Happy Halloween 2012

Last night was our ward Halloween Party.  Primary (which I am a part of) was once again in charge of the cake walk which is super fun as we just get to dance and pass out treats all night.

We started with chili and cornbread, then games, then trunk or treating.  Glenn & I were so busy helping out with the games that we missed the whole trunk or treating portion and by the time Ethan caught on he only got to 5 cars.  When he saw his sisters stash he was heartbroken.  Emry & Lila can sniff out free candy a mile away. I am sure tonight will more than make up for it.

Emry's friend passed down this costume to us and we just added some fake leaves and sparkle and voila, she's a nature fairy.  The cute red head is Madison, Emry's partner in crime.  Madison's mom worked for days sewing this Merida costume and finished just in time for Hallween.

Madison found a cool Merida costume online for $900 and of course that wasn't happening so Shannon (Madison's mom) had to take things into her own hands.  But by the end of the week which also included Madison's birthday party, another Halloween party, a lesson to prepare for church and the day to day of her other 3 children I told her the $900 costume probably wasn't a bad deal after all :)

 This is a family in our ward who had the most awesome family costume, & ALL homemade, amazing.

The top I am wearing was actually Lila's costume from last year.  I couldn't get the tiny waist over my head so I just ripped the waistline and pinned it back together to fit, white trashy and just my style.  I just paired it with a hat I've had for a few years, some pants someone gave me and my own boots.  Ethan's costume is borrowed from a family in our ward who has 4 boys and love anything army related.

We have 3!!!!! more Halloween parties to attend tonight plus trick or treating.  The kids can hardly stand it.
Happy Haunting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fall Carnival 2012

Saturday was the kids School Carnival.  It was a beautiful day and I took Ethan, Lila & 10 dollars on down to join in on the fun.

Last year I was room mom for Lila's class & was in charge of our booth for the carnival. It was so nice to just show up and have fun this year with no responsibilities.  We ran into some friends who inspired my kids to.......................

..................eat sugar.  But really, they need no inspiration for this.

We spent time with their cousins Nathan and Kiera.  They won candy and little toys and thought it was a great day.

And it was.

 

The Happiest Place

We all played hooky on Monday & went to Disneyland!!!!   Glenn has a tax client that has a really cool job as a diver fixing the underwater rides there.  In lieu of payment he met us after his night shift & let us all in for the day.  How cool!!

I love Disneyland!  When we first moved here 9 years ago I had 2 little girls, an unfinished backyard, not many friends and days to fill.  I bought myself and Emry season passes (Lila was under a year & free) and we went 16 times that year.  I had to get the kids out of Glenn's hair so he could put in our backyard, and I also wanted us to have some fun, win-win!

I have SO many memories of taking the girls, Lila on my lap, on Peter Pan, It's a small World & Pirates of the Caribbean.  Now all these years later it was fun to experience it all together.

All the Halloween decor was brought out and the Haunted Mansion was especially fun decorated with everything "The Nightmare before Christmas".

Because we're cheap & didn't want to fork out 20 bucks for a photo we did the next best thing - take a photo of the grainy photo on the screen, classy.

From the back, Glenn, Ethan (next to Glenn, can't see him, too short), Marie, Lila Nathan, Kylee, Emry.  Jeannette & her kids met us there.  Seriously a dream day for my kids.

Emry went to Disneyland in the Spring with her school choir and has all the ride cameras dialed in, can you tell?

And because you can't not see Mickey, we waited in a 10 minute line in Toon Town to see the Mouse.  The kids were all antsy to go ride more rides but I really wanted to wait it out because Ethan wanted to see Micky but wasn't really letting on as his cousin Nathan thought it was lame and Nathans opinion usually trumps all. 

I packed snacks & lunches which we ate in lines so as to maximize time and money.  But after standing and walking all dang day, oh my goodness our legs were all on fire by the end of the night.  The last ride of the night we were all squatting or sitting, rubbing our legs ready to throw in the towel.

Until we meet again Disneyland.  Thanks for a wonderfully Happy time!!!!



* edited to add -  just an observation, but my 11 year old is almost as tall as me!!!!!!??????  When & how did this happen?  It's like watching a cuter, smarter, way more talented version of myself grow up right before my eyes.  So strange.

Easy A

I am bragging, so be it.  I am extremely happy with the grades my kids are earning.  How can I not be pleased when Emry freaks out if her grades dip below an A-.

Truthfully though I know our Education system is flawed and I know that good grades don't tell the whole story.  But what I see at home, and what I see when I help in the classroom is that of earnest kids.  More important than just getting everything right my kids truly love to learn.

When I wake Ethan up in the morning he sleepily asks what day it is, when I tell him it's a school day he says "Oh good, I love school."  Ethan also informed me he' the teacher's pet and has been in every grade.  He's also smart enough to realize I am the only person who appreciates this information.

They are curious and love figuring things out.  Whether it be a magic trick, how to make a flexagon, turning my home upside down with all of their campsites/forts/wonderlands, etc. or guessing how a mystery book will end.  The library is sacred to them and they love being there among all the treasures.

