Back to School Night 2018

Back to School Night was the absolute WORST.
I should preface that I was anticipating this night for weeks. I love school supplies. I love meeting teachers. I love getting to see where my kids will spend their days. I love seeing old friends. I had this amazing, unrealistic image in my head of us skipping through daisy fields to the school where we yacht-club-style laugh with the teacher over sweet things the kids say. It was going to be a crowning moment for me as a mom. And this embarrassed-to-admit part of me thought everyone would watch us and think, "Now, what a cute little family, that mom has it TOGETHER."
It was seriously a perfect storm. First, it started an hour earlier than last year and ended thirty minutes earlier than that past. We didn't find this out until the event started. So we hustled our behinds so to look presentable (first impressions are everything, right?) We left our extremely messy house (there was still confetti EVERYWHERE from Caity's birthday.) And we had to speed walk as fast as we could to the school with twenty pound back packs in tow. There was whining, there was fighting, there was crying. I don't know how I ended up carrying both backpacks while pushing the stroller, but I did.  Matthew and William both desperately needed naps. And food. And baths. That was the main problem here.
By the time we made it to the school. I was sweating all over, and not in the glisten-way, more like the high-school-boys-after-football- practice-way. It didn't look pretty, it didn't smell pretty.
We got our class assignments and neither child was in their friends' classes. That was disappointing. Johnny's friend ran up to talk to him. Johnny looked at him, shrugged, and ran away to do I don't know what. I couldn't go retrieve him and teach him manners, because Matthew was curled in a ball around my leg crying. Caity was pacing and verbally talking herself down from an emotional cliff that Rowan and her weren't in the same class. William was randomly hitting me, saying he wanted ice cream NOW. (Again, manners are MIA) I just looked at the mom of ditched friend and tried to think of viable excuses for why Johnny acted so rude, as the friend stood there looking crushed. While dragging William with my leg, and carrying Matthew over my shoulder, I found Johnny.  We went to the classrooms. William and Matthew are now completely overwhelmed with all the noise and people and they are hungry and tired and they have turned to completely terrors. They are wrestling and screaming. Matthew has a runny nose. William is just yelling as loud as he can every ten seconds. At first I try to give an apologetic smile to everyone around me as I patiently dealt with the problem. That shifted to "Let's just get the heck out of here" mode.  Johnny had to go tell his teacher something about himself to get his ice-cream ticket. I asked him what he was going to say. He said "I'm going to say I LOVE reading." I told him that was perfect. He went up to his teacher and said, "I love TV!" I'm sure she was impressed. I said, "Really, TV?"  He said, "TV was the best thing this summer." A commentary started in my head: Did TV take you to the zoo? Did TV take you to the beach? Was TV fun when we went camping? How was TV at playing catch? And so on. At this point, I had resigned. William and Matthew somehow have filthy faces at this point (And remember- Matthew has a runny nose to boot.) They are still yelling and fighting. I haven't acknowledged poor Caity during this whole thing. She was incessantly talking. She was anxious and trying to process everything and was on the way to an anxiety attack, I could tell. She just kept talking and talking. I wish I was listening to her concerns. It was hard to this with William and Matthew hitting me and their theatrics. By the time we made it to Caity's classroom, Meet the Teacher was over (because we had the times wrong.) She was so overwhelmed with where everything was supposed to go, she was in near tears. William was pulling books off of shelves. Matthew was crying and wiping snot all over his face. Johnny kept asking to play outside and asking why we weren't outside and how much longer it would go outside. Meanwhile, I was trying to scan a barcode with all the class rules, and volunteer responsibilities. I stink at technology. Throw in crying kids, it doesn't get better- I'll say that much. The next thirty minutes were more of the same. kids refusing to come down stairs, Johnny running off, Caity talking, Me trying to keep it classy and not completely lose it.
Every one was watching. And yes, I know that's an exaggeration, but it really was bad.
My dreams of "Cute family that has it together" (Ha!) were dashed. I was humbled.
I saw a lot of pity. I felt pretty isolated. I remembered every school function that this had happened at. In that moment I literally wondered if moving to a completely new place was the best solution. I decided that was irrational, and I just needed to man up.
 As we finally left the school,  I thought- "Well, that was a nightmare."
But I'm so grateful I got to be there. I'm grateful I get to be a mom. I'm grateful that it was "a nightmare" and not what every day looks like for us. I learned a lot that day, and hopefully the future will go better. We got home and vacuumed the confetti and washed the dishes. We sat on the couch and read stories. I sat on Caity's bed and was finally able to listen to all her concerns while she processed everything. I was able to talk Johnny with help from Dad about manners and listening, and good ways to deal with stressful situations that don't involve running away.  William and Matthew went straight to bed after getting some food (very quickly might I add.)
It was a bad night. It isn't a bad life.
It's a good life.
And I wanted to remember amidst the flowery-life-is-beautiful posts, there are days in the trenches with grenades going off in every direction, and there is still something beautiful in that. Life isn't a product, it's a process and I am learning, we are learning as family.

