Happy Halloween!

We had a fantastic Halloween this year.  My kids were so very excited to go trick-or-treating.  It was even better that Daddy was able to join us this year.  Halloween is during football season and Daddy usually has to be at work, but it fell on a Sunday this year, wee hoo! 

This year we had an Asian Princess.  I was excited about putting dark red lipstick on her (to contrast her porcelain skin) and the fancy hairpiece that went with the costume, but she lost the hairpiece and she can't stand the feel of lipstick on her lips.  So, here we are, my very beautiful Asian princess!  She didn't need the lipstick, however the hairpiece would have been a lot nicer than the scarf I tied to the back of her hair.

Next, a very cute Bugs Bunny.  We had an issue with the people I bought the costume from.  They forgot to send the headpiece, which was a huge Bugs Bunny face, that sat on top of his head.  They had sent it (after I reported it missing) priority and it never arrived!  Some where out there is a rabbit head in a box.  T didn't seem to mind.  I ended up making some rabbit ears which he ended up not wearing (except for our photo shoot).

Our Hippo is back for a second year in a row!  P really loves his hippo costume.  That was fine with me!  He is so darn cute in it.

Next, we had E go as a Lion.  We've had this costume in storage.  Thank God we are able to repeat some of these costumes we spent money on!  I personally love this costume, because there was a button on his left ear that, when pressed, would let out a mighty roar!  The other great thing about this costume is how cute E looked when he was running from house to house in it.  This little body with this huge head!  E didn't remember what Halloween was all about (CANDY) and this year he was pleasantly surprised by all the free candy people were giving away.  I think Halloween has made it into his long term memory now.

And lastly, B was Santa Claus.  Each of my kids were Santa Claus as a baby.

They started with so much energy.  They ran to each house.  Then they slowed down, dragging their bags, complaining how heavy they were and then they decided they wanted to head back to the house.  This was after going around two blocks!  They each had three pieces of candy and then off to bed for school the next day.

Here are some pictures of the carved pumpkins.

A carved her own pumpkin, the ghost with candlelight.  She did a superb job.  I carved the other two.  I like happy, friendly faces.  We had a fun evening carving and scraping out pumpkin seeds with all the goopy pulp.

I hope everyone else had a great Halloween!

Preparation

Second grade is a big year!  My daughter will be receiving two very important sacraments this year, her First Reconciliation and Holy Communion.  I have a meeting about Reconciliation tonight at her school and I'm so excited for her!  Not only is she growing up physically but spiritually as well.  What an important time in her life this is.  As her primary catechist, I am determined to prepare her the best I (we) can.

This picture was way over exposed, but I loved her expression.  I tried my best to salvage the shot.

I am taking B with me to this meeting at at A's school.  The rest of the kids will be hanging out with their Dad at his work.  That should be a good time for them.

Happy Birthday

Six years ago, my first son was born.  Happy birthday, T.  I love you!

Sibling Love

The boys are so nice to their baby sister, it's so sweet to see.  T & P like to make B laugh and she plays along with them happily.  It makes my heart melt.

Look at those hands grab his face!

Help

I have three boys.  I birthed three boys.  While I was very pregnant, I unloaded the groceries from the car.  The boys are old enough to help me (& Daddy) now.  Yeh!

I'm posting a picture from a previous post.  I adjusted the colors a bit.  It's more vibrant.  I think.

Visit to Fort Valley

This past weekend we went to visit my parents in Fort Valley.  It was short, but a great visit.  We had perfect Autumn weather.  The foliage was not at it's peak, but the hint of colors were just teasing me all day.  The kids had a fantastic time.  They kept saying how beautiful everything was as we were driving up, down and around mountains.

They were pretending they were on a roller coaster, wheeeeee!

We started our day with breakfast.  Then we went to Mass.

Then we were off to find a pumpkin patch.  We found it next to this beautiful driveway.  I love the trees that line the road.  I told Coach this was my dream driveway.  I want one, please.

Sigh....Then it was off to pick some pumpkins.  I'll have to show you the pumpkins my kids chose, that's another post in itself.

T pulling our pumpkins in the wagon.

I had to put B somewhere!

I went a little overboard with these pumpkin shots.  B's expressions are funny.  She was busy playing with the pumpkins around her and every time I could get her to look up, this is what I got.  What Mom?

My mom bought me some beautiful mums.  I love them.  She got me two of the bright yellow ones.  Thanks Mom!

Then we were off to the corn maze down the road.  This maze was a decent size.  We've never done one this large before and it had a game to go along with it which A was excited about.  I didn't think it was going to take long, but it did.  I had no idea where we were inside that maze.  We didn't even find all the markers we were supposed to find.  We took some shortcuts because the boys were getting tired.

We went off the beaten path.

A view from one of the bridges in the maze, pretty.

We were all tired afterwards.  We went and got lunch, had donuts for dessert and said goodbye to Lolo & Lola.  Thank you for a great weekend!!  Love you.

Two Wheeling

When I brought A to the doctor's office for her 7 year well-visit the doctor said she should be able to do three things by now, 1) tie shoe laces, 2) swim and 3) ride a bicycle.  I left the doctor's office thinking I had some work to do. 

Today, the stores I shop at sell sneakers and even dress shoes with velcro.  It seems sensible to buy those shoes when you're in a rush and especially if you want your kids to put on their own shoes!  A is definitely up for any challenge and she learned to tie shoe laces rather quickly, practicing on Daddy's shoe's.  We bought sneakers recently that have laces so she doesn't have to worry about losing her new ability.  Check!

This Summer I was determined to get my little girl swimming like a fish.  Swim lessons?  I didn't put her in any this year.  I was thinking that she could learn under the tutelage of her parents on our trip to Florida this past Summer.  She was excited to learn and I was excited to teach her.  It didn't happen, unfortunately.  A doesn't like putting her head under the water.  This is going to take time and perhaps some help from professionals.

Biking.  Another challenge that A was excited to take on.

We didn't have to wear these large helmets when I was growing up.  This particular helmet (garage sale find) makes her look like she's going to be launched out of a canon!  Safety is key, especially for new riders and for worrisome mothers like me.  Perhaps, I should get elbow, wrist and knee pads as well.  Oh, and a mouth guard! 

I tried teaching her, but didn't have the patience.  Daddy taught her and he's got all the patience!

She learned very fast, too.

#3, check!