Lessons Learned the Hard Way

Lesson #1 DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE DAY BEFORE HALLOWEEN TO TRY ON STORE BOUGHT COSTUMES

This is the first year that the kids did not want to do a family theme. Well I should clarify, Emmeline didn't want to. I knew the day would come just didn't think it would be at 5. She found the costume she loved at the store and so did Caden so we went ahead and bought them. Since Caden decided he wanted to be Mario from Super Mario Brothers we thought it would be cute to have Jackson be Luigi. No stores carried the costume but I found a 2-4t online and ordered it. I assumed a 2t-4t would fit with plenty of room. Since I have always made their costumes there were always several moments when I needed them to try it on so I could hem or pin in certain spots. Good thing I decided to try on the costumes today because Jackson must be a giant in China or wherever his costume was made. The poor kid was so  smushed into his costume.

So after daddy got home. I headed out in search of something to work for Luigi.

Lesson #2 - DO NOT GO TO THE OUTLETS WHEN IT'S DARK

I know that the Fairfield Mall is totally off limits at night, but I assumed the outlets is totally safe. Well I can't be certain but I'm pretty sure I was witness to some ladies who were trying to pass stolen checks. The ladies and their friends already seemed really out of place in the Osh Gosh outlet and then they threw in their over the top friendlyness and wanting to chit chat and distract the poor girl ringing them up and I was thinking this was all bad. Surprising the first check they tried to use wouldn't read in the machine, then they didn't have an ATM card, the other girl's ATM card was demagnetized, and then suddenly they found a different check book. But wouldn't you know as I'm finally being helped by someone else I hear them ask for an ID and the girl can't find it. My secret long ago dream of being an FBI agent came out and I'm thinking COME ON, this is a SCAM. I was feeling really bad for the girls helping them. When I was done I casually went to the connecting store and was acting like I was shopping but was trying to see what was playing out. After waiting a little bit and the girl still digging looking for an ID I casually told the worker in the other store that the customer seems to be dragging out process and I'm not sure if they need some "extra" help. I gave her a certain look. I was hoping she got my vibe. I headed to my van and thought I would write a few license plates down that looked sketch and then decided that I would put my mom hat back on and go home. 

After the crazy evening, I'm happy to report that Jackson will now have a semi homemade costume that will actually cover his legs and will not look like a wresting singlet. 

Bucket List

I am so excited to share that thanks to the help of a lot of people and a few helpful people at Pebble Beach we were able to mark one of my Dad's dreams come true. There had been several phone calls and emails in secret to make all this happen. We had a few options to get him on the course the day after Christmas, but after a lot of discussion about weather and health we decided October was best. So when I saw of all days TODAY it was forecasted to rain I was an emotional mess. I did something that I rarely do and called out to my Facebook friends for some prayers. And God is GOOD. Drizzle on the first hole and then I got a text that the rain held off until after he finished the 18th. I'm not sure that they were able to see the bag pipe performance at sunset due to the rain, but thank God he played with no rain. He had some special visitors during and after. Receiving all the pictures made all the stress worth it and made my heart so happy. What a perfect day! 

Here are some pictures from their special day. 

Pumpkins and Popcorn

Tonight we had our annual Pumpkins and Popcorn. We were blessed with some beautiful fall weather for pumpkin carving and movie night under the stars.  It was fun to have some new kids from preschool here and it was cute to see the little ones hanging  with the big kids watching the movie. There were some pretty yummy snacks thanks to all the talented mommies.  I am now addicted to what they call "apple crack". It was sooooo good - lets just say it all magically disappeared while I was cleaning up. I need to get that recipe.
I'm sad to report that I don't have any photos to post. =( I was super busy running around and chatting with some of the other moms that I didn't have a chance to snap a photo. I love fall, but I am already looking forward to warmer weather so we can start movie nights up again.

Benadryl Please !

Well it looks like sweet Caden inherited the one thing I wished none of my kids would get...my nut allergy. I was so proud of him tonight at Cubbies he tried something new a apple muffin. He devoured it and during his last few bites I noticed a few walnuts. I figured it was no biggie. We do our bedtime routine and he mentioned he felt like he needed a breathing treatment. He wasn't coughing but I has gotten good at telling us when he feels he needs one. He finished his treatment, headed to bed, and woke up screaming a few hours later. I was greeted to this. 

And this 

Poor boy. His neck is worst and looks like one giant swollen hive. Hoping the Benadryl kicks in so he has some relief, but it is going to be a long night if no sleep worrying about my buddy. Scratch that it is going to now be a lifetime of worry over every snack he consumes. I was really praying he wouldn't have to deal with what I have had to deal with all these years. 

40th Anniversary Celebration

Tonight we had the family over to celebrate my Mom and Dad. 

Next Sunday they will be celebrating their anniversary in Monterey where they honeymooned staying at none other than Pebble Beach. This has been a surprise I have been working on for sometime. They were making me panic when they started planning a trip, but it all worked out. After the emotional roller coaster of a year my mom and dad have been on this year with more downs than ups with Dad fighting cancer and my mom fighting for her job, I wanted something special. As long as I can remember Dad's #1 on his bucket list has been to play Pebble Beach. There have been a few times when things have gotten in the way. Well with a break in treatment and with it only being a week away it looks like with the help of my Aunt, Uncle, and Grandma their wish is coming true. 