And here's me trying to get a normal picture of four kids:

Matthew Walking and Crazy Kids

So, a few weeks ago Mr. Matthew started pushing himself up and walking five steps before he would plop down. None of my other kids did that unail at least their first birthday, so I was hesitant to call it walking with Matthew. Last night while we were babysitting he was just walking everywhere, he would walk, balance himself, walk some more, plop down, get himself up and keep in walking!  He is the cutest because he laughs the whole time and I love it.
This is the first video I have of it, he doesn't start walking until half way through though.

Gosh, I love that silly boy.

Speaking of silly.....found this video that makes me kind of laugh, bit I don't km now how to cut it down...so here ya go:

Strawberry Wars

We work out!

I basically love when Caity's gets home from school because she knows how to keep the boys busy and entertained in ways outside of my personal abilities and comprehension.  Yesterday while I was making dinner, there was jumping jacks, crunches, and hallway sprints...much to my neighbors' delight, I'm sure! (Yes, he is still wearing the Superman shirt.)

Last night during dinner, it took about ten minutes trying to manipulate William to eat his salad to finally settle on "just the croutons" smothered in dressing. Baby steps. After I got up to wash dishes, Johnny apparently took a bit out Caity's strawberry that "she was saving until the very end" because it was "the only part of the whole dinner that was actually going to taste good." I turned around from the sink and gave Johnny the best mom face I could muster. He said he was sorry to Caity, however; when I turned back around to do dishes, he turned to Caity  and said smugly,  "Just kidding, I'm not sorry at all." I turned back to face him and that mischevious grin, and gave him a good talking-to which provoked and even more sincere apology complete with a pout lip and puppy eyes. Satisfied, I went back to work on the dishes, when I heard whispered behind my back "Just kidding again, not sorry at all... hahaha!" I whipped around to catch him snatching her strawberry again!

Brothers are the worst sometimes, Caity got more strawberries,  and Johnny finished the dishes.

And we all lived happily ever after....until William woke Johnny up this morning via foam sword. :)

As Today Comes to a Close...