Ethan & I were doing a brainteaser the other day and we needed the name of a 5 letter snake with 2 d's.  I refered to our resident reptile expert and Emry thinks for half a second and says "Adder".  Huh?  Who knew that your child knowing information like that could make you so proud.

I may not have provided them with all the latest and greatest technology, but I think I've done something better.

They have an imagination.

And while straight A's may not always be a part of their future, I hope they never stop trying to figure out the mysteries of the world.

67

Happy Birthday Mom!  My mom turns 67 today.  I am pretty sure it's 67, but it might be 68.  I would make a horrible fact checker seeing as it's too much trouble to go find the phone and call her.  Although I am not sure that would do any good as I think my mom's lost count of her age as well.  She wasn't too sure yesterday when I asked her so what can I say, like mother like daughter.

Other than the fact that my mom has dark eyes and hair (although now it's lighter than mine!) I think we look exactly the same.  I know every inch of my face & when I look at her I see the same curves and slopes.  The same nose and arc of my cheeks. 

So I should say something really profound for posterity's sake but instead I'll just go with whatever my fingers type.  My mom is selfless.  She gives all to her kids and now grandkids. 

She gave me my love of thrifting as I don't think there is one thing in her closet or home that was bought new.

She is hardworking and likes to keep busy.  One time while visiting me (before she lived down the street) I came downstairs around 6 am to find my fridge moved and my mom busily cleaning behind it.  She wanted a list of everything she could do during her visit to help me. 

I've called her twice over the years in tears when my home was invaded by ants and we spent all day moving every single dish and piece of furniture to spray.  This past summer when our ants were out of control I was actually just used to it and ate breakfast with my 'friends' crawling up my leg and on the table.  Glenn usually does EVERYTHING himself but last month he called in a professional, and just when I was getting used to them...............

My mom is a great cook.  She thinks I am the pro and is constantly asking my thoughts on things I've never even made!  I guess I take after that too, just believe in your capabilities mom, I am a work in progress myself. 

My mom LOVES chocolate.  Once she was eating brownies first thing in the morning and very seriously she said that it's better so eat sweets earlier in the day rather than later.  Uh huh, great rationale.

She loves doing Geneology.  Her bedroom has been overtaken with binders and notes and boxes.  I make fun of all her stuff but she loves finding out everything there is about everyone in the world we've ever been related to.  The only thing I've gotten out of that is that we're related to Butch Cassidy.  Or the Sundance kid.  One of them.

My mom grew up on a farm.  Her mother, my Grandma Nettie actually went to college and was a teacher before marrying in her 30's and having 6 kids.  I never met my Grandpa as he died in his 50's and left my Grandma and the kids to farm.

My mom is shy, just like I used to be, and Jeannette & I call it our 'hermitage', hermit & heritage combined.  When I am talking about someone in church and my mom has no idea who I am talking about we'll look at each other and say "that's your hermitage mom", because I think she knows 3 people in our ward of 300.  I thought we made up the word (as I often tend to do) but there is no red squiggly line underneath it so I guess it's a real word.  And Jeannette & I thought we were so clever.

I have 2 favorite memories of my mom. - The first is when I worked at a temp job in downtown San Jose.  I was young and irresponsible and was running very late to work and knew I would be even later if I had to find parking.  I asked my mom to take me (because she of course had nothing else to do).  I was in a high rise and when I looked out the window to the crowded streets below I saw to my horror my mom, still in her pajamas and robe, pushing my car to the side of the road in the midst of morning traffic.  I had let the gas get way too low.  My heart broke because of how lame I was and my mom having to pay the price for my stupidity.  It also broke because I knew she'd rather be out there than me.

On a lighter note a few years ago my mom was visiting me near Christmas and we decided to decorate the girls room as a surprise.  We went about stringing lights all around their room, which I thought would be a cinch.  Apparently you need nails and hammers and ladders and complicated stuff like that to do that kind of work, who knew?  It was physical comedy at it's best as it took us all day to hang those darn lights.  At one point the hammer was on top of the ladder and I dropped the nails and when I climbed down to get them the hammer fell right on top of my head.  Instant migraine!!  We were a big ol' mess.  But it was funny.  We laughed so hard at ourselves.

So we look alike and do share some traits, but most of the time my mom just shakes her head at the things I say or do.  If ever we tell her to get with the program she just says "Well, I grew up on a farm", like that explains it all.

More often than not it kinda does.

Boo Time

It's time to go BOOing.  There is nothing my kids love more than delivering treats all over Temecula.  We leave a treat and instructions to continue the BOOing on neighbors doors, ring the doorbell, and run!

My kids have it dialed.  One places the treats on the doorstep, one rings, & while those two run to the car the third does the stake out and makes sure the treats are found.  My job is making the holiday treats, and of course popcorn always has to be involved because it's just so darn festive.

