', a spooky gym and snacks. It was wildly well attended despite the cold and everyone had a marvelous time.

Pumpkin patch

Our tricked out trunk

Wesley and his friend J. (gotta love a little Harry Potter!)

(M as Hermione, A. as a Lego man, and Ryan as the Iron Patriot)

Wesley and his friend E.  I did have a moment in the night where I saw E., thought it was Wesley and insisted he come over to me. E. thought I was plain nuts.

Sunday was another work day for me, but it was also the debut of the children's choir at church. Look closely and you'll see Sho, Kei, Wesley and Ryan in the video of practice.

Oh! And after church we discovered that Wesley got the part he wanted in the church musical. He's going to be Flash the Camel. Never thought I could be so proud of a camel.

Not Me Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama.

There was no way I was late for a presentation I was doing with my co-worker. Even if I was, I certainly didn't burst into the room (10 minutes late) while my co-worker was was talking, throw my arms over my head and say "Ta-da!" only to have my co-worker say, "Oh. I didn't tell them you were running late."

I did not somehow lose a wet scrubby for the dishes someplace in my house.

I did not take a night walk with Ryan and allow him to use a flash camera to take pictures of other people's Halloween decorations. 'Cause someone taking pictures of strangers houses when it's dark outside would just be creepy.

I do not have the heat turned on in case the house dips below 70 at night, but still open my bedroom window a crack to let in the night air and sounds. And I do not justify it by saying that the thermostat is on a completely different floor than my bedroom.

I did not have to look up a pop culture reference on Wikipedia because that would mean I'm old (and a bad librarian)

Let's Go for a Hayride

Wesley, Ryan and I went on a hayride with Grandma and Grandpa P. last night. It was a little damp, and a little chilly, but a whole lot of fun! A perfect way to get into the pre-Halloween spirit.

A Little Too Close

There is such a thing as brothers getting along too well. Want evidence? This is what I overheard yesterday morning:

Wesley: Hey, Ryan, wanna trade toothbrushes just for today?

EWWWWWWW.......

Thinking About a Break

Ever get to the point when you look at your calendar and feel so overwhelmed all you want to do is curl up under the covers and not come out?

I hope that doesn't only happen to me.

I just can't believe how incredibly busy this whole month has been - and  it is going to continue to be that way until early November. Just in time for all the holiday activities and outings to kick in.

Soccer ends for Ryan on Saturday and it ended for Wesley last weekend. The boys have already decided what they want their next activities to be. Ryan wants to do gymnastics and Wesley wants to do some kind of martial arts.

I want them to be physically active, especially when the cooler weather gets here and especially Wesley who can have the tendency to be a bit of a couch potato, but the thought of diving into another round of activities right now makes me sick to my stomach. I'm just not sure I can do it as we head full swing into the holiday season. So, I'm thinking of a little break. I'm thinking of no new activities until after the New Year. Wesley will still have scouts and they'll both still have church choir and with parties and all the holiday excitement they surely won't miss having some sort of class every week, right?

Please tell me I'm right and not just fooling myself. A little break really is okay for them and much needed for me.

Mistaken Identity

The boys' school had a fundraiser tonight at a local restaurant, so of course, that's where we chose to have dinner. While we were eating, Ryan noticed a little girl with red hair and glasses in line with her family.

Ryan: Mama, look! I think that's my friend, M., from church!

Mommy: (after turning and looking) Oh, Ryan, that girl does look a lot like M. They both have red hair and glasses and look about the same age, but that's not M.

Ryan: Why not?

Mommy: What do you "why not?" It's not her.

Ryan: Why not?

Mommy: You mean, why isn't it M.?

Ryan: Yes.

Mommy: It just isn't.

Ryan: But why?

Daddy: She just isn't. You and Wesley are both boys, but you are different people. That's not M.

Thankfully, Ryan was able to take Daddy's word for it. I'm not sure how much more of that conversation I could have taken.