• Sometimes people ask me what I've done all day and I have absolutely no idea how to answer, I know I'm busy- but it is hard to figure out what made it so. Today was not one of those days. Today I cleaned. ALL. DAY. LONG.  It was needed, it was therapudic, it was tiring, it was frustrating, it was refreshing, it was humbling, it was uplifting.  My house is now clean. Tomorrow by 9:00 am, it won't be. 
• John called me on the phone and while he was trying to tell me our car's head gasket was going out and discuss options, I had Matthew screaming bloody murder because I wasn't getting mashed up squash in his mouth fast enough, I had William pulling my hair and punching me (and when I'd mouth, "No hitting." he would grimace, flex, and mouth back, "I hulk!") Johnny was at the kitchen table trying to put together a puzzle- well, four puzzles-  he mixes them all together to challenge himself, haha...anyway, puzzle boy kept sporadically hollering, "I'm trying to concert-ate, please be silent!" Caity, bless her heart was doing her own puzzles in her room...with Taylor Swift playing loudly despite her mother's constant nagging to "turn Taylor down." I am pretty sure I asked John five times how far away he was from home within those ten minutes.
• Family dinner was a semi-success (AKA- everybody actually ate their food), and Family Night was sooooo much easier with John home. He has had late nights studying and it was nice having him there with us! William insisted on helping everyone in their "jobs", with his shirt half off and pulled over his head.  Through out scripture reading he would rock climb up my back, while Matthew crawled back and forth over my legs squawking and snorting.  Caity thinks it is the funniest joke to skip a verse and she will do so almost every time, and John and I look at eachother all annoyed and tell her it isn't funny anymore, but she doesn't let us get her down and she giggles her way through the correct verse. And then there is Johnny, who happens to bein his own world and when it is his turn to copy back what John and I read, he gets it all muddled in the most sincere way ("And it came to pass..." "...And I went to dash"),  allwhile he hangs upside down from the couch. 
• No matter how rough the day feels there are always little moments that bring it all full circle and find me in a very happy place. We were talking about compassion at Family Night and as I was looking at the three oldest, my heart was just so full in the cheesiest-everyone-will-probably-skim-over-this-way. Each of their eyes were concentrating in their own individual way as they huddled together on one and a half couch cushions. They are so small, yet so powerful. Children are a gift.  Today was kind of hard, but it was mostly good. I feel grateful to be loved by John and to be able to love those crazy kids. Would I do today again? Nope. But you better believe I am excited for tomorrow!

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"Helpful"

Dear William,

You, my squishy-thigh friend...are a little terror! Though you don't mean to be...
In your mind you are quite helpful. So maybe I should take a moment to thank you for all your hard work lately! Thank you for "reorganizing" all the books on my book shelf.  I know it occupied you for about thirty minutes and you were breathing pretty hard- it was laborious work for an 18 month old.

Thank you for helping me with dinner.  I totally forgot that once the enchiladas were rolled up and placed in the pan, they then needed to be picked up again, shaken so the filling falls out, and thrown into a pot and stirred up. 

Thank you for getting the flour out for me when I was making cookies.  I don't know why I put it away after adding it to the recipe. Sure some of it (all of it) spilled all over the floor, but I could tell you were just as frustrated as I was with that complication because you growled. I'm grateful you made the most of the situation and used the cookie cutters to make shapes in the flour-blanketed kitchen floor.

I know Dad really appreciates your help in the garage. Sure, we have had to replace like 8 tools because who knows where you crate them off to, but what would our Dodge Neon (The Hulk) be with out a dent or two from your handyman skills with that wrench as tall as you are. On that note, thank you for trying to clean up the oil you traced into the house. With my white shirt you pulled from the dryer. You are so innovative sometimes.

Speaking of which, thanks for cleaning the back window. Next time talk to me first though, so I can show you the difference between cooking spray and windex.

Have I mentioned how much I appreciate you rearranging everything in the kitchen? You know, I never really used those bowls you broke yesterday anyway! Also, why use the fridge doors when you can keep all the condiments on a shelf with the milk. You were so proud of your self for accomplishing that, and you know what- so am I! 

I could go on forever, from your assistance in putting away laundry (aka-emptying drawers as I work) to you helping me sweep (aka- flinging my pile all over the floor again) to reorganizing the bathroom cupboards...but I'll just end with this one: Thanks buddy for organizing mom and dad's shoes....in the bathtub. That one kept you busy for a while. I am particularly impressed you kept all of them in pairs and that you performed the task in mom's red rain boots. When I suggested we put them back, you looked at me like was crazy and babbled at me what I assume to be "Are you kidding me? The shoes look so good in here! Besides, now I can play in your closet floor!"