We were first BOOed on Tuesday night and then again tonight.  Ethan ran upstairs excitedly yelling, "We've been BOOed, we've been BOOed again!"  We were supposed to put the sign on our door letting others know we've already been BOOed, but I think I'll hold off until we get a few more treats :)

Halloween Popcorn
Boo Templates

Right now..............

Emry's printing out google images of hairdo's a few times a week and handing them to me like I am some kind of hair professional.  I must admit this one turned out super cute :)

I am making blueberry muffins that Emry requested.  Almost added a crumb topping but at the last second decided I didn't want to add more sugar.

Loving that Ethan thinks it's fun to make up and do math problems.

While I am working out.

Realizing  my entry way may not be pinterest worthy but I love it.  Something about the space upon entering a home is so telling. Mine says "I am really trying to be organized, but my kids keep foiling my plans."

Can stop my Halloween decorating boycott now that it's getting chilly out.  I couldn't come to grips with putting out pumpkins in 100 degree weather.

Trying to stay on top of organizing my ever expanding recipe collection.

 Trying not to spend so much on non-food items at Walmart.  I could go any time, any day and there will be something (more like many things) I need.  I had to get this little clock for Lila to practice her Time.  Her teacher mentioned to me she doesn't know how to tell time.  That can't be right.  Then I thought about our house, there is not one clock with hands in 2,600 sq. feet of living space.   I even wear a digital watch.  Oopsadaisy.

And while I am on the topic of Walmart, while I was checking out my tab came to  $40.01.  I gave the cashier 2 twenties and asked if she had a penny I could have.  She looked at me like I was some crazy loser!!!  My whole life I have seen those dishes that say "Have a penny leave a penny, need a penny take a penny".  I've never taken advantage of it but I thought it was a thing.

Isn't it a thing?

Having a love/hate relationship with the kids projects.  This pet shop campsite took up the entire dining room table for a week.  Mostly love though. 

 Not giving up on running.  Those feet.  Those feet hurt.  So is life.

Just Listed

Yup, I am a to-do-lister.  I can't live without a to do list and a calendar, both are necessary to keep my life functioning in the splendid manner it does.  I am still old-school, pen & paper please.

1.  Print out a list of  phone #'s for everyone in my ward (church congregation).  I am sure it would just take a few minutes but it's been on the list for about a month.

2. Make dental appointments for all the Wallworks.  Except Brutus, the doggy dental bones will have to suffice.

3. Look into joining a CSA.  My garden this year was embarrassing.  I've decided to source it out.

4.  Go get my dishes back from a friend I brought dinner to.   I hate having piles of other people's stuff at my house so I need to get them out of her way.

5.  Visit ladies in my ward.  Get to know them better, see what their needs are.  Hopefully their needs are needing a friend to go to yogurt with and listening ad nauseum about how precious their chihuahua is.

6.  Have Glenn empty my SD card.  I've only had the camera for about 5 years, I am sure I'll learn to do it myself but these things take time.

7.  Get a haircut.  My last one was October 2011.  I can't decide if I am lazy or cheap.  I am thinking both.

8.  Ask my mom to help me sew all the mending that's been piling up.  I help by watching her do all the work while I try and talk her into letting me organize her home for the billionth time.

9.  See if everything's all set with the kids new health insurance.  Glenn's in charge of this one because apparently filling out paperwork is too hard for me.  I was in the National Honor Society in High School but I swear paperwork eludes me.

10.   Clean & organize the guest room.  This is always on the list.  It usually gets done seconds before company arrives.

11.  Call a new lady in my ward to see if her son wants to walk to school with Emry.  I met her husband while cleaning our church building on Saturday morning (just the kids & I, Glenn was surfing.  Whenever he doesn't want to do anything church related he plays the "I went on a mission for 2 years" card.  Apparently it trumps everything) and he was complaining that his wife was a taxi driver and why weren't there buses here?

I told him welcome to California we have no money for teachers let alone buses.  And buses are crap anyway, they cost an arm and a leg which is ridiculous seeing as (most) children have their own limbs they can use to transport themselves to school.  Then I go off on a tangent about how I walked 45  minutes each way to get to junior high in the ghetto and then for some weird reason people start rolling their eyes.

12.  Call Dr. Freney to see how the whole Remicade situation is going...................................

Which leads me to the one thing I didn't need to write down.  A heartfelt thanks to all of you who expressed concern for me regarding my last post.  Either written, in person, or by phone, it was appreciated and I do not take your kindness for granted. 

I am feeling much, much better.  I am learning that for me - my arthritis bounces around and sometimes the flare ups are exceedingly painful and out of control.  I want you all to understand my words were not a complaint, just journaling the reality of my life.  I am not bitter or even sad about it.  No one's life is perfect and as far as health ailments there are a million others that are worse.  I am glad with the one I've got.

I actually feel stronger being able to come through that night intact.  I went running for the first time yesterday after a 2 week break.  It felt wonderful.  I went early enough that it was cool, I ran the whole 6 miles and I had a cute little chihuahua to keep me company.  The pain may get in my way, but it will never stop me.