Since they will be gone next weekend we got the family together to celebrate today.  We were lucky to have Aunt Sue my Mom's honorary older sister and matron of honor in her wedding join us. Uncle Jon, Aunt Rachel, and the sweetest baby ever, my niece Esther were here. The kids  LOVE Esther and love making her smile and laugh. 

The kids had a blast playing in the backyard counting stars with Aunt Rachel . Still not sure what number they decided on. :) 

And while they were counting I was busy getting my baby fix. It was a beautiful evening. 

The sweetest sound

Well what one considers the sweetest sound, another I guess considers it nails on a chalkboard. Today I was hanging out with the kids in the backyard. The kids were running around playing, swinging, chasing one another. We were relishing the beautiful weather before winter arrives. The kids were laughing and playing so nicely that I thought I would take advantage and sit back and do some reading until I was rudely interrupted by one of my neighbors. I was shocked and stunned to hear someone yell for my kids to stop screaming. I was so shocked I didn't know what to say back. I'm still trying to figure who it is??? Funny thing is of all our outside playing I thought this was the most tame. Yes, they weren't silent but they were outside playing. Not sure what proper etiquette is in this situation. When the kids are screaming or popping their heads over the fence to yell at neighbor Bill I quickly silent them. All I have to say is I secretly can't wait for Movie Night on Saturday evening when we have about 20 kiddos and their parents outside watching a movie under the stars. I'm sure they are going to be loving us. Would it be too much for me to place a nice note with earplugs in their mailboxes and warn them of Saturday? 

Bishops Pumpkin Farm

Today we headed to Wheatland in our tanktops and short sleeved shorts for our annual trip to Bishops. At some point it's going to feel like fall...right???

 We were so sad that Great Nana wasn't able to meet us, but we were excited our best friends the DeTars could come. Jackson was beyond excited that he got to hang out with his buddy Wesley or as Caden referred to him all day Wesley Simon. 

In our fast trip we managed to hit up the slides, pony rides, wild flowers, and the train all before lunch. Got to love the midweek crowds. 

After we ate our huge deep fried stick of processed meat - which was oh so delicious we headed to to feed the animals and then to the tractor rides to the fields. The kids did a great job picking pumpkins. The older two were very cute with their reasoning behind the one they picked. We loaded up and no trip would be complete without the apple dumpling on the way home. It was a great trip. 

I'm already looking forward to next year and hoping Great Nana will feel up to going next year. 

Happy Birthday Nonie

Today we celebrated the Amazing Nonie's birthday. We are so lucky to have such a great Nonie and that she lives right down the street and up the hill. Emmeline has been counting down the days for her birthday. We started the day off with a video message from the kids wishing Nonie a very happy birthday. It melts my heart when I hear them sing.
The kids played outside running and riding bikes.  

Emmeline spent the rest of the day making flowers for Nonie which we forgot to bring. Looks like Nonie will get another gift on Friday.
  We wrapped up the day with one of my favorite things, family dinner. The kids had so much fun playing with Uncle J, Aunt Cory, Auntie Elizabeth, Nonie, Papa, and Gram. After some delicious cake Nonie opened gifts. I went to put a picture on here of Nonie with the kids and realized I don't have any recent ones so.... we got Nonie a family photo session with the talented Theresa Mark.
Happy Birthday to the AMAZING Nonie. We are so blessed to have all your love, support, cuddles, ideas, and Friday Night football scores.

Insanity

Today I managed to survive day 1 of Insanity and I think I might be insane to think I am in any kind of shape to handle this. It kicked my behind and I will be feeling it tomorrow. I was lucky enough to have this cute, little coach cheering - scratch that yelling me on. 

He was as tough as the guy on television. He was not shy about telling me that I was not landing softly and that it was not water break time. I think tomorrow I will do my workout before the drill Sargent wakes up. 

Homecoming

 The twins and I were lucky enough to catch the rally in the afternoon where we were so excited to see a few special people. They were so excited to see Aunt Rachel and baby Esther that they could have cared less about the floats. Later that evening I braved the crowds and took all 3 kids to homecoming. They have been doing such a good job sitting in the stands watching the games. I definetly pack a small - scratch that large bag of snacks and activities to occupy them. 

The older two have gotten really good at when the ball is in front or beat us that watch and when it is far down the field they color, play on the phone, or snack. 

The snacks and batteries last until halftime - thank goodness and then we just watched in awe. Vaca High knows how to do homecoming! The floats were awesome and the fireworks were AMAZING!!!

 After the fireworks we headed to the van that I felt like was parked all the way in the 87. By halftime my early to bed kids are crumbling. I was worried about 3 kids all wanting to be carried and 1 mama but they did it. So proud of them. And so thankful for all the fun memories my kids are making on Friday nights. They already bleed black and orange and are all about Go Dogs!

Let's go fly a kite

Today we woke up to trash and leaves blown all over the neighborhood. It was a blustery morning. Sweet Emmeline came up with the idea that it was a perfect day to fly a kite. She talked about it all morning with Nonie and then went to school and told her teachers her idea. I love that they go to a school with fabulous teachers who can run with a child's curiousity and creativity and run with it. Instead of doing snakes ( thank you due to my extreme fear) they all made kites. I missed the grand exit of them all leaving class with them, but I can only imagine how precious that must have been. They spent the evening running back and forth in our backyard flying their kites.