William, I'll be honest....I chase you around most days as the self appointed Hurricane William Damage Control Team. But then you give me that big smile and I think about I wouldn't spend my days any other way. Except cuddling, why don't you cuddle??? :)

Stylin, Joseph and a Bouncy Toddler

Style Preferences.

Caity and I are moving into a stage where her hair is a constant negotiation. I knew she would have her own opinion eventually, but it kills me a little inside. Luckily, she is usually pretty lenient, but most days (like the one above) she just wants a "plain- you know, like big girl head band." 

She also feels SO COOL to have her jacket tied around her waist. Like, SO cool. Like, it was almost 80 degrees yesterday but she wanted to bring her jacket just in case, aka, she wanted to tie it around her waist.  I thought it was cute.

The kids have been playing Superhero family lately. Johnny told me "You are super grandma but I will call you 'Mommy' for short, OK?"  Yesterday he knocked on my door and said, "Mom, I'm tired of being Superman, so I'm just gonna be Joseph now." (As in Mary and Joseph.) That cracked me up.

William is happiest when he is moving. The entire time we were on the trampoline he had this face expression. He loves walks and swings, as soon as the swing moves- he is laughing. His little run is still my favorite, even if he is running the opposite direction of where I need him!

If I had a Camera on me today...

If I had a camera on me today I would have captured:

7:30 AM- William and Johnny taking turns with each bite of their cereal, standing on the chair and smiling at eachother after every bite.

8:00 AM- Cutting Johnny's hair, with William standing on the stool with him while they made silly faces in the mirror.

Johnny and William's little bums as they raced cars against the wall of the bath.

Caity, sleepy eyed, fully dressed and hair done rushing from her room and saying, "Happy General Conference!"

John giving me a hug when he woke up.

William stacking cars while we watched conference.

Johnny shouting "Hey butler!" to William, and then William shouting something back, then them both going back to what they were doing in the first place.

Caity laying on her back watching conference with her ankle resting on her knee.

Johnny's proud face when he brought me a ship he made out of legos.

William's face when he ran out of his room after his nap, like "Hey world! I'm awake!"

Caity leaning on John while they watched conference together.

Caity telling me about how she liked Elder Bednar's talk because he said not to listen your fears and that is what Spencer told her at the park when they were playing on the monkey bars.

When I moved to the other couch for some space and three little bodies moved over their with me and squished themselves on to my same cushion so they could all have a good spot that was touching me in some way.

I was doodling and I looked down at Caity and Johnny's pictures and they were copying me.

William saying "Sorry" to Johnny and giving him a hug.

All three kids making special "food" in the sand box. They were so entertained and thrilled with themselves.

William throwing a tantrum, then laying on the floor and staring at the wall refusing to acknowledge us.

Caity in a bathrobe, crossing her legs, sitting on the toilet reading a "Nevergirls" book while she waited for her bath to fill up.

William and Johnny sitting side by side in camping chairs in the backyard eating oatmeal.

How handsome John looked when he went to the priesthood session of conference.

John's face after he told me a funny joke.

When I told Johnny it was bedtime and he exclaimed, "Yes! Tomorrow is EASTER! I so excited!"

William waving "good night" to me, hugging his blanket.

Wish I had a camera. I suppose I'll just have to close my eyes and watch the slideshow there and hope that the images only become blurry enough that I won't see the dirty faces, but clear enough that I can see the light in those childrens' eyes.

A Learning Stage

The weather has been just fantastic lately, I have been able to play a lot more with my kids outside, and goodness- being a mom is fun in those moments.  

