Halloween, Part 3

Yesterday we carved our pumpkins. Our local grocery store had a special: all the pumpkins you can carry to your car in 1 trip for $4. I carried 6. It's a good thing we got a couple extras because we discovered Tyler's was rotten when we started carving them. So, I gave Tyler my "big" pumpkin and I carved his smaller, 2nd pumpkin. Danielle carved both of hers. I needed to explain all that so there is NO confusion when you see 5 pumpkins sitting on our porch. There is no 5th "pumpkin" to announce; it was just a good deal on pumpkins.



The kids did almost all of their own carving this year. Keeping with tradition, Tyler wouldn't touch the pumpkin guts. He got a little abstract with his pumpkin's features, too. I think they turned out great.



































































From left to right, Tyler's pumpkin, Danielle's 2 pumpkins, my pumpkin (which wouldn't stand by itself once I carved it), and Ron's pumpkin.










Danielle was going to be a cheerleading for our neighborhood's trick-or-treating, but it was too chilly. Instead, she's a rather thick angel. (I think there are 3 shirts and a sweatshirt under there.) Somehow we managed to fit a coat under Tyler's costume. The kids had a good time. We had a ton of trick-or-treaters. We went through 9 bags of candy and at least 1/2 of what the kids collected the other night.

Zoo Camp Out

The Cub Scouts attended a special program at the zoo last night that included an overnight stay. I didn't go, but it sounds like the boys had a great time. We do have an awesome zoo, so I'm not surprised. (All the zoo pics are from Ron's phone.)

They got to see lots of animals during their "class" last night. Tyler liked petting the alligator. I will never be able to have a zoo career. Just thinking about holding that giant spider would have made me hyperventilate. I can't imagine letting a spider that size crawl around on my arm!!!!!

The skull is from a pileated woodpecker. I saw a live pileated woodpecker this week. (They are rather shy birds, so it was hard to get a good photo!)

They all got their own pastuerized owl pellet to dissect. I don't know if you can see it very well, but the little pile of "stuff" in the bottom left corner is actually a pile of bones. Tyler said he found 2 small skulls in his pellet.

This morning they got a special tour of the zoo before it opened to the public. This was Ron's first time seeing our new polar bear exhibit. The polar bears put on a good show. In fact, he said all the animals were very active.

Danielle and I had a nice evening, too. We had a nice dinner together and then snuggled under a blanket together in our jammies and watched a movie.

Halloween, Part 2

First, a before and after of sorts:

Before (earlier this afternoon - ICK!!):

After (finally!!!):






























Today was the kids' Halloween parties. This was the first party Tyler has attended since kindergarten because he was sick for his 1st & 2nd grade parties. He was pretty excited!




Another kid in Tyler's class was Luigi, so they walked together during the parade.

In the video games, Mario always jumps up in the air and spins, while yelling "Mario!" That's what my dorky son was attempting to do in this picture (thankfully w/o attempting the spin). I use the term "dorky" with nothing but love. :)

They were playing "hot gourd" in the last picture.

Danielle was an angel. This was a costume I bought on clearance after Halloween a couple years ago and gave to her for Christmas for playing dress up.

Halloween, Part 1

The kids went trick-or-treating with my brother tonight. In case you think the kids look a little chunky - it was only 45 degrees this evening. They were wearing several layers of clothes under their costumes!

Danielle is recycling some items for her Halloween costumes this year. She wore this butterfly costume 2 years ago. For her party at school tomorrow, she's wearing one of her play dress-up outfits. I think she has something else in mind for Halloween in our neighborhood. All that mattered to me was that it didn't cost me anything!

Tyler insisted on being Mario this year, and he had to have the store bought costume. I would have preferred to make him a costume because it would have been much better quality and more unique, but this one was not expensive and he loves it. I was pleasantly surprised with how it looked on him, too. For a couple weeks he was really into playing Super Mario Galaxy, so I think that's why he wanted to be Mario. Apparently it's a popular costume this year. I had to go to 6 different stores in order to find one!

Misc Pics

First frost

Nothing prettier

Calm after the storm

Will pose for peanuts

My Blessed Life

You know how when you drive someplace familiar, like to the grocery store for example, you spend most of the time on autopilot because you've traveled that way so many times? Most of the time you get to the store and realize you barely remember the journey there. Then there are a few occasions when you are aware of the trip - you notice the leaves changing colors on the trees, or the steam rising up from the freshly plowed fields, or even the inconvenient road construction and orange barrels. I kind of feel like my life is like that trip to the grocery store sometimes. But for some reason, the past couple weeks I have been acutely aware of the journey and just how beautiful it really is.

Tonight I sat outside and watched Danielle twirl around in the yard. She was making up silly dances for me and talking about teaching them to her friends at school. When I looked at her, I noticed how much taller she's gotten, how long her hair is, and how much she's grown in more ways than just physically. And as she twirled and giggled, I found myself thinking how lucky I am to be her mom.

After I put the kids to bed tonight, I came downstairs and attempted to straighten up a little. I found a picture Danielle drew for Ron, who is gone today. With her 1st grade knowledge, she wrote "Well came home Daddy" and drew a picture underneath. I added it to her stack of artwork and smiled. She's so creative and tenderhearted, and she loves her daddy so much.

Usually Tyler prays the exact same prayer every night at bedtime. Tonight, though, without prompting, he prayed that "Dad would feel SO MUCH better in the morning" because he's sick and travelling and has a presentation to give. Then my son asked me if I would sit and talk with him for awhile. He told me about some things he read recently, and we talked and laughed. Then he told me I was the best mom ever and that he loved me. Then he added, "And do you know why I love you, Mom? Just because you're you!" That was followed by an unsolicited hug. How beautiful is that?

And lately it's not even been the touching moments that have caught my attention. Things like cleaning the house - I'm so glad we have such a nice, warm house to clean. It holds so many happy memories. Like cleaning up the dog toys - how lucky are we to have such fun pets with such distinctive personalities. Like doing the laundry - I'm so thankful our children have clothes for the seasons, nice clothes. Like volunteering at the school - how lucky am I to get to be a part of my kids' school lives? Not every parent has the opportunity to do that, but I do, and I'm so grateful for it. And even my husband traveling - I hate it that he travels, but I'm so thankful I have a husband who will come home to me. A husband who loves our children as much as I do and works so very hard to provide for us. How lucky am I?


With work and school and afterschool activities, it's so easy to run on autopilot. The days blur into weeks and months and years. But when I really pay attention, I am awestruck by just how beautiful the journey really is.

And Still More Fall Fun

More Fall Fun

Today I took the kids to the park for a scavenger hunt. They each had their own list of items to collect or photograph. We had a really good time! The kids commented several times about the beautiful fall colors and really seemed to enjoy our walk. They were so grumpy this morning, that, honestly, I didn't have high hopes for the afternoon. Thankfully I was pleasantly surprised.

(Tyler took the picture of Danielle looking through the pipe. I thought it was cute.)