Happy Halloween!

Evie had a great time "flying" around the neighborhood (courtesy of Daddy) on her broomstick. After the party on Saturday she decided that she wanted to be a witch instead of a princess. She wore her black spider web pants, orange pumpkin shirt, witch hat and carried her yellow broom. She insisted on walking with the broom between her legs so she tired out easily. She did one street.

Spencer, on the other hand, did the whole neighborhood as Thomas the Tank Engine. We stayed with some neigbors for most of the way. At first he told people when they didn't have anything he knew was safe and just didn't take anything. Then I told him that if he took candy then I could exchange the things he couldn't have with things that he could. That satisfied him and he accepted whatever was offered.

In a bad mommy realization I noticed that not only did I not have Spencer's EpiPens with me but I didn't even have a cell phone. At least the neighbor had his, but that was really stupid of me. Spencer got several items that had peanuts and lots with milk. It could have been a disaster if any of the packages had been open. Spencer is smart enough not to eat anything he doesn't think is safe. It's not perfect, but he's slowly learning.

Go IU!

The kids went to their first full football game today. We sat in the endzone for about an hour and ate hot dogs and popcorn. Then, it just got too cold. As luck would have it, we needed to go to a Halloween party anyway!

Our friends the Baxters had a fun Halloween party. Spencer was Thomas and Evie was a princess created out of her dress up clothing. They had a really good time. Even Evie warmed up and didn't want to leave at the end.

X-ray Vision

Spencer: (while throwing toys into the air) Mom, we need to do a clean-up in here! (Throws more toys.)

Mom: Yes, after lunch we'll clean up. It's so messy in that playroom you can't even see the floor!

Spencer: Oh, then we don't have to do a clean-up.

Mom: Why not?

Spencer: Because I can see the floor.

Mom: Oh, really? How?

Spencer: I have x-ray vision!

The leaves are falling off the trees

Even with two sick kids at home we still went outside yesterday for a little while to rake some leaves. The kids had tons of fun even though they did less jumping and throwing than they ordinarily would. I'll try to post a picture or two when I get a little time.

In less happy news I'm concerned that Spencer might have pneumonia again. He's wheezing and keeps getting a slight fever. He's fine after some albuterol and Tylenol, but it's still troubling.

Pumpkins, hay rides, and the corn maze

It was time for the annual trip to Freeman Family Farms for our exciting "get a pumpkin for Halloween" adventure. There they have a few animals in the barn and pumpkins to buy. OR, you can take a hay ride out to another pumpkin patch that's right next to a corn maze. This year's corn maze is less complicated than last year's and the corn isn't as tall, but it was fun just the same. We ran into a friend from the kids' school there as well. Since Spencer had done the corn maze on Monday with his class he was all set to lead us on our journey. Our fearless leader took us just about every where and spent part of the time on daddy's shoulders to get a better view. After about three days we made it out and selected our pumpkin.

Sponge worthy

Today we made bread from scratch using the sponge method. I set up the sponge overnight and we took little bits of time out of the day for the various steps. It wasn't as fun or educational as I had hoped and the bread was difficult to knead, but the kids actually ate something with "seeds" (wheatberries) in it. That's a step.

Oh yeah, and we also raked leaves, played in the sandbox, drew pictures, cut pictures out of magazines, did a little cleanup, and watched the Magic School Bus. A slow day, but not boring. Well, it must've been a little boring because I found a bag of marshmallows behind Spencer's chair that I had just moved to a high cabinet this morning.

And if you thought what I think you thought when you read the title of this entry, then you either have a dirty little mind or you're watching too much t.v. (or both)!

A little hike in the woods

This afternoon I took the kids to Leonard Springs Nature Park for a little hike. We did the whole 1-mile loop. They were great. It was hard to keep Spencer from getting ahead, but they loved taking the log bridge over the rushing waterfall and following the trail markers. Everyone was a bit tired by the end but they want to go again so I guess it was good!