William is at a fun learning stage and is really anxious for attention and chances to soak in the world around him.  I saw this funny video about a mom trying to get things done and her toddler following her around undoing everything she is doing, and it reminds me so much of William that it made me laugh. He is a little helper who doesn't help much at all! haha. I just like him. He is sitting still to read books more often which makes the process less of a chore and more of a happy time for me, and for that I am grateful

Johnny is also learning quite a bit, he is in the early stages of reading and writing and well, nothing extra-ordinary, just typical pre-school appropriate stuff. It is so fulfilling seeing the light in his face when he learns something new.  Preschool has surprisingly been exactly what that boy needed. It wasn't as apparent that he needed as it was for Caity, but his confidence has just increased so much and it is helping me also know what things to focus on with him and things I can teach him.  They learned about Presidents on a couple weeks ago, and he has this sign that has Lincoln on one side, and Washington on the other. He'll make us all sit as he tells us all about them.  It cracks me up because mid-presentation, William will dash out and snatch Johnny's sign and run away and Johnny will holler, "Give me my presidents back stinker!"  Every week they focus on different occupations in the community.  Last week was police officers, and now he really wants a police dog (to John's satisfaction!) When he grows up he wants to "Be a Po-leece man and marry a preschool teacher like Miss Susan" (big smile.)  He has really taken to her and has a thing for her curly hair.  He is always telling me facts he learned about that day and it has just been fun.

Caity is learning to jump rope and hula hoop. I think one thing I really admire that about that girl is that once she sets her mind to learn something, she doesn't stop working at until she gets it down. She also is still my little, big. reader. Right now she is reading the Mr. Toad books from her school librarian.  My mom suggested Junie B Jones, Caity thinks it is pretty hilarious, I think it helps it is about a kindergartener.  On Saturday she set up "Learning Centers" for her and Johnny in the backyard.  There was a reading center, a toy center, an exercise center, a picnic center, a math center, a game center...anyway, it was really cute.  I was doing homework, and kept my window open so I could hear their little voices while they played.  Every center was so detail specific and organized.  At Caity's school the celebrated the Chinese New Year.  This year is the year of the sheep.  We looked up Caity's to find out she was the year of the rat- I mean, really China? You only needed twelve animals and you zeroed in on rat?  Oh, how I wish you could have witnessed her reaction to that little piece of news.  I told her what a rat was known for and she wasn't so upset by it.  For a couple weeks she would say often, "Oh, that is because I am a rat." very matter of factly, and it would throw people off who had no context of what she was talking about. 

Stuff that Happened Today

The following is from my email I wrote John today while he was at work:
Hello there!
How is your day going? Thought I'd update you on what has been going on today!

So, the kids were fine watching their show and playing while I cleaned, they ate breakfast while I cleaned, hardly noticed me.  As soon as I sat down to do homework, they have not left my side. Kids. 
I read William "Hands, Hands, Fingers, Thumb" three times in a row, he thinks that book is hilarious.

I took the covers off of the chairs to wash the peanut butter, jelly, grease, milk, drool, etc off. The older kids took this an invitation to make a tower of cushions to watch "Annie."  They are both wearing capes and calling themselves Queen Esther and King Jake. When I pulled William from his crib they strategically place him in, I said, "Here comes Prince William!" Caity was like, "No, it has to sound like royalty." I thought this as funny because there is indeed a royal Prince William in real life. 

I started making cookies. As I scooped and rounded each piece of cookie dough an placed it, I realized I was putting it in the same place on the sheet over and over again. I looked to the side of me and see WIlliam standing on a chair with his cheeks full, holding a ball of cookie dough. He smiled and drool fell down his face. That boy! 

Johnny has been obsessed with seeing how many circles he can spin, then trying to run down the hall as fast as he can. He keeps hitting walls and laughing and I can't help but laugh too. He is cute.  William watched Johnny spinning and tried a twirl of his own, after turning 180 degrees, he got dizzy and fell down and went: "woahhooooh" with his head swaying in a circular motion trying to copy Johnny. 

After practicing all morning, Caity snapped for the first time.  She looked at me in complete shock and said, "I did it! I'm the only kindergartner I know who can snap."  She proceeded to sing the days of the week to the Adams Family theme song while snapping.
I KNOW you saw me vacuuming this morning right? Well, William discovered the fruit loops and our carpet looks significantly now.