Extravagant Generosity

We've been doing a study on extravagant generosity at church. It focuses on not just be generous with your time, talents, and possessions, but being extravagantly generous and going beyond what you want to do and thinking about what God wants you to do. Yesterday I was struck once again by a complete stranger's extravagant generosity.

I participate in a buy/sell/trade website and mentioned that I was looking for a car seat that is good for babies as light as 5 pounds (for when Cathy is able to take Sylvia home) A woman offered me one, with a base and within it's expiration date for free. She even said she'd throw in a stroller and I wouldn't have to pay for any of it.

I was extremely grateful to her and told her so in an email. I also mentioned that the person I was getting the car seat for is a single mom and how early the baby was born. The woman immediately emailed me back asking if I thought my friend use a crib, mattress, changing table and changing pad - again at no cost. We'd just have to go get it. Even more amazing, when Duane went to get the furniture, the woman and her husband included a couple of toys and offered to clean up a playpen they no longer use if we would be willing to pick it up at a later time.  

We don't know this family. We've never met them. But they are giving our family such a gift and really making a difference in someone's life here. They've asked for nothing and gave even more than they had originally offered.

People like that touch my heart. If that isn't extravagant generosity, I don't know what is.

Not Me Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama.

I did not lose my lunch bag somewhere inside my house. And I know I didn't spend at least 30 minutes looking for it and getting more and more upset rather than just use a paper lunch sack. And even if I did give up and use a paper sack, I certainly didn't keep looking for my lunch bag until I went to bed. And even if all that were true, there is no way I found my lunch bag on my work desk at the library the next morning.

I did not find myself looking forward to a PTA meeting because it meant I could treat myself to a glass of wine afterwards.

I know I didn't tear up while watching a cooking show set in New Orleans because I want to visit there so very badly.

Speaking of crying, I'm sure I was not the person who broke down sobbing during her son's soccer game because it fell on the wedding anniversary of a friend who lost her husband to cancer several years ago. 

I did not skip a school event even though I am a PTA officer because I didn't want to go and the kids didn't want to go and I didn't feel like forcing them (or me).

Little Pumpkins

What a great day today was! I got to hold sweet little Sylvia today for the first time. She's already two months old and almost five pounds now. I can't wait until she is out of the hospital and I can spend some real time with her.

After a quick visit at the hospital we had our annual trip to the pumpkin patch with two of my very best friends and their kids. Just spending an hour or two with them significantly improves my mood. I miss seeing them every day  like when we worked together. WARNING: LOTS of pictures to follow! And please don't ask about the red "headband" that Wesley is wearing in most of the pictures. It's ribbon from one of my birthday gifts and he wore it almost all weekend.

Picking pumpkins. Although Wesley is smiling, I feel like the pumpkin in front of him looks angry.

See! A pumpkin even attacked poor C.

Ryan has it all under control

J and Ryan as two little ghosts

Wesley and G. trying to scare folks too

Possibly my favorite picture of the day. Do you know how many years it took for us to get a decent picture of all five kids on this chair. I mean, yes, we have one silly face maker, but it's still a good picture!

Just like mommy - if there is a kitten to be found, they will find it.

Kate, me, and Danna. I cannot tell you how much these ladies mean to me. They have seen me through happy and sad times and I love them both dearly. They are two of my very best friends.

Me and the ol' man

I so wanted to buy these sequined vultures.

Checking out the feed

C. giving his little buddy Ryan a piggy back ride

Pretending to be lost children. I told them that depending on their behavior, I may or may not look for them if they got lost. Just kidding!!!

Another picture of the five kids that I love. City kids on a tractor

"Mama, why does everyone think I'm ornery?"

I don't know why I love this picture so much, but it's another favorite from today

Notice how C. is pretending he doesn't know the other four who were making faces at the camera?

Rope bridge

My little American Ninja Warrior

Wesley, Ryan and H. in the asthma factory - I mean, hay pit.

It was such a great afternoon. The weather was great, the company was wonderful and the kids all behaved. What more can you ask for?