Our so-called "nature walk"

We met a bunch of friends at a park and decided to go on a nature walk. This consisted of walking down a path to where there's an older park and a stream with a neat bridge over it. Little did I realize that the whole place would be a swamp! The kids walked right through one huge puddle and decided their feet were too wet to stay in their shoes. Then they just started jumping and splashing in the water. Sadly, we had to leave before they were completely finished, so there was a lot of yelling. They ended up walking back up the trail barefoot and stripping to clean undies I had in the car before we left.

And of course, we arrived home to find my father-in-law pulling into the driveway. I wonder what he thinks with two mostly naked critters jumping out of the car next to him?

Pumpkins in the Park

Today was Pumpkins in the Park. The kids had fun doing the obstacle course, listening to music, and going on the hayride. Hard to believe it's pumpkin time already. The holidays are right around the corner.

On a personal note, I got to catch up a little bit with my friend Tanja, who had a new daughter a few weeks ago. I only wish I could have been so calm and together after Evie was born! They seem to be doing really well and I hope she doesn't hesitate to call if she needs something.

Parade of appliances

Time for another appliance! Alan stayed up late last night installing a new microwave above the oven. It's probably been 2 years or so since the old one worked. We have another one that I've had for 11 years without a day of trouble so we've just been using that one. The old one was used for candy hiding/storage so now I have to find another hidey hole for that.

Now, if I could just get my fridge to magically turn shiny black it would all match!

In sickness and under lights

Evie woke up with a tummy bug this morning, poor thing. Alan stayed home through lunch to take care of her. She slept most of that time. She's very traumatized by it. But by mid-afternoon she was back to her old self. She even voluntarily ate fruits and veggies at dinner. (Maybe she's still sick?!?!)

Tonight Spencer had soccer again. After an emotional tiff with another boy and a mid-game run to the potty he realized that it was dark and he was playing UNDER THE LIGHTS! This was huge. His team was getting beaten pretty badly, but he only remembered that later because he was just so thrilled about the lights.

Time with my girl

Evie and I finally got to spend some time alone together this morning. It was nice. We had about an hour to set up a fair/circus with Little People and then do some coloring before dance class. I miss spending time with each child alone and I know it will get more difficult as they get older.

What is that SMELL?

There's been a bit of an odor coming from the refrigerator for a week or so. Today we took time out to do one shelf of the fridge at a time. The kids were gleeful at being allowed to have the door WIDE OPEN while they piled things on the counter. We it cool back down in between shelves. For the freezer we raced to see if we could take everything out, wipe it down, and put everything back before the ice cream melted.

For the record, we didn't find anything that was smelly. I tossed a few things but nothing stank. Spencer has suggested that we pull the refrigerator out so we can clean behind and underneath it. Sound exciting?

Coca-Cola's Secret Formula

Do you know Coke's recipe? My kids do. It consists of random parts water, dirt (or mud, in which case you need less water), and a bag of party ice. Now, you can go home to make your very own!

Oh, and when you're done, you can cover yourself with the result for a great skin treatment. Or maybe to get ready for tribal activities. Or whatever.

Lunch is a bunch

You wouldn't think an extra hour and a half at a preschool would be any big deal, but boy, it wore me out! I signed up to do lunch bunch on Tuesdays. Kids stay an extra hour and a half and bring their lunches. Between two kids who were scared of me (luckily their teachers were there) and several more who didn't like the lunches that were packed for them it was a time of diplomacy.

Then after that, the mad dash to put another child's car seat in my car and collect three children from school who didn't want to leave, the crazy trip to the co-op with three kids who wanted to touch EVERYTHING, and the afternoon battle to share toys, and I'm whupped. Good thing I love kids!

We know who you are

Today we went down to the BMV to get the kids their photo IDs. All the data entry took forever, but now they're in the system. They even had to put their signatures (scribbles) in the computer! Evie has a scary mug shot but Spencer looks like he was getting a portrait done. Now I can identify them anywhere we go.