Halloween 2013

Halloween now lasts days... weeks.... 

Elijah had the coolest Halloween party at school.  First a trunk or treat and then a dance.  He broke out some moves without hesitation.  There may have been some break dancing which with the influence of his friend, Levi, included bicycle kick spins on the floor.  It was entertaining.  His costume was quite a hit also.  Little tween girls were wanting to take his picture and he actually let them!  He would walk strut out onto the dance floor... "Minion coming through.  Make way for Minion!"

 Eli and his friend, Levi.

 

The next day, we went to our annual Treat Walk in Lapeer.  It was pretty chilly and raining so Eli was on the grumpy side.  The girls were pretty excited though.

 Their Nana came through with these costumes and helped me out immensely.  We have Eli (the Minion), Berlin (Vanellope VonSchweetz from Wreck it Ralph), and Isadora (pink puppy)

 

 Cousins!  Berlin, Eli's costume, Lucas, Ashton, Ariah, Isadora.  See Eli running...he didn't want a photo taken so Minion stepped in.

We carved our pumpkins and I made pumpkin seeds.  It was a fun evening.  This was the first time that the kids did their own carving with little help from us.

 Grossed out face #1.

 I die.  I die... 

Halloween night!  We had my brother and some friends over.  I was feeling festive so I pulled out my cat ears from when I was 12!  I passed out candy and then switched with James for a while.  After the little ones tired out, Holly and I ventured farther with Gabe and Berlin.  We passed on our knowledge of candy hunting...the real trick or treating, the way it was meant to be done.  Sprinting.  It was a blast watching the two of them. 

 The cold rainy weather meant that I didn't even see Ariah in her costume...she was covered by layers!

Fall Festival and the Horse of Many Colors.

I love my town.  I've said this many times... NEVER did I think I would live in a small blip of a village such as this but I love it.  Have you ever seen Gilmore Girls?  Stars Hollow... that is what I think of when I think of my town.  There was a fall festival a little while back and the kids participated in the Fun Run.  Then in the neighboring village, Berlin was invited to paint a pony, Jellybean, and then walk in the Celebration of the Horse parade.  After leaving the parade, the rest of the day was spent at bounce houses, watching BMX stunts, and listening to the music at the festival.

 Eli was preparing himself for what he thought was going to be a big boom for the start of the race.

 He has a running style all of his own. :)

 Ribbons!  The kids were so excited to get ribbons!

 Painting Jellybean for the parade.  She was very sparkly and colorful.

 Berlin and daddy.

 The parade took a ridiculously long time to start.  Wearing on Isadora's patience, James tried to appease with new sitting arrangements.

Preparing to be Miss America someday.  Look at this bright smile!

October happenings.

James and I have been trying to be productive with the house.  A few weeks ago we organized and purged A LOT from the basement.  It is a lot more helpful to have things lined up on shelves, labels front facing.  We bought a set of lockers for our mud room and have cleaned them up and repainted them in a lovely shade of WHITE.  I had major decision problems so decided white would delay the decision making.  Works for me.   We are also redoing a dresser for a new buffet.  I'm excited!  Photos to come.  Also, new lighting for our rockin' patio space.  It feels overwhelming at times to attempt to do anything but the day to day but it is nice to get them accomplished... however slow it may be.

iphone photo of our patio progress last night.  Next spring it will be more decorated with pottery but I couldn't find anything that I liked this year.  I may have to DIY some planters.

The last couple of weeks have been hairy to say the least.  Sick children.  Behavior issues (we won't go there right now).  My work picked up all at once with a bunch of work to do.  James' work has been insane and he has been working a LOT of late nights and weekends.  Field trips, halloween class party prep and costumes (thankfully I had a HUGE help from Judy, my MIL), doctor appointments for the kids and I.... way too many for me because of my injured back.  I did manage to get the winter coats and hats out in time for the freezing weather that came our way so quickly.  Life is so busy.

BUT with that busy busy... I had some amazing times.

A girl day with the girls.  We had a school field trip for Izzie and Berlin's school was cancelled due to a funeral of a school official.  SO girl day.  We went to Starbucks for some pumpkin scones and drinks.  Then to the Detroit Zoo.  We spent the morning there and then headed to Somerset for lunch and a little shopping.  It was great.  I'm always amazed at how mature Berlin is becoming.

Elijah's parent/teacher conferences went SUPER.  He is doing fantastic... especially with math.  His reading is coming along so quickly as well.  This week he read his first longer book (one without 2 words per page).  I haven't forced it on him at all and he is now to the point that he is so excited about reading that he can't stop.  He reads everywhere we go.  We bought him a new book called Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons.  He has read it all by himself at least 10 times aloud to James and I.   "Mom, Mom, can I read this to you again?"   AH, love it.

James and I also got a date night last week after conferences!  We went out for dinner at the Union Woodshop in Clarkston.  They have some fun drink concoctions.  I tried a new one for an appetizer and opened new horizons with the Porker... ignoring my distaste of the name of the burger I was about to consume.  It was delish.  We had actual conversation without interruptions and a lot of laughing, considering I had a drink for an appetizer.  It was a nice time.

Also, my mom decided to make a boatload of jams and butters which were so lovingly gifted to our family.  AMAZE!  Peach, apple, pumpkin, strawberry, and raspberry!  Cheers to fall!

Long week.

It has been a REALLY long week.

Being a parent is the hardest job.  Cliche comment but I've been feeling it a lot lately. In my idealistic little mind, I keep waiting for things to just fall into place and that it will be magically easier. I've heard that... it gets easier. HA HA, no. Sorry. Being a mom is the greatest joy I've ever thought I could have BUT so far, not getting easier.

Three toddlers turned into three school aged kids and although certain struggles, like bedtime (can I get an AMEN?! for sleep!) have lessened, it just brings about a new stage of struggles. But in that challenge, there is the reward. I know that so far my kids are doing pretty good. We've gotten through the stages and struggles to make it to these next ones and remembering the triumph and the good times alleviates some of the pressure or anxiety about doing it right. I said I want to be a lifelong learner.... well, I asked for this. :)
 

 I was going to write more but now I have a bird in my basement again! 

 A few more from August.

Elijah learning to ride a 2-wheel

James trying with Izzie.  She needs some more time.

Morning at the beach.

Not sure what is with the gangsta pose.  A backstreet boy?

Castles in the sand.

Village making... mine was more primitive. 

Buried.

Telling daddy to get out into the water!