Hopefully I get some homework done today, but I'm not counting on it. :)

I love you, hope you have a good day!

Mary

PS- Caity and Johnny just burst into the room singing, "I just can't wait to be KING!" with William yelling "DADADADA!" We miss you!

My Little Morning People

Morning snuggles are the best.

I've come to terms with my 5:00 to 6:00 AM wake up call.  I'll admit, I first thought it was a phase. It's not. 

I'm glad they are so happy in the mornings, it takes the edge off. :)

This morning I woke up to do some homework

First came Johnny. He trotted in a zig-zag-not-quite-awake fashion. He sat next to me and started sorting face cards.

Next, I heard William, squawking from his crib, while he hit a car against the wall.

That didn't last long though, because Caity woke up soon after and pulled him out.

She glided softly to the table and said, "What a night, my head is killing me." 

William baby-sprinted toward me and smiled mischievously at me as if he was saying, "Look! I'm awake!"

Homework went on the back burner and three shivering little bodies hopped in a warm bath. Johnny lined up his trains on the side of the tub, William knocked them over. Johnny cried, then William cried, then Johnny laughed, then William laughed.  

Meanwhile, Caity was in my shower, singing "Let it Go" at the top of her lungs. 

I think our neighbors got a morning alarm as well out of my children.

Everyone got dressed and ate some oatmeal and now we are watching Aristocats. 

"I go first because I am a lady."

"You're not a lady, you're just a sister."

Love that line!

By the time John gets home from basketball, I'll say "What a long day!" To which he'll reply "It's not even 8:00 AM"  

Then, I'll realize it isn't time to make lunch, but the kids will be ready for their second breakfast soon. Then, William will go down for a nap and wake up again at the time I wish I was waking up in the first place!

They are great kids. I am glad I get to hang out with them today.

All Hallow's Eve 2014

We had a grand time this Halloween!

For my "Days of Halloween," Halloween was  Pumpkin Day! 

For breakfast we had Orange Julius in jack-o-lantern cups, jack-o-lantern mandarian oranges and waffles cut to look like- you guessed, jack-o-lanterns.  We watched Disney's Halloweentown while we ate breakfast. 

Next, we made some Halloween goodies for Caity's teacher and then decorated the left overs for ourselves! :)  I was in charge of organizing Caity's class "Harvest Party."  It was fun to get in the classroom and meet all the classmates I hear so much about.  I manned the freeze-dance station, every time the music stopped, the kids had to find a Halloween Picture to stand on and if I drew their picture, they got a prize.  These kids had some moves! Would you believe I didn't get one picture of the party? I must have been too busy getting a dead arm from holding William while chasing Johnny down the hall between "music stops."  By the time we left, we were all exhausted. Kindergarten teachers are awesome, I don't know how they do it- and always with a smile on their faces!

When we got home from school, Dad greeted us wearing his costume! He was all decked out in Camouflage. The kids were so excited. We finally got to carve our pumpkins. Once again, we competed boys vs. girls.  

 Caity was pretty grossed out by the pumpkin guts!

For whatever reason, the boys found it more enjoyable! :)

Johnny wanted a dinosaur pumpkin...correct that, a "Sharp Tooth" Pumpkin and Dad delivered! (see costume pics below.) William just toddled around eating whatever we pulled out of our pumpkins.

Caity wanted a very girly pumpkin that absolutely had to have eyelashes and puckered lips and ear rings.

After pumpkins, we ate stew (we have that every Halloween), then  got in our costumes. 

So you may notice that Caity isn't the pink ballerina she was last weekend, and wanted to be all. year. long.  A couple weeks ago, you know- after I finished her ballerina costume- she decided she wanted to be Elsa from Frozen. I explained that we were already done with her costume and though she was let down, she didn't complain once.  She did make sure to give a disclaimer to anyone who asked her about her ballerina costume, though. ("Yeah, I wanted to be Elsa, but my mom wanted me to be a ballerina so, yeah- it's OK, I still like it- maybe next year or something. At least my mom is happy." Yeah, I felt like the worst mom ever.) 

I thought it through, and looked around the house and knew I could throw together an Elsa costume pretty easily with little cost.  So, I figured, "Hey, you are only 6 once- why not?" Besides, her ballerina costume cost nothing, so it wasn't a real big deal.  She already owned a blue, shimmery, poofy dress, so that was easy.  For the cloak, I chopped up a thrifted wedding veil and sewed it to an old lace shirt I below the sleeves.  I sewed on glittery snowflakes I found at the dollar store and covered that thing with spray glue and glitter. The crown was made from silver pipe cleaner I had. I wish you could have seen her face when she saw the costume.  "This is the best day of my life!" It was totally worth it.  She probably sang "Let it Go" a million and one times.

I told her she was the prettiest princess I ever saw. She bashfully said, "Well, actually I'm a queen, remember? It's OK, I get it confused too, sometimes." Here she is with her pumpkin^,

Johnny with his pumpkin. ^

Now, since Caity got a costume change- it is only right Johnny should too, right? Well, he thought so. 

Funny side story here.  We went to another Trunk or Treat on Wednesday.  There was a little boy in a Batman costume. They were playing super heroes and it got a little out of hand.  Johnny walked away with a fat lip. I felt kind of bad for him because for the first time in the history of ever he actually listened to me and didn't fight back.  So, ever since, Batman has been Johnny's mortal enemy. Like, his batman figurines are the bad guys now when he plays with his toys. When he switched to his Iron Man costume, Johnny said, "Yeah, Hulk is scared of Batman, but not IronMan, I'm gonna win this time, right mom?"  Thank goodness we didn't run into any Batmans while trick or treating.

William stayed a Lion. :) About ten minutes into trick or treating, this little lion conked out in the stroller.

Our only family picture from the night.

Trick or Treating was slow starting, but it got fun as it became darker. Johnny made sure to strike up a conversation with every person who answered the door. "How many dogs do you have?" Then as he was leaving, "I like your 3 dogs!" After about ten houses, Johnny was just too tired and with William asleep, the boys headed home. Caity wasn't giving in so easily. So together, we conquered.

This picture cracks me up.  She was horrified by the motion detector skeleton. We ran into some friends from down the street and trick or treated with Dorothy and the Wicked Witch of the West. Caity was so hyper: friends plus candy plus Elsa plus staying out late- this girl was in heaven. 

By the time our sore feet tuckered through the front door, Johnny was asleep on the couch and John was into his millionth hunting clip on youtube.  Caity was too exhausted to wash the glitter from her hair or take off her princess dress, so I just kind of let her sleep that way. She was out in minutes.

John and I enjoyed some hot chocolate and left over cookies and finally got to really see each other after a long, busy week. 

The next morning, the kids and I were up early and we sorted candy.  I love watching the littles concentrate on counting and pairing, it is just a fun way to watch their minds think!

Dear Halloween, you were good to us, see you and your spooky fun next year!

Sappy, Happy, and Sally.

Feeling sappy these days, and it is the most random things that set me off: Johnny sleeping, William laughing as I push him on the swing, Caity skip-running from my car to the school play ground, listening to the voicemails John leaves me, even the messes the kids create playing together.  It is just these weird little moments that make me smile from the inside.

I don't really know how to describe it, but lately I am just getting all emotional over these every-day quiet moments.

Speaking of sappy, we sold Sally on Monday.  Everyone was pretty devastated. This was our last family picture.  At Family Night later, I was telling Johnny that our family was going to be together forever and he corrected me and said, "No, because Sally is gone. She is a part of our family." Oh, the memories we created driving that Land Cruiser.  We are still in mourning, if only rent came free.